Healthy People and Issues on Obesity - a Public Health Concern - Assignment Example

Running Head: Health Campaign Healthy People and Issues on Obesity: A Public Health Concern This paper aims to discuss the relevant issues surrounding obesity, as a national agenda specifically identified in Healthy People 2010. It plans to determine the agencies (both local and state) tasked with addressing and managing this issue. The models and systems used to determine and analyze obesity would be proffered including sources of data such as vital statistics, managed care data, and disease registries. In addition, the community and targeted population that the identified objective addresses would be determined. Finally, the epidemiologic surveillance systems and tools used for monitoring and addressing obesity would be examined and analyzed. Introduction Obesity in childhood, teenage and adults is considered an epidemic in the United States. The advancement in technology created rapid changes in the eating habits of individuals globally. However, as countries become more developed in terms of economic status, the greater the availability and affordability of innumerable choices of food that an individual can indulge in. The issue of addressing obesity has been specifically identified as a national agenda in Healthy People 2010. Its relevance and priority in the nation’s thrust to monitor this chronic illness and seek ways to address it are seen in the following objectives, to wit: “The objectives selected to measure progress among children, adolescents, and adults for this Leading Health Indicator are presented below. These are only indicators and do not represent all the nutrition and overweight objectives included in Healthy People 2010. 19-3c. Reduce the proportion of children and adolescents who are overweight or obese. 19-2. Reduce the proportion of adults who are obese” (Health People 2010, Leading Health Indicators, 2009, par. 3) It is the objective of this essay to determine relevant factors affecting obesity. Age, lifestyle, culture, religion and external environmental factors all contribute to one’s vulnerability to obesity. It plans to determine the agencies (both local and state) tasked with addressing and managing this issue. The models and systems used to determine and analyze obesity would be proffered including sources of data such as vital statistics, managed care data, and disease registries. In addition, the community and targeted population that the identified objective addresses would be determined. Finally, the epidemiologic surveillance systems and tools used for monitoring and addressing obesity would be examined and analyzed.\ Obesity is defined as a chronic condition of excess fat accumulation in the body. (Medicine.Net, 2009, 1). Medically, obesity can be defined in relation to the body mass index (BMI). The body mass index “determines whether a person’s weight is appropriate for height by dividing the weight in kilograms by the height in meters squared.” (Delaune & Ladner, 2006, 1394) Using this index, obesity is then defined as a BMI of 30 and above. (Medicine.Net. 2009, 1) The primary causes of obesity are overeating and lack of physical activity. When a person takes in calories much more than what one burns, that persons gains weight. Excess energy is therefore stored as fat. If that person has no initiative at all to engage in any physical activity which would help him or her burn those excess calories, then, obesity sets in. Aside from overeating and lack physical activity, there are enormous factors which contribute to an individual’s being vulnerable to obesity. These are: genetics, composition of the diet, frequency of eating, slow metabolism, lack of exercise or physical activity, medications, psychological factors, and even certain diseases. With different researches undertaken to explore on the factors contributing to obesity, it is revealed in MedicineNet that ethnicity, childhood weight and hormones all have an effect in being obese. There are two (2) types of obesity: android and gynoid. Hashmi differentiates the two by the concentration of excess fat in the body. For adroid, excess fat appears in the upper portion of the abdomen. Gynoid, on the other hand, excess fat is located in the lower part of the body. There is a third type where excess fat is accumulated in almost all parts of the body. As a person gains weight and either consciously or unconsciously neglect any measures to prevent the continuous weight increase, that person increases his or her risk of contracting other chronic illnesses. Among the more prominent diseases associated with obesity are: cardiovascular problems which could lead to heart attack, insulin resistance which could lead to diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, stroke, cancer, osteoarthritis, gout, gallstones and even sleep apnea. Local and State Agencies involved in Addressing Obesity The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services are the primary agencies involved in monitoring obesity. The following agencies keep track of indicators and demographic factors from local communities and populations, as a whole: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, Weight Control Information Network, The Hormone Foundation, The American Obesity Association, and The International Obesity Taskforce, among others. Inquiries regarding overweight and obesity are directed primarily in these agencies for further referrals to local health agencies, as required. Models and Systems of Monitoring Obesity Local and state agencies that are alarmed with progressively increasing numbers of obesity in American population utilize different models and systems to determine and address the issue. Aside from self-measurement surveys (which proved to be relatively inaccurate), telephone interviews, schools are pinpointed to be reliable sources of accurate information of BMI for the whole school population, local health communities’ managed care data through patient information, and through surveys conducted by local and state agencies to update their current record and file. The National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health accord grants to deserving institutes that delve into research on this field. In one of the studies conducted by the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute, a mathematical model of the immune system’s role in obesity related chronic inflammation was developed and analyzed. (Diaz, P., Gillespie, M., Krueger, J., Perez, J., Radebaugh, A., Shearman, T.,Vo, G. & Wheatley, C.) Data