Overweight in America: A Look at How Obesity Relates to Economics, Fast Food and Health

If you are an adult reading this article, there is a one in three chance you are fat. Yes, fat.

Most people use the word overweight or heavy when talking about obese people, but I am not here to be nice or 'politically correct'. If Americans can not see that being fat is an important issue that needs to be talked about honestly, then the problem will never be solved. Calling fat people something nicer only makes their behavior and lifestyle seem more acceptable, and with that the cause will be lost.

According to the Center for Disease Control, an adult who has a BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight. An adult who has a BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese. BMI stands for body mass index and is calculated by your weight and height. My BMI is about 18, which actually puts me in the underweight catagory for my height. To figure out your BMI and read some more information, check out this website: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/bmi/adult_BMI/about_adult_BMI.htm. You can also see a BMI table here: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/obesity/bmi_tbl.htm.

Results from the 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, using measured heights and weights, indicate that an estimated 17 percent of children and adolescents ages 2-19 years are overweight. And that was 2 years ago.

There are severe health issues that can result from being fat, whether you are just 'overweight' or morbidly obese. The most common problems associated with fat:
Hypertension
Osteoarthritis (a degeneration of cartilage and its underlying bone within a joint)
Dyslipidemia
Type 2 diabetes
Coronary heart disease
Stroke
Gallbladder disease
Sleep apnea and respiratory problems
Some cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon)

Economics in the United States is also being affected by the growing number of fat people who live here. According to a study of national costs attributed to both overweight and obesity, medical expenses accounted for 9.1 percent of total U.S. medical expenditures in 1998. In 2002, that amounted to approximately $92.6 billion dollars. Almost 100 billion dollars wasted because of fat people!

Can You Blame Fast Food?

Many people in our country blame fast food for the growing prevalence of overweight Americans. Although most fast food is greasy, unhealthy, and chock full of calories, I don't agree that this is what is making America fat. Of course it is one indirect cause, but everyone knows fast food is not the best diet. People need to take the necessary steps to BURN OFF the calories they consume in a trip through the Taco Bell drive-thru. It's not that complicated of a thing to figure out. If you take in alot of calories and then don't get rid of them, you will gain weight. That is how it works.

Here are two of my favorite fast food restaurants nutrition facts, taken directly from their own websites:

McDonald's
Fish Filet= 400 calories
Medium Fries=380 calories
Grilled Chicken Bacon Ranch Salad= 260 calories
Egg McMuffin= 300 calories
Hot Fudge Sundae= 330 calories

Taco Bell
Chicken Chalupa Baja= 400 calories
Beef Gordita Supreme= 310 calories

But this article isn't all about negativity. I am here to help too.

Here are some steps the CDC recommends to reduce obesity:
Reduce time spent watching TV
Build physical activity into regular routines
Ensure that your child's school meets nutrition standards

Here are some ways I personally think you can help youself:

1. Start going to a gym. Take a friend for support and help.

2. Learn about proper nutrition, INCLUDING PORTION SIZE. You can check out this website for help: http://www.mypyramid.gov/

3. Learn how many calories are appropriate for what you want to accomplish: lose weight, maintain weight: http://health.howstuffworks.com/question457.htm

4. Only go to a fast food restaurant to reward youself for losing weight. DO NOT overindulge!

5. Think seriously about your life. Read the health risks above. You want to see your son graduate right? You want to be around for your daughter's wedding? You want to see your first grandchild being born? If that is not enough to convince you to change your ways, I don't know what is.