American diet
The American diet has been a major area of public health focus in the United States because of the consequences on the social-economic and health status of the society. Most Americans consume a diet that is high in saturated fat, high in calorie content and low in fiber. Seventy percent of the diet of Americans is mainly composed of highly processed food that is low in fiber and mineral content. Most Americans also consume less than the recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables (Whyte, 2012).
Americans also consume an average of 570 calories more per day compared to the calories they consumed in the 1970’S. Snacking is another common problem of the American diet. Americans are constant eaters. Americans often eat flavored foods loaded with flavors and sugars for immediate gratification. The unhealthy diet consumed by Americans has impacts on the health outcomes of the society. Americans are at more risk of developing lifestyle diseases like diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases and obesity. The prevalence of these lifestyle diseases has increased among the American populations because of unhealthy diets (Whyte, 2012).
More than a quarter of American population is obese because of eating more calories and doing fewer exercises. Losing weight is one of the most popular New Year resolutions for Americans. About nine in ten Americans have the illusion that their diet is alright. Seventy percent of all Americans aged more than fifty years are overweight (Robin, 2011).
The complications of obesity cost the united states over 190 billion dollars every year and worsens the health outcomes of patients. Obesity is a major concern for public health policy because of the social-economic and health effects it has on the American society (Robin, 2011). There policies and strategies of encouraging the eating of healthy diet among the United States need to be strengthened to reduce the risk, and the prevalence of lifestyle diseases.
References
Robins, J., (2011) Diet for a new America; how your food choices affect your health.
Tiburon: HJ Kramer
Whyte J., (2012). AARP New American diet; lose weight; live longer. New York: John
Wiley & sons.
