Belegu 1
Sara Belegu
Professor Kalley
English 103
6 October 2016
Casual Analysis for Obesity
As the American family came to McDonalds for a quick and easy dinner for the third
time this week, they indulged in an extremely high count calorie meal. Many health issues are
present all over the world, but a serious epidemic in America is obesity. Diet plays a significant
role in obesity in our society. In addition to diet, physical inactivity plays a major role in obesity.
Lastly, obesity can also be genetic for some. Diet, physical inactivity, and genetics contribute to
the ongoing obesity problem and has yet to be remedied.
An unhealthy diet is a leading cause for obesity. The average American consumes
excessive calories. Most the time people know they are eating more than they should, but
sometimes people “fail to recognize the amounts they consume can be larger—sometimes much
larger—than the portion sizes indicated on food labels, dietary guidance materials, or food
frequency questionnaires” (Nestle par.9). Individuals can be completely unaware to calorie
intake because they fail to thoroughly read a food label. Another problem society has is
understanding what they consume. One may think a soda will not hurt because a soft drink is just
a soft drink, no matter the size. According to Marion Nestle, author of “Increasing portion sizes
in American diets: more calories, more obesity” little do people understand “a 64-ounce soft
drink container could provide as much as 800 calories” (par.8); equaling to roughly a third of the
daily intake an average person should consume. It is rather difficult for Americans to maintain a
healthy diet due to their surroundings. According to scientist Chris Woolston in his article “The
Belegu 2
High-Calorie American Diet Has created a Health Crisis”, he mentions Americans environment
is surrounded by “170,000 fast-food restaurants and 3 million soft-drink vending machine spread
across the country” (par.16). Having most food options as fast-food restaurants, it is immensely
easy for the average American to indulge in a high calorie intake meal. Evidence, such as high
calorie intake, not being aware to diet, and surroundings suggests an unhealthy diet is a leading
cause to obesity.
Physical inactivity is a health concern contributing to the obesity epidemic. When a
person lacks exercise, the result is an increase in body fat. According to Gregory Green in his
article “Physical activity and childhood obesity: strategies and solutions for schools and parents
Obesity” he suggests obesity exists when “total body weight is more than 25 percent of excessive
accumulation of fat” (par.5). The typical American already consumes an excessive calorie intake
