Leading a healthy life is becoming a privilege and wellness culture in the United States is not accessible for all

By Meg McNeil Social Media & Business Manager

“New Year, new me”—a phrase used by many to promote a healthier lifestyle in the new year; however, this goal is often unachievable because of the obstructive pricing of healthy food in America. The United States economy is going through a period of inflation, causing prices of consumer goods such as food to increase–healthy foods in particular are soaring in price, opposing the less nutrient rich foods being the only affordable option. With food prices increasing, those in lower-income situations do not have equal access to healthy food, causing deficiencies in their levels of nutrients. Unhealthy food can result in overall physical and mental health issues such as depleting high energy levels, high blood pressure, and more. Unhealthy food elevates the chances of obesity which are already at an all time high in America. Another factor of increased obesity in America is the availability of high-calorie, large portions of food at lower prices than nutritious food. The link between poverty and obesity is strength- ening as the wealth gap between the upper income families and lower income families widens. Not only is living a healthy lifestyle often unachievable, but so is accessing basic dietary needs for those who are intolerant or allergic to certain ished areas with higher quality supermarkets selling most to all of the products deemed healthy. These high-quality stores are not usually found in impoverished areas. So, lowering the availability of these products to those who already struggle to purchas-

Graphic/Meghan McNeil

organize household items. Specifically, videos showing organized fridges filled with an exorbitant amount of food being put into containers with the sole purpose of gaining popularity online, causing great amounts of food waste across the world.

Personal fitness, as well as nutritional food, work together for the goal of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and correctly balancing both is necessary to achieve this lifestyle. Although gaining access to physical activity might seem as simple as going for a run or doing some push-ups, for those who work multiple jobs to make ends meet, budgeting time into an already stressful schedule to be healthy is difficult to juggle while concurrently struggling to make enough money to buy food for the week. Following a healthy lifestyle is beneficial to all parts of one’s life, but factors of America’s economic standing and fluctuation cause many to consume an inadequate amount of nutrients.

food products. Affording alternatives to products with dairy or gluten for those unable to consume it can be high in cost. Availability is another key concern for those already living in impover- ing food regardless of the level of nutrients and affect on the body. to even afford unhealthy foods.

Many social media websites such as TikTok have trends that glorify “aesthetic” ways to

If the U.S., as well as the rest of the world, wants to progress as a functioning society, change is crucial for healthy food and physical exercise as it needs to be made