Obesity Pandemic
People are the same way they were centuries ago in terms of DNA. However, the environment in which we access the food we consume has changed. Unhealthy foods are cheaper, and there is no motivation to eat healthily. The change in environment threatens the current generations, and as mentioned in the film, people might have the worst health status ever. Part 4 (challenges) delves into areas including agriculture, economics, evolution, and biology and the enormous influence of the food and beverage industry. The theme of the part is the underlying causes of the obesity epidemic.
The national agricultural policy is characterized by federal programs subsidizing the production of staple crops such as corn and soy. Because of these subsidies, the market has become flooded with processed meals high in calories but low in nutrients. People consume these foods, which harm their health and contribute to obesity. Consumption of fruits and fresh foods is one of the solutions to obesity, but the federal government does not support them. Furthermore, most Americans do not consume the recommended daily amount of fruits and vegetables. High-calorie meals are frequently less expensive than healthier alternatives such as fresh produce and whole grains. The food industry’s emphasis on flavor and cost has resulted in large, low-cost, high-calorie meals that have contributed to the spread of obesity.
Genetic Code or Zip Code?
It is widely assumed that people who share a zip code are likely to share genetic codes. Clustering people of similar ethnicity and background is a common social pattern. As a result, my zip code may be a more accurate predictor of my health than my genetic code. Lower levels of education are associated with higher rates of chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer among residents of the city’s economically depressed areas. Therefore, the zip code matters most in determining an individual’s health. It determines the environment of an individual, which significantly impacts the person’s general well-being.