Bad Health Isn't All Your Fault

It is no secret that America is fatter than it used to be, and we all know why; we've gotten lazy as a nation. We have been choosing fatty foods, maybe picking up fast food when we are in a rush or to replace a home cooked dinner when we don't have time. When we ask ourselves why are we gaining more weight, we have to blame ourselves, but not completely. The government also has a large part as to why society is gaining weight. While it is important to analyze our decisions and lifestyle, we have to also look for the root of our problems. Some may argue that the base to this problem ends at ourselves as individuals and personal decisions, but if that were the case, change wouldn't be so difficult. If you know you don't work out enough, then why not just make time? If healthy home cooked meals are what you should be eating, why not just do it? The root of the issue lies beyond us. It is an issue we cannot control as much as we think due to the change in technology and in the economy created today.

Corporate Greed vs Living Wage

A healthy lifestyle isn't a financially available option for many families in America. It is something that's easier said than done, and is probably more available for middle and upper class families. Being available for part of America isn't enough, though. People argue that lettuce and carrots aren't expensive, but that isn't enough for a person to live off of. From a young age, we've learned we need meat, dairy, fruit, vegetables, and grains as part of a balance diet, and they're not cheap. Lower class families struggle to afford foods in all these areas because food is not the only expense a person has, one must consider other expenses. Buying ingredients for a healthy, home cooked meal to feed a family isn't an investment everybody can make everyday. And let's face it, not everybody has the time or energy after a long day of work to make a healthy, home cooked meal. Sometimes, it's easier to just pop a frozen pizza in the oven and call it dinner. In the article "What You Eat is Your Business," Radley Balko, argues "More and more, states are preventing health insurers from charging overweight and obese clients higher premiums, which effectively removes any financial incentive for maintaining a healthy lifestyle." While I understand Balko believes the government should step back from an individuals lifestyle to encourage a healthy lifestyle for oneself, I don't think individuals make the conscious decision to be obese. Fast food is just more convenient. To most people, it tastes good and doesn't put a strain on your pockets. As the name suggests, it's also fast and requires no work on your end. 

Technology is another factor that should be considered when thinking about an individuals health. With the introduction of more reliable transportation, there's no need to walk. We always hear stories about our parents walking to school and know how they emphasize how harsh it was, but we will never know. Why? Because we have apps such as Uber for a ride on a rainy day. We can easily drive our cars to and from work. Large groups of kids can take a bus to school and a train can easily take you a city over. Although this can be a personal decision, it's also important to realize it's more convenient. In suburban areas, the nearest convenience store can be a gas station two hours away on foot. A car can make that journey thirty minutes, and a gas station isn't exactly the best place to buy groceries. They're expensive and not as good in quality, but if it's the closest thing to you, you'll probably just deal with it because gas is also expensive. Lower class, suburban communities don't have the luxury to be picky with where to go compared to urban areas such as New York, where you can easily walk to a better place. Technology has also allowed for the expansion of businesses. Apps such as UberEats or Postmates are quick ways to get food delivered to you fast without the need to leave the comfort of your home, if you can afford it. The advancement of technology has made many daily tasks easier as well. We have come so far; in some houses you don't have to flip a light switch. You can speak to your house and it will turn off the lights, turn on the television, or play music while you can stay in one spot. Even gyms can sometimes be less beneficial as opposed to actually getting a workout outside

Reflecting on your decisions is important, but you shouldn't feel bad when the advancement of society is blocking your way. By addressing these changes, an individual can recognize what makes a healthy life style so difficult. Maybe the expansion of job markets have put you in a place where you work long hours and don't want to workout or cook after. Maybe chicken is too expensive and you would rather prioritize bills. Personal choices are impacted by the life you live in, whether you're low income or high income, live in an urban or suburban area. These areas are controlled by the government, causing prices to rise and being unable to provide you the assistance you may need.