Obesity Debate

In an age of increasing concern about physical fitness, it is alarming that a very high number of people in America are obese or are at the risk of being obese. Statistics don’t lie. At times they can be shocking, especially when they are indicators of a young population at risk of the diseases related to obesity. Well, over 190 million Americans are overweight. These statistics have both health and economic connotation as $147 billion is spent annually on treating obesity related illnesses.
Many debates have emerged, with arguments questioning whether lifestyle is a factor to consider when it comes to obesity. For many people obesity is uncontrollable phenomena in their life. For instance, some people take to eating as a way of “coping with pressure” of their daily lives they resort to the nearest fast food. For “you’ll see one of our country’s more than 13,000 McDonald’s restaurants. Now, drive back up the block and try to find someplace to buy a grapefruit” (Zinczenko). Later on, they come to realize that they are out of shape. The feeling of being overweight come with an emotional toll, as those who are obese try hard to cut their weight. At times their efforts are faltering, and they can do nothing about it. Therefore, it is worthwhile to help those in society who are obese to achieve healthy lifestyles. So, entirely the point is “Don’t Blame the Eater” (Zinczenko).
Questions have been often raised on whether the eater is to be blamed for their lifestyle or the fast food eateries are to be blamed for endorsing a practice that brings possible danger to the citizens? For instance, the case of Palin being caught in the school debate on whether “cookies should be banned” (Warner).

Perhaps, people have got it all wrong as sugar levels in food are good, and at times it is only a matter of taking the right amount of it. But the question that Judith raises, is how much is too much? While the debate often centered on the “appetites of American”, and the debate taking political perspectives rather than embracing the realities, and workable plans of cutting weight (Warner). It is imperative that there needs to be a public awareness and acknowledgment that the eating habits are entirely wrong. The harsh reality, as it appears in the Michelle Obama entanglement in the debate, those who choose to stick with unregulated eating plans, must plan to have “work out”. Otherwise, it is insufficient to dismiss those who urge us to do so by saying, “she has work-out cut out for her” (Warner). For majority of the people, it is okay that “Junking junk food”, instead of taking action (Warner).
The two arguments, the one by Zinczenko and the second by Werner show similarity in that many people are not ready to take responsibility of their own weight. In “Don’t Blame the Eater” the debates look at the eateries as being responsible for the mass obesity of Americans. The article raises an empathetic point that those struggling with obesity should be assisted as they make the choices of eating unconsciously which does not make a strong point. On the other hand, the second article, “Junk, the Junk” the masses are oblivious of their own responsibility in controlling their appetites. It is apparent that in both cases that some people are willing to work out as the obesity makes them uncomfortable. However, some are against taking personal responsibility of their own eating habits.
My stand on the obesity debate is that people should embrace healthy eating habits. For those who are taking excess sugars and junk, they must be willing to take the responsibility of working out. Rather than putting economic blame on the high costs of fresh foods, it is critical that they make plans to live a balanced life. After all, the costs of medication are way too higher, and it is far worse to be guilty of being out of shape.
Works Cited
Warner, Judith. Junking the Junk. New York Times, 25 November, 2010.
Zinczenko, David. Don’t Blame the Eater. New York Times, 23 November, 2002.