Maripat McGlynn
A Healthy DIEt
Over the past century, people have been more informed than ever on their health and how to prevent diseases. It seems as though almost every disease or condition has a coalition that is fighting for a cure and give ways on how to prevent a person from getting the disease. We are also all aware that nutrition and exercise are two of the most important factors in preventing disease. But then why is it that our main issue in America is directly related to food? Obesity has risen immensely over the past 20 years. There is not one state in the United States that has an obesity level below 20%. Thirty years ago not one state in the United States had an obesity level above 15%. Half were below 10%. What is the cause of this phenomenon? Advertising agencies and big corporations would like to say people are demanding more food. In reality I believe people are just being bombarded with more food. They are manipulated into eating, smelling and thinking about food 24/7. It’s an obsession. But it is so common and "normal" to be surrounded with food billboards and restaurants everywhere that we do not see the problems with it.
In urban neighborhoods where a lot of lower income families live, fast food is a staple. There is a fast food restaurant on almost every corner. It is no coincidence that these cheap, unhealthy restaurants are located in the poorer neighborhoods. They are put there on purpose because the people “need” cheap, fast food. We all have been informed of how bad fast food really is for people. We see the affects everywhere. But when an overweight person dies from a heart attack because they were too heavy and were eating tens of thousands of calories a day in McDonalds, we don’t feel too bad for them. We tend to think to ourselves, "Well they should have just stopped eating all that junk. They know it’s bad for them." But could it be that this food is addictive? That maybe this food was created to be addictive and unfullfilling? I'd say the answer is yes. At the same time that obesity is rising, other serious eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia are afflicting more and more people. Our country has become image obsessed. The diet industry is profiting from feeding us junk and then taking the pounds off. What we don’t realize is that how are they going to keep getting that money if we don’t keep cycling. Therefore people are struggling with food, and body issues more than ever before. It is mind boggling as to how people are profiting off of others illnesses but they are. The only way to stop it is to inform, make people aware and to realize that our bodies deserve respect. Diet, junk and unrealistic goals are cycling. Balance is the key.
Maripat, I agree that we should all find a balance between nutrition and exercise. This can be harder to some more than others because of various aspects such as, location, income, and awareness or lack or awareness. Respect should be demanded from the numerous food industries and lobbyists of America. It's unfortunate that eating disorders exist because of the rise of obesity. What is the solution? One solution could be maintaining fresh gardens of healthy food. This can be done with what little soil urban residencies offer. If not, access to land should be the next step. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteI agree with your post. Unfortunately people don't realize the toxins that McDonald's puts into their body. Allowing them to crave move for the food only making it even more unhealthier. Its easy to go to McDonald's because its so cheap and fast. Because a lot of people are ignorant to nutritional facts we don't realize that the food that is good for the moment and cheap is only creating future problems. If we can educate people the correct way, we can start on making dietary changes one step at a time. Starting from what we put in the food to changing the fast food company production all together.
ReplyDelete-Tai Virgil
I disagree with your post because the people are bombarded with fast food corporations across rural and urban areas, so it is a choice in what type of food you want to eat. Not to generalize the population but individuals lean toward the fattier things in life such as hamburgers and french fries rather than tofu or sushi. Subconsciously not everyone people are aware of their eating habits, but I must agree that they may lack education far as the nutritional facts, for I suffer from being overweight. The question is how will we change this outrageous and dangerous eating habits, for that is another topic for another century. Thank you Goodbye
ReplyDeleteRobert Wall
I agree with you that we have to balance our eating. I think you have to give our some advice like exercise, and types of health food we need. Also, for my opinions, get a heathy body is not only by individuals habit, but also public education.
ReplyDelete-To-Yin Cheng