Exploding in the late 1990s, U.S. obesity rates have leveled off for children and slowed down for adults since 2003. While soothing, these facts hide an unstoppable epidemic: 1/3 of minors are overweight or obese, and so are 2/3 adults. By 2020, 3/4 of the population will be categorized as such, according to the OECD. Serious actions, such as Michelle Obama’s nationwide Let’s Move! Campaign and the calorie count requirement in the Health Care Law, were taken. However, they may prove futile without a cultural shift in Americans’ attitude toward their favorite foods. Like tobacco, the standard American diet (S.A.D.) should be labeled as a sad scourge and be replaced with one that emphasizes food quality.

1. Deep frying is a deadly silent killer for one reason...

Deep frying, practiced for about a millennium, has become a major pillar of the SAD since the 19th century. Yielding crunchy, seasoned chips, glazed donuts and greasy hushpuppies, this cooking method has been rooted in America’s history since the Scottish, who brought fried chicken and the Africans, who brought seasonings, crossed the Atlantic. As cities became vastly fast paced, frying became common culture, making low-quality foods taste better by trapping in natural moisture within minutes and entrancing taste buds everywhere; however, research has shown that deep frying is a silent killer because of the great amount of trans fat present.

2. Crunchy fries are carcinogenic.

Traditionally, southern cooking incorporated more legumes, leafy greens and sweet potatoes, but the modern style has created a monstrous concoction of deep-fried brussels sprouts, pickles, butter, snicker bars and even ice cream. According to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, this diet is linked to the increase and progression of the lung, breast, oral and especially prostate cancer. A study conducted proved that those who ate fried foods four times a week had an average 1.1 BMI greater than those who ate once a week and 33 percent higher risk of prostate cancer. A Harvard study claimed that fried food diets increase Type 2 diabetes and heart disease rate by 39 to 55 percent. Obesity rates have increased 250 percent in a mere century.

3. Can you even financially afford the risks?

Along with health complications lie medical costs. Cancer treatment costs are high, surgeries ranging from $10,000 to $135,000 without insurance. Additional payments include radiation, hormone or chemotherapy for $10,00 to $300,000, but costs mainly depend on the type of cancer, individual status and drug regimen. On the contrary, treatment for diabetes is usually around $79,00 to $13,700 over a few years.

4. Your temptations versus the reality... Which will it be?

Fried foods, though irresistibly tempting and delicious, are the main cause of the current obesity epidemic. Full of trans fats, carcinogenic agents and empty calories, they increase cancer and diabetes risk, clog arteries and increase weight.

The U.S. diet must be changed. 42.5 percent of Americans will be overweight or obese in 2020 and over 50 percent in 2030, doubling the rate within a decade. Before then, America’s inadmissible secret will only continue its reign.