BETTY LE

COLLIN HULL
ENGLISH 2010
03.04.12
PROPOSAL
& POSITION
REVISED
PORFOLIO

WHAT MAKES

YOU

FAT?

ts outreach affects children, adults, and the elderly. No one is entirely immune to this
disease. About 300,000 people in the U.S. die from this each year (Greenblatt). If
infected, youre at an increased risk of having strokes, sleep apnea, hypertension
(high blood pressure), dyslipidemia (high cholesterol), gallbladder and liver problems,

breast or colon cancer, and even infertility; the disability to have children (CDC).The paradox is
that the epidemic is the second most preventable disease; right behind second hand smoking
(Greenblatt). Its a medical condition in which weight significantly exceeds what is normal for

Betty Le
Collin Hull
English 2010
03.06.12
height and age and is essentially an excess of body fat; also known as obesity (Crothers, Laura
M., et al.). America has been battling it since 1970, when we first noticed the rise of obesity in
our own youth. The percentages nearly doubled since then. For adults, roughly 135 million are
either overweight or obese already; 14 million are considered morbidly obese, and 1 million are
considered mega-obese (Bennet). Despite the common perspective that obesity is primarily
influenced by diet and exercise; the less discussed factors such as the government, food industry,
socioeconomic statuses, and parent-child relations actually play a much larger role in our obesity
rates.

Government
The government is taking their own measures on the obesity crisis. In March 2010,
President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Over $15 billion was
planned to be invested in the Prevention and Public Health Fund for researching and finding
courses of actions to take on preventative health causes. Effective in 2011, chain-restaurants are
now required by law to provide nutrition labeling on their menus (Mantel). The purpose is to
help eliminate childhood obesity. Taking a step backwards however, the House of
Representatives voted to repeal the funding in April 2011; after it had been signed only a year
before. Congress proposed an $8 billion reduction from the bill (Mantel). The effects on the
decision could potentially lead America astray from making the good health goals the nation
needs so direly to achieve. We cannot afford to turn a blind eye on this health issue that lies
before us. Our country must consider all true causes of obesity, find a conclusion, and come
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Collin Hull
English 2010
03.06.12
together to create solutions to not only prevent but diminish this ongoing matter as soon as
possible.

Correlating Factors
2+2 = 4 is the equivalent idea that exercising and a good diet adds up to a healthy
lifestyle. It makes sense to us; one with the lesser likelihood of being overweight. Nevertheless,
the answer to preventing obesity is not as
simple as its math counterpart. Adelle
Davis, an advocate for organic food and
criticizer of food additives once said, To
say that obesity is caused by merely
consuming too many calories is like
saying that the only cause of the
American Revolution was the Boston
Tea Party." What it boils down to is the food industry and our economy. Both have serious parts
playing into this epidemic; not only on a national level but on an individual plane as well. With
the nutritional value were receiving from socioeconomic standpoints; what were eating is truly
our moneys worth. The right question to ask right now is, Whats for dinner?

The Food Industry

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Collin Hull
English 2010
03.06.12

he lower income families are indirectly affected by the food industry.

Economically, processed foods are affordable to these families. Processed
foods are bad in terms of being healthy. At Wal-Mart, a $1.50 will buy a
Banquet branded Chicken Fried Steak frozen dinner meal. For the nutrition

facts, the box states its serving size is 1 meal. The amount of calories in one box is 423. The total
fat equals 23 grams, which on their chart shows that its 35% of your daily value. Cholesterol is
4mg, while sodium is 1200mg (Banquet). Health wise, the USDA Recommended Daily
Allowance for Sodium Intake is 2,400mg per day (Food and Nutrition). Half of the
recommended intake for sodium is consumed from eating only one dinner box. If a person was to
eat 4 of the Banquet boxes a day, a week, a month, or a year; the person would astronomically be
over their sodium intake alone. That is not considering all the other factors like fats, sugars, and
calories. A person needs to consume 3,500 calories to gain weight; theoretically, 7 boxes will
make the person gain one extra pound (Food and Nutrition). The food industry may come off as
heartless when we think of all the bad kinds of foods they provide and still provide. Its difficult
for the CEOs of these food companies to feel sorry for the consequences. Theyre not the ones
cooking the food we eat or even eating it themselves. There are those who say that it doesnt
matter whether the food we eat is healthy or not; if you are consuming more than your daily
intake, you still be able to put on those extra pounds. However, the average supermarket has
over 47,000 products of processed foods (Food Inc.). The Bad-for-you ones seem pretty
unavoidable. No matter where you are. A convenience store or fast food joint is almost literally

Betty Le
Collin Hull
English 2010
03.06.12
around every corner. The food industry is
involved with more complex affairs than
producing and selling the food we eat.

