Assessing the Issue of Obesity in Australia - Essay Example

Obesity Obesity is weight related problem that exposes people to many health risks of both immediate and long-term nature. Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, osteoarthritis, and cancer are some of the diseases that can hurt children with obesity as they grow old and remain unable to combat the weight problem. Some minor health problems also plague obese individuals. Among these is excessive sweating, which results from a reduced ratio of skin to body mass. The problem of obesity is not just related to health but it also has its other repercussions like shame, self-blame, and low self-esteem. Obesity in Australia Australians are considered a part of the developed world and like other developing countries its people also suffer from this great health dilemma of our times, the obesity. The problem of obesity has hit Australians but at the same time the willingness to fight, looking at the causes and taking corrective measures is also there. "More than 7 million Australians aged 25 and over are considered overweight and, of these, more than 2 million are obese, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. The director of the Institute of Health Economics and Technology Assessment, Paul Gross, said as the obesity epidemic rose, Australians were more likely to seek help losing weight" (Kontominas Pars. 3). Measuring Obesity There are different methods of gauging obesity being used nowadays. There are different advantages and disadvantages of different methods. Although accurate measurements of body fat can be made only in a specially equipped laboratory, useful estimates can be reached much more easily. One method of gauging it is by the comparison of body weight and height. In this scenario an ideal weight for a certain height is considered and then dividing the measured weight by the ideal weight, we can then say that a person's weight exceeds ideal weight for height by a certain percentage. Another method that is easy to use and to calculate, is reproducible, and is a generally reliable index of weight for height is body mass index, or BMI."A disadvantage of the BMI is that it varies with frame size and also with leg length. Frame size is assessed by measurement of the distances between certain bony prominences, such as elbow breadth. Another disadvantage of the BMI is that is often hard to explain to parents and others" (Clinton & Smith 21). Whatever way the obesity is measured, it is indeed a problem and a cause of concern for the whole nation of Australia and its future generations to come. Factors There are many factors like genetic, biological, psychological, socio cultural and environmental factors that affect the health and create the problems of obesity among Australians. Genetics One of the reasons of obesity can be found in genes. Many obese parents have a greater chance of having obese children. However, the rate at which obesity has increased not just in Australia but world wide defies the logic of genes. Genes also determine the way a person gains or maintains weight. Some people are able to maintain a reasonable balance between energy input and energy expenditure. Others have a chronic imbalance that favors energy input, which expresses itself as overweight. To an extent the genes is definitely a factor among the causes of obesity but there are other issues also that have increased the problem manifolds. "Genetics alone is one of the major reasons why someone is obese. According to Salbe and Ravussin (2000), parental obesity more than doubles the risk for adult obesity in both obese and nonobese children. In addition, if both parents are obese, there is an 80 percent chance that their children will be obese (Anspaugh, Hamrick, & Rosato, 2003)" (Irwin, Simons & Kerr 33). Environmental factors Research suggests that the real problem of obesity started in the early 80s in most of the developed nations like the US and Australia. The problem extended in the decade of 90s and we can say that different environmental changes contributed a great deal in the increase of obesity in these two decades in particular. for example the decade of 80s brought in its wake a lot of demographic and other environmental changes that largely affected the nutritional habits of the people. Changes in the social structure and pattern of society in these two decades also contributed to the problem. People with dual-career or single-parent working families increased in the latter part of the century increasing the dependency of people on the prepared and easily available food. Similarly other technological changes affected the physical activities of people. For example, people today seem less likely to be traveling more in cars than they were during the early 1970s. Children, teenagers and adults alike today are more interested in TV and computers than they were in the 80s. All these changes over a period of time increased the rate of obesity in Australia. Commercial Aspects Whether it is children or adults their eating behavior is largely dominated by the commercial products easily available in the market. Commercial environment through advertising and other means affects people's purchasing and consumption behaviors as well as the choices they make in how to spend their leisure time. The responsibility of spreading obesity also lies with certain industries like food, beverage, restaurant, entertainment, leisure, and recreation industries. Obesity is more accurately seen as a broader economic phenomenon, its growth driven by such changes as cheaper food, urbanization, the increasing prevalence of desk jobs, and the delegation of food preparation to professionals who whether gourmet chefs or fast-food executives are skilled at making food taste good, and making us want more of it. Children's Issues Whether a child is obese or healthy should be a matter of concern for the parents. Many children in the Australia today are obese. At times diagnosing obesity in children is not an easy job. Most parents on the basis of some idea may think that the child is obese but it is the physician who can decide and diagnose obesity in children. Even for physicians it is not easy to decide whether the child is obese or not. Physicians mostly use experience to detect obesity problem but at times the child looks obese but in actuality child may be relatively taller than other kids their age, or his or her appearance may be due to an unusually large muscle mass rather than to excessive fat. Parents in Australia are now more aware of the responsibilities towards their children. Australians are not only aware of their own health but are also conscious of their children's health. The disadvantages of obesity are so many that it should be nipped in the bud so that it does not affect future generations. "Obesity even in very young children is correlated with higher rates of obesity in adulthood. A study from the late 1990s shows that 52 percent of children who are obese between the ages of three and six are obese at age twenty-five as against only 12 percent of normal and underweight three- to six-year-old children" (Anderson & Butcher 19). Schools Schools are also considered an important place where children get to eat all kinds of