| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| « Aug | Oct » | |||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||
| 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | |||
- Introduction to Sociology (959)
- Mr. Andoscia (161)
- Social Problems (883)
- Uncategorized (1180)
- 7. February 2012: EmmOvin-Changes in the American family
- 6. February 2012: Overbearing Parents
- 2. February 2012: EmmOvin-Cohabiting
- 14. January 2012: Victim's Families in Mississippi Are Upset - ConnieB
- 9. December 2011: Blogs are now Closed for the Semester
- 9. December 2011: School choice Mara Runion
- 9. December 2011: Cheatonyourspouse.com-SRC
- 9. December 2011: Gay Marriage-Joel Martin
- 9. December 2011: Gay marriges Mara Runion
- 9. December 2011: Childhood Obesity- Amanda Robinson
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
Obesity in America! by: Brian Blomberg
Have you ever thought about the word obesity? Well by definition obesity is when someone is very fat or over weight. According to the ASD and CDC in 1962 only 13% of Americans were considered obese. By 1980 it rose to 18%, 1994 23% and in 2000 31%. Wow! To put this in a bigger perspective 1 in every 3 Americans are overweight right now. Some other amazing and shocking statistics are that there are 3.8 million people in the United States that weigh over 300 pounds. 400,000 Americans in the United States, (mostly men) are considered in the super massive, which means 400 pounds or more. These stats are from the ASD obesity and weight control report.
In today’s society there is a fast food restaurant on every corner. As everyone knows fast food is extremely unhealthy. To go along with the fast food, many Americans are pressed with time in their day and need to just pick up food as quick as possible. A social problem that is occurring is that there are not enough healthy fast food places around. Another reason why our society is gaining weight is that many jobs today are done by sitting at a desk with a computer for ten hours a day. When you’re sitting down at a desk for ten hours your burning nearly no calories, many of the more active jobs years ago are done by machines now a days. In 1996 the Surgeon General reported that we are burning nearly 800 calories less than our parents did on a daily basis. This is because more people years ago would walk or bike ride to stores and work. Take for example here at Florida Gulf Coast University, are the shuttles really needed? The longest walk you could have on campus is only a mile and a half. If you walk to class everyday you are burning a lot of calories. Why not take that extra 10 minutes and just walk to class instead of sitting on the shuttle bus. Fewer than 25% of Americans exercise 3 times a week or more. It is very hard for our society to change because many of the kids today are growing up just playing video games all day and getting obese from the lack of physical activity.
21. September 2009 at 23:01
I don’t think not having enough healthy fast food places is really a social problem. I think fast food places themselves are a problem, healthy or not. In other countries people get 3 hours or so for their lunch breaks which gives them plenty of time to cook a healthy meal and excercise if they want.. I would nap. I agree with the shuttle thing though. At UNF, (which isn’t a big campus) they have a shuttle to the campus gym..
22. September 2009 at 21:34
As you mentioned, it’s definitely the current state of our society as a whole that is contributing to the rise in obesity. Our society is built on convenience and speed; we want things quick, easy and tasty. Fast food is a part of this, and so are stores like Wal-Mart and Super Target which combine the contents of various types of stores into one to save the customer multiple trips. Cars, elevators, escalators, and even the telephone lead to less exercise, more laziness, and a larger waistline. Forget walking to your coworker’s office; just text or call him or her and save the trip. Like the shuttles you mention, many see them as technological and organizational innovations, and they are but at what expense? Many Americans are apparently choosing convenience over health, and the result is obesity. It’s difficult to decide what should be done to combat this epidemic because it is the result of beliefs and practices which are so ingrained in our society. I think it will take many years to change the tide.
2. October 2009 at 21:42
MediaCurves.com conducted a study on 402 Americans regarding their health and weight class based on the U.S. Government standards. Results found that nearly one-third of Midwesterners indicated that they live an unhealthy lifestyle, and the majority (64%) are classified as overweight. The study also revealed that American women are significantly more overweight than American men.
More in depth results can be seen at:
http://www.mediacurves.com/HealthCare/J7577b-CalorieCounting/Index.cfm
Thanks,
Ben
3. October 2009 at 05:34
There are too many fast food restaurants and not enough healthy alternatives. Obesity can cause diabetes and other major illnesses.