Causes and Risk Factors of Obesity - Research Paper Example

[Supervisor Obesity Introduction Obesity has become a significant problem in all parts of the world. During the last three decades, the number of overweight people has increased significantly. According to a study conducted by the Centers of Disease Control, one third of adult population has become overweight (Wilborn, et al pp 31). According to the Harvard Health Report, “Weight Less, Live Longer.” Obesity can be defined as the condition of being overweight. The issue of obesity has generated significant debate among various groups and healthcare organizations. Obesity is a substantial health problem, which contributes towards poor health, premature death, emotional problems, and others. There are various studies, which have been conducted on obesity. One of such studies has been conducted by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). According to their study, obesity is associated with a poor quality of life. The quality of life is decreased with an increasing level of obesity. The research has also revealed that the quality of health life of obese people is lower than those with normal weight. Obesity is also associated with a poor health status. It has also been found that obesity results in depression. Discussion Measuring Obesity – Body Mass Index (BMI) One of the key mechanisms employed to measure obesity is the Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI is the index of weight for height. It is recognized as the most useful measurement for obesity. Individuals are considered to be obese when their BMI is 30 or more. Causes and Risk Factors of Obesity Historically, obesity was considered only an imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure. However, the recent research has indicated that there are many factors involved in obesity. There are various genetic, physiological, and behavioral factors that result in obesity. The specific causes of obesity vary among individuals. According to Butland et al. (2007), ‘At the heart of obesity lies a homeostatic biological system that struggles to maintain energy balance to keep the body at a constant weight. This system is not well-adapted to a fast-changing world, where the pace of technological progress has outstripped human evolution’. The researchers now accept that the changes in external environment impact the tendency of individuals to gain or lose weight. Obesity is the accumulation of excess fat in the human body. This condition reduces life expectancy and increase the chance of developing life threatening diseases. One of the most important prevention activities for overcoming obesity is physical activities. The constant exercise could result in an increase in the rate of metabolism. It is recommended that people engage in exercise daily in order to reduce the level of fat. The psychological and behavioral issues play a significant position in the advancement of obesity. When controlling obesity, it is important to address various psychological, social, and biological factors in order to ensure comprehensive care. It is believed that both genetics and environmental factor are associated with obesity epidemic. One of the common reasons behind the rapid increase in fatness is the difference between the environment and genetic make-up of individuals. The central hypothesis associated with this argument is the thrifty-genotype hypothesis. According to this hypothesis: “the same genes that helped our ancestors survive occasional famines are now being challenged by environments in which food is plentiful year round…the thrifty genotype is just part of a wider spectrum of ways in which genes can favor fat accumulation in a given environment.”(CDC, n.p.) According to evidence, genetic factors are involved in all aspects of obesity including weight regulation, eating behavior, thermogenesis, and others. The motivation of individuals to engage in activities that prevent obesity is also affected by genetic factors. The hormonal and neural pathways also provide explanations for causes of obesity. These pathways describe the link between emotional cues and the release of insulin. The emotion cues include eating, ingestion, and absorption (Kushner pp. 91). It is accepted that the pattern of growth during early life determines the future risk of obesity. The under-nutrition in early life also results in promoting adult obesity. The period after birth is considered to be the period of metabolic plasticity. The weight gain among individuals in the early stages of life is a serious issue. The growth rate of breast-fed babies is slower than that of formula-fed babies. This contributes towards an increased risk of obesity in the later life. It has also been found that babies with low birth rate are more susceptible to gain weight than other babies. These findings indicate that the early life is the critical period for health development (Kushner pp. 91). The behavior of individuals also has an impact on obesity. The energy balance among individuals is influenced by two behaviors including eating behavior and physical activity. The eating behavior is shaped by the drive to eat while physical activity is influenced by metabolic predisposition of individuals (Kushner pp. 91). According to various behavioral studies, changes, in the food environment stimulate food intake (Butland pp. 48; Kushner pp. 91). The changes in food environment are in the form of advertising, low cost of food, snacking behavior, and others. Behavioral researchers have proposed that it is essential to model and test food environments I order to develop better weight control programs. Some studies have focused on the specific aspect of eating behavior. For example, a study conducted in Japan analyzed the eating habits of 3000 people. The findings of the study have revealed that fast eating behavior interferes with the system of gastric feedback signaling. In this system, the signals tell the brain to stop eating when the stomach is swelled (Butland pp. 48). The sedentary lifestyle has also contributed towards obesity. The advancements in modern technology including internet, television, and other devices have resulted in an increase in the prevalence of obesity. With the passage of time, physical activities of individuals are decreasing. The reduction in physical activities has reduced the level of insulin in the body. The changes in external environment have also influenced obesity. The advancements in technology have reduced physical activities of individuals. There has been a decrease in physical activities of individuals, particularly walking. The lack of suburban neighborhood is the primary factor which has affected the walking habit of individuals. Food environment is also an important part of external environment. Food environment includes the availability and accessibility to food. The food advertising and marketing activities are also a part of food environment. The workplace and school environment are of particular interest in this study. The availability of junk food in these environments results in increasing the incidences of obesity. Furthermore, the lack of physical activity opportunities available to employees and students also result in increasing obesity (Butland pp. 48). Measures to Control Obesity In order to implement solutions for obesity, it is important to consider both internal and external factors. The stages of life where the incidences of obesity are higher include early life and pregnancy. Moreover, the tendency of individuals to gain weight is increased because of peer group influence. The priority population for weight control interventions is children. It is particularly because of the reason that adults find it difficult to lose weight (Butland pp. 48). An interview with Eric L. Ding from Harvard has also revealed important information regarding obesity. In the interview, Eric was asked about nutritional mistakes made by people that results in obesity. According to Ding, the greatest mistake is consuming sugar-sweetened beverages. According to Ding, “they are one of the only consumed products that trick your body into thinking it ate fewer calories that you actually did.” Ding (2011) also recommended different supplements that could reduce the harmful effects of obesity. One of the ways to reduce obesity naturally is cocoa flavonoids. The clinical studies have revealed that cocoa flavonoids have the tendency to reduce the risk of different cardiovascular diseases. They also have the tendency to increase the level of good HDL cholesterol and reduce the level of bad cholesterol. Ding recommended cocoa flavonoid supplement in the 400-500mg/day range for obese people. The consumption of this capsule can effectively offset the risk of heart diseases. Obesity is the medical condition which is a risk factor for people. Conclusion The findings in this study have revealed that obesity is a significant health concern. In order to overcome this problem, it is important to take measures at the individual and public level. Although the problems associated with obesity can be controlled with medications, it is important to prevent this problem at the early stages. The most effective measure that can prevent obesity is exercise. It is also essential that individuals avoid the excessive intake of sugar-sweetened beverages which leads towards obesity. References Butland, B. et. Al. Obesities: Future Choices – Project Report, Second Edition, Foresight, Government Office for Science, Section 3, page 48, (2011) CDC. "CDC Features: Obesity & Genetics." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. USA.gov, (19 Jan. 2010) Web. 20 Feb. 2014. Ding, E An interview with obesity and nutrition expert Dr. Eric L. Ding from Harvard, Retrieved from http://www.examiner.com/article/an-interview-with-obesity-and-nutrition-expert-dr-eric-l-ding-from-harvard, (2011) Dated 18th February, 2014 Kushner, Robert F. “Obesity Management.” Gastroenterology clinics of North America 36.1 (2007): 191–210 Wilborn, Colin et al. “Obesity: Prevalence, Theories, Medical Consequences, Management, and Research Directions.” Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 2 (2005): 4–31 Read More