Since the early 1900’s obesity has been on the rise and increasing at an exponential rate. This problem has become more severe in recent years as we have seen the number of obese people surpass those who are classified as overweight. If these trends don’t change, our population is on track to becoming an entirely obese society. Currently in the US obesity is associated with negative connotations. The ideal body image advertised in American culture is centered on slimness. This has caused modern American medicine to focus on preventing and or eliminating obesity when it should in fact focus on improving our health. Ultimately, the issue is that American culture promotes a sedentary lifestyle and the economy flourishes by promoting unhealthy foods, which are contributing to both the rise of obesity and the diseases commonly associated with it.