Unhealthy Eating in America - Essay Example

Unhealthy Eating In America Narrative A close analysis of my eating patterns reveals that I do not meet the dietary requirements recommended for Americans. I have an addiction for fries and many unhealthy drinks. Since I was a child, I have been a consumer of fast foods. At a tender age, I became an overweight. Although I eventually became healthy after certain changes to my diet, I do not take in the required level of fruits and vegetables. A closer observation of many Americans reveals a similar trend. Statistics reveal that about 66% of the American population are unhealthy and qualify to be either overweight or obese. In the 1970s, obesity rates were minimal. However, the rates of obesity have increased immensely in the recent past. This has caused concern to medical practitioners and family health specialists. America transformed into a fast food nation with a remarkable increase of fast food restaurants in America. In the 1970s, there were only about 70,000 fast food restaurants. In 2002, the number of fast food restaurants had tripled. Current statistics reveal that the number of such restaurants has only increased to higher numbers in the recent past ("Fast Food And Junk Food: An Encyclopedia Of What We Love To Eat" 166). Statistics indicate that each American eats at least one fast food meal on a daily basis. With a busy schedule exhibited by many Americans either at work, driving or at school, fast food restaurants are becoming highly convenient for many Americans. Although nutritionists have been advising Americans on the appropriate healthy eating patterns, especially regarding fruits and vegetables, it appears that only a small percentage of the Americans register the required amounts of fruits and vegetables. Without doubt, many Americans do not abide by the dietary guidelines for Americans designed by nutritionists highlighting the required number of calories for different individuals. According to these guidelines, a healthy diet should comprise of more fruits, vegetables, fat free milk products, lean meats, fish, beans, eggs, nuts, and poultry. Moreover, it should have low levels of saturated fats, cholesterol, added sugars, and minimal salt. It should comprise of unsaturated and omega-3 fatty acids, which are healthy. Evidently, the average diet of the Americans does not meet these requirements ("Fast-Food Nation" 29). This explains why the levels of obesity and overweight cases have increased immensely. The Argument The increasing consumption of fast foods in America is one of the leading contributors for the alarming rates of obesity and overweight cases. This is because most of the fast foods prove to be highly unhealthy. Despite this fact, Americans seem to have an addition to fast foods. Children begin consuming fast foods at a very tender age and they do not receive the healthy nutrients they require for proper growth. For example, over 75% of children do not receive the required levels of fruits and vegetables in their diets. Instead, the greatest portion of their diet comprises of fast foods, snacks, and unhealthy drinks. It is unfortunate that many of the upper class individual in the American societies consider their visits to fast food restaurants such as McDonalds as a privilege. It is more saddening that fast food companies use advertising to manipulate and confuse many American that the products they sell are healthy. This is far from the reality. Evidently, the dietary guidelines for an average American highlight that one should not consume more than 2,500 calories on a daily basis. However, many fast food restaurants serve a single meal that has more than 3,000 calories. Therefore, an American consuming fast foods once on a daily basis already takes in more than the required number of calories. Although some fast food companies have realized the salient need of offering healthy foods, they are still below the standard of healthy foods. This is a course for concern because many Americans are loyal customers of leading fast food companies (Dahm, Shows, and Samonte 217). Many fast food companies have perfected their skill of marketing. This explains why there are millions of food advertisements in different media forms. The recent years have marked an increased access to different media forms for many Americans. This means that an American watching television for a few hours on a daily basis enjoys numerous food advertisements. These advertisements prove to be highly persuasive and often convince many American to try out products in the advertisement. Psychologists have proved that there is an existing relationship between advertising and an individual’s buying patterns. This is to say that the numerous food advertisements have a direct effect on the consumption patterns of many Americans. Some marketers often target children with strategies that have the potential of convincing children to demand certain products from their parents. This is one of the leading contributors of obesity and overweight cases in the American children (Dahm, Shows, and Samonte 220). On average, an American child spends a minimum of four hours, either watching television or interacting with other media forms. These four hours of the interaction with the media exposes the American children to many food advertisements, persuading them to try such products. Without doubt, the media has contributed immensely to the increase consumption of fast foods. There is a justification for blaming the media in its contribution to increasing rates of obesity. This is because advertisers use the media to promote unhealthy food products yet the fast food companies tag them as healthy foods. For example, the Baskin Robbins Health Bar Shake, presented as a “blend of healthy ingredients” while in real sense, it is a high calorie drink with over 200% daily value of saturated fat, over 180 grams of cholesterol couples with a lot of sugar, and preservatives. The deception used in advertisement appeals to many Americans, convincing them to buy this drink yet it is very unhealthy (Dahm, Shows, and Samonte 228). Baskin Robbins Health Bar Shake is an example of advertisements that promote unhealthy eating. Evidently, being either obese or overweight is a serious health issue. The criticality of this issue is evident in the many risks brought about by these conditions. For example, many overweight or obese individuals are prone to hypertension, certain cancers, stroke, heart diseases, type 2 diabetes, sleep disorders, and gallbladder disease. Many of these diseases are non-communicable, but an individual’s lifestyle and eating patterns increase the susceptibility to the disease. It is a pity that many Americans are suffering from this none communicable diseases brought about by unhealthy eating ((Dahm, Shows, and Samonte 231). Solution As highlighted above, unhealthy eating is a critical issue in America, which needs urgent attention. The increasing consumption of fast foods contributes to the high levels of unhealthy eating. Many Americans lack the proper education on healthy eating. Healthy eating campaigns that will create awareness of what is healthy will serve as a forum for educating Americans. Ignorance receives part of the blame in the increasing rates of obesity and overweight cases. This places emphasis on the need for proper education on healthy eating. Americans should adopt the trend of cooking at home and focus on healthy foods. This will cut short the numerous trips and visits to fast food restaurants. Americans should place their health as a priority over other aspects currently considered as priorities. For example, American should realize that busy work schedules are not worthwhile excuses for unhealthy eating. This is because obesity has served to increase the prevalence of non-communicable diseases, which have increased the mortality rates remarkably. Proper regulation of the media and advertising farms to reveal the truth to customers and stop deceiving Americans on what is healthy (Preid). Moreover, stringent regulations should come in place to prevent advertisements that target children. The focus of food advertisements should be healthy foods. Unhealthy eating is an issue requiring attention from the entire nation. If America is to adopt a healthy eating pattern, different agencies must be involved in policymaking and advocacies for healthy eating. It is time for the nation to realize the potential health risks posed by being overweight or obese. Work Cited "Fast Food And Junk Food: An Encyclopedia Of What We Love To Eat." 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