Fast foods, Healthy Choices, and Kids - Weight Impact - Research Paper Example

Fast foods, Healthy Choices, and Kids - Weight Impact Introduction World Health Organization (2010) defines obesity as an “abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health.” Obesity is not a rare issue especially that most of the contributing factors which affect the percentage level of the said disease are found mainly on the influences of society. Obesity has penetrated American communities nowadays due to factors such as improper diet, failure of health monitoring, and lack of self discipline. This paper will talk about the current health, healthcare, and food access of New York in relation to its effect on childhood obesity. Using the facts and statements from different healthcare organizations, the paper will dissect the leading causes of obesity and possibly work on a proposition for its resolution, following an aim of providing a deep understanding of the current obesity situation. On Overweight and Obesity According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (n.d.), there are five main factors of obesity: nutrition and eating habits, physical inactivity and sedentary behaviors, socio-economic status or race and ethnicity, genetics, and advertising and marketing. Lifestyle is the umbrella factor of nutrition and eating habits and inactive behavior. In this case, obesity is choice since lifestyle can always be modified depending on the will of an individual. In the case of child obesity, the so-called individual choice is not really part of the matter since children are not totally aware of the benefits of having a sound body; all they wanted is to eat whatever satisfies them without thinking of how much caloric intake is appropriate for their age. This is where the role of the parents and the government comes in. However, due to the competent world of workers, parents sometimes fail to perform this role. On the other hand, the government needs more improvement of their projects concerning the issue. One of the busiest cities in the world is New York; thus dubbed as “the city that never sleeps.” The Empire State and the Statue of Liberty are landmarks which depict the improvement of New York and its transformation through the decades. However, alongside the numerous improvements the city has undergone, there are also significant counter-effects especially when it comes to health. New York’s access to healthcare programs is significant when it comes to ensuring public fitness as government provides healthcare programs to its citizens. Consequently, adult citizens are constantly working to meet certain financial demands; the result would greatly affect the New York children. “Children are getting more of their food away from home.” Energy intake from away-from-home food sources increased from 20 to 32 percent from 1977-1978 to 1994-1996,” the USDHHS (n.d.) contends. New York has a lot of potential economy-wise. However, some problems concerning childhood care were overlooked by its citizens. According to Barbara Dennison (cited in Winter 2005, p.24), generally, obesity is “an individual problem,” however, when the problem affects the children, it becomes the problem of the community. Naturally, children especially in their elementary years are active, love to play with their neighbors, and find fun in mock adventures, but in the age of PS3 and internet, such activities are becoming second options or even last. According to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as cited in Business First (2006), 33.4% of the American kids suffer from obesity, as of 2004. Dunning (2004) argues that the lack of supervision of parents to their children is one of the causes of obesity. With both parents working due to the economic situation, children are left out at home and consume their time playing video games, watching television, and eating excessive junk foods. The television also shares a blame for these children’s choice of food. The advertisements of fast food restaurants and junk foods are always attractive to the children, enticing them to buy such products. Marketing strategies such as giving toys for a certain meal package is currently a hot topic among restaurant owners and politicians. McKinley (2010), in his article in New York Times, revealed that McDonald’s is not very happy about the resolution which bans toy give-aways if not meeting the specific nutritional requirement for each “Happy Meal.” Of course, establishments would think about the resolution’s effect towards the business. However, it seems that fast food is the saving grace for busy parents. Dunning (2004) said that “convenience of a drive thru restaurant” would be a great help for working parents to do a day’s schedule. Thorpe et al. (2004) conducted a study on New York City elementary school as to know the percentage of children affected by obesity. They have found out that 24% of the children enrolled in the 69 participating schools are obese, 14% are overweight and only 4% have normal weight. A more alarming fact was revealed by a study that mortality rate among the overweight is getting higher. According to Rabin (2010), the study tells that children who suffer that have high Body Mass Index are more likely to die prematurely before age 55. Looker (n.d. cited in Rabin 2010) said that obesity in children has “long term health effects through midlife — that there is something serious being set in motion by obesity at early ages.” According to Trend PK (2010), obesity can be found in homes which receive lower income, same as true according to Hartocollis (2010), who said that most obesity problems are severe in less-affluent areas. He added that “Among New York City children who were overweight, 22 percent were obese, compared with 19.6 percent nationally.” In 2003, there were only two neighborhoods in New York City which have high obesity rate. An update of the study in 2007 showed that there were an