Obesity in America Narrative Essay

A majority of Americans today are overweight or obese and this problem with unhealthy Americans is continually increasing in the number of obese people in our country.

We must look into the problems that are contributing to obesity  and find more solutions to combat this unhealthy epidemic. There are several methods we can use including proper diet and exercise along with better means of calorie counting for a slimmer, healthier and happier America. Obesity can be brought under control.

One reason why a majority of Americans are continuing to be overweight is from the everyday temptations from the environment, the inactive living, and ready supply of rich food. Modern America has continued in an unhealthy lifestyle with little exercise and eating foods that pack on the pounds.

Video games and television have had a significant impact on Americans where children spend most of their time instead of getting the physical activity they so desperately need from performing physical activities such as playing and taking part in sports.

Too many adults also suffer from not getting proper exercise. Many jobs in America require little physical activity and families spend less time outdoors and just like children, they spend most of their time in front of the television or doing other activities that requires little physical exertion..

In addition, another reason Americans are continuingly becoming obese is the misconception of calories and exercise. People always overestimate calories consumed in exercise and underestimate the calories in the food they are eating.

Author Gina Kolata explains that (Fernstarm, p, 1) “People don’t know that a 20 min walk burns about 100 calories,” said Dr. Madelyn Fernstarm, director of the weight management center at the University Of Pittsburg Medical Center. “People always overestimate the calories consumed in exercise, and underestimate the calories in food they are eating.”

Too become confident in taking in the proper amount of calories from food, it is crucial that individuals pay attention to the nutritional guide on food and drink products in order to maintain proper calorie intake.  It is true that many people overestimate the calories they burn off during exercise. Too get a more accurate reading for burned calories there are calorie guides to give a good estimate for calories burned during exercise.

Also, there are devices that can be worn that count calories for a more accurate reading of calories burned during physical activity. With more concentration place on the number of calories that are consumed and how many are actually burned, this will help curb obesity since people will be able to either eat less calories or work harder to burn more off.

Although there is some self blame for the lack of will power to resist everyday temptations and misunderstanding of exercise and diet, being overweight or obese might simply be from genetics, DNA, monitored by the brain.

There are many people who ultimately suffer from chronic obesity due to the DNA they inherited from their parents. Very often you will find that many individuals in a family all suffer from being obese.

These people sometimes work extra hard trying to be at a healthy weight and often monitor their eating and physical activity and feel discouraged for lack of sufficient results. It isn’t fair to criticize others because of their weight issues when we simply don’t know the full details about their genetic factors that contribute to their obesity.