Is Obesity a Problem?

Is Obesity a Concern? Have you ever considered the negative impact that obesity can have on a person’s health and personal life? It is often overlooked by those who have not experienced it firsthand. Many people may only see it as a source of entertainment, laughing at someone who is overweight without understanding the seriousness of the issue. I, too, did not fully comprehend the severity of the situation until I met Lucy, who I will share her story with you. I first encountered Lucy, who I will now tell you about, during my time in secondary school. She was sitting alone in the school dining room, crying. She was a heavyset girl with red hair tied in a braid. Despite being surrounded by classmates who were laughing and having fun, she seemed out of place. I decided to speak to her, and her story deeply affected me. I can still remember her words and the look of despair on her face. She shared that she came from a wealthy family who were often too busy to spend time with her, causing her to turn to food for comfort. On that particular day, she brought homemade cookies to share with her classmates, but they rejected them, which was devastating for her. She was often teased and excluded by her classmates, despite her kind and sincere nature. Despite her ambition to become a doctor, her classmates’ treatment of her caused her to have low self-esteem. I saw her as a younger sister who needed my support and we quickly became friends. We would often chat and I would help her with her studies. Unfortunately, when Lucy was 14, she developed diabetes due to her weight, leading to frequent hospital visits and causing her to miss school. By this time, she weighed 260 pounds, which greatly affected her health. She also struggled to follow the doctor’s prescribed diet, which only worsened her condition. She even developed heart problems, and I feared for her life. I would visit her and try to get her involved in physical activities. Although she was resistant to going to the gym, we would do exercises together at her home. I also invited her to my house and would cook healthy meals with her. I could see that she needed help, and I did everything I could to support her. Over time, Lucy began to have a desire to live and improve her health. We would exercise together every day, and she started to feel better. I also helped her with her studies in biology and chemistry. Despite her progress, her low self-esteem caused her to miss her high school graduation party, which saddened me because she deserved to celebrate this milestone. Unfortunately, after graduation, Lucy’s family moved to another city, and we lost touch. However, I am proud to say that my efforts paid off, and Lucy was able to attend college and excel academically. She continues to prioritize her health and follows a healthy diet. However, it is heartbreaking to know that due to her high blood sugar levels, her body has sustained irreversible damage, and she may not be able to have children. Although she has overcome many of her insecurities, she is still hesitant to pursue serious relationships with men. Now, she understands the mistakes that were made by her and her parents that led to her condition, but unfortunately, it cannot be changed. The only thing left to do is hope that her young body will recover somewhat through physical activity. I pray that she has a bright future and can live life to the fullest. Lucy is not the only victim of this growing problem. Obesity is a serious issue that is becoming more prevalent. In 2013, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) reported that 27.6% of Americans are obese (not just overweight). It is estimated that three-quarters of the population will be overweight or obese by 2020. This trend can be seen in many countries. Discussions about the rise of obesity began in the 1960s, and by the 1970s, it was a widely studied issue. In the 1980s, the International Association for the Study of Obesity (IASO) was founded. However, in my opinion, our country is not taking this issue seriously enough. Many people have never stopped to consider the root causes of this problem. As I became more interested in Lucy’s situation, I did some research and discovered some facts about obesity. In today’s world, there are many stressful situations that contribute to obesity. The rise of processed foods may also be a factor. These foods are cheap, convenient, and often require minimal preparation. However, they are full of preservatives, dyes, trans fats, and other synthetic ingredients. Another factor is the widespread use of household chemicals, which we come into contact with daily. This includes cleaning products, fabrics, and even the materials we use for sleep. It is important to note that overweight individuals are at a higher risk for hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. In fact, overweight individuals are