The obesity problem in America has manifested itself into a critical issue, posing a dire threat to public health and overall livelihood. This epidemic affects individuals residing in all geographic locations of various ages, demographics, and socioeconomic backgrounds (Lee et al., 2019). Obesity is characterized as an excessive accumulation of body fat, which can cause fatal disorders, such as coronary heart disease, sleep apnea, diabetes, and other metabolic complications (Panuganti et al., 2022). Factors such as genetic predisposition, along with various environmental and behavioral components, all contribute to the widespread prevalence of obesity (CDC, 2022). Addressing this multifaceted issue requires putting creative and innovative solutions into effect using a holistic-styled approach. The Obesity epidemic is a multiplexed challenge that can be effectively addressed by advocating for positive nutritional education. 

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One solution that can beneficially impact this cause is to begin to make grocery shopping and meal prep habitual in one’s everyday routine rather than seeking out quick fixes to hunger like ordering out. In hindsight, it’s far more time-efficient to grab a McDonald's egg McMuffin accompanied by a steamy cup of joe on the way to work than it would be to grocery shop and meal prep. However, one may be frightened by how much takeout food runs add up over time, causing significant damage to an individual's finances and health. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has indicated that fast-food prices in October have sky-rocketed 6.2% in the past 12 months (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017). The average monthly price an American spends on fast food is $148 (Rodgers, 2023), so consider grocery shopping and prioritizing your health at a fraction of the cost. When it comes to grocery shopping, one must know the best markets to shop at to find budget-friendly produce, poultry, and snacks. Additionally, couponing and reward programs are free resources that many skip over but are there to utilize at one’s discretion. It’s important to remember that this does not make you a frugal shopper but yet a smart one. 

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Moving on, it is important to recognize the patterns that are associated with obesity so one can understand how to steer clear of the enablers efficiently. A solution that can be implemented into a family’s dynamics is to limit the amount of television and media exposure consumed by children and adult members of the household. It is known that children are visually exposed to advertisements for sweet cereals, fast food, happy meals, and other sugary confections daily. The food industry cunningly looks to prey on the younger demographic, knowing their loyalty will last into their later years. Studies have shown that “children view an average of one food commercial every five minutes of television viewing time and may see as many as three hours of food commercials each week” (Story & French, 2004). Parental acknowledgment of this truth is the first step in tackling the epidemic of obesity at its root. By mindfully regulating your and your loved ones' media intake, harmful habits can be overcome, leading to the development of a healthier lifestyle.

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Furthermore, the concept of dieting in our culture has been deeply misconstrued. Our society is becoming consumed by trendy fad diets and quick fixes. A potential strategy for the dissolution of the obesity problem is to track your daily consumption of calories. By doing this, you are ensuring that you are eating in a caloric deficit and not surpassing the amount of calories your body burns in a day. To put it plainly, a calorie deficit “means you’re eating fewer calories than you’re burning” (“What Is Calorie Deficit?”, 2022). Your caloric deficit can be calculated by utilizing variables specific to a person, such as weight, muscle mass, gender, activity level, and height. This means each person’s ideal deficit number varies widely and is not linear amongst demographics. An individual's maintenance calories are the amount of calories you must consume to maintain your standing weight. When you surpass the maintenance level of calories recommended for a day, you enter into a calorie surplus (Kim, 2020). When you are eating in a surplus, you are actively gaining weight, which may be why you are not seeing progress. It is impossible to know if you are eating too many calories or too little unless you are actively tracking them, which is why this strategy is very successful in weight loss and weight maintenance. 

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Another solution that is key to achieving long-term success in lessening the prevalence of obesity is to educate oneself on the basic fundamentals of nutrition. How we view our relationship to food and exercise plays a large role in determining our rate of success. This is why one must view healthiness as a lifestyle change rather than a “diet.” Moderation must be maintained to live your healthiest and happiest life. Having a general understanding of the macronutrients that make up our diet can help put this all into perspective for an individual. Macronutrients are fats, protein, fiber, carbohydrates, sugar, cholesterol, etc. It is factual that “Carbohydrates give your body energy, while protein helps rebuild and repair your body's tissues, and fat is important for satiety” (Turner, 2022).

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An area that could benefit from the inclusion of an evidence-based nutritional curriculum is education centers. Public education must incorporate the teaching of proper dietary habits as well as activity lessons, as they have the influence to encourage our youth to engage in healthy habits. Schools can promote this sustenance through the addition of suitable lunch options and by encouraging students to maintain an active lifestyle. However, to effectively implement this plan, the school system must “develop safe walking and biking routes to school, and can promote active recess time” to maximize student physical activity (“Obesity Causes,” 2012). Ultimately, schools can “become an integral part of the fight against the obesity epidemic” more than one might think (“Obesity Causes,” 2012). Some may tend to worry about the cost of integrating healthier foods and exercise programs into their curriculums, arguing that it’s too expensive. The CDC states the opposite, saying that integrating these “programs and policies can be cost-effective and even cost-saving” (CDC, 2022).

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In conclusion, the obesity epidemic in America encompasses a composite set of issues that deeply threaten public health, stemming from a lack of sufficient nutritional education within our society. The persuasive influence of the media, coupled with the widespread availability of junk food, are the top contributors to the prevalence of obesity in our society. Effectively addressing this issue demands the prioritization of at-home cooking, reducing media exposure to unhealthy advertisements, tracking caloric intake for weight loss, and integrating health-based curriculums into educational centers. Ultimately, by embracing these forward-thinking solutions, our society can lay the foundation for a healthier and happier future for generations to come.