Welcome to America, home of the free, the brave, and the fat.

     In this country, about 69% of adults are overweight and about 36% are obese. That’s two thirds of the adult population that is overweight.

     As for children and teenagers, 32% are overweight and 17% are obese. Simply put, one third of our peers are overweight. If those statistics shock you, you’ve obviously been living under a rock. However, the statistics should scare you, or at least make you worry.

     The main cause of obesity in America is the high exposure to unhealthy food such as McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Burger King, Taco Bell, and any other fast food restaurants you can think of. Everywhere we go, there is always some kind of fast food available nearby. And who can blame us for eating fast food? It’s convenient, it’s cheap, it tastes good, and we get it almost instantly. If there’s one thing that works in the favor of fast food companies, it’s our inability to wait. It’s one of the reasons why fast food is so popular.

     The other thing that works in their favor is how we’re all in denial.

     You go to McDonald’s and order a Quarter Pounder and think to yourself, “It’s just one more, it won’t make a difference to me.” But let me tell you a thing; You’re wrong.

     Here’s why:

     This isn’t the first time this week you’ve had a Quarter Pounder, it’s the third. There are 520 calories in one Quarter Pounder, meaning that you’ve now consumed 1,560 calories. I’m going to assume you had fries and coke with that, which now racks up your total of calories to 3,330, and that’s only if you didn’t make that meal large. Theoretically, one pound of body weight equals 3,500 calories, which means in three meals alone, you managed to consume enough calories to (almost) equal a pound of body weight. If you think about it in these terms, you can see how the calories add up until one day you’re driving around in a scooter because you can’t support the weight of your own body. And guess what? You’re on your way to McDonald’s.

     Okay, maybe that escalated too quickly, but you catch my drift.

     I’m not saying, “Don’t eat fast food ever.” That’s impossible, and who am I to ban you from food? That would make a hypocrite. The lord knows I love food, and McChickens with bacon are my favorite. But I am saying, “Watch what you eat.” because, who knows? One day you could be that sad parent who can’t play with their children because their poor heart just can’t take the physical activity. Not only that, but you would be incredibly unhealthy. Case in point, you better check yourself before you wreck yourself.

Hello, you beautiful people. My name is Esperanza, I’m 16 (soon to be 17) and I am a junior. I am one of the Opinions Editors which works because I have opinions about pretty much everything in life. I love food, music, tumblr, sleep, books, and writing… and money. #imrighturwrong #agressiveopinions