additional five neighborhoods that joined in the category. These neighborhoods would include: “three in the Bronx, the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, Rockaway in Queens and northern Staten Island.” Obesity rate among children is rising; however, on a recent study conducted in 2008 by the Centers for Disease and Control Prevention Center (2010), a stabilized rate was documented. Roughly 2% raise was recorded between 1998-2003, but in years 2003-2008, there was only an increase of 0.1%, a remarkable achievement for the fight against obesity. Social Determinants of Obesity Since obesity is not just a personal problem, it is a considerable fact that society is also to blame about the growing number of obese people not just in New York but around the world. To embrace the problem as a worldwide issue would be a step towards the recovery of the said disease. Historically speaking, fatness was not all the time ridiculed and viewed negatively. The 19th Century Britain viewed fatness as a quality of being wealthy, beauty, and prestige. A much older proof of the claim, fat is beautiful is the antique statuette called Venus of Willendorf, where it depicts a woman with large belly and extra size body built. Qvortrup (2003) stated that a “stone age man evidently preferred a big girl” who can “both carry and nurture his offspring under the harsh conditions of the Palaeolithic world.” However, the modern world is well-equipped of things for temperature protection, and the use of excess belly would be too obsolete. The trend was given emphasis by the fashion industry and devaluing the purpose of excess body fat. This is reasonable because it has been found out that most diseases are associated with unwanted fat, although too much dieting is also condemned due to the same quality of damage that may afflict the health. Although there is an insufficient study about obesity and its relationship with race, blacks are continually associated with this notion. In a study made by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, blacks are more prone to short sleep duration which makes them highly susceptible to obesity and diabetes (Anon. 2009). In relation to this claim is the study between the relationship of sleeping patterns and junk food consumption among adolescents. McCann (2010) argues that teens who sleep below the average of eight hours per week are most likely to consume more junk foods than those teens who sleep eight hours a day or more. This is due to the fact that “reductions in sleep duration may alter metabolic rate and affect the production of leptin and ghrelin, two hormones that regulate appetite” (McCann, 2010). The study also identifies the female teens to be more affected because they most likely engage themselves in emotional eating, especially if stressed and during extreme emotional events. This study has shown race is not a reason of being obese, but rather the lifestyle associated with a particular race matters more. A more society-based context would include the influence of media to obesity. Although both does not have a direct relationship to one another, it has been found out, by the Kaiser Family Foundation (2004) that the television culture has rapidly changed the course of activities the children make, much so in the advent of computer games. Media has its own share of blame pertaining to the increasing rate of childhood obesity. Again, parental supervision comes too important when it comes to this aspect. “Putting too much weight” on the Economy The result may have effects in the future work force and overweight children tend to grow as adults with serious health conditions that may be an additional burden to the health care system and possibly harm the economy. An article by Business First (2006) contended that 10 percent of the total medical expenditures serve as financial aid for obese-related illnesses such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and cardiovascular infarction. Moreover, American establishments have an ongoing problem about the high price of healthcare services. Obese Americans “reduce their quality of life” as they struggle in the disease (Helmich 2009). Obese patients would cut down their expenses for personal consumption; however, the money spared would not be intended for savings but rather as a supplement for buying medicine and availing medical procedures. This would not have a direct impact of the national economy, assuming that the patient did not avail of the Health Care Insurance by the government. A report by NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene revealed a staggering 3.2 million New Yorkers diagnosed with the said disease, which automatically means an additional burden for the health care funds. “Fatness equaled more financial risk” (Stokes 2004). According to the report, 75% of the New Yorkers, especially to adults do not engage in physical wellness activities and nine out of ten people do not eat the specified daily required amount of fruits and vegetables. In addition, Kayner (2010) said that “health economists” estimated a $215 billion cost on direct medical services, productivity cost, transportation costs and human capital costs. All these might go skyrocketing if early weight problems were not treated. If combined with the obesity problems of adults, an overall $344 Billion annual health care cost would be taken from the funds. Childhood obesity is a problem of all sectors of the society and such a problem must be addressed if a progressive community should be wanted. New York HealthCare and Services for Obesity United States has been known for outstanding medical advantages than any other countries. Health insurances and financial aid by the government have been helping individuals with their medical needs. It has been found out that obesity is more prevalent in households receiving a low income (Nestle 2010). Consequently, families belonging in this bracket are the