Research Paper Obesity

Cameron Charron

Mrs. Espinoza

English 4 CP, Period 5

28 April 2014

Obesity: The Epidemic

Although Americans seem to have a growing obsession for weight loss, the obesity rate is steadily growing with that obsession. People are so distressed when it comes to this topic, believing they are fatter than they really are, and watching as the media categorizes the fit and the overweight. This is where the media tries to solve all their problems, while trying to fatten them up even more. People think that they can solve all their problems in the snap of a finger, with miracle diets, and weight loss surgeries, when really these can be the most detrimental choices they can make. Obesity is not a problem. It is an epidemic that needs to be cured. Without a change in our unhealthy American lifestyle, obesity will continue to poison the lives of obese individuals and their loved ones.

The number one contributing factor to obesity starts in the home of each and every American citizen. I have grown up experiencing the eating habits of my own family, and friends around me. I was lucky enough to have parents who strive to cook various healthy meals all the time. Unfortunately, not all families work that way. In fact, in an article about poor eating habits of parents at home, it mentioned that some parents don't take the time to cook healthy meals for their children, leading to poor dietary decisions later in life (Alexandra Klausner). Although we love to blame the fast food industry, we do not have to give in to eating these unhealthy foods. Our first piece of food as a child comes from our parents, so we know nothing other than what they provide for us. If our first meal just happened to be a McDonald’s happy meal, it is still not McDonald’s fault. Our parents brought us the burden of thinking that a happy meal will bring a life full of happiness, while realistically it will bring the burden of physical weight. According to a Medline Plus article on eating habits, it...