The United States is grappling with a significant obesity epidemic, a health crisis that has seen a steady climb in recent decades. Currently, approximately 65% of American adults and 15% of children and adolescents are classified as overweight or obese. This alarming statistic begs the critical question: Why Are Americans So Fat?
The fundamental physiological principle behind weight gain is straightforward: consuming more calories than the body expends leads to excess energy being stored as fat. However, delving deeper into why this energy balance is so disrupted in the American context requires a comprehensive look at societal and environmental factors. Greg Critser’s insightful book, Fat Land, provides a thorough examination of the governmental, agricultural, industrial, economic, and social elements that have collectively contributed to the current obesity epidemic. Critser’s work, while extensive, is presented in an engaging and accessible style, making complex issues understandable for a broad audience.
Environmental Factors Fueling the Obesity Epidemic
Critser’s analysis begins by tracing the historical events that dramatically increased the availability and consumption of high-calorie, large-portion foods in America. A pivotal moment was the 1971 appointment of Earl Butz as Secretary of Agriculture under President Richard Nixon. Butz implemented policies that significantly lowered trade barriers, which in turn spurred a massive surge in the production of US corn and soybeans. Simultaneously, Japanese food scientists developed high-fructose corn syrup, a sweetener that was not only cheaper but also had a longer shelf life than traditional sugar. Technological advancements also transformed palm oil into a stable and affordable, albeit highly saturated, commercial fat.
Food manufacturers quickly capitalized on these developments, replacing sugar and traditional fats with high-fructose corn syrup and processed palm oil in their products. This shift led to a proliferation of inexpensive, energy-dense snack foods and convenience meals readily available to consumers. The 1970s and 1980s witnessed the rise of fast-food chains that mastered the art of “value meals” – bundling high-profit items like sugary drinks and french fries with lower-profit burgers – and “supersizing,” a strategy that drastically increased serving sizes. To illustrate, a serving of McDonald’s french fries in 1960 contained approximately 200 kcal; today, a comparable serving can contain as much as 610 kcal. Furthermore, the frequency of eating meals outside the home doubled between the 1970s and 1990s, and dining out often translates to consuming larger portions and more calories. Even schools became part of this unhealthy food environment, often accepting contracts with soft drink and fast-food companies in exchange for much-needed commissions, inadvertently promoting unhealthy eating habits among children.
Sedentary Lifestyles: The Decline of Physical Activity
Concurrently with the increase in calorie intake, there has been a marked decrease in physical activity levels in American society. Critser highlights numerous societal changes that have created barriers to an active lifestyle. Physical activity has transitioned from being an integral part of daily life to a conscious choice, often sidelined by modern conveniences and societal structures. The 1980s marked a turning point with television becoming the dominant form of leisure. The rise of computers, video games, sedentary jobs, and longer commutes, coupled with sprawling suburban developments lacking sidewalks and concerns about neighborhood safety, have collectively diminished both the desire and the opportunities for physical movement. Budget cuts in education have further exacerbated the issue, leading to reductions in school sports programs and physical education classes. By the late 1980s, Illinois stood as the sole state mandating daily physical education.
A Historical Perspective: Obesity as a Long-Term Trend
It is important to note that the increase in body weight in the US is not a recent phenomenon confined to the last few decades. In fact, the average body mass index (BMI) in the American population has been on an upward trajectory for over 150 years. A significant portion of what is perceived as the “recent” obesity epidemic can be attributed to a curve-shifting effect. As the bell curve representing BMI distribution in the US population has shifted rightward, and the upper tail has crossed the obesity threshold (BMI of 30 kg/m2), even small increases in average BMI result in a dramatic surge in the number of individuals classified as obese. This historical context does not lessen the severity of obesity as a public health concern, but it underscores that the current crisis is largely shaped by widespread environmental factors impacting the entire population over an extended period.
Addressing the Complexities of Obesity
While Fat Land effectively outlines the multifaceted causes and consequences of obesity, its concluding section on solutions is less robust. Critser’s suggestions, while well-intentioned, rely heavily on anecdotal evidence and selective research, presenting a somewhat optimistic outlook that is not fully supported by the broader body of scientific literature. His emphasis on eliminating soft drink contracts in schools and increasing physical education, while valid, overlooks the fact that many adults currently struggling with obesity attended schools in the 1960s and 1970s, eras when physical education was often compulsory and soda vending machines were less prevalent.
Despite identifying environmental determinants of obesity and proposing environmental solutions, Critser surprisingly pivots in the book’s final paragraphs, suggesting that obese individuals are “gluttonous” and “slothful” and that greater “individual willpower” is the key to overcoming obesity. This abrupt shift in tone contradicts the well-developed environmental theme of the book. While personal responsibility for health is undeniable, the pervasive and powerful environmental influences make successful weight management exceptionally challenging for many Americans.
Fat Land remains a compelling and insightful work that elucidates the intricate web of factors driving the increase in obesity prevalence. It serves as a powerful call to action, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address this public health crisis. Further research is crucial to determine the most effective approaches for promoting lasting lifestyle changes across diverse age groups, racial and ethnic populations, and socioeconomic backgrounds in order to effectively combat the deeply rooted issue of why Americans are so fat.
