Obesity is a crisis that is affecting our society. Most Americans are obese. Ways of eating have changed more in the past 140 years than 10,000 years ago. Some of the changes include the arrival of high fructose and free sugar corn syrup, processing of grain, and purifying of oils from grains. There has been more consumption of processed foods and less dependence on whole foods such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. People have shifted from the traditional diet of vegetables or meat to refined sugar, flour, and oils. People are now consuming processed diets are saturated with salt, fat, and sugar as opposed to the unprocessed and wild food they were accustomed to long ago. As a result, there has been a rise in obesity and chronic diseases.

Obesity is a lifestyle disease. A proper diet can cure it. A sensible diet can cause weight loss and cure obesity. I believe that the ideal diet should consist of a majority of leafy green vegetables such as spinach, kale, Swiss chards, arugula, lettuces, and asparagus. These vegetables are rich in fiber which is good for the body. They quickly make you full and prevent you from overeating. It should also consist of plant proteins such as beans, peas, lentils, almonds, potatoes, and nuts.  Whole grains such as brown rice, oatmeal, buckwheat, barley, and bulgur should also be included in the diet. You can eat your meal with an avocado. You can wind up your meal by having a fruit such as an apple, orange, banana or watermelon. A glass of milk should accompany your meal.

Firstly, there is precedence on the argument of using taxation as a discouraging tool for junk food consumption. In Kenya, the increment of tax rates on tobacco served to curb the increasing trend of smoking cigarettes. Similarly, increasing the taxes on alcoholic drinks helped to reduce the number of people consuming alcohol. Taxing unhealthy foods tips the balance in favor of the healthier alternatives which in most cases remain subsidized since people will opt for the cheaper option.

Additionally, taxation of these unhealthy foods discourages the manufacturers from dominating the food market. There will be a significantly lower number of unhealthy brands permeating the market which helps to push the people to purchase healthier foods. On the same note, the manufacturers will be forced to enhance the nutritional value of the foods they sell. Finally, the nation stands to benefit from having a healthier nation. It has a direct positive impact on the life expectancy of the people. Moreover, it reduces the amount of money spent on the entire population of healthcare.

The other solution to obesity is physical activity through exercise. Exercise is any movement that puts your muscles to work and demands your body to burn calories. Some physical activities which are exercise include: running, swimming, jogging, dancing, walking, sports like soccer and basketball, cycling among many others. Physical fitness through exercise is one of the most common pieces of advice offered my medics across the planet. There are many benefits of exercise when done correctly. Some of the most common include improved blood flow, general body fitness, weight loss, and stress relief.