Death and dessert? The truth behind obesity in the U.S.
Julianna Clay
Issue date: 10/21/09 Section: Opinion
There is an epidemic that is spreading like wildfire across America. It leaves high blood pressure, cavities, impaired immune systems, emotional imbalances, and fatty tissue in its wake. It's found in a high quantity of our favorite processed foods, such as ice cream, candy, cake, sodas, bread, and even tomato sauce. It is called the sugar-sugar substitutes. A few examples of sugar-sugar substitutes are fructose, sucrose, lactose, and aspartame, and it is the number one cause of obesity.
According to several online sources, obesity is a problem for more than a third of the nation, and it is still on the rise. In fact, it is quickly becoming a top killer among Americans, second only to smoking.
Forty million Americans are obese and three million are morbidly obese. Obesity is not just a problem-it is now considered a disease directly related to unhealthy addictions to high-sugar foods. Get America Fit Foundation states that eighty percent of Type Two Diabetes, seventy percent of cardiovascular disease, thirty percent of gall bladder surgeries, and twenty six percent of hypertensive blood pressure patients can attribute their health problems to obesity. All of these patients generate about ninety three billion dollars in medical expenses annually.
"Americans need to understand that overweight and obesity are literally killing us," says Tommy Thompson, former Health and Human Services Secretary. "To know that poor eating habits and inactivity are on the verge of surpassing tobacco use as the leading cause of preventable death in America should motivate all Americans to take action to protect their health. We need to tackle America's weight issues as aggressively as we are addressing smoking and tobacco."
How do health experts suggest we do this? A major culprit is the temptation of convenience. Many people, especially college students, are constantly on the run. Instead of grabbing a pop tart for breakfast on the way out the door, wake up fifteen minutes earlier and have a bowl of oatmeal with fresh fruit. Instead of snagging a candy bar out of a vending machine for midday snack, plan ahead and pack trail mix, string cheese, or dried fruit. Forego sports drinks and sodas, which are full of empty calories, and choose a classic: Water.
Experts also say the best way to prevent becoming another number in this statistic is to exercise more frequently to get the heart pumping, keep a food journal to monitor daily calories, and cut down on food and drink with copious amounts of glucose and starches. By following these simple methods and seeing that next soda, donut, or cupcake for what it really is (a spare tire, a beer belly, cellulite, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.), the U.S. will be on the road to recovery. By not attempting these changes, people may be getting more than their 'just desserts'.
According to several online sources, obesity is a problem for more than a third of the nation, and it is still on the rise. In fact, it is quickly becoming a top killer among Americans, second only to smoking.
Forty million Americans are obese and three million are morbidly obese. Obesity is not just a problem-it is now considered a disease directly related to unhealthy addictions to high-sugar foods. Get America Fit Foundation states that eighty percent of Type Two Diabetes, seventy percent of cardiovascular disease, thirty percent of gall bladder surgeries, and twenty six percent of hypertensive blood pressure patients can attribute their health problems to obesity. All of these patients generate about ninety three billion dollars in medical expenses annually.
"Americans need to understand that overweight and obesity are literally killing us," says Tommy Thompson, former Health and Human Services Secretary. "To know that poor eating habits and inactivity are on the verge of surpassing tobacco use as the leading cause of preventable death in America should motivate all Americans to take action to protect their health. We need to tackle America's weight issues as aggressively as we are addressing smoking and tobacco."
How do health experts suggest we do this? A major culprit is the temptation of convenience. Many people, especially college students, are constantly on the run. Instead of grabbing a pop tart for breakfast on the way out the door, wake up fifteen minutes earlier and have a bowl of oatmeal with fresh fruit. Instead of snagging a candy bar out of a vending machine for midday snack, plan ahead and pack trail mix, string cheese, or dried fruit. Forego sports drinks and sodas, which are full of empty calories, and choose a classic: Water.
Experts also say the best way to prevent becoming another number in this statistic is to exercise more frequently to get the heart pumping, keep a food journal to monitor daily calories, and cut down on food and drink with copious amounts of glucose and starches. By following these simple methods and seeing that next soda, donut, or cupcake for what it really is (a spare tire, a beer belly, cellulite, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.), the U.S. will be on the road to recovery. By not attempting these changes, people may be getting more than their 'just desserts'.
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