The Obesity Crisis in America

For this essay, you must demonstrate a thorough understanding of the obesity crisis from its origins to the causes and potential solutions. We will study this issue in-depth through various readings, films, and discussions. You must employ summary and quotation, properly citing all sources both in-text and in the Works Cited page according to MLA guidelines. 

Your essay must be between 1,500 and 2,000 words. It is worth 20% of your semester grade.

Your essay must adequately address the following questions:

What is the obesity crisis and why does it matter?

Present context on the obesity crisis: What is obesity? How is it measured? When did the crisis start? What are the statistics? Is everyone effected equally? Why is this issue important? What health problems are associated with obesity? Are there other consequences of the obesity crisis?

What are the significant causes of the crisis?

Identify and describe the most important root causes: Which factors that you have learned about are the most compelling? Why? Which groups (fast/junk food industry, parents, schools . . .) bear responsibility for the crisis? What role does “individual responsibility” play?

How can we solve the crisis?

Propose solutions: What is already being done? What promising ideas have you learned about from the readings and films? Do you have any ideas of your own? What obstacles exist in implementing these solutions? Who should be responsible for solving this crisis?