Fueled by Fat
"America runs on Dunkin". This is a familiar phrase across all of America and it could not be more accurate. Dunkin Donuts has experienced great success by selling a variety of comfort foods and beverages that everyone loves. Donuts, bagels, and sweet, caffeinated drinks are loaded with sodium, carbohydrates, sugar, and fat; and as a result it is no surprise obesity is a rising problem in America. However, obesity is not the only major concern for people who eat such fatty, unhealthy foods. People consume many different types of fats everyday. Some fats promote numerous bodily functions, while others raise levels of cholesterol and increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases (Mayo Clinic Staff 1). Although it has never been proven, past research deems saturated fat as the primary cause of cardiovascular diseases. Ever since this claim was made decades ago, people have tried to avoid eating saturated fat, but now scientists are questioning whether it is really as lousy for the body as they once believed. With the use of the most recent technology, research proves that saturated fat has no harmful effects on the body and can even be beneficial when it is consumed. Fat comes in various forms and is an essential source of energy that allows the body to function normally. The various types of fat and
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Build up like atherosclerosis is also similar to Coronary Heart disease, which is a common term for the build up of plague in the hearts arteries ("Coronary Artery Disease - Coronary Heart Disease" 1). Hearing about these conditions is alarming to many individuals and makes them want to avoid cardiovascular disease at all costs, but like many people would think, eliminating saturated fat from their diet is not the right
One of the most important parts of any persuasive essay is the counterclaim. This is where the author states the opposing side’s opinion, and then states why their opinions are wrong. In the article “The Skinny on Low-Fat Diets”, the author talks about the why some people continue to follow the low-fat diet, and why they think it works. It is not only important that the author includes this in his article, but it is mandatory. The counterclaim is what really pushes the article that extra mile to persuade the reader.
We Americans are always on the go, no matter if it is on our way to work, school, or exercise. Most people are eating some types of processed food usually for almost every meal due to how quick it is to prepare. However, most Americans do not realize that the nutrition facts on the other side of their granola bar shows the ugly truth about what they are eating. Michael Pollan who is a highly esteemed author on this subject refers to the “Western Diet” as mostly processed foods. Pollan’s main argument is that Americans need to reduce the amount of processed foods that are consumed so that health risks will be reduced. Pollan says, “People eating a Western diet are prone to a complex of chronic diseases that seldom strike people eating more traditional diets.” Pollan believes that Americans are eating too much processed foods, and that it is making Americans fat and more vulnerable to many diseases. In other countries where processed foods are eaten on the same level as Americans are not showing as much
Childhood obesity has become one of America’s biggest problems today. The number of overweight and obese children has increased at an outstanding rate during the mid- 1970s. According to the author of “The Metamorphoses of Fat- a History of Obesity,” one in five American kids is overweight or obese (23). Obesity is causing a broad range of health problems for these children that shouldn’t be happening until they reach their adulthood. Some of these health problems include high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol levels. Not only does childhood obesity cause health problems, but psychological ones too. Obese children are more likely to develop a low self- esteem and depression because of their negative body image.
Greasy pizza. Fried chicken. High sugar drinks. These all aspects of the American diet. American citizens and the American government are well known for a certain disregard for healthy eating. Severe health problems such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and other weight related medical issues are steadily increasing. “Is Junk Food Really Cheaper?” by The New York Times, “Attacking the Obesity Epidemic by first Figuring Out Its Cause” by The New York Times, “Give (Frozen) Peas a Chance-and Carrots Too” by TIME, and “Edible Schoolyard” by Alice Waters are four articles that discuss the complications Americans face when it comes to the fast food epidemic. Farming, government policy, and schools as well as homes should be making bigger strides
Not only are all of the food groups being monitored, but the fat content of meals is also being closely censored. The current regulation is that school lunches must have fewer than 10% of their calories from saturated fats; this has not changed from the previous standard (“Comparison of Previous and Current”). Heart disease, heart attack, and stroke are risks of too many saturated fats and the high cholesterol that results from the fats (Moss 214). Saturated fats have also been linked to Type II diabetes (Moss 214). It makes sense that school lunches only have limited amounts of saturated fats; this way, the chance of students suffering from these health risks are lower. To prevent these problems may be difficult, but avoiding saturated fats in school lunches is a smart strategy. Another type of fat, called trans-fat, is not allowed in school lunches at all; this is very different to the past when there was no limit on trans-fat (“Comparison of Previous and Current”). Trans-fats are often put into foods because it does not cost a lot and can make foods last longer (“Trans Fat”). The problem with this type of fat is that it leads to high cholesterol and can eventually lead to coronary heart disease and even death (“Trans Fat”).
