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Megan Chappell
24 October 2015
Government 1
Mr. Davis
MCRP: Obesity
Over the past several decades, America has been one of the
fastest growing countries in not only population, but also in size.
Cheeseburgers, fries, donuts, and other fast foods have become the
American staple. Because of the unhealthy habits too many
Americans have embraced, obesity in America has become a serious
problem. The lack of health and wellness education not given to
Americans does not help, but adds to the obesity problem. Congress
should pass the Obesity Act of 2015 because it will lower obesity rates,
educate Americans on health and wellness, and limit the accessibility
of obesity-causing foods.
Americans have quickly gone from being over-weight to
becoming obese. Obesity is a condition in which someone has excess
body fat. There are many different causes that can lead to obesity,
including many medical conditions. Some hormone problems may
cause overweight and obesity, such as underactive thyroid
(hypothyroidism), Cushing's syndrome, and polycystic ovarian
syndrome (PCOS). (Gibbons). Even though there are legitimate medical
conditions contributing to the obesity statistics, the most common

cause is over consumption of calories. More than one-third (34.9% or

78.6 million) of adults in the United States are obese (Centers for
Disease Control). This statistic is overwhelming. These numbers alone
should be enough of a reason to take action. For children and
adolescents aged 2Chappell 2
19 years, the prevalence of obesity has remained fairly stable at about
17% and affects about 12.7 million children and adolescents for the
past decade (Centers for Disease Control). Children, the future of this
nation, are suffering because of unhealthy habits and lack of attention
to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. In order to sustain a healthy lifestyle,
one must first gain the knowledge of healthy living.
In effort to help Americans along the path to healthy living,
education is of highest priority. Obesity prevalence differs among
racial/ethnic groups and also varies by age, sex, and adult head of
households and education level (Center for Disease Control). This
proves that the lower level of education one may have, the higher the
chances of obesity becoming a problem. Almost seven in 10 parents
say their childs school does not provide daily physical education even
though experts recommend 150 to 225 minutes per school week
(Harvard). Even simple exercise is not being taught or required of
young students. If mandatory health classes were implemented in
elementary, middle, and high schools, they could teach children at a

young nutrition, exercise, good foods vs. bad foods, and about
eating disorders. Being taught at a young age wong versus right
nutrition and the value of leading a healthy lifestyle, then there would
be a drastic decrease in obesity rates. How are Americans supposed to
improve their health if there is nothing there to help guide them?
Marketing for restaurant establishments has contributed to the
obesity epidemic in America. Beverage companies in the US spent
roughly $3.2 billion marketing carbonated beverages in 2006, with
nearly a half billion dollars of that
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marketing aimed directly at youth ages 217 (Harvard). When so
much money is being used to target the youth for the wrong reasons, it
is easy for youth to fall into the traps marketers set up. Portion sizes
consumed of several foods and drink increased between 1977 and
1998 (Nakaya). Creating bigger portion sizes creates an unnecessary
challenge for children and adults, which is having to say no to and
waste food that is already given to you. It teaches wrongful portion
sizes and hinders the ability for self-control. Fast food restaurant
chains, such as McDonalds or Carls Jr, purposely advertise to young
children. In 2012 the fast food industry spent $4.6 billion to advertise
mostly unhealthy products, and children and teens remained key
audiences for that advertising, according to a new report by the Yale
Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity (Fast Food Facts). Not only is

marketing aimed towards youth, but also restaurants create meals

such as Happy Meals, that include kid friendly toys that kids cant
resist.
Many people may claim, No matter what the Governments
attempts may be, people will still eat what they want. Even though
this is true, proper education will be able to give one the accurate
knowledge to make those individual choices for themselves. A recent
systematic review of the literature examined seven studies, and the
evidence to date suggests that the majority of schools have been able
to improve the nutritional value of competitive foods without their
changing overall revenue (Wharton). By doing this, children are able
to choose healthy substitutes for their everyday meals. One may also
argue that Obesity is not a problem, yet it is a massive setback in
America. Obesity-related conditions include heart disease,
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stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer, some of the
leading causes of preventable death (Center for Disease Control).
Obesity can take away from ones ability to live and live freely. If all
Americans have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness, then the Government should do all they can to ensure that
the people are receiving this fair basic human right (Declaration of
Independence).

Obesity is a problematic phenomenon that is extremely evident

in the United States of America. If the American government was to sit
back and do nothing to help, the obesity rates would just keep climbing
due to lack of knowledge of nutrition, lack of exercise, and over
consumption of calories. Congress should pass the Obesity Act of 2015
to help lower obesity in America and help Americans live a happier and
healthier life.