Overweight and Obesity in the USA - Research Paper Example

1 Obesity in the USA In some countries there is a gossip that in the USA the standard of living is so high that even poor people are obese. But the reality is quite different: the unrestrained obesity reflects the decline in the country’s economy and emphasizes that for the most part of the population of the USA the quality of life worsens. It doesnt mean that in the USA it is impossible to be harmonious, and that Americans, who deal with the problem of excess weight, have to give up and obey to destiny. But obesity is encouraged by a surrounding situation: in the modern American way of life there are a lot of factors, which contributes to obesity that negatively influences the health of American people. Obesity is a chronic disease, which became one of the main problems of health care in the majority of economically developed countries. The number of obese people is constantly growing representing a serious threat, because of inevitable development of the hardest associated diseases. In the United States obesity is the reason of nearly 300 thousand deaths per year. The factor and indirect cost connected with treatment of obesity exceeds 100-120 billion dollars a year. Obesity spreads rapidly worldwide. In the USA every fifth citizen including children already suffers from it. “About a quarter of 2-5 year olds and one-third of school-age children (including adolescents) are overweight or obese in the U.S. About 30 percent of low-income preschoolers are overweight or obese. Overweight and obesity rates tend to be higher and have increased more rapidly over time among African-American and Hispanic children than Caucasian children. The prevalence is also higher among children living in the Southern region of the U.S. (e.g., Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky)” (Overweight and Obesity in the U.S.) Researchers state that obesity is connected not only with demography, but also with standard of living indicators: those Americans who belong to poor segments of the population have no access to useful food and have to eat fast food having no opportunity to buy fresh fruit and vegetables. Also, in connection with high crime rate in poor districts people have no opportunity to walk in parks to lose extra calories (Overweight and Obesity in the U.S.) . Obesity is one of the most widespread diseases around the world, which declares itself by energy balance and metabolism violation, excessive fat disposition in fabrics, especially in hypodermic fatty cellulose. Rate of obesity development depends on the amount of superfluous food coming to an organism, extent of energy metabolism self-control violation, motor functions activity. But the most terrible fact about obesity that we often dont even suspect is a stimulation of a set of the most serious diseases up to a fatal outcome (Rippe). As researches show, stout individuals prefer to consume increased amount of fat-containing products. At the same time their ability to fat oxidation is lower in comparison with thin people. The most widespread form of obesity is the alimentary and exchange obesity caused by systematically excessive consumption of food in combination with violation of diets and a great amount of high-calorific products in nutrition. As a rule, the people suffering from such form of obesity have violations in functioning of a gipotalamus and nervous system, combined with an inactive life and use every opportunity to have something to eat. They are usually called "gluttons" (Rippe). Obesity can negatively influence the economy of the United States. The American enterprises will soon feel acute shortage of workers. It is also connected with obesity of Americans. The problem will touch 464 professions of the country. The rate of unemployment is very high in America, only according to official figures 18 million people are unemployed. But experts assure that in 15 years the enterprises wont have enough workers. Now the generation of baby boomers gradually retires. Their place will be occupied by new fast food generation – generation, which wont be able to carry out a certain kind of activity (Kluger). The number of obese adult residents in the USA increased in 23 states out of 50 during the last year. Thus, reduction of number of fat Americans wasnt traced even in one of the states. According to statistics, in 30 states more than 30% of children suffer from excess weight. In general medical services for those Americans, who suffer from obesity, cost 40% dearer, than for the Americans with normal weight. If to consider the costs spent for struggle against obesity in the general list of medical services, this indicator will make about 9% of the total value of expenses. If not to take radical measures, by 2030 in the United States the expenses for medical care connected with excess weight will reach the figure of 950 billion dollars. First of all, there are expenses for drugs and dietary supplements for weight loss, the special programs promoting decrease in body weight and, of course, for treatment of associated diseases (Ogden et al). The spread of obesity leads to increase in number of chronic diseases among the population that, in turn, provokes the growth of the budgetary expenses on health care. The authorities of the country declared the intention to achieve the reduction of number of citizens with obesity by 15% during this year. However, judging by provided figures, the goal set by the American government is hardly achievable. The conclusion can be made that the problem of poverty is closely connected with the problem of obesity in the United States, and the main stress should be made on the struggle with poverty to increase the access of those who have low income to useful food. People in their turn should also think more about their health and future. To fight against excess weight experts recommend to make changes in everyday nutrition, to limit the consumption of floury and sweet food and to devote not less than 30 minutes a day to physical exercises. The problem can be resolved only by applying common efforts of the government and the population. Works cited Overweight and Obesity in the U.S. frac.org. Web. April 23, 2015 Ogden C. L., Carroll, M. D., Kit, B.K., & Flegal K. M. Prevalence of childhood and adult obesity in the United States, 2011-2012. Journal of the American Medical Association, 311(8), 2014, 806-814 Kluger, Jefferey. "Americas Obesity Crisis: Eating Behavior: Why We Eat."Time magazine US. 07 Jun 2004: 01-05. Web. 27 May. 2012.  Rippe, James. Obesity: Prevention and Treatment. Portland, OR. Book News Inc. 2012. Print. Read More