Buddha once said, "To keep the body in good health is a duty...otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear." Students need a healthy body which leads to having a healthy mind. Once a child is in good health, they will feel better about themself which will make them succeed in everything else they do. A huge debate that is going on all throughout the United States is this- Should schools provide one healthy meal for students to help end the fight of childhood obesity? Schools are beginning to pick up the slack for the lost direction that children should receive at home. Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic all through our country. If we do not begin to take the initiative and stop this problem, then it may begin to spread worldwide. Americans need to realize the severity of the situation and begin to take in more seriously rather than brush it off as a light topic.
Obesity is a modern epidemic in America and is starting to become our society’s “norm.” According to an article in Progress in Health Sciences, childhood obesity is the most frequent eating disorder (Koukourikos). There are several factors that contribute to the childhood obesity epidemic. Should we solely shun the parents of obese children for this? No, we should not. There is not one single person to blame, but several people, along with our society. Family, friends, and schools all play a very important role in teaching children about healthy food choices and exercise. Children may have a greater risk for obesity due to genetic factors. We need to constantly remind our children how important it is to maintain a healthy lifestyle so that
According to recent statistics, every year Americans spend about $50 billion on products and services promoted to help them lose weight. Many of the overweight and obese people that join commercial weight loss programs are looking for a quick fix to lose the weight, such as fad diets and dietary supplements that are marketed to burn fat fast. However, many of these diets offer little success or success for a short time, resulting in many gaining the weight back a short time afterwards. Fad diets are “a trendy practice that has widespread appeal among a population. After a period, however, people lose interest in the practice, and it becomes no longer fashionable. People often lose weight while following fad diets, but usually regain much of
Processed foods are in everybody’s lives, but are they safe? Processed foods are foods that are in boxes, cans, or bags usually containing artificial colors, flavors, and other chemical ingredients that most people can’t pronounce or recognize (SFGate). Processed Foods may taste good but can have terrible side effects. Most people don’t see the harmful effects of processed foods. Processed foods should not be eaten.
Child obesity is at its highest in the United States. With fast food restaurants spreading, new food products being produced, and health rates hiking in children between ages of 3-13, children are at a higher risk of reaching obesity. Nutrients are very important for children to contain in their body due to the fact they are growing regularly. Without the specific vitamins and minerals needed in the body, lack of physical activity, and false parental guidance, children are in jeopardy of becoming overweight. Should parents be responsible for this issue? Parents are accountable for their children’s health, because as their child grows, it is a parent’s job to supply correct and healthy resources to their children.
One of the big controversies in this argument is who decides what foods are considered healthy and which foods will fall under the tax. Does this responsibility go to the legislators, to the nutritionist experts, or does it go to the people who are consuming these foods? The legislators create these bills to be implemented, but do they have the knowledge to know what nutrients the body needs on a daily or weekly basis? How much fat needs to be in a food for it to be put under the fat tax?
Over the course of the last few decades, the U.S. has seen a drastic rise in the spread of obesity. Through the rise of large-scale fast food corporations, the blame has shifted toward the mass consumerism of these global industries. It is, however, due to poor lifestyle choices that the U.S. population has seen a significant increase in the percentage of people afflicted with obesity. In 1990 the percentage of obese people in the United States was approximated at around 15%. In 2010, however, it is said that “36 states had obesity rates of 25 percent or higher”(Millar). These rates have stayed consistent since 2003. The obesity problem in America is
“Healthy eating” means eating a variety of foods that gives you the nutrients you need to maintain your health, feeling good with your health conditions, and having enough energy throughout the day (Nordqvist). A poor diet can cause harm a person’s daily life activities. Research from Eating Healthy Might Prove Too Expensive for Poor ABC News shows, that the price of eating healthy foods may be expensive to a family who earns a low-income. So, eating fast foods may be more convenient for them knowing that the prices are way less. However, everyone should make the effort to stop eating foods that will later on harm your health. As mentioned in the article “Healthy Eating”, “Healthy eating is not about strict dietary limitations, staying unrealistically
Junk food has been proven to be unhealthy long time ago. Junk food started to grow more and more recently and spread fast all over the world. Junk food reveals any food with high calories and low nutritional value. A big problem with junk foods is that satiation value of them is low, that means people need to eat a large amount of that unhealthy foods to feel full. So it is like eating a lot of poisons for a long time, what do you think the result will be on the health condition of the humans? Another problem of junk foods tend to replace other healthy foods; people who drink a lot of soda there is no room for healthy natural fruit juice in their stomach, people who are snacking on cookies, they’re not eating fruits and healthy vegetables (WebMD
“We need to teach our children to eat real food. No fast foods. No junk foods. No processed foods. Just honest, nutritious, real food.” As the years go by many more people are becoming obese because they consume too much fast food. People need to get in habits to cook at home rather than eating out everyday for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. People in this world are now always trying to look for the easy way out of things. Eating out at a fast food restaurant is not a healthy meal to eat. We the people need to avoid the fast food restaurants and stop being lazy and have home cooked meals everyday. Although fast food is convenient for everyone, it causes obesity and consuming too much fast food can lead to type 2 diabetes.