The Problem of Obesity - Essay Example

Topic: Is parental control over children's eating associated with childhood obesity, drawing on an Interactionistperspective? Aims: This research project is focused on the problem of obesity among Americans. Family influence on levels of obesity among children is considered in terms of socio-economic factors. Moreover, it is relevant to be focused on the ethnic minorities in American and take families from this focus group as they are mainly exposed to obesity. Definition of key terms: obesity, socio-economic factors, Interactionist perspective, junk food. Background: Obesity among Americans is an interesting and vividly discussed issue. Numerous researches and studies are directed on definition of the problem deeply rooted in the minds of Americans who consume junk food and the number of obese people is growing from year to year. This research paper provides a look of the Interactionist Perspective on the problem of obesity among children. It implies that under pressure of surrounding obese people, a healthy individual would become obese also. Therefore, a parental influence within the family may turn a healthy child in an obese one. Moreover, in accordance with the recent studies, low incomes of families, a low level of education and other negatively influencing socio-economic factors prevent children from exercising and obtrude often eating upon them. Thus, within a peer group an obese individual feels himself comfortable, but in the society he is perceived as a deviant one. Children obesity is greatly triggered within their families if their parents are obese and it is natural of them to eat huge amounts of food. The often eating custom of a certain family turns into a bad habit of their child. The Interactionist perspective is incorporated in the discussion about obesity among children further on. Theoretical Perspective: On the basis of recent researches and studies on obesity among children and the way families influence on their health and potential exposure to obesity, it is necessary to trace the way socio-economic factor influence on the levels of obesity among children in America. “According to recent reports, more than six in 10 adults are overweight or obese, and the number of overweight children is on the rise.” This quote from the McDonalds website is enough to cause anxiety. Healthcare costs are greatly influenced by obesity. “World Bank has claimed that the cost of obesity at 12 percent of the nation’s healthcare budget” (Department of Health and Human service, 2000). The costs of obesity cause negative influences on individual and governmental levels. Therefore a struggle against obesity must be held on governmental level because it is an intimidating factor for all nations’ health. There is a need to propagate healthy way of life and increase living standards of ethnical minorities and Americans with lower socioeconomic status. Literature Review: Economic factors Lower incomes lead to high levels of junk food consumption. Affordability and availability of this kind of food increases obesity levels. In accordance with National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data, “there are more obese among non-Hispanic white adolescents from families with low income than from families with higher income families. Obese people among non-Hispanic blacks and Mexican-American children have no low income in their families, on the other hand” (Troiano & Flegal, 1998). Healthy Foods Access Low income of people leads them to wrong food choices: thus people decide to buy food with higher calorie levels due to its lower price (Morland a), 2002).Healthy food costs more than junk food (Drewnowski & Specter, 2004). Data obtained from the study conducted in 2002 signifies that “…there are three times as many supermarkets in wealthy neighborhoods as in poor neighborhoods, and four times as many supermarkets in predominantly white neighborhoods as in predominantly African-American ones (Morland b), 2002). Physical Activity Factors Another potential reason for obesity is a low level of physical activity. This level is high among racial minorities. For example, Non-Hispanic black and Hispanic children are not actively involved in sport because their families have low income and educational level (Powell et al, 2004). In the communities with higher percentages of African-American residents there is a lack of parks and places to play sports, public pools and beaches. Educational level of parents from low income families influences negatively on a correct attitude to sport in the family. Thus white girls from families with low educational level from 9 to 19 years old are less involved in for sports and have lower levels of physical activity in comparison with white girls from families with high level of education (Kimm et al, 2002). Governmental actions In accordance with data collected it is clear that it is necessary to work at certain programs in order to overcome obesity among ethnic minorities with low income. The attention should be focused on two spheres: health nutrition and physical activity. Fortunately, government took care and such kind of programs has already been developed. These programs, which include the Food Stamp Program; the National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs; the Summer Food Service Program; the Child and Adult Care Program; and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program, are overviewed below (Powell et al, 2004). The Food Stamp Program is directed on provision of low-income families with coupons or electronic cards to buy healthy food at most grocery stores. In 2001 thanks to this program 17 million individuals a year could provide their families with healthy food. The National School Breakfast and Lunch Program provide children with low-cost or free breakfast or another meal. Children from low-income families have a chance to