Management and Prevention of Obesity in Adults and Children - Research Paper Example

Obesity Obesity is a world-wide problem that is known to cause numerous health risks for both children and adults. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines obesity as “a condition of abnormal or excessive fat accumulation in adipose tissue, to the extent that health may be impaired” (World Health Organization 6). Stettler and Shelly define obesity as a condition that is characterized by the presence of excessive body fat that may lead to health problems (Stettler and Shelly 1).Obesity is a serious condition which causes several health risks that include heart diseases, diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis and breathing difficulties. It is also one of the common prevent able causes of death in both children and adults. The condition is stigmatized in many parts of the society, however there are individuals who associate it with wealth, prosperity and fertility. Body Mass Index is used to define the extent of obesity in an individual. It is also evaluated using the waist-hip ratio. The development of obesity is not inevitable since it can be prevented by means of lifestyle changes (MacGregor 44). Causes of Obesity There are many different causes of obesity. Genetic factors are some of the most common causes of obesity. A combination of physical inactivity and too much calorie intake is the major cause of childhood and adult obesity. Sedentary lifestyles and genetic factors have also been known to cause overweight and obesity. Other causes are caused by medical factors, environment factors, People with a high risk of becoming obese include: the lower income earners, former smokers, pre-existing health conditions, emotional factors, smoking, age and lack of sleep. Those suffering from chronic mental illnesses, people with disabilities and those living a sedentary lifestyle (Wadden and Stunkard 23). Consumption of highly levels of calories increases an individual’s risk of developing obesity. A diet that is high on trans-fats and sugar causes metabolic and digestive disorders that contribute to the development of obesity. This is due to the excess fat that is normally stored in the fatty tissues of the body. People who develop obesity due to high calorie intake normally consume more calories than they burn. For instance, an excess of 100 calories a day can cause one to gain 1 pound in a month which can turn into hundreds of excess pounds in a matter of years. Poor eating habits that are commonly characterized by an excessive intake of junk food are some of the common causes of obesity in both children and adults (MacGregor 44). One’s genetic makeup has been shown to determine the person’s weight. In many instances, obesity problems tend to run in the family. This means that an individual’s risk of becoming obese is greater if one or both of the parents have obesity. When there are sufficient calories in the diet, certain polymorphisms which control appetite act as the predisposing factor for obesity. Obesity is common in people who have certain syndromes such as Bardet-Biedl, Prader-Willi, MOMO and Cohen Syndrome. Research has also shown that some ethnic groups are more prone to obesity than others. Some people have vast adipose reserves which store fats in times of abundance so that it is used when food supplies are low. However, having too much of these reserves may lead to obesity if there is a food surplus all the time (World Health Organization 51). There are some medical and physical conditions that have been known increase obesity risk. Some forms mental illnesses and their treatments are the most common medical factors that cause obesity. People with the following mental and physical conditions are more likely to be obese: Cushing’s syndrome, hypothyroidism, eating disorders and growth hormone deficiency. There are some medications that can cause changes in the composition f the body thus leading to weight and obesity problems. These medications include: sulfonylureas, insulin, antidepressants, atypical antipsychotics, steroids, anticonvulsants and some hormonal contraception. These medicines have been known to lower the body’s rate of burning calories. Some of them also increase appetite without increasing metabolism (McDonald 1109). Living a sedentary lifestyle also contributes a great deal to the weight of an individual. A sedentary life normally lacks much physical exertion, something that is characterized by modern working styles. The use development and use of machines has meant that all the heavy work is left to the machines while people deal with the less physically demanding tasks. Children who tend to be obese also have low levels of physical activities due to less walking and a lack of emphasis on physical education in school curriculums. Research has also shown that too much time spent in front of the television and computer increases the risk for obesity (Wadden and Stunkard 27). The environment in which one lives can also be a predisposing factor for obesity. In many