Please write aparagraph with your opinion based on the text bellow. Please include citationsand references in case you need to used for the question.

Nutrition programs were targeted to the indigent and poorpopulation, but now Americans need nutrition programs. Many Americans deal withobesity. It is not a surprise with all the fast food restaurant chains,drive-through, and expensive healthy food. According to Center forDisease Control and Prevention, “In 2015–2016, the prevalence of obesity was39.8% in adults and 18.5% in youth” (Hales, Carroll, Fryar, & Ogden, 2017,p. 1). Obesity is associated with many harmful health problems. According toNational Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (2015), obesityincreases the chance of having “type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heartdisease, stroke, certain types of cancer, kidney disease,” and many more healthproblems (p. 1). These health problems are extremely dangerous, so people needto follow nutrition programs to improve their health. People who do not havethese heath problems also need to follow nutrition programs to lessen thechance of getting these health issues.

I believe three most important points that should be included inpublic nutrition programs are: eating health food, especially fruits andvegetables, mindful eating, and physical activity. Salvin and Llyod stated in“Health Benefits of Fruits and Vegetables” that “The Dietary Guidelines forAmericans 2010 recommend you make one-half of your plate fruits and vegetables”(2012, p.1). Fruits and vegetables are extremely good for people. According toHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, eating many fruits and vegetablesregularly can help lower blood pressure, reduce risk of heart disease andstroke, prevent some types of cancer, lower risk of eye and digestive problems,and have a positive effect upon blood sugar which can help keep appetite incheck” (2018, p.1). These are reasons why Americans really need fruits andvegetables in their diet.

I think mindful eating needs to be incorporated into publicnutrition programs. People need to be educated on mindless eating and thedangers behind it. I think everyone does mindless eating because of ourenvironment. Sometimes I catch myself eating without even realizing. That iswhy stopped eating in front of the television. According to Wansink (2016),“…people end up serving about 22 percent more pasta on a twelve-inch plate thenthey do on a ten-inch plate” (p.2). This is because when food is servedon a bigger plate people think there is not that much food, so people end upeating more food. Wansink also stated that, “Four ounces of pasta on a ten-inchplate looks like a full plate of pasta, but on a twelve-inch plate, it doesn’teven look like an appetizer” (2016, p.2). Americans need to be educated aboutthe environment and its contribution to unhealthy eating habits. So this wayAmericans can develop habits like mindful eating and stay on the healthy path.

Physical activity is the last important point that I believeneeds to be included in public nutrition programs. Being physically active isone of the best things you can do for yourself. Physical activities can helppeople maintain weight, lose weight, improve mental health, strengthen bonesand muscles, etc. According to Center for Disease Control and Prevention,“Science shows that physical activity can reduce your risk of dying early fromthe leading causes of death, like heart disease and some cancers” (2018, p. 4).With busy schedules Americans do not exercise. We need to be educated on thebenefits of physical activities, so we can make time and incorporate physicalactivities in our lives.

I am from New York, so for New Yorkers one nutritional educationcommunity resource is Eat Smart New York. Eat Smart New York is coordinated bythe New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Administration. The linkis https://otda.ny.gov/programs/nutrition/.Another nutritional education community resource is Farmer’s Market NutritionProgram. The link is https://fnec.cornell.edu/for-partners/programs/fmnp/.

Reference:

Hales, C. M., Carroll, M. D., Fryar, C. D., & Ogden, C. L.(2017, October). Prevalence of Obesity Among Adults and Youth: United States,2015–2016. Retrieved June 28, 2018, from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db288.pdf

Health Risks of Being Overweight. (2015, February 01). RetrievedJune 28, 2018, from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/health-risks-overweight

Physical Activity. (2018, February 13). Retrieved June 28, 2018,from https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pa-hea…

Slavin, J. L., & Lloyd, B. (2012). Health Benefits of Fruitsand Vegetables. Advancesin Nutrition, 3(4), 506–516. http://doi.org/10.3945/an.112.002154

Vegetables and Fruits. (2018, February 26). Retrieved June 28,2, fromhttps://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-…

Wansink, B. (2016, March 10). Mindless eating: Why we eat morethan we think – Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research. RetrievedJune 28, 2018, from https://obssr.od.nih.gov/mindless-eating-eat-think…