Impact of Technology Adaptation on Obesity in Increasing or Decreasing Its Rate within Society - Research Paper Example

? Obesity and technology Obesity and technology The main focus of this study is to understand the impact of technology adaptation on obesity in increasing or decreasing its rate within society. For this purpose, a number of advantages and disadvantages of adaptation of technology with regards to obesity will be discussed in the paper. Also, a number of methods have been introduced in the paper to notify the manner in which obesity can be treated with the usage of advanced technology. Introduction Obesity is considerably a chronic diseases which has been observed to increase with a fast pace globally. As per the statistics provided by Pearce and Witten (2012), it was marked that almost 72 million people have been affected in 2012 by obesity around the world. (Pearce & Witten, 2012). It should be noted that there are a number of factors which have contributed to the increase of obesity victims. To count few, eating patterns and habits have changed lifestyle of various societies. Consequently, such factors have made obesity as a chronic disease. In addition, technology advancement is considered as another highly contributing factor in understanding obesity. As a matter of fact, the contribution was made by technology alone to the disease of obesity is both positive and negative. Several researches and studies have been carried out to determine the relationship between technology and obesity. According to the findings of Pillsbury and Pray (2011), it was estimated that about 40 percent of obesity prevalence is because of the eating habit while 60 percent is due to the adaption of technology among people of differing ages and backgrounds (Pillsbury & Pray, 2011). The usage of technology in the shape of video games, television broadcast, computers etc have eliminated physical activities from the society which has further contributed to increase obese population. Contrary, the other researches argue that the adaption of technology has also provided several cures for obesity. The advancement and adaptation of technology has enhanced the living standards and decreased the obesity rate. Technology has enhanced the measures to overcome obesity in the global society. Health experts recommend that the development and advancement of technology enhanced methods to overcome obesity as well as increase obese in the society. There have been several studies and information involved in the paper to determine aspects of health and technology. These studies examine adaption of technology and its impact on the obesity rate in various regions. Obesity and overweight have become one of the global problems. According to the report of World health organization, obesity rate was 1.6 billion adults and 20 million children under age of 5 years (American council on science and health, 2009). The experts believe that the obesity rate will increase to approximately 2.3 billion by the end of 2015 (Pearce & Witten, 2012). There have been several health problem associated with the increasing obesity rate, in order to cope with these health issues. The advancement of technology the rate of the obesity has been highly influenced (Freedman, 2013). Health experts and health organization are trying to determine the advancement of technology and its impacts on human health (Pearce & Witten, 2012). According to the world health organization report obesity has been rapidly increased with the advancement of technology. This report aims to examine affects of technology on obesity. Advantages Technology has enhanced the methods and treatments of obesity. Advancement and development in technology has enhanced the treatment methods for obese people. According to the study of American health and sciences it has been determined that technology development has significantly decreased obesity in past five years (Pillsbury & Pray, 2011). Studies indicate there are several factors contributing to obesity. Advancement of technology has provided innovative methods for researches to determine these factors. According to the report of American health and sciences, the advancement of technology has allowed to determine the genetic cause for obesity (American council on science and health, 2009). Through the advancement of technology innovative methods, exercises and health techniques have been introduced to cure obese. The usage of technology has allowed researchers to determine several aspects this chronicle disease. Technological advancement has ensured better understanding and study for obesity. Studies have allowed examination of factors impacting obesity i.e. health, physical, and genetic factors. Treatment and method During the decade, technology in the field of drugs and medicine has enhanced measures to prevent and control obesity. According to the world health organization report, obesity cannot only be stated as a result of high calorie intake or less physical activity, perhaps there are various genetic, biological and health factors causing obese among people of different ages (Freedman, 2013). Therefore, it is essential for the health experts to emphasis on obese factors. For the purpose, a wide range of treatments and medicine have been introduced to overcome obesity. Development of technology enables us to focus and diagnose accurate factor for the disease. One of the major factors of the obesity is the inherited genes. Development in genetic technology has allowed us to cure obese through genetic infusion. Furthermore, a variety of anti-obese drugs and medicines are introduced. These medicines have various combinations that cure obese with regard to sustaining factor For example: Xenical and Acomplia. Obesity can also be treated by various artificial treatment and surgeries. People facing from extreme obesity have access to artificial surgeries like liposuction to overcome obesity. People suffering through obesity are at higher risks damaging health. Researches and studies exhibit that the people with high obesity rate are prone to severe health risks like heart attacks, diabetes high blood pressure etc. Development of technology has influenced life style and pattern. According to World health organization report, it has been determined that developed countries have more advance technologies