Wholesome Food the Solution to Obesity

Introduction

The problem of obesity is relatively significant where about half of the population in America is suffering from obesity (Moss 658). The problem is evident on individuals in all age groups but prevalent in the adults. The problem relates to poor diets and significant lack of physical exercises by the people. The problem results to different medical problems that affect the productivity of the population and enjoyment of life. Indeed, significant amount of funding from the public and government goes to supporting management of obesity in the country. The trend in obesity is worrying and scientists are considering different ways to curb the menace (Moss 658). It is recognizable that use of processed food choices by the society contributes significantly to the problem.  However, there are scientists who argue that processed food as opposed to wholesome meals is the solution to obesity in the population. I disagree with an argument that people should be encouraged to embraced processed food as a solution to obesity problems. Actually, the society should avoid eating processed food and embrace wholesome meals. 

Society Need To Avoid Processed Food and Embrace Wholesome Food

An argument that people should consider taking processed food if they want to fight obesity is misleading. Moss (2013) argues that the wholesome meals that different individuals campaign for are costly and they contain significant amount of calories (Freedman 681). In one instance, the author says that he bought juice smooth made of greens but it contained high calories (Freed 682). Through guesswork and looking at the meal, it is impossible t tell its actual content of calories. Indeed, Freedman seems to have negative attitude towards wholesome food and thus exaggerating their content on salt, fats and sugars. It is wrong for the author to judge wholesome food as poor because of its relatively high cost. There is generally no correlation between cost of products and their associated benefits. Freedman (2013) argues that the media and other stakeholders in the food industry and especially the wholesome crusaders are demining processed foods unfairly (683). The stakeholders argue that letting the food industries decide on amount of sugar, fats and salary they add with continue influencing negatively on the health of the people. 

Further, opposition of wholesome food based on argument that they are relatively inadequate and cannot meet the rising demand of food is wrong. No matter the campaigns against the processed food in the country, it is impractical to have enough wholesome food to serve the obese population (Freedman 685). The reasoning is relatively untrue and only diverts the attention of wholesome food crusaders in inspiring need to embrace healthy foods. Indeed, processed food major raw materials are from wholesome resources. Therefore, if no processing takes places on the wholesome food, there will be enough health meals for the population. However, there is argument that processing food industries are taking steps to use technology to lower their calorific value of their products (Freedman 685). The argument supports believe that the companies will eventually contribute significantly to solving obesity problem in the society. Despite this approach, it remains unclear how such industries will value healthy eating at expense of their profits. Food companies’ aspiration to make profits and increase value for their shareholders leads their operation. 

According to Moss (2013), food experts are having different discussion on the extent of negative impact of processed food to the health of human beings (653). There is a concern that the formulation of such foods result to poor eating habits. Indeed, people are increasing taking huge junks of processed food to handle their high appetite. Processed foods make people feel hungrier and these results to overconsumption of various foods (Moss 654). When people expose their body to high amount of food, they influence rising calories that negatively affect their health. Further, the individuals suffer from high consumption of sugars and fats that are present in these meals. The resultant is exceeding required fats by the body and the unused accumulates to cause unnecessary weight.  Moss (2013) says that it is unethical for food companies to continue marketing products that pose significant threat to health of the society (658). A socially responsible company should not focus on maximizing its profits at expense of the society. Any company requires ensuring that only healthy food reaches the customers. Currently, about quarter of adult population in the United States are suffering from obesity (Moss 658). The numbers are significantly high and it is the time the food industry takes a role in addressing this problem. Indeed, reports indicate that the number of children suffering from obesity has doubled in comparison to the statistics of 1980s (Moss 658). 

Tobacco use and presence in the market upsets the society that relates the substance to poor health (Moss 659). However, the same attitude is not available when it comes to the approach about processed food. Keel Brownell, a psychologist professor, says that people should oppose junk food with the same intensity they do to tobacco (Moss 659). It is common to see people embracing processed food despite their knowledge about their consequences on their health. However, a solution is only available when executives in the food industry accept some culpability in the obese problem (Moss 659). The step is achievable through relying on scientists to guide the industries in best practices to give health producers to the society. The move is important in enhancing knowledge the role processed food play in influencing eating habits. The resultant is reduction in use of fats, sugar and salt that are significantly evident in most of the packaged food. It is also necessary for food industry to provide guiding codes that help consumers understand the nutritional information of food they consume. The impact is influencing customers to make reliable decision about what they consume and how to retain their health. 

Consumers are concerned about taste of the products they buy and little consideration is evident on understanding nutritional value. Reports show that food companies understand this phenomenon and are working towards giving consumers what they want (Moss 661). There is significant opposition on food products that do not have good taste irrespective of their calorific value. Companies are realizing the need to change their formulation to reduce junk food but customers are unwilling to buy such products. Knowledge about adverse effects on health from high levels of salt, sugar and fats in foods is available to food companies and public but none wants to embrace this fact (Moss 662). The lack of willpower by the society on both the consumers and the food companies contributes to this problem. However, research shows need for conscious effort to change the perception and embrace health eating (Moss 662). Indeed, one of the influences that push people to processed food as opposed to wholesome meals is their relative low cost. It is the responsibility of the food industry to provide healthy foods but retain their attractiveness to consumers.  Factors such as mouth feel, aroma and flavor among others affecting food consumers spending behavior (Moss 666). The society should limit their dependence on processed food and instead use wholesome food where they can control amount of fat, salt and sugar. Through a healthy lifestyle, the population will be helping reduce the growing obesity in the society. 

Conclusion 

Obesity significantly relates to overreliance on junk food that majorly originates from processed foods. The foods have higher levels of fats, sugars nasality that directly influence increased weight in individuals.  Further, processed foods create increased appetite and sense of hunger that makes people consume high amount of food. The increasing calories in the body without matching physical exercise to use them results to obesity. Currently, about half of America’s population suffers from obesity and this is twice the number registered in 1980s. An argument that eating processed food is a solution to obesity is misleading and no adoption of such advice should take place. Indeed, people need to avoid junk food and instead eat wholesome meals that have low levels of fats, salt and sugar. It is responsibility of good companies to offer healthy foods in the market and offer nutritive information to the consumers to influence them make good decisions. Consumers on the other hand should consider eating healthy and oppose relying on taste and flavor to make choice on foods. 

Works Cited

Freedman, David. H. How Jun Food Can End Obesity. The Atlantic. 2013. Web. Available at: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2013/07/how-junk-food-can-end-obesity/309396/ (accessed January 28, 2019). Moss, Michael. The Extraordinary Science Of Addictive Junk Foods. The New York Times Magazine. 2013. Web.  Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/24/magazine/the-extraordinary-science-of-junk-food.html (accessed January 28, 2019).