XXXL America
Fat-shaming has gotten a lot of bad press, and for good reason. No one should be made to feel shame for their body habitus on the basis of what is or is not beautiful or acceptable to another.
Obesity, on the other hand, is a health condition which increases health risks of gallbladder disease, sleep apnea, cardiovascular disease, polycystic ovarian syndrome, gout, and an array of cancers, such as pancreatic, liver, breast and kidney cancers. Obesity also leads to high blood pressure or hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, all of which can be life-threatening conditions. Obesity places avoidable strain and expense on healthcare systems and shortens people’s lives. It decreases quality of life and it exacerbates many health risks and conditions. As such, obesity affects not only obese individuals, but all of the people in their lives. In consideration of the serious health and social consequences of obesity, I propose we explore some of the causes, and also a few ways obesity can be modified.
Obesity rates have steadily increased since the 1980’s, and there’s no sign they are slowing. Current trends predict that by 2030, nearly 50% of American adults will be considered obese (that’s a BMI of 30 or higher).
