The most common question nowadays is “Why?”, why has obesity become so world-spread? According to the statistics, announced in the movie, 2/3 of the USA people are suffering from obesity, which that is approximately 60 million. There are a lot of answers: the material security does not allow us to eat healthy food; the invention of different gadgets that we are enjoying and which are killing our time without any use for the body. Moreover, while hanging around with our friends what do we see around us? An incredible amount of cafes, fast food restaurants and billboards that are advertising the benefits of this food. For example, below you can find one of such advertising signs.
Many of those signs are used in order to attract youngsters who are easily seduced into thinking that this food is delicious. That is why we are observing an immense growth of overweight people. As Trasande L. at al. (2019) investigated, “Hospitalizations of children and youths with a diagnosis of obesity nearly doubled between 1999 and 2005, while total costs for children and youths with obesity-related hospitalizations increased from $125.9 million in 2001 to $237.6 million in 2005 (in 2005 dollars)”.
Luckily, humanity does not bypass this problem and tries to find possible solutions. In the USA there were released even some TV commercials that were motivating children to lead an active life, e.g. Shrek, a famous cartoon personage, was singing “Get up and play an hour a day!”. Without any doubts, we need to find the way to overcome obesity. What can we expect in the future, in case 40-45% of schoolchildren are insulin dependent and till 18 years old we are all overweight? That is why Wang Y. at al. (2008) shared with the world the article named “Will All Americans Become Overweight or Obese? ” which aimed to “illustrate potential burden of obesity prevalence and healthcare costs of obesity and overweight in the United States that would occur if current trends continue.”
As it was pointed out, some time ago when we visited a gas station, we could fill the car only, when we went to the bookstore, we could buy a book only and if to compare with today, in the gas station there are a lot of different candies, chips and in the bookshop we can order some coffee and sweets. When we ask children what they prefer to eat at lunch, 70% of them answer you – a piece of pizza. Certainly, Health care system and the government of the country have to take measures and promote healthy lifestyle, place playgrounds and create favorable conditions for sports. Meal at schools should be oriented on the children’s welfare and provide healthy food.
Though, it also depends on our desire to look after the well-being of the body. We have to understand that everything starts in our minds and is contingent on the aspiration to be in a good shape. Once we hear the news that 12-year girl gained 210 pounds, we start to sympathize her. It is shocking and at the same time stimulating us to understand that we are the ones who can help us. Instead of using public transport, we may walk, when eating in the café, we may prefer healthy food, while surfing the Internet, we may go to the gym.
So that, let us all take care of us and delve into the problem before it caused a lot of troubles and difficulties.
References:
Steven, G. (2008). Killer at Large. Podcast retrieved from http://www.snagfilms.com/films/title/killer_at_large
Trasande L, Liu Y, Fryer G, et al. (2009). Health Affairs. The State of Obesity: Better Policies for a Healthier America 2015, p.17.
Wang Y., Beydoun M.A., Liang L., Caballero B. & Kumanyika S.K. (2008). Will All
Americans Become Overweight or Obese? Estimating the Progression and Cost of the US Obesity Epidemic, 1.