food. Availability of energy-dense, high-calorie foods and drinks through schools has aggravated the problem of health among children today. Schools also have a responsibility towards children to make them aware of different body and health issues including obesity. Schools also can play a role by giving a lot of emphasis to physical education. Places like Australia have a lot to learn from other countries like United States and not to repeat the mistakes that have been made by the authorities there. The school systems as well as lifestyles in Australia are heavily inspired by the United States yet they should not follow them blindly. Corrective Measures New and alarming statistics regarding the dangers of obesity are emerging every day. The health predicament that obesity presents to Australian nation and the world is disturbing. Nevertheless, these problems can be alleviated with simple changes in attitudes and behaviors in the vital settings of society. Contribution of Government & Society If obesity is to be controlled in the future then these industries and other active players in the commercial environment must play their due role. For the sake of future of our children and their health both government and private sector must sit together and joined hands in terms of technical assistance, research expertise, and, as necessary, targeted support and regulatory guidance. "OVERWEIGHT and obese people should be financially rewarded by private health funds with such things as frequent flyer points and gym vouchers if they successfully undertake a monitored diet and exercise program, a leading health economist has said. In Britain, health insurers have reportedly begun slashing premiums, offering discounts of up to 75 per cent for members who go to the gym and watch their weight. Australian legislation prohibits using premiums to discriminate, except for age, under the community rating system, but health funds could still provide better financial incentives to tackle obesity" (Wallace Pars. 2). Australian government though is keeping a check on obesity in other ways. For example, health checks have become compulsory for people who choose to migrate to Australia. Among other points under consideration include obesity which is considered a serious issue for migration. These checks ensure that Australian nation is not further plagued by the serious consequences of having more obese people. This also shows reluctance on part of government to encourage the obese culture. In the recent times there has been a lot of awareness regarding health and nutrition. Many private endeavors work for the cause of health and nutrition. In such a scenario government must also act and increase support for public and private programs that educate children, youth, and their families about the importance of good nutrition and regular physical activity. As mentioned earlier both private and government officials must work together for highlighting the importance of consumption of fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain baked goods. Nutritional Importance The first step to combating obesity is raising awareness, including promoting healthy dietary diversity and consumption of nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables. Touting the benefits of traditional foods could also produce nutrition gains. Breastfeeding is also associated with lower rates of obesity and coronary heart disease and so the importance of breast feeding should be highlighted to the mothers. An integrated approach to combating obesity is needed that incorporates national food, agricultural, industrial, and health-care policies, as well as family, civic institutions, and the community. Government and societies should improve nutrition and fitness encouraging walkable communities. Setting physical education requirements, developing policies for nutrition education, and ensuring that foods and beverages sold in schools meet nutritional standards should be the priority of government in all regions of the country. "According to our research, as much as two-thirds of the increase in adult obesity since 1980 can be explained by the rapid growth in the per capita number of fast-food restaurants and full-service restaurants, especially the former. It's not hard to imagine how the explosive growth in these restaurants could fuel the obesity epidemic. Food served in these restaurants has extremely high caloric density, and almost certainly has contributed to obesity. We also found that the very modest growth in the per capita number of fast-food and full-service restaurants accounts in large part for the stability of adult weight in the period from 1960 to 1980, before the first major obesity upswing. During that period, the per capita number of full-service restaurants actually fell. Indications point to restaurant growth as the primary cause of increased obesity after 1980" (Rashad Grossman 104). Fashion & Health Today, not only health, but fashion, too, dictates that lean is in and fat is out. Previously, plumpness was considered as a mark of social status and sexual desirability but not any more. Apart from the stylishness of a slender shape, however, weight control plays a vital role in maintaining good health especially among the Australians. Aussies are considered to be one of the countries where weight loss programs are very popular and people are keen to maintain healthy bodies. The willingness to fight is strong among Australians. Change in Attitudes Change in attitude is very important when it comes to fighting the menace of obesity. A negative attitude towards obese children, teenagers and adults in schools, colleges, neighborhoods and work places may create extra burden and psychological problems. Healthy individuals in society should not in any way discriminate towards the obese. They should instead try to help them out in overcoming their problems. References: Anderson, Patricia M. & Butcher, - author, Kristin F. Childhood Obesity: Trends and Potential Causes. The Future of Children. 16: 1(2006): 19+. French, Simone., Kaphingst, Karen M. & Story, Mary. The Role of Child Care Settings in Obesity Prevention. The Future of Children. 16: 1(2006): 143+. Clinton & Smith Understanding Childhood Obesity. Jackson, MS: University Press of Mississippi, 1999. Irwin, Carol C., Symons, Cynthia W. & Kerr, Dianne L. The Dilemmas of Obesity: How Can Physical Educators Help. JOPERD--The Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance. 74:6(2003): 33+. Brownell, Kelly D. Childhood Obesity. Issues in Science and Technology. 21:4 (Summer 2005): 13+. Cristol, Hope. Trends in Global Obesity: Developing Nations Are Gaining on U.S. in a Weighty Matter. The Futurist. 36: 3 (May 2002): 10. Peck, Don. The Weight of the World: Obesity May Soon Surpass Both Hunger and Infectious Disease as the World's Most Pressing Public-Health Problem. The Atlantic Monthly. 291: 5 (June 2003): 38+. The High Costs of Obesity. State Legislatures. 30:4 (April 2004): 6. Rashad, Inas & Grossman, Michael The Economics of Obesity. Public Interest. 156(Summer 2004): 104+. Wallace, Natasha. Insurers should pay those fighting fat. (January 3, 2008). Available at: Kontominas, Bellinda. Aussies are keen weight watchers. (January 4, 2008). Available at: Read More