It is a known issue that the United States of America is one of the fattest countries in the world. But, is it really all the person’s fault, or is it the food industry’s and manufacturers’? Is it what they are putting into the foods we all enjoy? Or is it how much of these products we are buying and consuming?

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According to Wikipedia, the average weight of a person in America is around 80 kg(180 lbs) with men on average weighing more than women. This may sound fine, but 2 in 5(42.4%) adults in America are obese, meaning that almost half of adults in America are overweight or obese. 

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America is known for fast food and, most of all, junk food. America is infamous for cheap prices(excluding inflation) and on-the-go burgers or french fries. These restaurants, the fast food stops, are “perfect” for people who need a quick bite or do not have the funds to go to a local grocery store. 

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But fast food chains, such as McDonalds or Chick-Fil-A, are one of the causes of this obesity epidemic. 

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Why?

The recommended calorie intake for an average person is around 2000-2500 calories. According to the menus of several fast food restaurants, a Big Mac meal at McDonalds is about 1,120 calories. That's over half the recommended calorie intake in just one sitting. A Quarter-Pounder with cheese is around 540 calories. A Loaded Nacho Triple Cheeseburger from Wendy’s is around 1,530 calories. This fast food, combined with other food - be it healthy or junk food - is well over the recommended calorie intake. This becomes worse when preservatives and other chemicals that make your food taste delightful are added to the already high-calorie sandwiches or chicken.

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According to Trust for America’s Health, in their article, “State of Obesity 2023: Better Policies for a Healthier America,” they explain how much the obesity rate has increased throughout the past couple years. They state, “Since TFAH’s initial report, published in 2004, the national adult obesity rate has increased by 37 percent and the national youth obesity rate increased by 42 percent.” 

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According to the National Library of Medicine, the obesity epidemic began in the mid-1970s to early-1980s.

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Although fast food consumption is definitely a major factor in obesity, it’s completely all the companies’ faults. According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, some medications, such as antidepressants or antipsychotics are linked to weight gain. Even insulin can cause weight gain, but it’s all really dependent on the person’s age, initial weight, and sleeping patterns.

Some health risks that come with obesity are: cardiac(heart) issues, mechanical issues(moving, walking, etc.), diabetes, arthritis, high cholesterol, lymphedema(build up of soft body tissues), eating disorders, sleep apnea, and even cancer in some cases. These health risks increase the chance that a person could be hospitalized or even die. 

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While fast food chains are at fault to some degree, obese people should not be patronized for their size because sometimes they may not be able to control it. And, healthy eating habits should be encouraged, yes, but having McDonalds once in a while is not the end of the world.

 

Works Cited

"The Origins of the Obesity Epidemic in the USA–Lessons for Today." National Library of Medicine, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9611578/. Accessed 12 Feb. 2024.

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"State of Obesity 2023: Better Policies for a Healthier America." Trust for Americas Health, www.tfah.org/report-details/state-of-obesity-2023/#:~:text=Nationally%2C%2041.9%20percent%20of%20adults,in%20urban%20and%20suburban%20areas. Accessed 12 Feb. 2024.

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"When Your Weight Gain Is Caused by Medicine." University of Rochester Medical Center, www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contentid=DM300&contenttypeid=56. Accessed 12 Feb. 2024.

Wikipedia. 7 Feb. 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_body_weight#:~:text=Average%20adult%20human%20weight%20varies,average%20weighing%20more%20than%20women. Accessed 14 Feb. 2024.