ones who needed more medical privileges. The total spending of MedicAid is $10,861,780.00 (StateMaster 2010), intended for medical assistance for the less privileged. On health issues where lifestyle is the most dominant factor, physical treatments may not be enough but a total lifestyle transformation. It has been noted that kids nowadays are having inactive lifestyle due to some social changes. These social changes have affected children’s health. In response, the government has provided programs about awareness and treatment of obesity. Programs Against Obesity Stories behind the obesity disease are both dramatic and alarming. One New York mom named Julie Pearson lived like a nightmare when two of her kids became the exact opposite of her and her husband’s weight. If she should describe herself as a “beanpole,” then she would not settle on the same adjective when it comes to her kids. When her eldest son was 13, “he was six-feet tall and weighed 240 pounds” (Bernard n.d.), while her younger son is growing up to become much like his brother. According to the report, the weight issue ironically started when she and her husband got worried about their son’s dormant hours spent on computer games; they hired a guy nanny which encouraged their son to go out and play in the park, but after the game, he cooks for his son and himself a double-sized meal. Her son literally “blew before her eyes.” Such case by Mrs. Pearson and her sons is not a solitary thing. It is a growing social problem in the whole vicinity of New York, where fast foods and fast paced life style are a perfect combination of producing an obese community. Knowing that obesity is more than just a laughing matter and bullying problems, the New York City government formulated programs which strengthen the fight against childhood obesity. Activ8Kids! is a health program by the New York City Department of Health launched in 2005 where its aim is to develop healthy lifestyle among New York Children by encouraging them to consume 5 kinds of fruits and vegetables, involving them at physical activities, and reducing screen time by 2 hours. The program is a cooperative project by the New York government, the parents, and schools (New York State Department of Health 2007). Another program is Childhood Obesity Prevention Initiative, where it encourages the families to have a positive behavior, disseminate information so as to reach areas with very alarming obesity rates in New York, and to help school administrations to have a rigorous plan for teachers to train students (Children’s Museum of Manhattan 2010). Oz (2007) said that the New York obesity prevention program aims to “increase the availability of fresh foods to underserved areas of the city,” promoting “green markets” in the neighborhood. The program is set to deliver information on the importance of vegetables and other nutritious foods. Moreover, athletes get themselves involved in the fight against obesity. Health Plus (2008) releases its announcement that LMC, PS172, and the “Brooklyn” NETS are joining their campaign for a healthy New York. Fitness is very important for athletes in achieving their success, thus having athletes as an aid to propagate good health advice might be a good idea. Programs as such by the government and private, non-profit organizations may have different ways in addressing the needs of an obese New York, but their aim boils down into one thing: to fight obesity and reducing its rate especially among children as much as possible. Accessibility of Health Services Medicaid and Medicare are two of the government’s programs to ensure health care accessibility for US citizens. The difference between the two is that Medicaid supports people with low income to get a quality healthcare service while Medicare is for senior citizens seeking medical attention. In a study conducted by Marder, et al. (2005), it was known that “children treated for obesity are roughly three times more expensive for the health system than the average insured child,” and they too are more likely to be hospitalized resulting to a higher cost for medical aid for obese children. On the other hand, a ridiculously serious fact is that “morbidly obese” people cannot enjoy the benefits of a high technology treatment because they would not fit into different hospital equipments such as M.R.I or CAT scan machines, neither can x-ray machines penetrate into their bodies to “produce useful images.” Peña and Glickson’s (2003) story about Mark Rosenthal is an example, when the man had several difficulties in getting himself into the hospital--from getting into the ambulance to getting proper diagnosis through the scans. He cannot carry his own weight; which made walking such a difficult act for him. Although he has access on the medical benefits, still, Mr. Rosenthal cannot maximize it simply because he literally and physically cannot do it. Such cases are one of the reasons of not getting the right benefit but other than that, the government is doing the best it can do in providing the needs of its obese citizens. Food Access in New York: How does it contribute? Getting the right kind of food with the right amount is the main concern of obesity. It would determine if a person would be able to have the benefits of a healthy body, except if some health issues would intervene. Apparently, it should be the schools and the homes who would be the first to inform the young about how necessary it is to follow healthy diet; however, they failed to do so in many cases. The fact that most people are busy performing their jobs and enriching their careers, it is not a wonder why the children are left out. As technology gets higher and children get more prone to advertisements on junk food and unhealthy fast-food restaurants, obesity has a good chance in penetrating the youth. More so if there would be less supervision with their meals because of the rising population of working mothers and fathers. