It is no secret that the United States (US) is known for its exorbitant rates of obesity and chronic health issues. Most people place blame on the citizens themselves for gluttony and irresponsibility. However, most of these issues are derived from the average American diet. Unhealthy ingredients are unsuspectedly consumed by citizens daily, starting from a young age.
According to the Trust for America’s Health, 41.9% of American citizens are obese. Additionally, roughly one in three adults and one in six teenagers are obese. Consuming a constant diet that is high in fat, salt and cholesterol can cause high blood pressure in the body, and it can lead to consequential issues, such as heart disease or a stroke. Exposure to an unhealthy diet from adolescence can set any child or teenager up for serious problems to occur in the future.
Approximately 60% of the American diet consists of processed foods, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Processed foods, including luncheon meat, cereals, bread, cheese, chips, crackers, soda, coffee and more comprise high amounts of salt, fat, sugar and calories. Most Americans consume processed foods and unhealthy beverages on a daily basis, meaning they are at large risk for complications in the future.
Along with natural additives, several chemicals are put into many foods in the US. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found various perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, in food. PFAS are synthetic chemicals found in fabrics, resistant enamelware and adhesives. The FDA has tested and found PFAS in produce, meat, dairy products and seafood, all of which are consumed by the majority of Americans every day. They are consumed through most frozen foods, such as frozen pizzas, and several foods served to students in school cafeterias. PFAS are also found commonly in bottled water. As stated by the International Bottled Water Association, 94% of American citizens purchase bottled water regularly. If too many PFAS are ingested through contaminated water, effects such as changes in liver enzymes, decreased fertility in women and hormone imbalances can occur. Eatrightpro.org recorded that 60% of foods in the US contain technical food additives, including preservatives.
Microplastics, a type of plastic debris that is made of broken-down plastic, are also commonly found in various purchasable foods in the US. People are exposed to microplastics via hygiene products, paint, fishing nets and more. Furthermore, humans are also exposed to microplastics through direct ingestion of food. The tiny debris finds its way into resources through the environment itself. Plastic breaks down while polluting oceans, bodies of freshwater and wooded areas, causing the remnants to be absorbed into plant roots or consumed by wildlife. Microplastics are most ubiquitously found in seafood, especially fish and mollusks. Microplastics can also be absorbed into fruits and vegetables through their root systems, most being in apples and carrots. They are also found in other common foods, such as rice, salt and honey. Microplastics negatively affect the human body by damaging cells, triggering endocrine disruptors and decreasing the shape of the immune system, granting the accessibility of organic pollutants and other harmful chemicals to the body. According to the National Library of Medicine, microplastics are not only a major threat to the environment but also a direct hazard to the body through the almost daily consumption of the debris. This is detrimental to the health of many US citizens, including teenagers, as unhealthy foods are part of their natural diet.
Microplastics are nearly unavoidable in the US due to the tremendously high amounts found in foods across all groups. However, some ways to avoid them are to rely on beverages and foods packaged in glass or silicone, as well as to heat food in the microwave or oven strictly in glass or silicone containers, as opposed to plastic. It is tricky to find food in the US that contains little to no microplastics, unhealthy chemicals, or high additives. Purchasing food from local farmer’s markets and businesses is likely the safest option, but unhealthy foods and drinks in the US are still practically inevitable.
The average American diet consists heavily of processed and contaminated foods, which they ingest unsuspectingly and without a second thought about their health, especially when they eat supposedly healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables. This can cause immense issues to the health of US citizens, particularly to adolescents who are subjected to harmful substances through their meals, as their bodies are in the most developmental stage of their lives.