Nutrition in America

Obesity is one of the biggest health problems facing the United States today. “41.9% of adults have obesity” nationally (Trust for America’s Health 2022). These numbers are dangerously high and create a significant risk of disease and death. Many diseases are associated with obesity, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, and type 2 diabetes. Of these, “cardiovascular disease and cancer account for the greatest mortality risk associated with obesity” (Abdelaal, le Roux, Docherty 2017). One thing that our community can do to fix this is teaching good nutrition, starting at a young age. NutrImpact, a club that I belong to at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, goes to local schools and community buildings to promote healthy eating habits to young children. Some of the things communicated to young children include the recommended amounts of each food group for every age. For example, a 5–8-year-old boy should eat “3-5.5 oz. of protein, 1-2 cups of fruit, 1.5-2.5 cups of vegetables, 4-6 oz. of grains, and 2.5 cups of dairy daily” with a total of 1,200-2,000 calories (Mayo Clinic Staff 2022). On the other hand, a 5–8-year-old girl should eat “3-5 cups of protein, 1-1.5 cups of fruit, 1.5-2.5 cups of vegetables, 4-6 oz. of grains, 2.5 cups of dairy daily” with a total of 1,200-1,800 calories (Mayo Clinic Staff 2022). These differences between age and gender are needed to be explained to children, for them to have the best understanding of healthy eating. If more and more kids grow up with healthy eating habits, there will be less adults suffering from obesity later in life. Lowering the rates of obesity would significantly improve the community’s health.

Sources:

Abdelaal, M., le Roux, C. W., & Docherty, N. G. (2017, April). Morbidity and mortality associated with obesity. Annals of translational medicine. Retrieved December 5, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5401682/

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2022, September 30). What nutrients does your child need now? Mayo Clinic. Retrieved December 5, 2022, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/childrens-health/in-depth/nutrition-for-kids/art-20049335

State of obesity 2022: Better Policies for a healthier america. tfah. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2022, from https://www.tfah.org/report-details/state-of-obesity-2022/#:~:text=(Washington%2C%20DC%20%E2%80%93%20September%2027,nationwide%20and%20within%20population%20groups.