Obesity

Obesity is a grave concern in American society. One in every five preschoolers in America is obese? What does that say about our culture? Such high statistics give America a view of a “fat country”. For the most part it is true, seeing as how we feel a need to have a fast food restaurant at every corner and donut shop in every community. The rest of the world continues to view America as being unhealthy and Americans as fat and lazy citizens. Even inside our own country do obese Americans face discrimination. Children have to deal with cruel and malicious bullying and torment from other children in the school. They have low-self esteem and oftentimes take out their stress by engaging in overeating, adding to their already grotesque weight. Adults also face ridicule in the workplace and from their own family members who view their weight problems as self-inflicted. Health problems that arise from obesity are also a main cause for concern. Obese people are more prone to heart attacks, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and other severe health problems. The abundance of calories can turn into fat in the body, clog the vital arteries that pump blood into the heart, and cause blood clots or cardiac arrest. Therefore, it is also easier for an obese person to suddenly die. Psychological health concerns are also common in obese people. Years of ridicule due to their weight results in low-self esteem, depression, and eating disorders used to lose weight such as anorexia and bulimia. Suicides among obese people are also more prevalent because they have nothing more to lose than the pounds that consume their lives; thus, why not lose their lives if they can’t lose the pounds?