Major Nutrition Problems Facing America - Essay Example

Nutrition to Cheat Death Introduction The main objective of any government is to provide quality and affordable health care for its citizens. The U.S. government has brought the Obama care to ensure that Obama’s government fulfills its primary objective to the American citizens. This is a great step towards the achievement of a healthy population. The best strategy that the government should embrace is educating the citizens on the best nutritional habits to adopt in ensuring they are healthy (Duggan, Watkins, & Walker, 2008). The nutritional habits have been changing with each new day and people have adopted new feeding habits that have made their bodies weak and venerable to any disease. Eating a balanced diet is a nutritional value that the Americans have ignored or do not follow, thus the rising economic and individual costs on healthcare. Past researches portrays that restaurants have increased due to the increase in demand for food and drinks from the Americans who do not like cooking and not observing the need for balanced diet. These poor nutritional habits are the cause of many deadly diseases that are expensive to maintain thus the need for the essay to discuss some of them. Obesity and diabetes are the major illnesses caused by poor nutrition habits that affect most of the American citizens and they facilitate the emergence of other chronic diseases (Duggan, Watkins, & Walker, 2008). Obesity Obesity is a body mass index (BMI) that is greater than 30 kg/m2 and it is caused by overeating and consumption of food rich in fats. Obesity and over weight is increasing at an alarming rate in the U.S. and this disease has led to the government increasing its resources on this disease to $150 billion. In the past 30 years, obesity and overweight have increased and currently more than 60% of the adults are either obese or overweight. The individual expenses have increased due to the increase of people paying to reduce weight. The increment in obesity is identical to the increment of restaurants in the U.S. since most people have adopted the consumption of fast food and Trans fats. The rate of children obesity is also in the rise since in 1974 only 5.1% of children were obese. The reports released in 2008 reveal that more than 14.6% of children were obese (Pan American Health Organization. 2010). The issue of obesity has become a global crisis. The World Health Organization (WHO) has listed it in its top ten-health crisis, and it is undertaking measures to enlighten the world on the issue of healthy nutrition. The BMI used by the WHO has been changed and indicates that 25kg/m2 are obese. This strategy is to ensure the individual with that BMI takes the necessary precautions and nutritional strategies. Obesity and overweight causes hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia, thus it is the responsibility of each citizen to consume a balanced diet for a healthy life. Diabetes The growth of chronic diseases is in the rise due to poor nutrition habits and physical in activities associated with the current Americans. Diabetes is the most common chronic diseases that are rapidly increasing in major parts of the country thus this essay discusses the causes, ways to prevent and the costs of maintaining a diabetic patient. Diabetes has two types namely type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is caused by the lack of insulin and may be caused by poor nutrition leading to low blood sugars. Type 2 diabetes is a condition where the body is able to use the insulin in the body and is caused by poor feeding habits, age or other environmental conditions (Duggan, Watkins, & Walker, 2008). This essay addresses type 2 diabetes since it is the most common type that affects the American citizens. Poor nutrition leads to obesity and may lead to type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes has been noted as the leading cause of deaths in New York. The change of lifestyle and feeding habits is also affecting the children. Moreover, the continuous consumption of junks among the children makes them more venerable to this illness in the future. Past research shows that most of the children do not consume three meals a day but they consume junks more than six times a day. The continuous consumption of junks and other over processed food by the Americans increases their health problems and the chances of type 2 diabetes. This illness was in the past suffered by people above 45 years but this is changing and even teenagers are suffering from it (Duggan, Watkins, & Walker, 2008). This is due to the low nutrients they consume in their food and the lack of physical activities since advancement in technology has introduced PlayStation to entertain children at the expense of active exercises. Diabetes is among the most expensive diseases to maintain and patients are expected to change their lifestyles to live longer. The continuous need for medication tends to raise the total expenses until he passes on (Pan American Health Organization. 2010). Recommendation and ways to lower the risk and health costs associated with obesity and diabetes. These two illnesses are interrelated and the best recommendations for both of them are proper nutritional diets and physical activities. It is wise for a person to consume a balance diet three times a day and engage in some physical activities. The balance diet will ensure that the individual feeds only on the essential food and does not consume too much Tran’s fats and fast food that facilitate obesity and later diabetes (Pan American Health Organization. 2010). The lack of physical activity has been noted to be a key factor that contributes to obesity and diabetes. Physical activities help individuals to burn out the excess fats and cholesterol in their bodies thus limits the chances of obesity and diseases. It also limits the chance of other chronic diseases. The current American citizen uses most of his money to purchase junks and later to pay health bills. This pattern can be erased if the common American makes it his/her obligation to cook his/ her meals instead of consuming fast foods (Pan American Health Organization. 2010). The cost of buying fresh vegetables, fruits, cereals and other cooking ingredients is lower than the money used to buy poor nutritional food. This will ensure that the person lives healthy and thus cutting down the health care costs. The most important nutritional advice to a friend is to ensure he consumes a balanced diet all the time, engage in physical activities and ensure he drinks clean water all the time. The balance diet should contain carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and mineral salts (Pan American Health Organization. 2010). Conclusion The world is changing but it is our responsibility to ensure we are healthy. The first step towards having a healthy life is making the right decision on what we feed. This will prevent and lower the risks of many chronic diseases that are deadly and expensive. It is clear to note that prevention is better than cure. The recommendations provide the best ways towards eradicating obesity and reducing type 2 diabetes. References Duggan, C., Watkins, J. B., & Walker, W. A. (2008). Nutrition in pediatrics: Basic science, clinical application. Hamilton: BC Decker. Pan American Health Organization. (2010). Scientific and technical publication. Washington, D.C: Pan American Health Organization. Read More