Story by Madison Wepfer, Assistant Features Editor

Since the 1980s, Americans have been fighting the obesity “epidemic” and attempting to combat its fatal effects.

Why are metabolic disorders rising exponentially? Why did Type 2 diabetes used to be called adult-onset diabetes, and now it’s found in children as young as 8 years old?

These are questions that I have yet to find the answer to, even after watching the recently popular documentary “Fed Up.” After two hours of watching, I was disgusted at America and the food products that we produce and feed to our children.

In all of my columns so far, I have praised eating, eating and more eating. I neglected to realize that sometimes eating is not as great as people, including me, make it out to be.

The documentary claims that America is dead wrong when it comes to dieting and losing weight. We’ve been told, “The answer to successful weight loss and a healthy lifestyle is eat less, exercise more.” According to the film, that’s a lie.

Americans are constantly bombarded with soft drink ads, pictures of sexy women eating burgers and happy families eating a five-gallon tub of fried chicken with sides, of course (thank you, KFC).

These are the reasons people have such a hard time losing weight, staying healthy and raising their children in a junk-food-free environment. It’s impossible.

The film suggested that the only way to go is to buy non-processed food, and cook every meal. Learn to cook and make it a habit. Although it’s nearly impossible to avoid the ads, the deals and the grease, according to the film, you will be healthier, more energized and lose weight if you do.