America is facing a crisis of obesity. More than 70% of Americans are overweight. America, however, is not alone. Too many people in America and around the world are overweight. This is particularly the case in North America, Europe and Australia. The problem of obesity is also present in China and even Malaysia. This situation has important implications not just for the individuals who suffer from obesity but also for society.
Michelle Obama wants to use her position as the First Lady of the United States to get people to recognize this crisis and do something about it. Michelle Obama believes that staying active and being healthy is something worth fighting for. I agree with this because many people want to be healthy and do not want to be overweight. Obese people often are not happy about their being overweight. I feel that Mrs. Obama is trying to create awareness about this situation, and that’s why she has created the “Let’s Move” project. “Let’s Move” is a project designed to encourage young people to get exercise and encourage them to eat a healthier diet. The First Lady announced the "Let's Move" campaign on the 9th of February, 2010.
Obesity means having too much body fat. It is not the same as being overweight, which means weighing too much. A person may be overweight from extra muscle, bone, or water, as well as from having too much fat. Both terms mean that a person's weight is higher than what is thought to be healthy for his or her height.
Obesity often dominates a person’s lifestyle because it is hard for people to lose the weight that they have gained. One of the reasons why people can’t lose weight is because their body may not allow them to become active. Some people also may be naturally heavy and have a tendency to be overweight. Obese individuals often try to lose weight but they struggle and often do not have the will power and strength they need to succeed. They often go on and off diets or lose weight then gain it back again. This can lead to overweight people having a negative self-image of themselves. When people have a negative self-image, they begin to have a negative image towards other people. This can lead to people isolating themselves from other people, which also can lead to depression and unhappiness. Obesity also has a negative impact on a person’s health. Obesity is closely linked to heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
One of the big reasons why overweight people should lose weight and get more exercise is that doing so will improve their health. Overweight individuals who lose weight so that their weight is normal will have more energy to do things and will feel better about themselves. They will be able to live a healthier lifestyle and be happier with the way they look. When people feel happy, they tend to have a more positive self-image. Other benefits of losing weight are that people will feel increased energy levels and improved mobility. Losing weight and getting regular exercise will also help people lower their blood pressure and reduce their cholesterol levels. It can even help people breathe easier and sleep better.
Another reason to address the problem of obesity is rising healthcare costs. A recent study by the Center for Disease Control found that the annual healthcare cost of obesity in the US has doubled in less than a decade and may be as high as 147 billion dollars a year. The study also found that the medical costs for an obese person are 42 percent higher than for a person of normal weight. Health care cost are rising all around the world. If people who are overweight would lose weight and lead a healthier lifestyle, then the healthcare costs can be reduced. This would benefit overweight people but also everyone else.
One billion people are overweight and 300 million people are obese worldwide. This is a global problem that affects both the individuals who are overweight and society at large. What is most worrying is that the problem is increasing rather than decreasing. Action needs to be taken now.
Addressing the problem of obesity is something worth fighting for. Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done. The Government, schools, and most importantly families all have to work together to help solve the problem of obesity. Governments need to recognize obesity as a problem and develop programs to address it. Schools need to make sure that students eat a healthy lunch and create programs so that students get active in as many ways as possible. Families need to turn off the TV and the computer and get out of the house and be active. They need to eat healthier diets and reduce the number of meals they eat at fast food restaurants such as McDonalds and Burger King. As Beyonce sings in the official video, “don’t just sit there, move your body.”
Sources:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/158948.php
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYP4MgxDV2U
Really good structure, needs links to the websites though. When did Michelle start the campaign? I agree that we need to do something about obesity, add some photos- the reader might listen a bit more if they see what obesity is, define it.
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