neighborhoods in the US, there is lack of sidewalks and recreational facilities that people would use for exercise activities. Gym registration is also costly for many people. Work schedules also play a big role in causing obesity among a larger number of people. Working for most of the day means that people do not get enough time to exercise or walk home from work. The lack of access to healthy foods has also seen an explosion to the number of people who are said to be obese. The media is also full of advertisements of food that are high in calories. Rarely is there ever any mention of foods with low calorie levels (MacGregor 45). When one stops smoking, they are at a high risk of gaining too much weight. This is due to the increased appetite after smokers quit the habit. Nicotine also increases the rate at which the body burns weight, therefore when smokers kick the habit, their systems decrease their rates of calorie burning, leading to excess fat deposits and eventually obesity. Extreme emotional factors can also lead to obesity. This happens when people deal with the excess emotions by overeating, thus increasing their calorie intake. Aging has also been known as one of the less risk factors for obesity (Stettler and Shelly 36). Treatment The only sure way to deal with obesity on the long term is through engaging in regular exercises and healthy diets. This is the only way you can be sure to burn more calories than you actually consume. The most appropriate treatment method for obesity should focus on proper dieting and regular exercises. Medications for dealing with obesity normally work by limiting the body’s ability to absorb fat and making one feel sooner, thus preventing binge eating. For the obesity treatment to work, one must be ready to make lifestyle changes and adopt a consistent diet that has low calorie levels (World Health Organization 65). Prevention The most effective prevention for obesity is following an eating plan that is healthy. Making good food choices and focusing on portion is one way of ensuring that one eats the food that will not cause obesity (Stettler and Shelly 39). The calorie levels in the food should not be too high. Being active is another way of preventing obesity. Engaging in activities and exercises helps the body to break down calories and excess fats, thus keeping the chances of developing obesity very low. Keeping track of one’s eight and body mass index is an important part of the treatment process of obesity (McDonald 1109). Effect(s) of diet Unhealthy diets constitute one of the main risk factors obesity and consequently, many chronic diseases. A proper diet for obesity control and/or prevention should ensure that it helps the individual achieves an energy balance and weight that can be considered to be healthy. The diet has to provide a limited energy intake from the consumption of fats. The diet should include a limited intake of free sugars and an increased portion of fruits and vegetables, legumes, whole grains and nuts. Salt should also be consumed in measured proportions if one aims at controlling and preventing obesity (MacGregor 46). Effect(s) of activity/exercise Physical activity constitutes any body movement that is produced by skeletal muscles and requires the use of energy. Exercise is the physical activity that is “planned, structured, repetitive and purposeful in the sense that the improvement or maintenance of one or more components of physical fitness is the objective” (WHO 7). Physical inactivity has been confirmed to be a major cause of obesity worldwide. Activities that constitute physical activity include: exercise, playing, active transport, working, house chores and selected recreational activities (McDonald 1111). Conclusion Obesity is a condition whose causes are preventable by living a healthy lifestyle and sticking to a healthy diet. Taking care of what one eats and taking part in regular physical activities and exercises is a sure way of keeping obesity at bay. People who are obese can be successfully treated using medication, but it has to coincide with proper dieting as well as physical activities. Genetic causes of obesity can also be regulated by eating right and exercising regularly. Staying in an environment which has ample opportunity for exercise and other physical activities also plays an important role in the prevention of obesity. Having clear health goals is important when one wants to control and prevent obesity. Works Cited MacGregor, Alison. “Managing Obesity.” Occupational Health 61.7 (2009): 44-46. Print. McDonald, Sarah. “Management and Prevention of Obesity in Adults and Children.” Canadian Medical Association Journal 176.8 (2007): 1109-1111. Print. Stettler, Nicolas and Susan Shelly. Living with Obesity. New York: Infobase Publishing, Inc., 2009. Print. Wadden, Thomas and Albert Stunkard. Handbook of Obesity Treatment. New York: Guiford Press, 2002. Print. World Health Organization. Obesity: Preventing and Managing the Global Epidemic. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2000. Print. Read More