Obesity in America has been an ongoing issue for years, and while many citizens of the country have been made aware, the numbers are still continuing to climb. Even if someone doesn’t fall into the category of being obese, the amount of fast food and unhealthy snacks that the average person eats, they can still be unhealthy. 36.6% of American adults eat fast food a day, and while it’s okay to make an occasional stop to Wendy’s this can be a daily trip for many. 

You may think you don’t know many people with these issues, but in 2018 42.4% of the country was falling into the obesity range, and that is just too high. There are many arguments as to why this could be; they don’t have time to exercise, it’s easier to just stop for the fast food rather than cooking at home, or many don’t care. Being overweight can increase your risks for many different health issues, such as type two diabetes or a heart attack. In a rapidly changing environment that is currently going through a pandemic, it can be hard to make this issue a priority, however, there are a lot of quick and easy solutions that can help you make baby steps towards a healthier life even if it is as simple as eating better. Sure, fast food is cheap and easy, but is it worth the risks you could be putting yourself at over time? Many don’t realize the cheap but healthy options that are available at places you go all the time. At a local grocery store, you could pick up a premade salad and healthy tea or drink for around $6, that’s only 21 cents more than a quarter pounder meal at McDonald’s. Even though ordering from a restaurant may be a bit more expensive, you could get a freshly made healthier meal, and you are supporting a local business in a time of need. Going out for a walk around your neighborhood or at a park keeps you moving on days you might be working from home. Switching out your midday soda to a glass of water is another simple and incredibly affordable way to cut out unnecessary sugars and calories. Learning to cook at home can also lead to healthier eating as you can explore different healthy meals and foods to add in, and you might find it very enjoyable! Not only that, but cooking larger amounts of a meal can be cheaper and can leave you with leftovers for a healthy easy lunch the next day. 

Even if you are not someone currently struggling with obesity, adding these small changes into your life can still improve how you feel, and will decrease your risk in becoming obese eventually. So set down your soda, grab some water and head out for a walk!