The Problem of Obesity - Research Paper Example

The Problem of Obesity From statistical analysis, obesity is becoming a world pandemic affecting millions of people. In fact, in the last three decades, the rates have increased rapidly. This tremendous growth has motivated increased number of studies. From the studies, many scholars have been advocating for a definite correlation between food consumption and the correspondent body weight. Their analyses have been that consumption of restaurant food directly translates to obesity. However, this popular policy of targeting the impact of restaurant food is proving to have no beneficial effect. The policy-makers have targeted the restaurant meals as the direct contributor to the increasing rate of obesity (Powell and Chaloupka 2009:234). Americans who claim that restaurant food adds more calories to an individual as compared to those served at home levels. They have however backed the argument that there is a direct co-relation between eating out and body weight. Therefore in my analysis am going to analyze whether there is a casual link between obesity and eating out. My study has relied on the data regarding rural residents, who have an access to restaurants and more often than not take their meals from them. Restaurants and obesity Consensus has not been realized to explain the rapid growth (Zhao, 2008:59). Obesity has become an epidemic drawing public concern in the recent past. The model of study to verify obesity has taken the relationship between the environment characteristics and the obesity situation. In order to study obesity the researchers concerned with two aspects that is the influences of the environmental make-up like physical activities, mode of transportation and the local food consumed as well as socioeconomic deprivation of community on obesity (Killewo, et al., 2010:311). From studies carried previously, it is indicated that the price of food has gone down notably. The reduced food charges and the vulnerability of energy dense food are attributed to the increasing rates of obesity. Among the influential environmental factors, studies have based majorly on the relationship between the fast food restaurants and the obesity incidence. This food taken away from home especially the fast foods in restaurants have been the target for the academics and the policy makers as the major contributor to the obesity epidemic. The restaurants have been on the receiving end of critics of having foods with high levels of fats sugars. The implication of this is that consumers’ demand for the foods definitely shoots and they end up combining nutrients in the inappropriate proportions. The food and drug administration began regulation on nutrition levels of food supplied in public places. They provided labeled information on fats, cholesterol, sodium, and sugar content of these common foods (Crawford, et al., 2010:359). However, the restaurants are subject to exclusion from the mandate an event that had merits of reexamination. The exemption of the restaurant was due to believe that it was too difficult for the restaurant to over-emphasize on a certain nutritional content taking into consideration its social cue. However, the current study has proven beyond doubts that fast foods offered in restaurants are a major contributor to obesity. The fast foods served in most of the restaurants have limited disclosure and have a wide range of calories of which most of them are feasible. The research established there is a co-dependent relationship between the nutrient taken and bio-economical outcomes. These outcomes are obesity, physical activity, and health status of the persons (Crawford et al., 2010:178). The exposure to the fast foods in the restaurants lowers the resistant ability of the consumer. Food Prices and Obesity The pricing policy has proven to be effective out of the simple taste done in the United States. The often-asked question on the issue of price policy is whether making alterations on the cost of unhealthy and energy-dense foods can change the consumption patterns as well as the overall diet hence a change on the weight outcomes of the persons. Increasing poor dietary behaviors increases the chances of being vulnerable to suffer from obesity or obesity related medical complications (Powell and Chaloupka 2009:237). The issue of food prices has drawn attentions of many simply because cheap priced foods have been found to contain low levels of substantial calories and is energy-dense. The idea of price policing to address obesity has been to change the food prices which will ultimately shift consumption patterns towards a healthier diet and hence a healthier weight outcome (Zhao, 2008:57). Many people consume dietary fat and sugar but take less of fruits and vegetables. Generally, their intake of the micronutrients does not actually satisfy the dietary requirements. This high intake of fats, snacks that are rich in sugar content, soft drinks, and fats foods has an association with increase in the body mass index (BMI) and obesity (Rosin 621). The incidences of obesity were common among the children aged between fourteen and nineteen. Most of the western countries inclusively the United States have started to impose taxes on this category of foods that has biasness on a certain nutritional continent like the snacks, soft drinks, and candy. Considering the Unites States, research