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The Cause Of Obesity In America

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Obesity rates have increased rapidly in the last 20 years and much debate has occurred over who should take the blame. Many feel that the blame lies solely on the obese individual. It is their claim that if obese individuals exercised and ate healthier than they would lose weight and obesity would no longer exist. But there are many contributing factors that they do not take into consideration. Of course, studies have shown that the rate of obesity in America has gone up primarily due to inactivity and increased intake of fast food but, many other forces have impacted the obesity rates such as "gender, race, socioeconomic position and age"(Ailshire & House 1). The blame can even be laid at the feet of the industries that fuel our country. …show more content…
Some causes of this have been attributed to the lack of resources available to those individuals making it tough to eat healthily. Obesity is more than just an individual's choice or lack of exercise; the evidence supports other variables. The most "socially disadvantaged would experience the greatest weight gain"(Aleshire & House 19) over time. The research article points out that typically, low-educated black women have a higher risk of being obese due to being socially disadvantaged. These forces are out of their control and they are suffering the most. Instead of ridiculing these individuals for being overweight, we should try to assist them in their fight to combat obesity. Educating people on unhealthy foods and aiding them to make the right decision would be more beneficial and constructive than blaming them for poor life choices. Therefore, placing the blame solely on laziness is inaccurate and lazy research done by those who discriminate against obese …show more content…
No one should have to endure the injustices that have been heaped upon those deemed undeserving of such fundamental rights as the right to have nutritious food. Let us all quit turning a blind eye to these injustices. Some people are fighting the fight such as, a woman who goes by the moniker Food Babe has been fighting against the fast food industries and also fighting GMOs and horrible chemicals put into our food. She has been instrumental in making the fast food industries provide more healthy options and making food makers label if they are using GMOs in their food. There is also an organization named Food is Free. Their mission is to help poor communities in America, create community farms so that the poor will have access to fresh produce which they wouldn't normally have access to. Unfortunately, these solutions can only go so far if they are not being promoted. When there is ignorance, change doesn't occur. We need to inform all of America of the fight we're fighting against obesity and enlist their help in finding solutions to this widespread epidemic. Let's quit pointing fingers and instead provide a helping hand to those in fighting to

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