The Problem of Being Overweight in America - Essay Example

Obesity in America December 2006 Obesity in America Print Book Hales, Dianne. (2006). An Invitation toHealth, Eleventh Edition. Thomson & Gale: USA. Hale’s new chapter on Obesity and Weight Management has been given a particular attention so as to emphasize the rising epidemic worldwide and the associated consequence in America’s “super-sized” society. The topic gives readers a summary of the issue of varied eating patterns, the result of being obese, and practical tips on overcoming weight problems and losing weight. Supplemental information on diets and diet supplements are also provided. Hales emphasized the following important topics: weight assessment, unhealthy eating behavior, eating disorders, “globesity,” and some practical tips to overcome weight problems. With the advent of modern technology, the global population is experiencing the silent epidemic called “globesity,” as about one out of every four people are said to be obese The aforementioned problems on weight management compelled Hales to indicate ways to overcome excess weight. Particular attention has been given on the “psychology of weight loss,” especially in man’s perception of what is and what is not fat. Furthermore, Hales also recommended the “60-minute solution;” which is comprised of a regular work-out of 20-minutes for three times a week, in order to encourage modern society to participate in regular physical activities. Reference Book Marsh, L. R. (1996). Navy: Nutrition Weight Control and Self-study Guide. In Forge the future Fit Today for Tomorrow’s Challenges. United States: US Navy. A reference book for service members who want to improve their individual health and fitness, this serve as a guide primarily for weight management that incorporates all the aspects of losing weight safely and effectively. Using this guide in combination with your commands physical conditioning program will assist you in reaching your personal goals. It encompasses basic concerns on exercise, proper nutrition, diet, dining out, and the proper way of eating. Navy service members, as well as ordinary civilians, will find this book interesting if they want to lead a healthy and nutritious way of living. This material should not be used as a one-time, "quick fix," to attain ideal weight limits. It is imperative that the information contained in this material be referred to and implemented throughout one’s career. It may have been prepared for naval officers, its presentation of self-study guides can be appropriate even for obese people. Print scholarly journal Steinbeck, K. & Pietrobelli, A. (2005). “Editorial: Pediatric obesity highlight: looking into the future.” International Journal of Obesity, p. 1-2, 0307-0565/05. Although this journal does not particularly tackle a specific study on obesity, nevertheless it concludes recent findings on the status of childhood obesity in the country. Furthermore, it also tackled on future prospects in the field of obesity research and development, particularly in the areas of: understanding the aetiology of obesity, relationships of biomass index on healthy and obese adolescents, prevention of childhood obesity, management of established obesity in childhood and adolescence, and weight management programs. Overall, this article emphasizes the need for critical awareness and educational promotion on the issue of childhood obesity in a problematic society. It is also useful in challenging current efforts in providing deeper research and long-term funding for obesity in the United States. Online Scholarly Journal Anderson, P. M., butcher, K. F. & Levine, P. B. (2003). “Economic Perspectives on Childhood Obesity.” Questia Online. Vol 27. Retrieved December 2006 from website: . This article reports on the recent trends of obesity, as well as its overall economic implications on the American household. This article is unique in the sense that it has managed to evaluate childhood obesity in a socio-economic perspective. By comparing the amount of food intake to the number of work hours a mother would take in a week. By this simple comparison, the authors’ are able to assess differences between a well-monitored child and a child’s obesity status through time. Indeed there are other methodologies that can be employed in assessing the socio-economic status of obese children. The authors’ have succeeded in naming one of them. Print Newspaper Cheng, M. (2006). “Europeans OK Anti-Obesity Charter.” Washington Post. Although this article focuses on European’s move to alleviate, if not completely eradicate the growing number of obese people, it provides an excellent example for the United State’s quest for answering the issue of obesity in the country. Legislations on safeguarding the health and nutrition of the people, particularly on childhood obesity, are crucial in maintaining and enhancing the overall integrity of the country’s potential and current manpower. The article also acknowledges the fact that obesity is not an issue that should be taken for granted. With the current efforts of the European nations, it is hoped that the United States will follow suit. Online Newspaper The Globalist. (2004). “Obesity – Big is Beautiful?” The Globalist: Dedicated to Global Understanding. February 27, 2004. Retrieved December 2006 from website: . In a question and answer format, this article tackles the issue of obesity informatively – starting with current demographics and the issues associated with it. The presentation and style is not comparable to a typical print newspaper, but the language used to convey information, as well as the informative style, emphasizes that it has a wide readership, from elementary students to working adults. At a glance, the article can be deduced as a compilation of various written materials, with essential information, merged into one. This is helpful for young students who are having difficulty doing research work, while being able to inform its young audiences. Scholarly Web Page American Obesity Association. (2005). Obesity in the U.S. Retrieved December 2006 from website: . This site provides invaluable information on the demographics of obesity in the United States. It discusses the overall prevalence of obesity from 1980 to 2000. Furthermore, it also provides information on its health and social impacts. Obesity prevalence based on age group and gender is also compared from 1980 to 2000. On the other hand, it can also be deduced whether the issue of obesity is significantly related to educational level and geographic distribution of the individual. Such information provided by the American Obesity Association is crucial in educating innocent minds on the issue of obesity, and its prevalence over the past decade. News or General Interest Web Site Lohn, M. (2006). Girls study: More weighing, more trouble. December 7. Retrieved December 2006 from website: . Weight-conscious girls are more likely to become obese or unhealthy, according to Lohn. In the 2,516 junior high and high school girls and boys of University of Minnesota, research showed that about 92% of girls often weigh themselves and get into more eating problems as compared to their male counterparts. Lohns’ article may provide some link among childhood and adolescent obesity. But more importantly, it emphasizes that continued weight-consciousness will lead to deeper problems in weight behavior. The figures are well presented in an argumentative fashion. However, it only encompasses one subject group of girls and boys in the United States. Other universities must be encouraged to follow suit in order to confer with the validity of the University of Minnesota research. Popular Web Page Levmore, Saul. (206). Obesity and Brocolli. February 28, 2006. Retrieved December 2006 from website: . Levmore attempts to compare the edibility of vegetables as compared to McDonalds food offerings in the eyes of the children. Further in his blog, he provides useful insights on the quest for eating natural food, and the implications of unnatural food, particularly on the issue of obesity. More importantly, he concludes that the market is being dictated by man’s demands for unhealthy food. This site is suggests the personal opinion of the blogger, and not the general opinion of health-conscious eaters in general. It is useful in getting and comparing opinion from other people. But it can also be taken out of context if not read carefully. Multimedia Source Spurlock, M. (Director). (2004). Super Size Me [Documentary]. New York: Samuel Goldwin Films. This documentary tackles how a fast food giant like McDonalds is able to contribute to the growing number of obese Americans. Morgan Spurlock takes documentary on a higher scale as he sacrifices his body and health in eating McDonalds products for one straight month. On the other hand, it also interviewed several health experts on the implications of eating McDonalds products for one whole month, while discussing a comparative analysis between a normal child and an active McDonalds eater. While documenting the struggles of Spurlock, the film never failed to feature a case filed against the food giant, for allegedly causing the obesity of one child. A must-see-movie, Spurlock was able to tackle the issue of obesity right at its very hands. Any research on obesity can never be complete without watching this movie up to the very end. Read More