Obesity among Americans

Obesity is a major problem among today's generation. It was a bad thing 50 years ago but as time has passed it has only gotten worse. The majority of Americans are now considered to be obese. "In the United States, 2 out of every 3 adults are considered to be obese" says Carson. Most people simply don't care or feel that they're not overweight. Being obese has its downfalls and it effects people in many ways. It causes problems physically, financially and nationally as well. At the rate obesity is increasing scientists say that 41 percent of all Americans will be considered obese by the year 2012.

Being obese changes a person physically. When being overweight you have many health issues that arise. "We think that fat cells in the body cause inflammation and that inflammation causes vessel damage," said University of North Carolina researcher Asheley Cockrell Skinner, the lead author." Vessel damage and clogged arteries eventually lead to lack of blood flow to the heart. If the heart doesn't receive the blood it needs then problems such as heart attacks and strokes occur. Being heavy also leads to an increase in chances of being a diabetic, having cancer and having major joint problems. The issue of being overweight don't end with just physical problems. Being obese also has been said to have a major effect on our wallets.

A person becomes overweight by eating too much food and having a lack of exercise in their daily routine. We all know that food isn't free so when you're out doing your grocery shopping you're spending your money. The more you eat the more food you buy. The government is trying their best to solve obesity issues. One option that was brought to the table was a tax on all drinks that contained sugar or other sweeteners. The proposed federal tax on sugary beverages would raise perhaps $50 billion over 10 years, or about 3 percent of the $1.5 trillion needed to pay for health care reform. By comparison, limiting the tax exemption for medical insurance benefits could bring in $500 billion, and making Medicare and Medicaid more efficient could save as much as $600 billion. "The soda tax deserves to be a fizzle", says unknown author of USA Today magazine. The government is trying to figure out how to lower the percentage of Americans that are obese by throwing additional taxes on any carbonated or non-carbonated drink that contains sugar and other key ingredients that are unhealthy. They are spending way too much money on something that is just going to create another problem and the money they spend effects America as a Nation.

The Nation has been dealing with obesity as a major problem among Americans today. They are determined to add more regulations to the food we buy. By adding additional taxes on certain foods it will hurt the government but it will also benefit us as well. As stated above, the government will spend a ton of money on this project but it's not all bad. By adding the extra taxes on certain foods it will increase the amount the government receives through taxes. Studies show that previous tax raises on other products consumed by Americans didn't really change the rate of obesity. People still bought what they usually eat or drink without thinking twice. It just cost more now than it used to. Also with all of the money coming in from the extra taxes the government can use it to help provide good health care to those that need it. When it comes down to it, it's positive verse negative effects on the Nation. How will it be handled? Will the government add taxes and hurt the wallets of many and not even change the growing rate of obesity or will they find alternative ways to handle the situation?

Obesity is a problem in today's society. It effects more than just how a person feels about themselves. It effects more than just that one person. The problem of obesity effects the entire Nation. It effects those that are obese as well as those who are considered to be healthy. It effects us physically, financially, and nationally. According to studies, the rate of obesity will only continue to grow as time progresses. The government has come up with many solutions but all have failed thus far. They will continue to do research on the topic and continue to educate the people about the bad things that are associated with obesity. The government isn't going to solve this issue alone. They need cooperation from the people. when you think about it, the people are the ones putting the food in their mouths. It's not like some one's doing it for them. They know what being overweight causes yet they continue to go about their own business.

One way to help lower the rate of obesity is to eat healthy foods. Instead of going to a fast food place you could cook a meal at your house. If you find it hard to stop eating the junk food that is bad for you then maybe you could find some time to fit some sort of cardio exercise in your daily routine. With just these two alternatives, a person could lose weight and live a healthier life. These are just small steps that would lower the rate of obesity as well as help our Nation physically and financially.

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Hirsch, Jerry. "Study: Fast-Food Ban Is No Fat Cure." Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, CA) 06 Oct. 2009: B1+. SIRS Researcher. Web. 24 Apr. 2010.