Problem of obesity in America - Essay Example

?Problem of Obesity in America Research done indicates that obesity is one of the biggest issues in the United s and it affects thousands of individuals annually with devastating effects. Statistics from CDC (Center for Disease Control) and Win show that majority of the Americans do not take the issue of obesity seriously. Instead, they have adopted a culture lacking self-care; they get obese each day without considering how obesity leads to other illnesses. Studies indicate that the Americans eating behavior and lack of desire to change their lifestyles is very low. The studies urge the Americans to adopt healthy lifestyles in order to reduce the effects of the epidemic and to have a leaner America. Problem of Obesity in America Introduction Obesity is a big issue in most of the countries in the world and in particular in the United States. The condition has affected and caused the death of thousands of people in the United States. Studies indicate that the illness comes with a number of problems that do not allow the Americans to live a normal and healthy lifestyle. The problem is brought about by the adoption of lifestyles that are not healthy. The problem is also genetically inherited and tends to run within the families. Majority of Americans do not take the issue of obesity seriously; instead, they have adopted a lifestyle that is not healthy and this has made the effects of the condition become devastating. Americans ought to give less focus to genetics which plays a significant role in development and adopt healthy lifestyles such as eating proper foods and exercising in order to get a healthy body and combat obesity. Causes and Prevalence of Obesity in America The issue of obesity is problematic in America and it seems difficult to stop; the trend indicates that everybody might be following this unhealthy lifestyle. However, it has come a time when Americans need to fight and control obesity. Studies indicate that the problem of obesity in America tends to run in families. This means that genetics plays a significant role in its development and is therefore a factor that should not be ignored when seeking to combat the health issue. However, in reality, the genetic factor does not work in isolation with respect to the occurrence of obesity. What this means is that even those individuals who come from families whose members are obese can escape the condition if they control their eating and engage in activities that result in the expenditure of energy. Studies indicate that 75 percent of the women in the USA are obese and they frequently eat unhealthy food; it is probable that their children will be obese as well (Hayden, Eugene & Morris, 2006). Americans must foresee the future and accept change and live healthy lifestyles in order to reduce the risks of passing the illness to the next generations. By accepting change and adopting healthy lifestyles, these women can prevent the occurrence of obesity in the next generations. The studies also show that pregnant women who take care of themselves tend to have healthy habits and there is a high chance that their children will be born healthy and have a healthy lifestyle (Hayden et al., 2006). The Americans must take care of their children’s health in the future and teach them how to live a healthy lifestyle in order to reduce the impact of obesity. Parents must make sure that they teach their children at an early age the correct eating behaviors in order to avert the effects of obesity (Center for Disease Control [CDC], 2011). How to Deal with Obesity in the American Society Obesity is commonly associated with stigmatization, low self esteem, laziness, and high risk of heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers and breathing difficulties. In order for Americans to control obesity, it is necessary for them to visualize and motivate themselves to a healthy lifestyle. However, the commitment requires eating proper foods (a balanced diet) in order to have a healthy body. They ought to stop eating trans and saturated foods and focus on living longer by having a perfect diet plan. A survey done on individuals who had meals in a fast food restaurant twice in a week showed that they gained 4.5kg and they had high chances of developing conditions such as obesity and diabetes 2 (Stender, Dyerberg & Astrup, 2007). It is probable that the Americans can reduce the effects of the condition by changing their eating behaviors and adopting eating behaviors such as eating healthy foods several times in a day. Studies show that eating healthy foods 5 to 6 times a day, every 3 hours and in small portions will increase metabolism and burn the fat (Hayden, Eugene & Morris, 2006). Some of the ways in which Americans can minimize the possibility of becoming obese include eating protein rich foods, unsaturated fats, low carbohydrates and drinking a lot of water. In relation to this, studies have shown that 90% of individuals who strictly follow a diet plan achieve amazing changes in their bodies (Hayden et