Honglin Qu

Obesity Rates Increase in the Few Years

Main Arguments

     In the few years, obesity rates increase in fast speed which is difficult to imagine. If you ask me, I will say that it is a very serious and terrible problem in the society. There are some datas I want to show you and it adequately shows how serious the situation of obesity in the America now.

· 66% of U.S. adults were overweight or obese in 2003-2004.

· Women 20–34 years old had the fastest increase rate of obesity and overweight.

· 80% of black women aged 40 years or over are overweight; 50% are obese.

· States in the southeast have higher prevalence than states on the West Coast, the Midwest and the Northeast.

· 16% of children and adolescents are overweight and 34% are at risk of becoming overweight in 2003-2004.

Visual Arguments

    
      According to this picture, it is not difficult to see that obesity has already been a problem among children and adolescents. The rate of obesity increase in an amazing speed during 1980-2000.

      The study suggests that the obesity rate for men which is currently 32%would rise to 50% in 2030. Foe women, the increase would be from 35% to any where between 45% and 52%. That's a total of 164 million people. Not only will we be getting fatter, but health problems like type - 2 diabetes, cancer, and heart disease will become more prevalent as weight related illnesses.

Significant Quotes

      “Our analysis showed patterns of obesity or overweight for various groups of Americans. All groups consistently increased in obesity or overweight prevalence, but the increase varied by group, making this public health issue complex. More research needs to be completed to look into the underlying causes."   

     Obesity is a complicated and difficult problem. It can not be fixed by government and others. We need to change the situation by ourselves. Keeping a balance diet is very important and necessary.

Melisa Ceren Celensu

                                 
                                                          What You See Is What You Eat

Over the past few decades, portion sizes of everything from muffins to sandwiches have grown considerably. While increased sizes haven’t been the sole contributor to our obesity epidemic, large quantities of cheap food have distorted our perceptions of what a typical meal is supposed to look like.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s (NHLBI) give a visual representation of what sizes used to be compared to what they are today.

If you are interested to take the quiz to see how food portions have changed in 20 years click here;

http://hp2010.nhlbihin.net/portion/index.htm

Significant Quotes

Here is an example of Anna-Leena Rasanen who had arrived in the U. S from Finland only eight days earlies, but she was getting the picture...

"The day we came, we went to a restaurant. First was a huge salad. Then chicken with spinach and pasta. That was huge. I didn't imagine a portion could be so big. Even my boyfriend [who's 6 feet 5 inches and weighs 230 pounds] said that he couldn't have eaten the whole portion." 

“Unfortunately, America’s waistbands have reacted accordingly. In the 1970s, around 47 percent of Americans were overweight or obese; now 66 percent of us are. In addition, the number of just obese people has doubled, from 15 percent of our population to 30 percent.” ( Monte, 2011).

“American food companies have changed their servings drastically over the last 50 years.  In addition to bigger portions, studies are showing a tendency to overuse items coming from large containers when cooking.” (Danielle, 2012).

Let's see some examples of portion differences of 20 years ago and today.

Two slice of Pizza

Those extra 350 calories, if eaten a two times a month, would put 

on two extra pounds a year, or forty pounds in the next two

decades.

Movie Popcorn

Bagel

Today’s bagel counts for three servings of bread, but many of us 


would consider it one serving.

Cheeseburgers

According to a 2007 paper published in the Journal of Public 


Health Policy, portion sizes offered by fast food chains are two to 


five times larger than when first introduced.

Jie Ruan

Do exercise, away from obesity

Main argument

Causing Americans are obese and overweight one of the reason is that Americans do not like activities and a small amount of exercise. Every Americans family have least of one car, which is rich and living modern landmark, but also is a kind of enjoyment. However, on the other hand it is also harm to health. Americans go out to work, school, visiting friends and relatives and shopping have to take the car. No car will not be able to work and life in the United States, so Americans rarely walk and exercise. At the same, young people in school just sit for a half day, and then back home watching TV and playing computer games.Over time it would cause the obesity, especially abdominal fat.

Now let's see some pictures

This picture is talk about a woman called Mollie Kamm who loses 190 pounds and fights to keep it off. She spends 4 years to lose the weight. During this time, she walks at least 3-5 miles each day. Some days she’ll do that twice. I believe that walking is one of the great idea to lose the weigh. Obese people should do activities and keep movement, do not stay on the bed. Later obesity will lose.

It's not very to do exercise. Exercise is interesting and helpful.This picture show obese people swim. Swimming bring them a lot of joy and also take away some of their fat. Exercise is the most scientific way to keep and lose weight.

Click here to see a video

this video will show us 9 steps to lose and keep weight.
It is not only for after age 35, it is also for whole ages.
Step 1: Look At Your Life
Step 2: Set Your Goal
Step 3: ID Your Enemy
Step 4: Count Your Calories
Step 5: Chew Your Food
Step 6: Move Your Body
Step 7: Build Your Muscles
Step 8: Drink Your Water
Step 9: Believe In Yourself

Significant quote

"Get your body moving and your heart rate up! Diet alone cannot save you.. You must exercise. Find an activity that works for you. Walking and aerobics burn calories and help prevent osteoporosis. Try a brisk stroll on your lunch hour. Swimming and biking keep your heart fit while going easy on aging joints. Just get moving!"( Shannon Hunt)



I agree with her. I believe diet can’t help obese people away from obesity. They must do exercise. You don’t need to do strenuous exercise, only need to do an easy exercise such as walking, stair exercise and swimming. If you don’t like it, you can also do home activities such as doing housework, cleaning cars.



"Thus researchers conclude that insufficient physical activity and too much time spent on sedentary behaviors like computer games and watching TV may equal, and even exceed, diet quality as important contributors to overweight in adolescence." (Medical News Today)

 I believe that just keep your body moving, you will away from obesity.Lack of exercise and spend  too much time  on sedentary behavior will result obesity, especially for teenages.