I will start out with the obvious, our nation is unhealthy. According to the American Diabetes Association, roughly 1 in 10 Americans over the age of 20 have diabetes. A preventable disease that can be prevented by diet and exercise. In an article on NPR by April Fulton, one third of our population is expected to be diagnosed with diabetes by the year 2050 if we, literally, don’t shape up. These are terrifying statistics when you consider that this is far from the most dangerous of the diseases caused by our increasing level of obesity. According to the center for disease control, the number one killer of Americans is heart disease. This too, can be prevented and controlled. In many cases with simple diet and exercise. Yet every day we are bombarded with billboards, commercials, and shameless amounts of advertising all focused on one thing, getting us to fork out more money for unhealthy food. The statistics are terrifying and the weapons advertisers are using to keep us fat are strong. They use huge portions to make us think that eating that much is normal. I can assure you that what you see on the commercial is by no means one serving size. The Carl’s Jr. Commercials that we see with sexy, size 0 models and actresses indulging in a double bacon cheeseburger is anything but reality.
On the other side of the issue, where is our food coming from? If we do decide to eat healthy we are still in grave danger. Walking down the aisle of your neighborhood grocer with your eyes open can be, well, eye opening. Most of the fruits and vegetables you see are from Mexico, China, Puerto Rico, and other outside resources. This is disgusting when you consider the fact that they do not have the same regulations we have here as far as using pesticides and herbicides. Who even knows what you are putting into your body along with the food we were intending to eat. Then there are the lost vitamins and nutrients. Mineral deficient soil, and food picked before it's peak can rob your food of up to 40% of the food's intended nutrients and minerals. At the point it sits on the shelves it is far from fresh, it may have been picked a week or two before it found its way to your grocer. Some produce is wax coated or sprayed with water to look more fresh and appealing than it actually is. Not to mention the amount of fossil fuels burned to get the food the thousands of miles it takes to reach the grocer, and behind that the ecological impact of the burned fuels. That is a lot to consider for a cucumber you could have purchased at the farmers market or grown in your own backyard. By buying local you are supporting the local economy, keeping jobs in the US, and knowing first hand who grew your food. With all of the stories you hear about salmonella and e coli out breaks it seems like the option of buying your food from a reliable, local resource just makes sense.
It is time for us to make a move to a healthier existence. We need to think about what we are putting into our bodies, and deciding if it is the right kind of fuel. In order to prevent the devastating outcomes of a nation fed on fast food, we must act now. We need to support educational programs and incentives to teach children and families how to make the right decisions when it comes to food. By teaching our youth the right choices about food, not only what we eat but where it comes from, we will be saving them from a lifetime of sickness and pain.
Lately thats all its been about, more and more people are getting obese and more people that don't care what food we eat. Because some people cant't control their eating habits.
ReplyDeleteI remember reading that they should raise prices for soda so that obese people can't afford it, because most obese people are in the middle class, which the people need to make sure to keep an eye on what to spend money on. But that led to a huge argument because people in the same class but not heavy- set want to buy the soda at a lower cost.
Its just another problem in America, and like everything else, nothing is taking care of. But its just crazy to see what obese and diabetes and what food we eat is taking place in our economy these days.
I do agree, people just need to watch what their eating and need to take control of there bodies, but then you got the people that just don't care. But this is a huge topic and its growing every year. Nice Topic Augusta!!
Yes I definitally agree that we need to start thinking about what we are puting into our bodies, it will make a huge difference in the long run. All we need to do is start thinking about eating healthy and doing some moderate exercise, and the combo together in return will be a good one.
ReplyDelete