Dwayne Johnson

Eng. 112
November 6, 2014

Round Table Essay

The obesity epidemic is slowly but surely being tackled. The American Medical Association
classified obesity as a disease in 2013, our first lady Michelle Obama proposed that there
should be changes to nutrition labels to emphasize calorie counts, added sugars, and basic
nutritional values. While Robert Kiener, a freelance writer is giving us facts that Americans are
now trying to eat healthier than ever. Franchises such as Freshii restaurant are trying to
eliminate the excuse of not eating healthy because you either cant afford it or that its not
convenient. Brian Houle, the assistant director of the Colorado University Population center,
suggests that countries who make less money are often obese while those who make more
money are less likely to be obese. All three points are valid which makes you wonder where did
obesity stem from? How long will we have to deal with this issue and what can we do to help
prevent it?
The American Medical Association is dedicated to ensuring sustainable physician practices
that result in better health outcomes for patients. After years of research they feel as if Obesity

Dwayne Johnson
Eng. 112
November 6, 2014

has become normal in Americans. Even though obesity rates has decreased in our younger
children the rates had continued to spiral with younger adults and adults. The association has
the logic that if you eat too much and exercise too little youll have a chance of becoming
obese. To grab the attention of Americans and bring change the association has classified
obesity as a disease. They hoped to change the attitudes of some Americans.
Robert Kiener feels as if Americans are paying attention to what they eat now more
than ever. He thinks that the government should address the nation's obesity and diet-related
health problems, improve its oversight of food additives, and require labels on food whose DNA
has been altered through different hormones and DNA that has been prepared outside the
organism. Keiner believes organic foods are becoming more popular even in younger children
there are now organic snacks offered instead of sugary ones. Although we still have some
bridges to cross Keiner believes that we are going in the right direction if every action is put into
place he believes obesity can come to an end.

Dwayne Johnson
Eng. 112
November 6, 2014

Brian Houle presents us with the socioeconomics of Obesity. He believes that in low income
countries those with higher socioeconomic status consume more fatty foods, but on the other
hand those in high income countries with higher socioeconomic status may eat healthy and
exercise more. Overall these studies show factors that may increase the chance of becoming
obese. These studies have proven to be true and contribute to a the choices that many
Americans make about their daily food selections
Obesity is still a rising factor but there has been different action taken place over time to
help this epidemic come to a standstill. There are many leading factors that contribute to
obesity many of which actions are being taken. We have discussed three major points and
factored in what all of them brought to the table.

Dwayne Johnson
Eng. 112
November 6, 2014

Obesity. (2014, May 13). CQ Researcher. Retrieved from

http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/
Houle, Brian. "How Obesity Relates to Socioeconomic Status." How Obesity Relates to
Socioeconomic Status. Population Reference Bureau, 2013. Web. 22 Oct. 2014.
Kienerj, R. (2014, October 3). Food policy debates. CQ Researcher, 24, 817-840. Retrieved from
http://library.cqpress.com.ezproxy.cpcc.edu/cqresearcher/