Obesity Crisis
A man at McDonald’s orders his food by saying, “I’ll have a Big Mac, 2 McChickens, a large Coke, and a large order of fries.” In today’s society, portions of food are large, which, in turn, can make people overweight. In author Wil Haygood’s article “Kentucky Town of Manchester Illustrates National Obesity Crisis,” he gives in depth statistics of studies done in Manchester, Kentucky, and what he believes about obesity rates increasing in our society. I agree with Haygood when he claims that society expects people to eat past their limits, losing weight can be achieved through lifestyle changes, obesity cannot be traced to genetics.
In the article, Haygood goes in depth to create an image of Manchester, Kentucky, and the data collected there that reflects how obesity has become part of the culture in that specific area. Haygood states, “... There are not enough places to buy nutritious food in small towns; many places lack recreational venues” (407). The previous quote exhibits the exact image of Manchester, Kentucky. Haygood explains the increasing health concerns by giving examples from an individual that has recovered from obesity and a separate individual that is becoming obese. Also, Haygood elaborates on an experiment performed by aspiring scholar Jill Day in the town of Manchester, Kentucky. The data collected by Day resulted in 85 of the 277 fourth-and fifth-graders being obese (412). Haygood then explains in depth that the overall cause of the rising obesity rates is the surplus of fast food joints combined with the lack of recreational venues where individuals may exercise. A later study performed in Manchester revealed that the people of the area rarely step on a scale to weigh themselves although they are aware of their own obesity. Even though the town of Manchester has had many studies performed on its increasing obesity rate, the people of the town continue to stick to their unhealthy habits of eating more and exercising less.
A major cause of the rising obesity rates in America is the mentality that the individual must eat everything that is on his or her plate. According to Haygood, “... Part of the problem may lie in a cultural feeling about the food that is set down in front of a child at home at mealtime here” (411). I can remember being in kindergarten and being told, “You must clean your plate before you can go to recess.” I blame the mentality of “cleaning your plate” for a significant percentage of people that are obese. When I am eating, I know that sometimes I get full before all my food is gone on my plate. In addition to that thought, I believe that kids are forced to eat more food than they want to, which, in turn, leads to individuals gaining weight. With that being said, there are several easy actions one can take to avoid obesity.
Although unpopular in Manchester, Kentucky, an individual could avoid obesity by eating healthier and exercising daily. Day herself writes, “I hate to sound simplistic, but it is a lack of physical activity as well as poor eating habits” (qtd. in Haygood 413). Day blames the reasons for rising obesity rates solely on the lack of healthy eating habits and physical activity. Although the town of Manchester lacks grocery stores with fresh produce and recreational centers for exercise, an individual has no excuse to not live a healthy lifestyle. One way that an individual could eat fresh produce is to have their own garden. Having a garden gives the individual a chance to eat fresh vegetables and fruits instead of going through a drive thru several times a week. Another way an individual can lead a healthier lifestyle is to exercise on his or her own time. An individual doesn’t need recreational venues to exercise at in order to have a dose of physical activity every day. As a matter of fact, people can run outside, stretch on the floor, and do sit ups at his or her own house. On the same note, the individual is to blame for his or her well-being.
Obesity is not hereditary because the “eater” is controlling what goes into his or her body. In other words, Day claims, “Since 1980, obesity has tripled in children, so we can’t totally blame genetics for this increase” (qtd. in Haygood 413). Although some individuals are born larger than others, a healthy lifestyle is a choice that an individual makes. If statistics have exhibited that obesity rates among children have grown recently, then how can one blame heredity for the increase in obesity? In addition, I do not believe that an inactive lifestyle is hereditary along with eating habits. On the same hand, I believe that an individual being active is his or her choice, not what his or her parents or even grandparents were. For example, eating chips, drinking pop, and lying around are lifestyle choices, not inherited through genetics. As a result, I disagree with some who blame genetics for obesity because there are many causes of weight issues that an individual can control.
