Intermedia Concept: America's sad, sad health

Abby Armstrong

Intermedia Concept

America’s health is sad. Some of the top ten health problems in America include heart disease, stroke, respiratory diseases, diabetes, etc. What is so sad is that these health problems can simply, easily, absolutely be avoided JUST by lifestyle changes.  I can say that I have had a family member lose their life from one of these above diseases. It was tragic. So it prompted my interest in healthy lifestyle.

The question then arose: why is it so difficult for people to avoid these poor lifestyle choices like fast food, cigarettes, drugs, etc. and make better lifestyle choices like exercise, active lifestyles, healthy eating?

The answer is easy, America’s culture.  Yes, campaigns/advertisements have been launched to promote exercise and healthy eating. And yes, calorie counts of meals have been added to SOME menus in SOME states. But this just isn’t enough.

The obesity epidemic and America’s health resulting from poor food choices are some of America’s most severe health problems. America is notoriously known for numerous fast food franchises like…

MacDonald’s

Burger King,

Wendy’s

 Hardy’s

Bojangles

In-and-out Burger

Taco Bell

Golden Spoon

White Castle

Carl’s JR

Dunkin Donuts

Crispy Kreme

Popeyes

Sonic

Pizza Hut

KFC

Chick-fil-a

Arby’s

Five Guys

And the list goes on. Now let me ask you… how is this aiding in maintaining a healthy culture? It’s important; these franchises obviously are not solely to blame for adult obesity rates doubling since 1980 (15 to 30%) and childhood obesity having more than tripled. Like I said before the lack of exercise, smoking, drug use, etc. …oh and not to mention lack of self-control, are also to blame. Escalating obesity rates have momentous health consequences, contributing to amplified rates of more than 30 serious diseases. These conditions generate a major strain on the health care system.

Organizations have claimed that our country is failing to address the health crisis of obesity and the consequential diseases and deaths that follow the health crisis. Instead of saying how America has failed lets be more aggressive, optimistic, and motivated in this healthy lifestyle movement and not half ass it.

To avoid these health problems the universal prevention method is the following: exercise, do not smoke, monitor your blood sugar, lose any extra weight, and just be healthy!

I’m clearly not amused by America’s mediocre efforts to dig our country out of this Health Crisis; however, it’s not entirely up to America and our government but instead a culture change that needs to happen, a movement of the people. Not to mention, more aggressive efforts by the people to revamp America’s culture into a healthier one. 

Since I am talking about America’s health I want to show pictures of the average American opposed to the average European. Also, bring in some yummy health snacks that could act as an alternative to a trip to McDonalds.