Value Menu?
 In the last 20 years obesity has had a dramatic increase in the United States. This is rising problem is affecting the people in my community, my friends and loved ones. 

 Obesity is a rising problem, In 2011-2012, 8.4% of 2- to 5-year-olds had obesity compared with 17.7% of 6- to 11-year-olds and 20.5% of 12- to 19-year-olds. It seems to be that as you get older your likeliness of becoming obese becomes much greater.   

   But what is causing this outbreak of obesity in the U.S?  It’s obvious. Just take a look at what a large accessibility to unhealthy food versus healthy alternatives. Having a limitation to healthy food access can affect the health of an entire community.

  This issue affects me in a personal level because most of my mothers’ side have struggled with obesity.  Specifically my godmother has been obese for many years struggling to get back to a healthy weight. But this issue does not only affect my loved ones. It is affecting everyone in my community.  More than one-third of U.S. adults (34.9%) and approximately 17% (or 12.7 million) of children and adolescents aged 2—19 years have obesity.

 In my opinion the causes to this rising issue is the overflowing numbers of fast food restaurants in low-income communities. Low income communities seem to have various liquor stores as well as fast food restaurants that all offer food that is cheap and quick. It is so sad to see how fast food outnumbers all type of healthy places to attain food.  Not only that but it seems to be that these fast food places target communities who are low income.  Overall, obesity prevalence among children whose adult head of household completed college was half that of those whose adult head of household didn’t complete high school (9% vs 19% among girls; 11% vs 21% among boys) in 1999–2010. 

It seems to be that their business strategy is working. All of these big companies have laws and policies that seem to be working against communities and in favor of the money.

Why is that?   Why can money buy power?

 These fast food restaurants are proven to be very unhealthy and yet more and more crappy fast food places are being established. Not only that but like I have already mentioned these places target low-income communities. 

Places like McDonalds offer dollar menus and value meals that offer food for a very low price. But have you ever stopped and thought about how McDonalds can offer a $1 double cheese burger?

Yes, this offer sounds like a good deal but is it really? All of McDonalds’s food is made in china, frozen, shipped, and stored in some warehouse for who knows how long.

 Many people would argue that everyone has a choice over their health, or that people that are obese chose to be that way. But this isn’t true. Low-income communities have low accessibility to produce stores and other healthy options around. Also these fast food places and liquor store offer more “bang for your buck” and in a low-income community that is really important. “Low income” says it all money is not abundant in that community.

Fast food places are taking over communities of low income and manage to manipulate these people to buy their food by making them think they are getting an amazing deal. But we all can put a stop to it. By teaching each other better ways and to stand up for the equity and equality all communities deserve. More produce stores should be opened and prices for healthy food should be lower and more affordable in order for everyone to be able to eat healthy.  Obesity will continue to affect communities is we don’t put a stop to these money hungry fast food chains and liquor stores.