For many years Americans have been obsessed with weight and the ideal body image. The problem is that this has led society to a craze of Fad Diets leading to the quickest and fastest way to lose weight. In discussions of losing weight quickly a controversial issue has been whether Fad Diets work. On the one hand, some argue that Fad Diets provide quick results to achieving that body figure that everyone wants. From this prospective they are not lying to the public, fast results are achievable with very little effort. Seems easy enough, lose all those pounds without exercising; anyone would jump at that kind of a diet. On the other hand; however, others argue that these Fad Diets are extremely dangerous to one's health, and do not produce the long-term weight loss results. They deprive one of essential nutrients and vitamins. Furthermore, these diets cause an unhealthy cultural demand for fast results for losing weight, when this requires a lifestyle change that involves a healthy balanced diet along with exercise.
Obesity in America has risen to an astounding 33 percent, up from 25 percent in the 1980s (Maynard 24-27). According to Maynard, 15 to 35 percent of people are trying to lose weight. It's not surprising to walk into a bookstore and see the next new Fad Diet claiming to achieve this goal. Fad Diets have been around for quite a while and seem to change the same as the latest style of clothing, music, and television shows. It has become over a 40 billion dollar industry that consumers spend each year, hoping this is the quick fix that they need, all while claiming to be the newest, fastest, and best diet on the market. There are many diets claiming to be the best, the Atkins Diet and the South Beach Diet, are just two out of many who promise quick results that appeal to the public that are suffering to lose the weight. So why do consumers spend all this money on quick fixes which seems so apparent to others that don't work? One can only assume complete desperation with numerous failed attempts to loss weight in the past.
Fad Diets such as these are more harmful to the longevity of the body than helpful. In fact, they violate the basic rules of nutrition, increase the chances of getting gallstones, and in severe cases, death. The Atkins Diet for instance, is a meat based, low fiber diet advocating for no fruit or starchy vegetables. Considering Americans already consume 50 percent of their calories through animal products, adapting this kind of high protein diet will almost double your chances of getting cancers; especially meat -sensitive cancers, such as colon cancer. "According to hundreds of scientific studies, the link between animal protein and various cancers is as solid as the link between smoking and lung cancer(Fuhrman). The South Beach Diet is another that promises quick results without being hungry, like the Atkins Diet, it takes away carbohydrates as well as refined sugars. Phase one: seven-day body reboot takes away...
