Repeatedly the news will highlight the story of the obesity epidemic sweeping the nation. Although the news and health experts bombard the common citizen with quick and easy ways to eat healthier and exercise more, the source of the problem is kept hidden behind closed doors. Before blaming your eating habits, it's essential to take a closer look at what you consume. With rapid changes in the food industry, advances must be approached with caution because “The way we eat has changed more in the last fifty years than in the last 10,000” (Pollan and Schlosser). It is easy for the common man to make the blanket claim of eating “better,” but few actually proceed to do so. The average American has one of the worst diets in the world, even though the opportunities and variety of options are enormous. Food companies deceive by masking the true food production process. Not only does the eye not see how the food was prepared, but there is also a false sense of variety in the food market. Severely unbalanced American diets and genetically modified organisms coexist to create a bigger problem than previously thought. Chemical progress in modern science is a contributing factor to “better,” faster, and cheaper food production. While the GMO (genetically modified organism) ideas that scientists thrive on are theoretically beneficial, they are corrupting the natural methods of farming and food that consumers will purchase. Nowadays, around 70% of foods contain a genetically modified ingredient. What is consumed in large quantities across the country in some cases barely constitutes food. An excellent example is the tomato. Tomatoes are sold all year round in food markets across the nation....... middle of the paper......oo dominant to change their way of production but if the consumer who pays the money asks for a change, change will come. All these problems evident in the nation's food and diet pose the same question to every person: "Are you willing to make an effort for change or will you remain oblivious and blind to the ever-present problems?" Works Cited Bittman, Mark. “It's The Sugar, folks.” New York Times February 27, 2013: A29(L). Opposing points of view in context. Network. May 4, 2014 "Dietary treatment of overweight and obesity." Weight in America: Obesity, eating disorders, and other health risks. Barbara Wexler. 2012 ed. Detroit: Gale, 2013. Information Plus Reference Series. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Network. May 4, 2014Kenner, Robert, dir. Food Inc. Magnolia Pictures, 2008. Film.Quillin, Patrick. "Cancer's gluttons." Nutrition Science News April 2000: n. page Press.