I agree with Haygood when he complains that people are urged to eat more than they want, there are a number of lifestyle changes one can make to lose weight, and genetics are not to blame for obesity rates. In author Wil Haygood’s article “Kentucky Town of Manchester Illustrates National Obesity Crisis,” he points out several agreeable points pertaining to obesity and how individuals become obese. All in all, I believe that the society within America must take drastic measures in order to decreases obesity rates. After all, is it necessary to eat a Big Mac, 2 McChickens, a large Coke, and a large order of fries all in one sitting
Works Cited
Haygood, Wil. “Kentucky Town of Manchester Illustrates National Obesity Crisis” They Say I Say With Readings. By Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein. Ed. Russel Durst. 2E ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012. 406-416. Print
In the article, Haygood goes in depth to create an image of Manchester, Kentucky, and the data collected there that reflects how obesity has become part of the culture in that specific area. Haygood states, “... There are not enough places to buy nutritious food in small towns; many places lack recreational venues” (407). The previous quote exhibits the exact image of Manchester, Kentucky. Haygood explains the increasing health concerns by giving examples from an individual that has recovered from obesity and a separate individual that is becoming obese. Also, Haygood elaborates on an experiment performed by aspiring scholar Jill Day in the town of Manchester, Kentucky. The data collected by Day resulted in 85 of the 277 fourth-and fifth-graders being obese (412). Haygood then explains in depth that the overall cause of the rising obesity rates is the surplus of fast food joints combined with the lack of recreational venues where individuals may exercise. A later study performed in Manchester revealed that the people of the area rarely step on a scale to weigh themselves although they are aware of their own obesity. Even though the town of Manchester has had many studies performed on its increasing obesity rate, the people of the town continue to stick to their unhealthy habits of eating more and exercising less.
A major cause of the rising obesity rates in America is the mentality that the individual must eat everything that is on his or her plate. According to Haygood, “... Part of the problem may lie in a cultural feeling about the food that is set down in front of a child at home at mealtime here” (411). I can remember being in kindergarten and being told, “You must clean your plate before you can go to recess.” I blame the mentality of “cleaning your plate” for a significant percentage of people that are obese. When I am eating, I know that sometimes I get full before all my food is gone on my plate. In addition to that thought, I believe that kids are forced to eat more food than they want to, which, in turn, leads to individuals gaining weight. With that being said, there are several easy actions one can take to avoid obesity.
Although unpopular in Manchester, Kentucky, an individual could avoid obesity by eating healthier and exercising daily. Day herself writes, “I hate to sound simplistic, but it is a lack of physical activity as well as poor eating habits” (qtd. in Haygood 413). Day blames the reasons for rising obesity rates solely on the lack of healthy eating habits and physical activity. Although the town of Manchester lacks grocery stores with fresh produce and recreational centers for exercise, an individual has no excuse to not live a healthy lifestyle. One way that an individual could eat fresh produce is to have their own garden. Having a garden gives the individual a chance to eat fresh vegetables and fruits instead of going through a drive thru several times a week. Another way an individual can lead a healthier lifestyle is to exercise on his or her own time. An individual doesn’t need recreational venues to exercise at in order to have a dose of physical activity every day. As a matter of fact, people can run outside, stretch on the floor, and do sit ups at his or her own house. On the same note, the individual is to blame for his or her well-being.
Obesity is not hereditary because the “eater” is controlling what goes into his or her body. In other words, Day claims, “Since 1980, obesity has tripled in children, so we can’t totally blame genetics for this increase” (qtd. in Haygood 413). Although some individuals are born larger than others, a healthy lifestyle is a choice that an individual makes. If statistics have exhibited that obesity rates among children have grown recently, then how can one blame heredity for the increase in obesity? In addition, I do not believe that an inactive lifestyle is hereditary along with eating habits. On the same hand, I believe that an individual being active is his or her choice, not what his or her parents or even grandparents were. For example, eating chips, drinking pop, and lying around are lifestyle choices, not inherited through genetics. As a result, I disagree with some who blame genetics for obesity because there are many causes of weight issues that an individual can control.
I agree with Haygood when he complains that people are urged to eat more than they want, there are a number of lifestyle changes one can make to lose weight, and genetics are not to blame for obesity rates. In author Wil Haygood’s article “Kentucky Town of Manchester Illustrates National Obesity Crisis,” he points out several agreeable points pertaining to obesity and how individuals become obese. All in all, I believe that the society within America must take drastic measures in order to decreases obesity rates. After all, is it necessary to eat a Big Mac, 2 McChickens, a large Coke, and a large order of fries all in one sitting
Works Cited
Haygood, Wil. “Kentucky Town of Manchester Illustrates National Obesity Crisis” They Say I Say With Readings. By Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein. Ed. Russel Durst. 2E ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012. 406-416. Print