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Diet Trends
"Weight-loss groups are offering an extensive variety of diets."
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By Jonathon Simrin
Less than two years from now, I will graduate from high school and enter the world of college. My brother Ben started last year, and before he took the brave step into higher education, my mom Shelley offered a word of advice.
MOM (on tape)
When he started college we asked him to go to the gym and get a workout routine help.
JONATHON
According to a January 2004 statistic from the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, roughly 31% of teenage girls and 28% of teenage boys are overweight. The study attributed this surge in obesity to poor eating habits and low activity levels. These statistics concern my mother as my brother enters his second semester of college.
MOM (on tape)
I don’t think he is eating as well as he could and I’m not sure if he’s exercising.
JONATHON
Whatever Ben’s lifestyle, it seems as though everyone’s eating habits are deteriorating. Fast food chains such as McDonalds are offering inexpensive meals, unfortunately, these items offer little nutritional value. According to Shelley, fast food still has a major appeal.
SHELLEY (on tape)
No one has time to cook or go shopping, McDonalds, or Jack in the Box, or Burger King is an easy solution for that.
JONATHON
Studies have shown that nearly two out of every three Americans are obese. In response to this problem, weight-loss groups are offering an extensive variety of diets. From green tea to wheat toast, it seems as though Americans are turning to anything to cut down the pounds. Are these programs really good for you in the long run? My dad thinks they’ll come and go with the passing of time.
DAD (on tape)
I think a lot of them are like they say; trends. They’re very trendy; they fall into or out of fashion.
JONATHON
One of the more popular diets is the Atkins diet. This program involves a strict effort to cut down on carbohydrates and promises significant results. Atkins dieters often sacrifice foods rich in nutrients to satisfy their diet.
SHELLEY (on tape)
I don’t know if there’s any real magic in not having any carbohydrates. You do get vitamins from carbohydrates, and fiber etc.
JONATHON
Another popular diet program is Weight Watchers. This diet assigns foods respective point values. The dieter can eat whatever he or she pleases, as long as they stay within their weekly point range. It’s not only gaining popularity among dieters, health professionals too, are expressing their approval. Amy Balding, a registered nurse at Berkeley High School, endorses Weight Watchers among the many diets of today.
AMY (on tape)
They follow the four basic for groups, they advocate for smaller portions, you don’t have sit down and pig out to have a good meal.
JONATHON
In addition to recommending Weight Watchers, Amy says that a nutritional breakfast is the best way to start off the day. In the end, she believes the basics of healthy living are a well-balanced diet and exercise, not only for teens, but adults and children as well.
While most teens try out the many diets that are out in the market, starvation is still prevalent among teens, especially young women. Amy suggests that every teenager should take a nutrition class. That teens, gain the knowledge and discipline of staying in good physical shape. In an ideal world for her, the youth of America would have servings of fruit in the morning, make their own lunches, and have a reasonable dinner with their family.
With more and more name brand diets that are more fashion statements than weight loss plans, we seem to have forgotten that three well-balanced meals a day and a healthy amount of exercise can be most effective and easily maintained methods of dieting. Whatever diet you choose, keep sight of your ultimate goal.
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