Although the U. S. government has recently introduces a great number of programs, the problem of excess weight is still on the current agenda in health care. Annually, the country spends over $ 150 billion to avert the obesity rates, but only Columbia district demonstrates the decline. In this respect, the health and educational programs initiated in schools are not efficient enough to confront the serious problem. Indeed, the shocking statistics proves that one third of the population is obese.
What is more threatening is that 7 % of children from more than 6000 middle schools belong to the category of severely obese students (Nightline from ABC NEWs). In this respect, specific attention should be paid to various contexts and factors that aggravate the situation in the United States.
Although many children take part in weight control programs initiated in schools, it is highly unlikely that they are aware of the actual reasons for the excess weight. The research studies have shown that the current products offered to consumers contain one single ingredient – fructose that is made of corn (Nightline from ABC NEWs).
It is much cheaper than sugar and, therefore, producers are more prone to use it. In fact, fructose might be the reason for fast-growing rates of obesity. In particular, it has been defined that, when fructose is consumed, the brain signal makes organism feel even hungrier and, as a result, a human feels like starving even though he/she does not need more food intakes.
Multiple ingredients and food processing also contribute to increasing obesity rates. In fact, the food manufacturers introduce products that are fat, salty, and sweet. These are three major components that are used in mass food production. In fact, human bodies are not adapted to this food environment. Rather, they should consume products of natural origin. In addition, food processing is another concern that the consumers should face because it also has a negative consequence for metabolism.
Therefore, although people are aware of the fact that natural products, such as fruits and vegetables, are much healthier than packed food, they still consume everything that is proposed by the market. In fact, there are other marketing strategies that make customers believe they can start eating healthier food. In particular, introduction of green checkmark on the packages deceive buyers and make them buy products that are not healthy at all (Nightline from ABC NEWs).
The problem is that people are still willing to buy these products because they are reluctant to learn more about healthy eating. This is of particular concern to our food intakes patterns and habits. Although vegetables and fruits are healthier, people stick to their usual habits because it is much more convenient and less time-consuming. A shift to a healthier food environment is the major problem that obese people should overcome.
Despite great amount of resources are being spent annually on fighting with obesity, the U.S. government fails to cope with the fast-growing rates. There are several reasons for this expansion. First, food production relies heavily on using high fructose corn because it is much cheaper than sugar.
However, fructose is the main cause of obesity because it makes our brain think that we are hungry. Second, food processing and multiple ingredients included into a product constitute another challenge for overcoming overweight problem. Third, although people are knowledgeable of the existing healthy food programs, they still adhere to the old fashions and habits of consuming junk food.