has shown that at least forty states impose sales taxes to the snacks, soft drinks, and the chewing gums (Bagchi, 2010:347). These taxes were highest for soft drinks, candy, then chips, and pretzels. Food in the United States is subsidized for the low-income earners. In a general case, the public aims at improving individual’s diet and reduce obesity through food pricing mechanisms. The health risks related to obesity are very many thus; many facilitators have supported its control measures. The price control policy has gained support from the economic rationales that result from significant health care cost of treating diseases as well as disabilities caused by obesity. Changes in food prices directly affect the consumption or the purchases of the same food. Through research, scholars have shown that lowering of commodity prices leads to a substantial increases in the consumption of the same food. Similarly, raising the prices of the low quality foods translates to their low consumption and thus a direct raise in consumption of the healthful foods (Crawford, et al., 2010:362). Obesity in the past few decades has been less consistent due to rational choice model between the relative shifts from less active to consumption of energy-dense food. The general case has been that there is a direct association between food prices and the weight outcomes. Altering the prices has an effect on the consumption habit of any family. The poor people are more price elastic and consume proportionately more of the less taxed food and they derive greater benefits from the same consumption. Therefore, if one alters the prices of unhealthy and maintains or lowers that of the healthy foods, the instrumental effect on the normative grounds is a consistent shift to the relative less costing goods (Stern and Kazaks, 2009:106). The low-income brackets persons of the developed countries are exempted from the sales taxes according to the federal food stamps. Therefore, setting objectives of tax policy to alter food consumption behavior can effectively work. The imposition of or the increase of taxes to the poor grade foods in terms of nutrition would directly translate to low consumption of the same. On the other hand, Imposing subsidies to the healthy foods can influence consumption habits of the targeted audience. Giving subsidies to the manufacturing companies whose products have been certified to be of high quality lowers their production cost. These companies may thus extend the benefits to the customers through lowering the prices of products (Branca, Nikogosian, and Lobstein, 2007:20). This will influence the demand for those goods hence their high consumption. The main argument however is whether pricing policies would help reverse the prevalence of obesity epidemic. Another question, which seems to emanate from this debate, is the exact amount of tax or subsidies that would have an impact on the outcome weight of the population. The general conclusion of a certain research was that small taxes or subsidies do not produce any significant change to the BMI or the obesity prevalence. However, nontrivial pricing interventions might directly translate to a measurable effect on the weighty outcomes of the subject (Rosin 627). Changing the relative prices for the energy-dense foods by taxing highly the unhealthy foods and subsidizing healthier foods, which are less dense in energy content? Subsidies of fruits and vegetables that are either locally produced or imported has also been found to have an impact on the weight outcome of a given country’s population. The greater price elasticity and the induction of subsidies have had great impact to the children and the general family welfare of a low income generating families (World Health Organization., 2000:123). Thus subsides directed to towards low incomers does not only change behavior of daily food consumption but also offsets equity matters that relation with food taxes. Out of the previous debate of food price on consumption patterns of the later it is clear that the individual dietary is determined by primary factors like taste, cost, and the nutritional value of the food. The conclusion now is that obesity has a direct link to consumption of high levels of sugars and fats, as well as a sedentary lifestyle. However, the dietary content contained in these foods is very low yet they form our daily meals. Some market practices are therefore important in controlling the consumption of these energy dense foods. The price reduction strategy promotes choice for of the indented foods as it lowers its cost relative to that of the immediate alternative offered in the same market (Branca, Nikogosian, and Lobstein, 2007:33). The price reduction is an effective strategy to increase purchase of the more healthful foods that are available in a community setting. The developed countries have established policies to curb the spread for obesity. They have set measures like tax increase over soft drinks and junky foods that lower their consumption. The same case had been applying in the cigarette industry. It was not until when the government realized that from accumulated evidences about the health and economic consequences of tobacco. It thus advocated for imposition of higher taxes, which the government has been using to promote healthy conditions in the country (Zhao, 2008:59). Smoke consumption had to lower by more than 160 