The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don`t want, drink what you don`t like, and do what you`d rather not.
- Mark Twain
Obesity Epidemic: A Ticking Time Bomb | WION World News
The growing obesity epidemic in the United States isn't just a reflection of individual choices—it's a testament to systemic failures in public health, urban planning, food regulation, and cultural values.
A new study published in The Lancet confirms that nearly three-quarters of American adults are now overweight or obese, with rates accelerating at younger ages.
While public discourse often focuses on personal responsibility, the real culprits are baked into the very structures of American life.
The Role of Urban Design
The U.S. is a car-centric nation by design, not by accident. Walkable communities, reliable public transit, protected bike lanes, and even basic sidewalks are luxuries, not norms. The prioritization of sprawling suburbs and strip malls over dense, vibrant neighborhoods has engineered physical activity out of daily life.
For many, walking anywhere is impractical or downright dangerous. The lack of accessible "third spaces"—public parks, plazas, or community hubs—further isolates people in car-dependent bubbles, leaving few opportunities for natural movement or connection.
Food as a Systemic Problem
Our capitalist model exacerbates the crisis. American food regulation often prioritizes corporate profit over public health.
Ultra-processed, calorie-dense foods dominate our shelves, promoted by billions in advertising. Meanwhile, healthier options remain out of reach for low-income families, both in cost and availability.
The EU employs a "precautionary principle" in regulating additives and harmful substances; in contrast, the U.S. model is reactionary, addressing harm only after it's widespread.
Adding insult to injury, our water and food systems are laced with microplastics, contributing to potential long-term health consequences.
The Mental and Economic Toll
Stress is another unspoken contributor. Young people today face crushing student debt, unaffordable housing, a loneliness epidemic, and a fraying social fabric.
When survival is the priority, physical health often takes a back seat. Fresh produce and gym memberships aren't realistic options for someone working two jobs or dealing with untreated mental health issues.
The lack of universal healthcare only compounds the issue, making preventative care and treatment inaccessible for millions.
A Capitalist Health Crisis
Ultimately, the U.S. obesity epidemic reflects deeper flaws in American society: a corporatist economy that prioritizes profit over people, an absence of affordable healthcare, and a lack of investment in public infrastructure.
Obesity isn’t just a health issue—it’s the inevitable outcome of a system that commodifies every aspect of life, from food to transit to wellbeing.
If America is serious about tackling obesity, we must go beyond individual solutions like diets and gym memberships.
We need systemic reform: federal investment in public transit and walkable cities, stricter food regulations, universal healthcare, and a cultural shift that prioritizes collective wellbeing over corporate profit.
Without these changes, the growing epidemic will continue to undermine not just our health, but the very fabric of our society.
We are ready! Are you?
Sincerely,
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