During Super Bowl LIX, I found myself paying as much attention to the ads during the commercial breaks as I did to the game itself. Many of the commercials were about weight loss alternatives and body positivity. These advertisements promoted weight loss medications and body positivity among overweight children, glossing over how prevalent obesity is in the United States. I found myself trying to understand how obesity is not properly spoken about considering how common it is. These advertisements, rather than addressing the actual problem of obesity with solutions like healthy eating and regular exercise, pushed weight loss alternatives and unhealthy body positivity. Over 40 percent of Americans are classified as obese, according to the National Institutes of Health. Obesity in the United States is an extremely large problem and should not continue to be overlooked any longer. It is time to take action to healthily reduce obesity rates in the U.S.
As a way to promote a healthier lifestyle, brands such as Poppi market their products as a “better alternative” to standard soda. The supposed benefits of Poppi include better gut health, lower sugar levels and lower calories, according to their website. In reality, the added prebiotics in Poppi can cause gastrointestinal distress such as bloating and cramping, according to Healthline. Although products like Poppi might seem like a great option for losing weight due to low calorie count, these goods can be harmful in other ways.
Preservatives are extremely prevelant in American goods. In fact, almost 60 percent of American goods contain additives, according to the NIH. This statistic shows that it is almost impossible to avoid preservatives in a typical American diet. Consuming preservatives can trigger metabolic responses linked to obesity. Americans can attempt to avoid obesity and other health risks by consuming organic, preservative-free goods, according to Mount Sinai, an integrated healthcare program.
Body positivity and embracing your body are not the same thing as being healthy. Appreciating one’s appearance and body is important for a happy lifestyle, but physical health is just as important to consider as mental health. Obesity is extremely unhealthy and the recent glorification of it can make the public believe that being obese is okay, despite the life-threatening risks behind it. Body positive influencers encourage unhealthy practices and market them as self-love. These influencers post content of themselves consuming unhealthy amounts of food, exercising inconsistently, and using seat-belt extenders on airplanes. Carrying extra fat leads to serious health consequences such as musculoskeletal disorders, cancers, and cardiovascular diseases that cause premature death and substantial disability, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). One’s physical health should be a top priority, especially if their current body weight is having adverse effects on their quality of life. Loving oneself is still very important for mental health so one shouldn’t leave body positivity behind but instead carry it with them as they improve their physical health.
A more recently popularized way to lose weight is through medication and injections. People who are prescribed these medications begin seeing results within two to four months . However, these medications can lead to other serious health complications. A clinical research company, many experience nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea and heartburn as a result of taking weight loss medications, according to VCU Health. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) promotes gradual weight loss through good nutrition, regular physical activity and healthy sleep patterns. Adults require a maximum of 3,000 calories per day, according to Medical News Today. On the other hand, the average American consumes more than 3,800 calories on a daily basis, according to USA Today. Exercise is necessary for a healthy lifestyle as it enhances cardiovascular health and improves overall mood. It is recommended that adults engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, according to the American Medical Association (AMA). The average American spends 120 minutes a week being physically active, according to the Washingtonian, a media magazine. This statistic shows that Americans are working out 30 minutes less than the minimum recommended amount per week. Weight-loss companies capitalize on the severity of obesity by marketing weight-loss drugs over positive and healthy weight loss methods. Losing weight healthily takes more time and energy to implement but is more sustainable in the long run. Americans should follow the CDC’s advice to lose weight through lowering calorie intake and increasing weekly physical activity (to at least the minimum recommendations).
A big cause of obesity is poverty; purchasing food from fast food restaurants can feel like the only option for most who lack access to grocery stores or don’t have the time to make the commute. Healthier foods tend to be more expensive than fast food because they are more costly and time-consuming to produce. A happy meal from McDonalds ranges from $6 to $7 while the average pound of ground beef is about $5. Although fast food restaurants like McDonald’s might seem friendlier for the wallet , it is important to put their pricing into perspective with average grocery store items. Health is one of the most important investments one can make. Making the switch from spending $20 at McDonald’s for your family’s dinner to spending $20 at Ralph’s for dinner’s ingredients can make all the difference for one’s health. Even though purchasing food from fast food companies can be more convenient, health should always be prioritized over convenience. Health is a long-term investment and ignoring that can create problems in the future. People should make active choices such as purchasing healthier foods in order to improve their health. In order to develop into a healthier country, we must address the problems that lie at the root of obesity. 6% of the U.S. population live in low-income areas with low access to grocery stores, most of these areas being 1 to 10 miles away from fresh food, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The issue of obesity is systemic considering that obesity can be a product of poverty and low access to healthy food. There should be more of a societal effort to encourage exercising actively and eating healthily while advocating for more resources for lower income areas.
As Americans, it is time to take responsibility for the unhealthiness and obesity in our country and promote healthy weight loss. What companies produce and the ingredients within their products need to be more regulated. These companies should also begin taking the initiative to be more transparent about what goes into their food. Weight loss businesses are actively capitalizing on the obesity epidemic by marketing weight loss drugs and promoting the profit over health. Furthermore, there is only so much businesses can and want to do for the health of their customers so it is important that consumers are actively consuming what is good for them rather than what is simply marketed.
