Why Does the Modern Food Culture Lead to Obesity and Unhealthy Eating?

Brielle Close

English 110-010

December 11, 2015

Why does the Modern Food Culture Lead to Obesity and Unhealthy Eating? 

Food is a key necessity for humans in order to live and for the body to function.  The type of food that goes into the body is an important thing to keep in mind and consider when eating.  Back in time, people were known to cook meals at home and not eat out as often because there were not as many restaurants or fast food places.  Most restaurants that existed were usually a local family business or diner.  Today, almost every street you turn or exit on an expressway has a chain restaurant or fast food establishment like Applebee’s, Olive Garden, McDonald’s, and Burger King.  A research study showed that from 2011-2012, 46.6% of children and adolescence from the ages 2-19 were found to be obese.  That same study showed from the age of 20 and on, 35.1% were obese (“Obesity and Overweight”).  Factors like genes, smoking, and age, all are reasons that can help explain the obesity of a person (“What Causes Obesity and Overweight”).  Though, the way the modern food culture has developed, it has caused an abundance of unhealthy food to enter the digestive system adding to and being a great problem to the obesity epidemic.  

The modern food culture of high fat, processed, and caloric foods causes an obesity problem to begin as a child.  Obesity plays a role in education and performance in school, which begins as early as kindergarten for some.  Many studies have found that when a child is obese their test scores are below those that have a slimmer figure (Amanda Gardner).  It was found to be prevalent with girls (Gardner).  This creates a domino affect for the education of a child.  When one gets low-test scores on assignments or tests consistently, the chances of having to repeat a grade increases, and this could cause one to not have the motivation to go on to college or even graduate from high school.  Obesity can cause a lack of education but it can go the other way around as well.  A lack of education can cause obesity.  There are health classes in schools but nutrition is not always a main topic of discussion.  In order to live a healthy, non obese life, it would help to be educated on how to read food labels, understand the food groups/pyramids, and understand what vitamins and minerals the body needs to be at the best state possible.  Some obese people might not have a problem with how they look but there are others who would like to try and lose weight.  A recent study showed that 76% of obese teens are trying to lose weight but have not had the proper education of how to be healthy so weight lost would happen (Carolyn Gregoire).  Another study found that teenage girls trying to lose weight tend to skip breakfast or won’t eat for a day leading to unhealthy habits (Gregoire).  (The obesity of children and young adults only gets worse when students have the options of buying candy, ice cream, soda, and other unhealthy options when vending machines or snack bars are located in the building.  Schools are supposed to educate students how be healthy and to exercise daily (“Causes and Risks for Obesity – Children”).  It is understandable how one may find it hard to maintain healthy habits when unhealthy options are all over but many food places (even McDonalds) have menus with healthier options than a Big Mac.