buy or get free healthy food. During 2000–2001 school years, 27.4 million children were able to save costs of their families and get free breakfasts and lunches at school (Powell et al, 2004). The Child and Adult Care Food Program provide child care centers and adult day care centers with free snacks and lunches. Consequently, not only children, but also adults from low-income families have a possibility to eat healthy food and save costs. Physical activity is another sphere that can prevent obesity. A combination of dietary intake and physical activity will lead to a decrease of obesity level. Therefore it is necessary to provide people from low-income families or ethnic minorities with opportunities to go into “…athletic facilities, street design, density of housing, availability of public transit, access to pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly transportation routes, and the availability of safe outdoor spaces play significant roles in promoting or discouraging physical activity” (Kimm et al, 2002). Local communities are strongly recommended to create and support all the above mentioned places for physical activity. On the state and local level there are options for investments in these spheres. Methodology: In order to conduct a detailed research, statistical data were collected from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System dataset (online). Focus group consists of ethnic minorities and families with low income. Obesity has absorbed America during the last few years. This nutritional disorder affects Americans of any age. The main reason for obesity is a wide net of fast-food restaurants. Constant consumption of junk food such as snack foods, potato chips, hamburgers influences health of many people. High level of calories contained in this kind of food makes people obese. Methods: Data collected for this research was based on questionnaires filled in by ethnical minorities in America who were randomly chosen. Answers to questionnaires obtained from Asians, Hispanics, and Afro-Americans were chosen from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System dataset (available at www.cdc.gov/brfss). These answers were randomly collected through a telephone survey. People ages 18 and elder were asked about their attitude to physical activity, fast foods and junk food consumption. In case of positive answers people were advised to calculate their BMI index and were suggested to take preventive measures against obesity. Representatives of ethnical minorities with low income were chosen in order to prove a direct relationship of high poverty rate and obesity. Therefore, a family attitude to obesity was revealed during this research and thus it was found out that there was a direct correlation between families’ attitudes to obesity and the exposure of their children to being obese. Timetable Week 1 Collection of theoretical data on obesity in America among adults and children Week 2 Collection of statistical data from online sources listed above Week 3 Correlation between theoretical and statistical data Week 4 Research results assessment Week 5 Proofreading and correcting the paper Dissemination This research paper provides a look of the Interactionist Perspective on the problem of obesity among children. In accordance with data collected it is obvious that it is necessary to work at certain programs in order to overcome obesity among ethnic minorities with low income. On the basis of collected statistical data it is clearly seen that ethnic minorities and families with low income are potentially obese people. In case such measures as an appropriate governmental support, development of nutrition programs and programs propagating physical activity are taken, obesity levels will efficiently decrease. Moreover, it is necessary to work at educational levels of ethnic minorities and make information about obesity available to them. For example, lower incomes lead to high levels of junk food consumption that is why the problem of obesity should be and can be controlled by the government.. This research is of high importance for American society because it highlights data about the most stricken social groups by obesity. An acknowledgement of this research is a sign of democratic attitude to any layers of society in America. In such a way government underlines its open policy directed on living standards increase and general perfection of living conditions for their nation. Works cited 1. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System dataset. Retrieved from: http:// www.cdc.gov/brf 2. Department of Health and Human Services. Healthy People 2010. (2000). 2nd ed. With understanding and improving health, and objectives for improving health. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office. 3. Drewnowski, A., Specter, S.E. (2004). Poverty and obesity: the role of energy density and energy costs. Am J Clin Nutr 2004, 79, 6–16. 4. Kimm, S., Glynn, N.W., Kriska, A.M., et al. (2002). Decline in physical activity in African-American girls and white girls during adolescence. NEJM, 347,709–15. 5. Morland, K., Wing S., Diez Roux, A. (2002). The contextual effect of the local food environment on residents’ diets. Am J Public Health 2002, 92, 1761–7. 6. Morland, K., Wing S., Diez Roux, A., Poole, C. (2002) Neighborhood characteristic associated with the location of food stores and food service places. Am J Prev Med, 22, 23–9. 7. Physical activity levels among children aged 9–13 years —United States, 2002. (2003). MMWR ,52 (33), 785–8. 8. Powell, L.M., Slater, S., Chaloupka, F.J. (2004). The relationship between physical activity settings and race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Evidence-Based Preventive Medicine, 1(2), 135–44. 9. Troiano, R.P & Flegal K.M. (1998). Overweight children and adolescents: description, epidemiology, and demographics. Pediatric, 101,497–504. Read More