Nathan Foxworthy

Wilson 2
HELA 10
March 7, 2016
Obesity in America

America is one of the most obese countries in the world, and it just keeps
continuing to get worse. Obesity means to be grossly fat or overweight and 68.5% adults
are obese in the U.S. and this isnt even counting children and others. Obesity is one of
the most talked about social issues in America and is a problem that just keeps growing
more and more over the years. Obesity is such a major issue because it causes many
health problems; these are health problems that mostly affect the heart. Since obesity
causes so many health problems, and medical costs are over 140 billion dollars, the
government must provide more resources to prevent obesity.

If the government doesnt provide more help, then the many health problems
including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and sometimes cancer, that obesity
causes, will just get worse. These are just a few of the many and this leads me to the
question, why do people do this to themselves. Obesity has been linked to stress and/or
not enough protein, another reason was too much TV(Physcology Today). This
shows that obesity can be eradicated and that people can become healthy again, but
currently in America, obesity is a huge issue. Obesity is so bad for you and the health
problems it causes just arent worth this being a major problem.300,000 Americans die

needlessly each year from diseases and unhealthy conditions related to sedentary lifestyle
or poor eating habits.(Tommy Thompson, Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services) Since, obesity causes so many health problems, this leads to high
medical costs.

Another reason is health care costs for obesity range from $147 billion to nearly
$210 billion per year, and this is just outrageous. Another cost issue due to obesity is job
absenteeism, which can cost around $4.3 billion dollars annually. This lower productivity
at work, can cost employer$506 dollars per obese worker per year (CDC). This all shows
that obesity is costing, not just the person, but also everyone around them and even is
affecting the society, which is what makes obesity a major social issue in America.
Obesity also shows that America has a gross amount of food and which makes some
wonder, why there are people starving in the U.S., and then there are some who eat too
much and are overweight enough, that they are having health problems.

However some say the government is already doing the best it can and the reason
they cant stop it is because, you cant change human behavior. Human behavior is
defined as behavior that doesnt change since you were a child and the behavior that
evolves while you grow (Wiki). Every person has their own unique personality and
behavior, so the government cant do something that would change everyones mind.
Many doctors and other influential people have started programs for obese people that
make exercising fun and interesting. Also many have released facts and have shown the

problems that can occur to try and get people to get up and help themselves (AAFP). As
shown by earlier statistic however, many things the government and people do are futile.

Obesity is a major problem in America that causes many health problems and
medical costs; however, it is also a problem that can be fixed and needs to be since it is
such a major social issue. Obesity causes many disputes and makes people question why
people are starving in the U.S. if there are obese people too. Obesity is a problem that
needs to be fixed and since it is usually something a person causes, then they can work to
help themselves and help decrease obesity in America. Obesity can be fixes and it needs
to so that health problems and costs can decrease in America.

Works Cited:

Berezow, Alex B. "How Can Americans Be Both Obese and Starving? |

"Federal Government Takes Bigger Role in Combating Obesity." Federal Government

Takes Bigger Role in Combating Obesity. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2016.
<http://www.aafp.org/news/obesity/20100517fed-initiatives.html>.

"Facts, Stats, and Quotes on Obesity In America." IAH. N.p., 11 Mar. 2013. Web. 07 Mar.
2016.

Nueman, Fredric, M.D. "Ten or Twelve Reasons People Get Fat." Psycology Today. N.p.,
7 July 2013. Web. 7 Mar. 2016.

"Obesity and Diseases: Weighing Your Risks." WebMD. WebMD, 2014. Web. 07 Mar.
2016.

"Overweight and Obesity Statistics." Overweight and Obesity Statistics. N.p., Oct. 2012.
Web. 07 Mar. 2016.

RealClearScience." How Can Americans Be Both Obese and Starving? |

RealClearScience. N.p., 24 Aug. 2013. Web. 07 Mar. 2016.

"The Healthcare Costs of Obesity." : The State of Obesity. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Mar. 2016.