Socioeconomic Status

here is more to eating than just food choices and the amount we consume to be
placing everything on an individuals personal accord. Removing the veil on
our food decisions and consumptions might reveal an underlining issue;
Americas food industry and its correlation to socioeconomic statuses. Studies

have indicated that those who make less money tend to weigh more than those who have better
financial stability (Bristol). In the documentary Food Inc., a Hispanic woman and her family are
interviewed for their opinion on the effect money has on food. The mother of two says, When
you have only a dollar to spend and you have two kids to feed, either you go to the market and
try to find something thats cheap or just go straight through a drive-thru and get two small
hamburgers for them and say, Okay, here. Eat them. This is whats going to fill them up than

Betty Le
Collin Hull
English 2010
03.06.12
one single item at the market. In their mind, its reasonable for lower income families to stress
on food for the value of a dollar, not the value of nutrition. These days there are less equivalently
cheap, healthy food options for the poor. The price of a 99 cent hamburger at McDonalds might
seem more of a meal than a head of broccoli at Wal-Mart. The costs and unavailability of foods
like fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and lean meats causes a displaced view on good
health. The aftereffect grinds and feeds the financially unstable families to the obesity crisis.

Lifestyle
There are those who would say being busy with life is another excuse to be obese or in
bad health. Its not the expectations of spending everyday at the gym but the idea of choosing to
take the stairs instead of the elevator. Its better than no physical activity at all. The host of the
weight loss reality show, Biggest Loser Alison Sweeney says its all about making
commitments to yourself even when things are hectic.
"I plan it out now. I'm so busy and there's so much going on, that the gym or a
workout can't be a last minute thought, like 'I have nothing to do today I'm going
to go to the gym. Now it's 'When am I going to find time to work out tomorrow?'
And then I put it in my calendar so that it's on my radar and it's a set plan and I
have to take my gym bag with me to the studio." (Sweeney)
Celebrities like Alison Sweeney prove its not impossible to make time for a healthy lifestyle.
However, being busy can still factor in the cause of obesity due to socioeconomic reasons.
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Collin Hull
English 2010
03.06.12

Time
There are those who find it difficult to stay healthy because of other obligations and
priorities. Before the white house, Michelle Obama was like every working parent. Busy. I
found myself unable to cook a good meal for my kids, she recalls (Venker). I started to see the
effects on my family, particularly my kids. Personally or through stories, we hear from time to
time the common scenario of a working single mom. She comes home exhausted after her
second shift at her job; a typical day for someone trying to make ends meet. Catching up on
some rest could be more important to her than going to the gym and working out. She, like
Michelle could say she doesnt have the time to prepare a decent, healthy meal for her and her
family. She goes between jobs; to feed everyone she brings home food in one of the to-go bags
from a fast food joint instead of cooking. Its cheap and quick. The combination of her not
having the motivation of being physically active and making bad eating habits potentially puts
her at risk for being overweight.

Parent to Child Relation

There is the perspective of parent to child relation to consider. In a study published in the
journal Child Development, researchers looked at 990 youngsters between the ages of eight and
12 and compared them with their mothers working hours. Children, whose mothers work is six
times more likely to be overweight, research shows (Crothers, Kehle and Bray). The lifestyle of a
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Collin Hull
English 2010
03.06.12
parent not only affects their own well being but her family as well. A news article from CNN
reports on how Georgia is trying to shed light on the effect parents have on their child. For the
states' public health campaign for obesity, ads are displaying hefty children with controversial
headings (picture on left). One of the racy ads even
shows an overweight girl looking somber with her arms
crossed. Underneath her are capitalized bold letters that
reads, ITS HARD TO BE A LITTLE GIRL,
WHEN YOURE NOT. Linda Matzigkeit, a senior
vice president at Childrens Healthcare defends the ads,
We have to do something about this or our state is in
jeopardy. Obese children turn into obese adults. She
also goes on by saying the issue is definitely the
elephant in the room, Its very provocative and makes
people uncomfortable, but its when people are
uncomfortable that change comes. Actions like these
are drastic and harsh for the sensitive, but it might be the push needed in order to stress the
importance of healthy living and possibly have more adults willing to take the right steps to
reduce obesity in themselves and their kids.

