Oklahoma's_Obesity

Chance Dhalluin 2/25/2011 Laurie Ward English Comp 1 Oklahoma’s Obesity America today is based on media and the people involved. The marketing of fast food restaurants is constantly running through the average person’s mind. In Oklahoma, many busy people usually choose to eat fast food, due to the amount of time on their hands, instead of a healthier alternative. The problem is contributing to the demise of health in Oklahoma. With today’s busy society and America’s growing fast food marketing companies, people eat more high calorie foods than ever before. Fast food companies spend an estimated ten billion dollars marketing unhealthy food, drinks, and meals to children in 2010. Targeting the youth, indicates some reasons that people become unhealthy from such a young age. Restaurant marketing is geared towards fatting foods opposed to healthy meals. The companies seem to promote unhealthy foods more than healthier alternatives. More people are eating fast food which usually has a higher amount of fat. Oklahomans show a lack of willingness to choose healthy meals, which could be responsible for rising obesity. As fast food companies grow, so does Oklahoma’s rise in obesity. Popularity contributes to a company's growth, which shows that more and more people are eating unhealthy foods more often. An estimated 45% of Oklahoma’s food intake is from fast foods in 2010, opposed to 2% in the 1980’s. The calorie intake, is one-sixth of the daily food intake for the average Oklahoman. This showing that unhealthy food is becoming a every day routine for the average person in Oklahoma. Current food and beverage marketing puts the youth at risk for health issues. The consumption of unhealthy food is corrupting Oklahoma’s youth. The growth of companies and unhealthy foods popularity is proving to be the demise of Oklahoma’s health. Obesity in Oklahoma also consumes many teens. 26.75% of teens are overweight in our state. The future of Oklahoma is in the youth of the state and if we continue to have a higher percent in obesity, our future seems dim. Oklahoman teens, on average, spend 23 hours a week watching television and playing some type of gaming console. Laziness contributes to obesity. With more distracting things to do then exercise and eat healthy, teens usually choose another way of doing things which is eating junk foods. Teens eat unhealthy not just every once in awhile but daily, which is a major contribution to the unhealthiness of the future leaders of this state. If weight issues continue to form during early years, it makes it harder for the obese children to be accepted, break bad habits, and lose weight. The effects of obesity are not only physical, but can also harm that person mentally. Obese people tend to have a low self-esteem. Low self-esteem can cause stress and suicidal tendencies, which contributes to the overall health of the human being. Many people exclude themselves from public events, because of societies outlook on “ the perfect body”. Obese people are repeatedly referred to as bad people and their lifestyle should be frowned upon. Treating a human being in an inhumane way due to weight problems is a growing concern not only in Oklahoma, but all over America as well. The mental aspects of obesity are just as much a concern as the physical aspects. There is evidence that obese people are denied education opportunities, jobs, promotions, and houses, because of their weight. Obesity is handled just like a prejudice situation in Oklahoma, they are often singled out and exiled from the rest of society. We should not judge others based on their physical attributes. The addiction of fast food and it’s misleading advertisements is to blame for Oklahoma’s rapid growth in weight. The industries market heavily to teens with the goal of creating a fast food habit that will persist into adulthood. The addiction usually persist throughout the child’s life creating an involuntary reaction to unhealthy eating habits. Due to limited studies proof can’t be found that the fast food advertisements is the direct cause of obesity. More studies should be conducted to find the relationship between obesity and television. Addiction is the goal of those companies, and they have easily surpassed their goals with Oklahoman’s lack of willpower to eat smart. There are other reasons people could be overweight, such as overeating. This may be caused by personal problems such as; tension, anger, sadness, loneliness, or maybe even boredom. Overeating can be just another habit from stress such as, nose picking and laughing at jokes that are not funny. Overeating can be due to an addiction to food. High calorie foods can sometimes lure you in with the taste, cheap prices, and value meals. Stress is very high in obese people which is a very good reason for obesity in Oklahoma. Overeating is another great reason for our rise in obesity, the fast food businesses only contribute to this problem. There are an abundance of solutions for this growing epidemic, that could easily solve this issue in our society. Industries should work with health officials and consumer groups to develop a labeling system conveys the nutritional quality of foods effectively to better the health of Oklahoma and help the accuracy of diet plans in the state. The labeling of foods usually never gets looked at by the consumer. Media and entertainment could easily market healthy nutrition through television, films, cartoons, even video games, yet they fail to accomplish this task. Oklahoman’s use these forms of entertainment every day, which could help people make healthier choices. Some restaurants have recently taken steps to promote healthier offerings, but overall marketing continues to be spent more towards high fat foods. Attempts have been made, but the overall attempts by the fast food industries have failed. Money seems to be a major issue over health concerns of Oklahoma. Another way to solve this problem is to lower the cost of gym memberships to the public. Doing so, would help the state have a cheaper option to go work off the pounds. In my opinion, the state would be extremely healthier if this change was made. Being Obese can cause health problems, which result in medical bills. Therefore, most obese people struggle with money issues and to them a gym membership isn’t worth going bankrupt over. Although America is based on media, if we can get the thought of fast food being the only option for Americans’, we will be in very good shape. So I challenge you to choose a healthier life style, such as dieting and visiting the local gym every once in awhile. If we put our minds to it, maybe one day, Oklahoma will be one of the top ranked healthiest states in our nation.