per cent among the adults in the country. The Economic Causes of Obesity The obesity rates have been increasing significantly for quite some time now. This has developed considerable worldwide public health concern. International bodies and NGOs have altered their attention to educating the public on the causes of the malady as well as setting out strategies that are geared towards minimizing the disease prevalence (Powell and Chaloupka 2009:235). Obesity has become a subject of economic interest because it has a large connection to the health care cost in the western countries. The unintentional weight gain comes due to excessive consumption than one can burn in exercise or physical activities. The un-burnt energy is accumulated in the body in form of fats and continues to increase the body weight. These fats accumulate in bits for a prolonged period. The economic theory of obesity perceives weight gain as an outcome of the rational choice of food consumption practices as the source of energy. These foods vary in calorie content. For example, junk food, which is the focus of study, has very high calories content. Obesity imposes a lot of cost to not only the victim but also the larger society (Bagchi, 2010:349). The economic ability of an individual may catalyze the rate of being obese in various ways. First and foremost people tend to eat more often even if not hungry, may to overcome stresses, boredom, or emotions. Most of these luxury foods, if not all, contain high levels of sugar hence calories. Some foods, that are of ostentation, are blended with high fat and sugar content so that it can attain the relative price intended. The economic stable persons and the rich consume these types of foods (World Health Organization., 2000:123). These foods catalyze the unwanted weight gain a situation called obesity. The economic frameworks under which individuals seek to maximize utility include time and income. Food consumption and activity decisions result from marginal costs and consumption activity decisions that are within marginal cost and benefits. Labels The number of people suffering from obesity is significantly increasing and researchers look forward for it to raise the more. Obesity has been a problem in the developed world but nowadays it has become prevalent to the developing countries. Pricing and labeling are up-to-date being proposed as the most effective methods of controlling if not ending obesity. Food labels are quality marks on the products traded in any market that verify the product as being healthy, safe, and or controlled. The customer purchasing the item has prior knowledge of the quality of the product as well as ingredients before he purchases (Stern and Kazaks, 2009:112). This enables the customer not to purchase products that contain too much of a certain component and lacks other vital parts. In conclusion, the effect of obesity has become of major concern and more problematic across the globe. However, the increasing incidences of obesity cannot be attributed to only environmental and genetic factors. Environmental changes through nutrition and lifestyle should be primarily attributed the current growing epidemics in the United States and world at large. Its effects are very diverse and they reach all persons whether weighty or non-weighty. The fast foods served in restaurants and big hotels contain high contents of sugar and fat simply in order to attain the expected status. The wealthy people are vulnerable of acquiring obesity than the low incoming persons. This is because these people have more leisure time but have no time to cook. They end up falling as victims of restaurant clients (World Health Organization., 2000:139). The weighty people should increase their rate of exercising in order to withdraw the ambiguity that comes with obesity. The government should however set evaluations of projects and experiments that subsidize healthy foods in order to favor the low-income earners. Government should look for the way forward to reduce tobacco consumption and other unhealthy foods by increasing taxes and revenues, programs that aim at obesity prevention. Bibliography Anderson, M. L. and Matsa, D. A., 2011, Are Restaurants Really Supersizing America?, American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, 3, pp. 152-188 Bagchi, D., 2010. Global Perspectives on Childhood Obesity: Current Status, Consequences and Prevention. London: Academic Press. Branca, F., Nikogosian, H., and Lobstein, T., 2007. The Challenge of Obesity in the Who European Region and the Strategies for Response: Summary. London: World Health organization. Crawford, D. et al., 2010. Obesity Epidemiology: From Aetiology to Public Health. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Killewo, J. et al., 2010. Epidemiology and Demography in Public Health. London: Academic Press. Powell L, M. and Chaloupka, F. J., 2009, Food Prices and Obesity: Evidence and Policy Implications for Taxes and Subsidies. The Milbank Quarterly, 87 (1), pp. 229-257 Rosin, O, The Economic Causes of Obesity: A Survey. Journal of Economic Surveys, 22 (4), pp. 617-647. Stern, S. J. and Kazaks, A., 2009. Obesity: A Reference Handbook. New York: ABC-CLIO. World Health Organization., 2000. Obesity: Preventing and Managing the Global Epidemic. New York: World Health Organization. Zhao, Z., 2008. Neighborhood Effects on Obesity. Illinois: ProQuest. Read More