Obesity and Health in Food Inc Limited - Essay Example

According to Crawford (para, 2), 20% of the population of all but fifteen states in the USA are obese and this number is increasing by the day. We all need to protect ourselves from obesity.

II. Orientation Phase:
A. Clear statement of topic: Today I wish to discuss with you the big issue of obesity with the aim of pointing out the issues regarding obesity and possible solution.

B. Reason for listening: Obesity is becoming more and more common in society and most of us have had or will have to deal with this issue either in ourselves or in people we love and care about. According to Childhood Obesity Facts (Para 1) obesity among children has doubled over the last thirty years. Obesity is not just a cultural issue, it is not just about physical looks but rather is a matter of health.

C. Credibility: Credibility: I have had some of my friends who have been affected by this issue. I can confidently say that I have experienced firsthand (or at least second had) the issues affecting obesity. Obesity is a cruel thing to deal with (Maureen).

D. Enumerated Preview: Obesity is a serious issue with so many factors surrounding it. In this forum though, I wish to discuss three major issues which are pertinent with regard to the issue of obesity. These issues include poor eating habits (fast food culture), laziness (lack of physical activities), and poverty which makes it harder for poor families to afford healthy food.

Transition: positive eating habits are major contributors to the increasing obesity rates.
Body:
I. Poor eating habits are the major issue causing obesity. Poor eating habits involves;
A. Taking fast food instead of cooking in the house.
B. Taking food that is rich in sugars with not or little vitamin content.
C. Most take-out fast food is rich in carbohydrates and these carbohydrates are converted into fat once they reach the body of the human.
D. Avoiding too much intake of these carbohydrates will reduce fat formation in the body.

Transition: Carbohydrates intake is not the only way to increase fat accumulation in the body, lack of exercise is another issue.

II. The human body has its natural mechanisms of dealing with various issues. As disused above, when an individual takes in carbohydrates (energy-giving foods), the extra energy is converted and stored in the form of fat thus resulting in fat accumulation. This means that people can reduce fat accumulation through exercise to burn the stored fats. There are vicarious ways of exercising which include;
A. One should choose to walk every opportunity one gets as there are numerous opportunities for walking which people forego because they can always use their car, a cab or public transport.
B. Using an indoor aerobic or treadmill which comes in handy because it is easy to use and can be done every morning after waking up before taking a bath.
Transition: lack of exercise and intake of fast food are not the only main issues because poverty is also a major issue because the main reason why most people eat unhealthy fast food.

III. Poverty is probably at the apex of the issues influencing increasing rates of obesity in the United States as statistics show that poorer families are at a higher risk of obesity than those which are economically well to do.
A. poor families are more likely to depend on cheat fast food due to the fact that they may not have enough money to buy healthy vegetables.
B. Poor families are also likely to have less or no time to prepare meals in their homes because some of them have working parents who work too many hours daily to be able to be at home in time to prepare a palatable meal.
C. Poor families are also less likely to be concerned about the health issues of their families.
D. This is according to Maslow’s (59) theory of human needs which indicated that humans meet their needs in a hierarchical manner.
E. Poor people are more likely to be less concerned about the nutritional content of their food because they are worried about other things.
F. Eating healthy food is not a real priority to them.
Transition: The three factors discussed above are crucial in managing the issue of obesity.

IV. Conclusion
A. Obesity according to the National Conference of State Legislatures (Para 3) is a health issue that must be looked at carefully both by individuals and concerned authorities.
B. People should be educated on how to eat healthily even within limited budgets.
C. The government should seek a way to reduce the menace of obesity by making healthy food more available and more accessible.
D. More importantly, it is the responsibility of every individual to take care of their health by eating healthily, exercising, and engaging in healthy activity.






Read More