collected are evaluated, classified and analyzed according to parameters: age, gender, income group, sex, environmental factors, and lifestyle, among others. Significant results are highlighted and closely monitored. Additional information are collected to verify the cause of prevalence of alarming factors leading to preponderance of the disease. Statistics on Obesity in America The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) monitors obesity trends among various states in America and compiled findings over the past 20 years. According to their official website, “during the past 20 years there has been a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States. In 2008, only one state (Colorado) had a prevalence of obesity less than 20%. Thirty-two states had a prevalence equal to or greater than 25%; six of these states (Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia ) had a prevalence of obesity equal to or greater than 30%.” (CDCP, 2009, par. 2) Epidemiologic Surveillance Systems As averred by Caroli, Wijnhoven & Branca, “at the moment body mass index (BMI) is the most accepted anthropometric measure to assess overweight and obesity in epidemiological studies.” (2007, 143) In a study conducted by Vignally, Baldissera, Binkin, Arrighi, & Amoros (2008, 1) “to assess the impact of health promotion and disease prevention programs and to identify subgroups at greatest risk, the World Health Organizations 2002 report recommended implementing risk factor surveillance. In the United States, the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) was established in the early 1980s to monitor the prevalence of health risk behaviors.” The CDCP has assigned a specific division, the “Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (DNPAO) (that) currently funds 25 states to address the problems of obesity and other chronic diseases through statewide efforts coordinated with multiple partners.” (CDCP, Overweight and Obesity, 2009, par.1) The DNPAO has pinpointed behavioral targets within which they monitor the progress of identified groups and populations. The behavioral targets specifically identified include: decreasing the frequency of viewing television; identifying high energy dense food and decreasing consumption for these; minimizing the consumption of sugar laden drinks; increasing intake for high fiber foods such as vegetables and fruits; and encouraging physical fitness and activities. Local and state agencies use these behavioral risk factors to monitor any drastic changes in current obesity level per state to be compared to past levels. Any significant deviation would be evaluated and assessed as to the factors which caused it and determine the appropriate action to immediately solve it. Epidemiology Tools Within Other Areas of the Health Care System The epidemiology tools are analyzed based on specifically identified objectives or goals of the agencies’ programs to address the issue of obesity. In conjunction with efforts of the 25 funded states, the DNPAO “monitors the prevalence of overweight, obesity, nutrition quality, physical activity levels, and the program impact to change overweight and obesity related behaviors, particularly nutrition and physical activity.” (CDCP, Funded States, 2009, par. 5) The success of the local agencies’ plans towards the accomplishment of goals to address obesity are measured against the plans of the state, the implementation plan outlined per annum, the work plan for the yearly cooperative agreement, and plans forged on a per state basis. The CDCP has outline recommendations for those afflicted with the illness; as well as for public and private health practitioners. The official website provides guidelines and recommendations for local communities in the form of strategies and measurements to prevent obesity in their specific areas. When collated, the data form part of the national statistics which inform the public of the updates on this chronic illness. Conclusion Being a chronic condition, the treatment for obesity would involve a long time commitment to change one’s lifestyle in food preference and exercise. The Healthy People 2010 provide the framework to advise and direct the public on relevant information about preventing and addressing this illness. There are numerous local and state agencies within the country that gives authoritative data, facts, and statistics; as well as goals, projected outcomes, and recommendations to assist the public afflicted with obesity. Likewise, professionals, both in local and state agencies, are ready to assist individuals in ensuring that an effective successful long term weight loss is achieved. However, despite the number of alternative treatments and sources of public health campaigns advertised and made easily available, it is still the individual’s determination to lead a happy, healthy life that is first and most important step in the treatment for obesity. References Caroli, M., Wijnhove, T.M.A., & Branca, F. (2007). “Methodological considerations for childhood surveillance systems: the case of obesity.” Journal of Public Health. Vol. 15. No. 3. 147 – 153. Springer Berlin / Heidelberg Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP). (2009). Overweight and Obesity. Retrieved 29 Nov. 2009. < http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/stateprograms/index.html> ----------------------------. (2009). Funded States. Retrieved 29 Nov. 2009. < http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/stateprograms/fundedstates.html> Delaine, S. & Lander, P. (2006). Fundamentals of Nursing:Standards & Practice. Delmar Learning. USA. Diaz, P., Gillespie, M., Krueger, J., Perez, J., Radebaugh, A., Shearman, T.,Vo, G. & Wheatley, C. (n.d). A mathematical model of the immune system’s role in obesity related chronic inflammation. Virginia Bioinformatics Institute. Virginia Tech. Hashmi, D. Types of Obesity. Hashmi.Com. Retrieved 29 Nov. 2009. Obesity (Weight Loss). MedicineNet.com. Retrieved 29 Nov. 2009. < http://www.medicinenet.com/obesity_weight_loss/article.htm> Office of /Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (ODPHP). 2009. Quick Index. Retrieved 29 Nov. 2009. < http://odphp.osophs.dhhs.gov/> US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). 2009. About us. Retrieved 29 Nov. 2009. < http://www.hhs.gov/about/> Vignally, P., Baldissera, S., Binkin, N., Arrighi, J., & Amoros, J.P. (2008). Using the Italian Surveillance System (PASSI) as a Model to Track Health Conditions and Risk Behaviors in Corsica. PubMed Central. Prev Chronic Dis 2008;5(3). Read More