al., 2006). Examples of these healthy eating habits include eating egg whites, whole grains, vegetables, fruits, fish (boiled tilapia), salmon, chicken breast and turkey burgers (CDC, 2011). Americans should also eat mono and polyunsaturated fats and for better results, they should cook all their foods using olive oil. The mono and polyunsaturated fats include canola oil, olive oil, avocados, nuts and seeds. The problem of obesity in America is due to the lack of care for a healthy life. This means Americans need to envisage accepting the change to a healthy lifestyle by setting up a commitment for a healthy future. In order to achieve this, Americans should have self-motivation, self care, self love, and perseverance that will enable them utilize their will power , follow a diet plan and do daily exercises. The result of these will be a healthier life and healthy body. Inactivity as a major contributor to gaining weight and issues with obesity is alarming in America. Studies have shown that there is a close relationship between low levels of physical activity and weight gain in both sexes. They have also associated prolonged television watching contributes with obesity (Ahima, 2011). Americans must therefore motivate themselves to jog, run, ride bikes or even join a gym in order to ensure they are always active. Research has also shown that physical inactivity while at workplace is another major factor that leads to obesity. This is the case especially given that individuals tend to sit in one place for long periods of time during their working shifts (Pope, 2011). In relation to the above, Americans must therefore avoid being in the same place for all their working hours. Instead, they must walk around in their workplaces for example walking round the block of compound during break times. In fact, studies have revealed that as little as thirty minutes of physical activity two to three times a week is beneficial and can lower the risk of obesity and other illnesses (Ahima, 2011). This calls for Americans to utilize their will power to motivate themselves to do any type of sport or exercise at least for thirty minutes. Conclusion Although genetics plays a role in the occurrence of obesity, the main contributor to the problem of obesity in America is the lack of care for a healthy life and unhealthy eating marks this. The other main contributor that boosts the effects of unhealthy eating is high levels of inactivity which is witnessed both at home and at the workplace. The government has little or no control over the issues of individual self-care and participation in physical exercises. This means it will only take the power of every individual American to overcome the problem of obesity, a terrible epidemic that is taking many lives annually. In order to minimize the impact of obesity and combat associated health risks such as heart disease, Americans must adopt healthy eating habits and lifestyles as a matter of priority. Americans must essentially adopt a culture of self-care that should begin by changing their lifestyles. This means they should put in deliberate and quality efforts in adopting healthy eating habits and engaging in various types of physical activities. These range from a simple work round the office block, jogging round the estate into active involvement in sports or gym. The eating habits should be applied both at home and outside for example using the recommendable cooking oils, eating the correct amount of food into reducing dependence on fast foods. Americans should also adopt a lifestyle of walking to places. They should for example walk to the workplace, school or market other than using vehicles if the distances are not so great. The reduction of the risks of obesity should begin right from the time of conception. This is to say, pregnant women must always maintain healthy eating habits in order to avoid bearing children who are overweight. At the same time, the children born should be introduced into healthy eating lifestyles right from the time they are weaned. Healthy lifestyles will greatly minimize the role of genetics in increasing the risk of obesity. For any commendable accomplishments in terms of reducing the risks of obesity, every American should first have a desire to change their lifestyles. This means that without self-motivation that drives deliberate actions, very little can be accomplished in terms of reducing the risk of obesity problems in America. References Ahima, R. S. (2011). “Digging deeper into obesity.” Journal of Clinical Investigation. (6) pp 2076-2079. Hayden, B. Eugene, O. and Morris, W. (2006). Patient treatment adherence. New Jersey. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Obesity in America. (2011). Online: http://www.obesityinamerica.org/ Statistics/index.cfm. Retrieved on 7th July, 2011. Stender, S. Dyerberg, J. and Astrup, A. (2007). Fast food: unfriendly and unhealthy. International Journal of Obesity. (6) pp 887-890. Tara, P. (26th May, 2011). “Sedentary work cited as factor in rising obesity”. The New York Times. Read More