America’s health, according to many, is going down the drain. Obesity has been acknowledged to be the effect of unhealthy eating habits and the cause of countless health complications. The US Food and Drug Administration is constantly inspecting and reviewing more and more food production companies as a result of food poisoning; another cause of worsened health. According to Dr. Preston Maring, “Food is at the center of health and illness.” Research about food has grown and been incorporated into the opinions of many, thus educating Americans on the health pros and cons of their diets. Despite the necessity of food to maintain our health, even our very existence, the terms “diet”, “food factory” and “food production” have taken on more negative connotations. When one thinks of the food production, they may think of the latest article they read on Salmonella poisoning (a result of faulty food production in egg farms.) Because approximately 64% or Americans are overweight or obese (according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention) “Diet” is often accompanied by feelings of remorse or anger. It is clear that food is a problem in America. The questions many researchers, doctors, politicians, and farmers are asking and answering now: How can we prevent it? How can we bring make the diets of the masses more healthy?
More advanced medicine findings and increased discoveries of the healing characteristics of food are having positive impacts. However, many of these findings are essentially for the purpose of undoing the damage done by unhealthy diets. Americans are told that if they take a pill, they will lose weight, thereby gaining health and happiness. “Decatrim's advanced formula helps you lose weight FAST and SAFELY” (http://www.weightlossdietpills.com/weight-loss-pills/). “Nuphedragen is a simple yet powerful weight loss formula that delivers unbelievable benefits” (http://www.weightlossdietpills.com/weight-loss-pills/). Various procedures, such as Bariatric surgery, Sleeve Gastrectomy, or Liposuction, are promised to be safe and effective in “losing weight”. There is much controversial discussion on the question of these procedures’ actual effectiveness and safety.
Another way to undo the obesity in the US is by incorporating vegetables into diets. This natural method has been researched and promoted by many. “This is a generation that cares a lot more and knows a lot more about the importance of diet…We need a system that educates physicians about nutrition, and we’re the ones who are going to have to fight for it” (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/22/dining/22doctors.html?emc=eta1). In addition to importance in diet, people also realize that the cause for nutrition is one for which to be fought, rather than simply acknowledged. Increased vegetable intake and decreased fast food intake are heavily encouraged. However, fresh produce is expensive and inconvenient. “In the wrong hands, vegetables can taste terrible. And compared with a lot of food at the supermarket, they’re a relatively expensive way to fill a belly… Before we want health, we want taste, we want convenience and we want low cost” (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/25/health/policy/25vegetables.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&emc=eta1). Faced with meal options that are thriving because of their the consistent flavor, convenience and in-expense, individuals, especially those with a limited budget, are not interested in buying and preparing fresh produce. Low income families cannot always afford to feed their family the recommended daily intake of vegetables, despite every good intention. “ 'There seems to be this perception that low-income communities don’t have the same needs and interests when it comes to food, and we do,’ said Clara Gillens-Eromosele, one of the leaders of the Roosevelt revitalization group. ‘We’re not looking to have more fast food in our community. We’re looking to educate people about alternatives’” (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/20/nyregion/20towns.html?emc=eta1). Americans must find vegetables and overall diet change to be convenient and affordable in addition to life-changing and life-prolonging.
To accommodate this tendency of prioritizing convenience and affordability, food companies and the government are striving to produce more convenient options. “Unfortunately, behavior changes won’t work on their own without seismic societal shifts, health experts say, because eating too much and exercising too little are merely symptoms of a much larger malady. The real problem is a landscape littered with inexpensive fast-food meals; saturation advertising for fatty, sugary products; inner cities that lack supermarkets; and unhealthy, high-stress workplaces” (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/22/business/22stream.html?emc=eta1). Employers are encouraged to ask less of their workers, so as to reduce the stress that causes overeating and overindulging. More Farmer’s Markets and Greenmarkets can be found throughout the country. Although obesity and bad health are a problem in our country, the way to fix it is a currently a very popular topic of discussion.
No comments:
Post a Comment