The Problem of Obesity and Food - Essay Example

Obesity and Food Obesity and Food is a conversation that has refused to go away, and everybody is trying different techniques to ensure that the opinion he/she holds regarding the control of obesity arising from food related issues, sees the light of the day. In her “Remarks to the NAACP, Michelle Obama gave a speech that was full of convincing facts, figures and statistics on this subject, starting with the fact that in America, one in every three child is suffering overweight, just as a matter of food and lifestyle, where people are spending more time glued to their TV screens, while at the same time consuming even more calories of energy (Obama, n.p.). While it is no secret that the amount of calories that an individual consume have a direct impact on the body weight, the question is what type of calories, and whether it matters the type of food the calories came from. While it is conventionally held that it does not matter and thus calories are just, and no matter their source, they will increase the body weight. However, studies and researches have shown that certain food calories are in essence suitable for weight reduction (Tappy, 23). Therefore, this discussion seeks to delve deeply into the conversation of obesity and food, with a view to explaining the problem, while creating a personal point of view on how the problem can be controlled. The problem of food and obesity Obesity is a state of the body being overweight, which arises from the accumulation of excess body fats, emanating from the amounts of calories that the body gains from food consumption (Verduin, Agarwal, and Waltman, 259). However, while fats and sugars have been described as the main causes of obesity, there is still no credible study that has been able to demonstrate that only excess fats and sugars are the food substances causing obesitys, owing to the fact that the rate of excess fats and sugar consumption in the USA has reduced remarkably over the last three decades, yet the rate of obesity is on the rise, with two-thirds of the US adults suffering from obesity, while 17% of children and teenagers are overweight (Warner, n.p.). Further, studies have shown that eating a low fat diet does not necessarily result in weight loss, while eating a moderate-fat diet has been observed to result to a loss in body weight, which is similar or even more than the low or no fat diet. Thus, it may not be very clear on the exact cause of obesity in relation to the type of food or calories consumed, but there is no doubt that the consumption of high sugar and high fat content foods is much more likely to result to obesity, than the consumption of other protein, fiber or vitamins rich foods (Tappy, 27). Therefore, it is conclusive to state that obesity is a health problem that is caused by the consumption of more calories than the body expends (Verduin, Agarwal, and Waltman, 262). Nevertheless, there is a combination of behavioral, environmental and biological causes of obesity, more especially in relation to lifestyle and the exercising of the body that an individual is exposed to. Thus, the consumption of more calories than the body expends, coupled with the failure to exercise the body, emerge as the main cause of obesity, while the genetic factor is less accountable (Warner, n.p.). Despite the fact that it has been difficult to account for which foods are responsible for causing obesity, there is no doubt that excess sugary foods, as well as the excessive fatty foods have been associated with the increase of obesity levels in the USA. For example, a cohort of scientific studies has observed that since 1977 to 1995, the consumption of fast food has tripled, while the intake of calories from the consumption of the fast food has risen by four times (Verduin, Agarwal, and Waltman, 260). This trend is observed to tally with the further studies showing that the rate of obesity has been on the rise in the last three decades. Consequently, it would be prudent to conclude that the consumption of fast foods have a huge impact in gaining excess weight and the accumulation of excess body fats, hence people becoming obese. Additionally, a cohort of studies have shown that the consumption of sugary foods is also associated with the body gaining excess calories that it does not expend, and thus if the body is not exercised, can result into the accumulation of excess fats in the body, resulting to obesity (Verduin, Agarwal, and Waltman, 265). These studies point to the fact that; high consumption of sugary foods such as cookies and sugary drinks impact on the body weight of an individual, through increasing the stored excess body fats. Thus, it can be concluded that the problem of food and obesity is a problem of excessive consumption of fatty and sugary foods, coupled with a sedentary lifestyle, which hinders the body from expending the excessive calories and fats. What should and/or should not be done to help solve the problem After reaching the findings that the problem of food and obesity is a problem of excessive fats and sugary foods consumption, it is then apparent that the obesity and food problem can be controlled using food solutions. The methods that can help solve the problem include: Reducing sugar intake Sugar is one of the food substances that form the major diets of a typical American meal (Tappy, 41). Considering that the excessive consumption of sugars has been observed to be one of the major causes of obesity, in addition to other illnesses, it is therefore possible that by cutting on the amounts of sugars consumed, it can greatly help to reduce the problem of excessive body fats and weight (Warner, n.p.). Instead of the consumption of the sugary food substances, the meals should be substituted with fruits and other fiber rich food substances, which are highly effective in lowering the body weight. Limiting the consumption of Trans and Saturated fats The Trans and Saturated fats are the two categories of fats that are known to be very harmful to the body, considering that their solubility and digestibility rates are fairly low, thus they are stored as excess body fats most of the times (Verduin, Agarwal, and Waltman, 261). While the saturated fats are good for the body while consumed in small amounts, the Trans fats are not in any way useful in the body since they are under the category of manmade fats. The consumption of fast foods, processed foods and many a variety of meats are some of the major sources of saturated and Trans fats in the body (Tappy, 36). Thus, the consumption of processed and fast foods should be completely regulated to very small amounts, while the consumption of red meats should be substituted for white meats such as chicken and fish, while also increasing on the consumption of plant proteins, such as beans and legumes. Limiting the consumption of dairy fat products The consumption of low-dairy fat products is known to be an effective way of reducing the body weight (Verduin, Agarwal, and Waltman, 260). The consumption of dairy products such as whole milk, cream, cheese and butter serves to increase the fat contents in the body, which after reaching the body cannot be expended, and is stored as excess fats. In addition, while the consumption of the low-fat diets is highly recommended as one of the major ways of controlling obesity, it is also important to appreciate the fact that moderation of the feeding habits is also essential, so that an individual does not consume excess foods that are only supplying excess calories to the body, since the same will also contribute to overweight (Warner, n.p.). Works Cited Obama, Michelle. “Remarks to the NAACP.” Political Transcript Wire, July 12, 2010. Retrieved February 7, 2014 from http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-2079038711.html Tappy, L."Metabolic effects of fructose and the worldwide increase in obesity". Physiological reviews, 90(1), 2010. 23-46. Print. Verduin, Patricia Agarwal, Sanjiv and Waltman Susan . “Solutions to obesity: perspectives from the food industry.” The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 82(1), 2005. 259-267. Print. Warner, Judith. “Junking Junk Food.” The New York Times, November 25, 2010. Retrieved February 7, 2014 from http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/28/magazine/28FOB-wwln-t.html?_r=0 Read More