Conclusion and Proposal

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Betty Le
Collin Hull
English 2010
03.06.12

ts true that eating right and exercise are two vital parts of a healthy lifestyle. The lack
thereof can be seen as the cause of obesity. However, it may not be as easy as said even
with having that awareness. Carrie Hemmenway from Dispelling Common Myths
about Fat Persons says, The issue of fat and health is a complex one, with many

factors to consider. (Bristol) We should be mindful about such influences like that of the food
industry and the economy. Being that as it may, we still require a resolution our problem. Some
suggest an approach that could cause major uproar and controversy. Raising taxes on unhealthy
foods and drinks like soda similar to the tax rise that happened to tobacco (Environmental
Nutrition). The results could make a huge impact on obesity, but with the processes of laws and
passing bills, the idea would take too long for what is needed to be done as of the present. There
is an approach that would be simpler yet still be effective. It has proven so in past experiences
with the food industry. Applying the concept of supply and demand could potentially eliminate
bad foods and socioeconomic statuses as obesity factors. America being a consumer capitalist
country, demanding will be followed with supply. If the majority of Americans want food to be
healthier, it could be. Wal-Mart started carrying organic foods because it saw the demand and
desire customers had for the products (Food Inc.). A closed mouth doesnt get fed, so we need to
ask for what we want. Not only will companies try to meet the wants of better food, the demand
will allow increased supply of these foods to be produced. Prices are usually based on
availability. High dollar amounts are put on vegetables and fruits because they are less available.
The demand continues to stay low because of the expensiveness. The more desire we stress on
good foods, the increased abundance of it to meet the demands will cause prices to lower.

Betty Le
Collin Hull
English 2010
03.06.12
Although this will not create a solution for every case of obesity, it can at least make a difference
on the food industry and its socioeconomic effects. Obesity should be a huge concern for
everyone in the United States. Not only has it risen over 50 % since the 1970s (Bristols), it
might not stop there if we dont take the initiative to do something right now. Obesity researcher,
Eric Ravussin said, "Given the world we live in, the real question isn't why people get fat, but
why some people manage to stay thin," We need to focus on the importance of our health, take
drastic measures if necessary, and not overlook obesity; no matter what the causes are. Its been
acknowledged, but is also being put on the backburner to simmer away while we take care of
other issues. Remain forgotten too long; the neglect could burn down the house we know as
America. All that would be left is a pile of bad-health-rubble and high-death-causing ash and
smoke.

Works Cited
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Dvis Foundation. Web. 29 Nov. 2010. <http://adelledavis.org/>.
American Demographics. "The Shape of Things to Come." (2003): 24-30. Article. 26 February
2012. <www.sirs.com>.
ASSOCIATED PRESS. "CDC: Doctors Are Increasingly Prescribing Exercise." (2012). Web
Article. 27 February 2012. <CNN.COM>.

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Collin Hull
English 2010
03.06.12
Bennet, Jan. "The Obesity Epidemic." Long-Term Living: For the Continuing Care Professional
(2008): 42-44. Article.
Bristol, Nellie. "Preventing Disease." 2012. Web Report. <www.CQResearcher.com>.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov. 13 September 2011. 13
September 2011.
Crothers, Laura M., et al. "CORRELATES AND SUSPECTED CAUSES OF OBESITY." Wiley
Periosdicals, Inc. 2009. Web Article.
Food Inc. Dir. Robert Kenner. 2008. Documentary.
Google Images. n.d. Image. <http://mevolving.com/life-in-general/fat-girl-gone-skinny/>.
Greenblatt, Alan. "Obesity Epidemic." 2003. Web Report. <www.CQResearcher.com>.
Lets Move. "www.letsmove.gov." n.d. Gov. Web . 28 February 2012.
Mantel, Barbara. "Preventing Obesity." 2010. Web Report. <www.CQResearcher.com>.
Phillips, Susan C. "Dieting and Health." 1995. Web Report. <www.CQResearcher.com>.
Rochman, Bonnie. "Ads Featuring Overweight Children." 2012. News Article.
Shepherd, A. "Obesity: prevalence, causes, and clinical consequences." Nursing Standard. RCN
Publishing Company, 2009. 23, 52, 51-57. PDF.
Sweeney, Alison. 'Biggest Loser' Got Her Back on Track Lizbeth Scordo. 18 January 2012.
Yahoo.com Article.
Tan, Michelle. Jennifer Hudson's Weight Loss: How She Did It. People Magazine, 21 May 2010.
Magazine Article. 28 February 2012. <www.people.com>.
Venker, Suzanne. www.opposingviews.com. 30 March 2010. Web . 25 February 2012.
Wilson, Jenny. Biggest Loser Winner Cuts Weight in Half. 25 May 2011. News Article. 24
February 2012. <www.time.com>.
ALL IMAGES FOUND ON GOOGLE IMAGES.

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