Memphis is ranked as the third fattest metropolitan area in the United States. The only two in front are McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, Texas and Shreveport-Bossiet City, Louisiana.
The United States is filled with fast-food chains and processed food, which often results in an increased amount of obese or overweight people.
While some cities in the U.S. like Los Angeles have started to focus more on healthful eating, some other cities in the country are slow on the uptake of this trend. More healthful dining options have been slow to spread in the U.S., adding to the nation’s image as an overweight country.
These factors might contribute to the reputation the U.S. is trying to kick but the reputation is not only general perception. It is statistically proven.
WalletHub, a personal finance website, released a report in March that examined the top 100 fattest cities in the U.S. The scale incorporated three factors: “Obesity & Overweight,†“Health Consequences†and “Food & Fitness.â€
Memphians might not want to hear this, but based on this scale, Memphis is ranked as the third fattest metropolitan area nation. The only two in front of the metropolitan area are McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, Texas and Shreveport-Bossiet City, Louisiana.
Most of the top 10 cities on the list were from the southern region of the U.S.Â
The WalletHub report claims that 40 percent of the U.S. population over age 15 are obese and up to $210 billion per year is spent on obesity-related medical costs.
Kathy Knight, a professor of nutrition at the University of Mississippi, said the food in the southern region of the U.S. is the main cause for the high overweight and obesity rates.
“Southern food is often cooked with a lot of fat and sugar, so it is fairly high in calories,†Knight said.
Knight also highlighted the financial impact on the rates.
“The economic status of many of our residents is low,†Knight said. “So many people are working two or more jobs, and they just have to eat on the go and do not have the time to exercise.â€
Other impact areas include the changes in the dining culture in the U.S. over time.
Cooking simple healthful meals has become more uncommon in households in the U.S., while eating at restaurants, ordering take out and snacking have become more customary.
Portion sizes have become larger, sugary drinks have become excessive and beer and other alcoholic beverage consumption have become ordinary to many U.S. citizens.
According to PublicHealth, a website that publishes free health and healthcare-related information, U.S. citizens burn up to 140 fewer calories per day than they did fifty years ago. This is added on top of the increase in calories consumed, which contributes to the result of weight gain.
The World Health Organization has found that 11 percent of the American diet consists of fast food.
Dasha Algounik, a trainer and nutrition student at Tufts University, said it boils down to one simple reason.
“We eat too much calorically dense food and not enough whole food,†Algounik said.
Health experts have said an easy solution to the issue is exercise.
Students and families should exercise more to help boost metabolism and build lean body mass. The average person should exercise at moderate levels for 3-5 times per week or 150 minutes per week, being that it will help with weight loss and decrease disease risks.
