Loseke 1

Brian Loseke
Professor Maya Alapin
ENGL 220-023
27 October 2015
America the Beautiful Obese
We may find in the long run that tinned food is a deadlier weapon than the machine
gun. These words were once spoken by George Orwell in what may have been his greatest use
of foreshadowing, although he would never live to see the prediction come true. The world is
currently faced with an epidemic of poor dieting habits that is infecting nearly every corner of
the globe. The United States of America has become the poster child for this epidemic, and not
because of its ability to lead the world to a healthy lifestyle, but because it is one of the least
healthy countries in the world.
It is clear that the United States has a poor diet compared to the rest of the world.
Recently Lancet Global Health published a study which included 187 countries that were graded
based on their consumption of 13 healthy foods, and 7 unhealthy foods. The results were far
from flattering for Americans. In fact, the United States had a below-average score, faring
worse than Canada or Mexico and on par with Brazil and countries in Eastern Europe. (McNeil
Jr.) The study was simply one of many that illustrated the United States terrible eating habits.
A simple google search yields pages and pages of results highlighting obesity in
American. However, any American doesnt need to turn to the internet for their proof of our
unhealthy nature. They can simply head to their local mall and take a seat at the food court and
just people watch. This task alone would validate this statement. This food court actually adds

Loseke 2
to the epidemic by peddling processed foods to the masses contributing to our current unhealthy
society.

As previously mentioned it is unfortunately easy to find a study linking the US and a poor
diet. In fact, recently 114 individuals were studied over a four day period as a part of a study
linking poor dieting habits to the US versus other countries. It was noted that the typical US
diet is considered to contain more processed and convenience foods (Frankenfeld 65) As a
country the US have largely become creatures of habit, and also of convenience. It is far easier,
and often times less expensive, to go and grab a processed burger with fries and a large soda than
pack your own lunch. It is far more convenient because you dont need to spend the time
creating a shopping list, going to the market, and lastly putting together your meal. The entire
process just described could take over an hour combined, but a drive-through burger joint could
have you in and out in less than three minutes. The results of the study were clear, and showed
that residence outside of the US was associated with healthier intake of several dietary factors.

Loseke 3
(Frankenfeld 67) It was also noted that residence outside of the US at any point in life was
associated with higher overall diet quality, and lower added sugar intake (Frankenfeld 69)
The studys results indicated that a large problem with the US based diet is that foods that
Americans typically consume are highly processed and laden with sugarBig Mac with a large
Coke ring a bell?
What is spurring this epidemic in such an educated country? The unhealthy diet that has
been revealed has many contributing factors, but two are commonly mentioned in many articles
advertisements of these unhealthy foods, and the accessibility and convenience of the
unhealthy foods. In any US city it would be difficult to drive down a main traffic artery and not
pass multiple billboards promoting unhealthy foods as well as multiple venues where these foods
could be purchased. Unfortunately, the US is an epicenter for this problem, and as Americans
continue with their poor diet the trend is expanding. It was recently noted that spending on
Coke and Pepsi advertising alone in Arab countries rose to $400 million in 2012 from $40
million six year earlier. (McNeil Jr.) The growth of unhealthy foods continues to spread
worldwide, and with it the decline of health across the world. The money spent on the
advertisements work too. Per-capita consumption of Coke tripled in Egypt over the last 20
years, and the number of McDonalds outlets went from four in 1994 to 56 in 2013. (McNeil
Jr.) Not coincidentally over a third of Egyptian teens were found to be overweight in 2011. It
may not be United States job to save the world, but with our eating habits Americans are doing a
fine job of not setting a good example.
My children can identify each fast food locale by their signage despite their limited
interaction in these stores. They are able to see advertisments on their way to Grandmas house,
while watching their favorite Sunday morning cartoon, and even while reading through a

Loseke 4
magazine while waiting to see the dentist. The grip of advertising from the fast food industry is
strong and vast, but additionally they offer a price point and convenience unmatched by the
alternatives.
These processed foods are extremely easy to acquire. There is a location on nearly every
corner, and additionally at each location you are likely able to find a dollar menu. Both of
these factors help draw the masses are drawn to them. These masses then draw one another. A
recent study was published showing that an increase in his friends mean fast food
consumption induces an adolescent to increase his own fast food consumption. (Fortin 136) As
Americas youth is drawn in with advertisements they then draw in their peers to consume the
unhealthy foods that are readily available.
This consumption does not come without consequences either. The study also
highlighted that a one-unit increase in the weekly frequency (in days) of fast food
consumption produces an increase in zBMI by 4.45%. (Fortin 136). This statement is
essentially saying the more fast food that you eat the larger your body mass index is. The link is
not surprising, and is yet another study showing that an increase in fast food consumption leads
to a less healthy human.
Throughout the last century America has experienced an evolution in food and the food
industry. The current product of this evolution is highly processed foods that are convenient,
taste good, and are relatively inexpensive. Baby Boomers began to witness the availability of
these foods multiply, and todays current generation would be hard pressed to find a readily
available, processed burger at any gas station in America. Simply put, these foods are available
everywhere and the US is suffering because of it. The next time you see a statistic linking

Loseke 5
unhealthy diets and unhealthy humans please close your eyes and picture Uncle Sam with an
extra hundred pounds because unfortunately America has become the proof of those statistics.

Loseke 6
Works Cited
Frankenfeld, Cara L., et al. "Past Residence Outside of the United States Is Associated with Diet
Quality in Adults Currently Residing in the United States." American Journal of Human
Biology 26.1 (2014): 64-72. Print.

Fortin B., and Yazbeck M. "Peer Effects, Fast Food Consumption and Adolescent Weight Gain."
Journal of Health Economics 42 (2015): 125-38. Print.

McNeil Jr., Donald G. Food Habits Getting Worse Around the World. The New York Times. 23
February 2015. Web. 27 October 2015.