“Your diet is a bank account. Good food choices are good investments.”
-Bethenny Frankel
Did you know that studies show that 1 in 8 people worldwide are struggling with obesity, according to the (World Health Organization)? In an era where people are ordering Uber Eats from the comfort of their homes and overeating, maintaining a healthy diet and exercising is essential for our well-being.
Why are obesity rates so high? According to U.S. News and World Report, it is proven that more than 1 billion adults and children suffer from obesity globally. Several factors contribute to this crisis, with unhealthy eating behaviors and a lack of physical activity being the main culprits. Additionally, unhealthy snacks that have bright packaging with eye-catching colors are more likely to lure customers into buying them, especially children, causing poor dietary decisions.
Americans have been buying fast food regularly and incorporating it into their diet. Fast food is known to be quick, easy, and cheap for consumers to purchase, making it an appealing option for busy individuals. However, this convenience is one of the root causes of obesity. Because fast food is being bought so much, people minimize spending time shopping for groceries and rely more on fast food. Its affordability and convenience causes people to skip groceries and order out instead. According to a survey conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics from Centers for Disease Control, statistics show that a little over ⅓ (36.6%) of American adults eat fast food per day. That’s about 86.6 billion adults eating junk every day!
Individuals cope with stress and anxiety by eating, which can often lead to binge eating as a temporary coping mechanism to numb away negative emotions. A person’s living environment and lifestyle also play a part in weight gain; Those who live in a low-income family would be more likely to rely upon fast food, due to its accessibility and affordability. Henry Liem, a Junior, is a student who was interviewed at South El Monte High School. He is an athlete who joined cross-country, as he believes running is important to a healthy lifestyle, and in the importance of eating well.“ People are encouraged to make unhealthy food choices since they’re either in poverty or are uninformed about the dangers of junk.”
With high obesity rates in America, it is important to start healthy by maintaining a well-balanced diet. So how can we reduce this problem? For one thing, eating healthy is good for your health. It prevents chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and more. Eating healthy food also helps with lengthening your lifespan, losing weight, and improving your self-esteem, knowing that you’re eating healthy. However, it is important to stick to a long-term diet that suits your preferences. A good diet consists of a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, and protein. It is best to choose a diet that matches your priorities. For example, consider previous diets you’ve tried and what suits your budget. To prevent obesity or any health problems in general, it is best to not choose foods that include more sugar than your daily intake (25 grams for women, 36 grams for men), high calories, and carbohydrates.
Looking at nutrition labels is important, since it gives us an understanding to what we’re consuming. According to Henry, he believes a healthy diet consists of a blend of nutritious food. “A healthy diet should have a lot of vegetables and fruits. Some rice or bread or some grain. Milk and some dairy. Think of the food pyramid.”
Furthermore, study shows that diets influence one’s mental health. According to Sutter Health, highly processed foods stimulate dopamine in our brains, causing individuals to become addicted to junk. These unhealthy foods can lead to inflammation in the brain, which can contribute to mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety. On the other hand, healthy food helps people think clearly and feel more alert. Henry says, “Junk doesn’t just impact; it destroys. Incurable noncommunicable diseases arise from bad diets.”
Staying active improves one’s physical shape, as inactivity plays a big part in weight gain and obesity. This leads to health complications. According to Healthline, exercising helps increase metabolic rate, which can help burn calories faster and manage weight. Just like eating healthy, it also reduces the chances of getting chronic diseases and increases happiness within 10-30 minutes of physical activity.
With obesity being America’s number 1 health problem, in today’s society, it is important to keep your mental and physical health in good shape. So how could you start by staying healthy? According to Henry, he says, “Small changes are a start to being healthy. Try skipping out on McDonalds first, then try figuring out how to add a bit of greens in your food. Work upwards.”
