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Obesity In America

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Obesity in America
Obesity is one of the leading heath care issues in America. Caused by poor diets, physical inactivity, and genetic predispositions, obesity can lead to the development of health problems such as sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, and gallbladder disease. Over the years, obesity rates have increased exponentially becoming a nationwide phenomenon among the citizens of America. Causing issues in the health care system, obesity is not only a personal problem; it is a social issue that is presented to the public, in which the marketplace reacts to. By reducing the widespread epidemic of obesity through education, prevention, and the promotion of obesity awareness as a major public health concern, it can assist in lessening the effects …show more content…

For example, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) is a federally funded national nutrition education program that helps citizens become aware of a healthy diet (Wexler, 2007). They educate citizens of all ages on how to maintain a healthy body in order for them to avoid obesity. Although, having the information on a healthy diet does not automatically mean that the information given is always correct. As Wexler stated, “Historically, some public health professionals believed that the USDA Food Pyramid was flawed because its composition was unduly influenced by pressure from the food industry, whose members know that even subtle changes to the guidelines can affect a food manufacturer’s sales” (Wexler, 2007). In other words, Wexler asserts that information that was given to the citizens was influenced by the market, causing obesity and health concerns to become a social issue. Therefore, educating Americans on nutritional values is an important step in order to solve the problem of …show more content…

For example, by offering students healthier options in school vending machines and at lunch, it can influence their behaviors into what they put into their body on a daily basis. In addition, due to the advancement in technologies, citizens are walking less by using cars, buses, and escalators. In order to make a difference there needs to be a change in the transportation system. By having more stairs and sidewalks, this allows citizens to get the daily exercise they need in order to prevent themselves from becoming obese. As Wexler stated, “ Policy makers were exhorted to create more community-based obesity prevention and treatment programs... They also were advised to enact public policy to create and maintain safe and accessible sidewalks, walking and bicycle paths, and stairs” (Wexler, 2007). However, the disadvantages that follow environmental changes can be due to limited resources such as, fresh produce and land. By implementing environmental changes it could lessen the effects of obesity in

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