by Shaniqua Smith

Created on: September 18, 2009   Last Updated: September 19, 2009

Activity alone cannot cure the rising obesity problem. A diet with limited cholesterol, sodium, and fat is one of the first steps that needs to be taken in order to cure the obesity problem. In order to lose weight, the amount of calories expended needs to surpass the calories ingested. A healthy diet and an increased water intake can be paired with activity to help individuals lose weight; however, as a society, even these measures will most likely not cure the obesity problem. There are also obese individuals for whom an increased amount of activity is not an option.

There are many people who think that an increase in exercise means that a bucket of fried chicken will have no effect on their weight. These individuals are quite wrong. Eating a balanced diet with many fruits and vegetables will promote an increased metabolism, which will also promote a healthier weight. Changing one's diet will promote a healthier weight and lower the chance of becoming obese.

A second step is to increase water intake. Water will help to flush the body and level out the amount of toxins in the body. Water will also decrease an individual's appetite and fluid retention. According to Smith (n.d.), "Water promotes a thermogenic state, which in return increases your metabolic rate. The faster your metabolism, the slower your propensity to gain weight" (para. 2).

An increase in activity is not an option for the morbidly obese. Individuals who suffer from this condition are more likely to harm their bodies in an attempt to become more active. For example, the pressure on joints within the body of a morbidly obese person would be irritated further by increased activity. For morbidly obese individuals, an increased amount of activity would not cure the obesity problem at hand. Bariatric surgery would most likely be the only option for many of these individuals.

Increased activity, though a good idea in principle, would most likely have no affect on the obesity of America as a whole. With increased diet, water intake, and exercise, it is possible for the situation to be alleviated to some extent. The morbidly obese, for example, do not have the option of increased exercise; some of these individuals are bedridden and unable to increase activity. Obesity is a widespread epidemic that is likely to continue plaguing America.

References

Smith, M.A. (n.d.) Water & weight loss. Changing shape. Retrieved September 17, 2009, from http://www.changingshape.com/resources/articles/wate r-help-to-loss-weight.asp

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