January 24, 2025 at 5:00:00 PM
Nile Qureshi ‘28
For many years, overweight people have been unfairly judged by society. A commonly held belief is that obesity is “a choice” and that the problem with obese individuals is character weakness: their inability to resist overeating. While this may be true in certain situations, more often, genetics, environmental factors, hormones, medications, education, social status, and lack of exercise all contribute to the development of obesity.
We must understand that obesity is a disease that needs to be addressed by an understanding of its causes. Just as we seek medical attention for the treatment of high blood pressure, diabetes, high blood sugar, or strep throat without any shame, obesity needs to be addressed through major lifestyle changes. These include diet, exercise, and sometimes even medications or surgery.
Obesity is clinically defined as a body mass index greater than 30, while a BMI between 25 to 30 is considered overweight. In the United States, obesity has become a pandemic. One in five children in the US is obese as are 40 percent of adults.
In my opinion, although obesity is not a choice, seeking treatment for it is. We must fight the pandemic with strategies to counter the factors that cause obesity and the stigmas that prevent people from seeking help. Schools can properly educate students on how to maintain a balanced diet, as that is the first place a child will be mocked for being overweight or obese. Preventing disease early will reduce emotional distress and keep children healthy. Schools should teach proper eating habits each day. In the cafeteria, foods that are high in sugar or ultra-processed need to be replaced with food that is tasty and nutritious.
The food industry is a major culprit contributing to obesity. Fast food restaurants load their food with chemicals and sugars and sell them more cheaply than the healthier options, thus jeopardizing the consumers’ health. If you had $5 in your pocket and had to choose between carrots for $3.99 and ramen noodles for $0.50 you would most likely pick the ramen. This example shows how buyers who do not have enough money to worry about nutrition must fill their stomachs with the cheapest options. Fresh foods are expensive and often unavailable in so-called “food-deserts.” Subsidizing healthy foods through government programs and private donations can give people more nutritious options.
We can take significant strides towards solving obesity-related problems by removing the taboo of discussing its causes. Educating people about the Mediterranean diet, which consists of fruits, vegetables, and fish, and regular physical exercise can lower incidences of obesity.