as compared to other countries (Pillsbury & Pray, 2011). Technology adaption in developed countries have influence every aspect of society like school, business, households, workplaces etc. People of every age have an access of technology it has influenced life patterns and living of people (Pearce & Witten, 2012). Children have access to video games, Xbox, internet etc. this has developed their interest towards outdoor games and sports (Pearce & Witten, 2012). Adults are more addicted to watch television, spending times on social networks and internets. It has encourages them to engaged in health and fitness club to maintain their health. According to the world health organization, about 50 million adults are victim of obesity (Pillsbury & Pray, 2011). United States has the highest obese rate of 34 percent in adults, followed by Mexico 30 percent, New Zealand 26 percent, Australia 25 percent and Canada 24 percent (Freedman, 2013). According to the national health statistic, during 2000-2010 media and television broadcast has induced young generation to overcome obesity. Food consumption Development of technology has induced food consumption and eating patterns of individuals. The innovation of technology like television, cinemas and videogames have increased the screen times of people of all ages and gender. During the television and gaming time it has become a trend to consume high calories snacks like soda drinks, chips, popcorns etc (Freedman, 2013). This has induced the high processed food consumption and eating habits of the people. Contrary, the physical activities of the people have significantly declined, whereas the high calories food intake has been increased. The increasing intake of high calories snacks and processed food are reported to have high obesity level (Freedman, 2013). According to the health experts people having high calorie are prone to obese. Technology in the food industry has increased the trends of processed food and fast food. The advertisement on the television and internet has immensely influence eating habits of the people (Pearce & Witten, 2012). According to the research, the methods adopted by the food industry and food chain involve higher health risks and obesity. The method and technology used in processing food are reported to have high obese and involve higher health risks. Physical activities Technology has encouraged the pattern of adapting health lifestyle. It has enhanced the means of physical activities for the people around the world. Technology development has provided the facility of indoor exercise equipments and sports to encourage physical activities. Various exercise, diet plans, fitness equipment and methods have been developed to overcome obesity. According to the world health organization, technology has facilitated fitness and health by providing different fitness equipments. On the other hand some experts argue that the adaptation of technology is relatively high in developed countries as compared to under developed countries. According to the research of Pearce and Witten 2012, adaption of technology has made people lazy and has eliminated physical activities from their lives (Pearce & Witten, 2012). This is one of the major factors that has increase obesity rate globally. Technology has facilitated several aspects of life i.e. recreational, health, sports, education and fitness etc (American council on science and health, 2009). It has created opportunities for people of every age to engage themselves in physical activities. According to the study of pray and Pillsbury 2011, it is anticipated that the obesity rate will be declined to 45 percent through development of fitness and health institutions in next 10years (National Academic Press, 2011). During the last 5 years the screen times of the people have rapidly increased, while children are more interest in watching cartoons, surfing internet and playing games at home (Freedman, 2013). Gaming software developer Xbox has introduced Kinetic devices to encourage physical activities (DeMattia & Denney, 2008). These devices and innovation are an attempt to encourage physical activities among young generation. Sport broadcasts and channels have induced passion of sports among the young generation. This has further allowed the children and young generation to involve themselves in sport clubs. Technology has enhanced the means of physical activities for the people and further allowed people to engage themselves in fitness clubs (Meister & Doyle, 2009). These physical activities promoted through the innovation of technology shall cure obesity level in the society. Through the above discussion of technological adaptation as a positive and negative factor impacting obesity, it can be concluded that the development and advancement of technology has enhanced mediums to overcome obesity as well as increase in obese population. But the fact remains that the technological advancement has actually proved a way to deter obesity at the same time. There are several treatments and methods to overcome obesity among the upcoming generation. The technology development has contributed to reduce obesity level at a global platform. Therefore, the contribution of technology to reduce the obesity level in the global society can be achieved thorough adapting technology in a positive direction. References List American council on science and health. (2009). Obesity and Food Technology. New York: Americna Council on Science and Health Inc. . DeMattia, L., & Denney, S. (2008). Childhood Obesity PreventionL successful community-based efforts. 615-839: Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science. Freedman, D. (2013, June 19). How Junk Food Can End Obesity. The Atlantic , p. Online. Meister, K., & Doyle, M. (2009). Obesity and Food Technology. New York: American Councl on Science and Health. National Academic Press. (2011). Leveraging Food Technology for Obesity Prevention and Reduction Efforts. New York: National Academies Press. Pearce, J., & Witten, K. (2012). Geographies of Obesity: Environmental Understandings of the Obesity Epidemic. Chicago: Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. Pillsbury, L., & Pray, L. (2011). Leveraging Food Technology for Obesity Prevention and Reduction Efforts: Workshop Summary. Washington DC: National Academies Press. Read More