Obesity in the United States is on the rise and there is no end in sight. Obesity is a health problem that does not discriminate, affecting all ages, genders and races. There are many factors that can lead an individual to become obese. These factors may include calorie intake, amount of physical activity, genetics and environment. The rise of obesity in the United States has posed financial and health problems for this country that must be addressed. An obesity epidemic is said to be sweeping the country and the numbers are astronomical. About 31% of all adults and 15% of children between the ages of 6 and 19 are obese. Obesity is also serious in several ethnic groups. For example, 50% of non-Hispanic black women are obese. Many researchers believe that the trend towards obesity has a lot to do with cultural, economic and environmental factors. Simply put, I think it can be attributed to genetics, portion sizes, available food, costs, and laziness. Obesity may run in your family. For example, if one of your parents is obese, you are three times more likely to become obese than if you had parents at a healthy weight. The way your body responds to food is also genetically linked. Food intake and activity patterns reflect the influence of genetic factors. Genes can also influence how calories are used, the efficiency with which the body uses calories determines how much fat will be stored. However, genetics can only determine the tendency to be obese. Eating well and exercising regularly will be what actually determines whether you are overweight or not. Of all the factors that cause obesity, many Americans' calorie intake may be the biggest problem. For the last twenty years food has been crazy... middle of paper......ts (super size). Obese individuals can miss a lot of work, and many don't work at all. Most of these people who cannot work are disabled. This means more money will come from taxpayers. Too much taxpayer money goes to obese people and something needs to be done ASAP. Even if the fight against obesity seems like a lost cause, something is being done. Government programs have been established in school canteens to promote healthy eating and initiate healthy eating habits. Parents need to significantly reduce the time spent watching television and encourage more physical activities. There are many opportunities to stop the destructive behavior that causes obesity, and we must all work together to do it. At home, at school, in the workplace and in our communities, we must all find a way to make this nation healthy.