Obesity, A Major Problem

In America today we like to consider ourselves the best athletes in the world and in lots of sports we are, however the reality is that in America now a days almost 1 in 3 people is overweight or obese according to Medical News Today. To me at least that is a staggering number to have, how could it possibly be that high? While we glorify the athletes that are in amazing shape, we do nothing about our own physical activity in this country. The United States has the highest rate of obesity at 30% in the entire world, compared to South Korea and Japan who has a extremely low number at only 3% of the total population. We are not even talking about being overweight but obese which means that you have a Body Mass Index of over 30 percent. The number of obese people has been steadily rising in the last couple of decades and now it is completely out of control. We cannot have a third of our country being obese and be okay with it, it is a serious health concern that can be easily curbed with a few foundations that we have to put in place. This includes making physical activity mandatory and not just the easy physical activity we do in gym but rigorous activity on a weekly if not daily basis. People also must be more responsible about how they eat and what they choose to eat, because fast food itself will not make you fat, but if you eat fast food and then do not exercise or eat healthy later than you can become fat from the food. You cannot blame fast food restaurants for these obesity problems because plenty of people eat fast food all the time and do not get fat, but it is because they eat fast food and do nothing else. As a country we need to be more responsible about the well-being of our people and lately Michelle Obama has started the "Lets Move" campaign to try and curb child obesity. According to the San Francisco Chronicle,"The country spends $150 billion every year treating obesity-related diseases, most of which are preventable." I say that we need to start getting people into shape and eliminate the obesity craze that has struck our country. What do you think we should do about this problem? Who's fault do you think it is, if anyone's? Read more about Michelle Obamas "Lets Move" campaign here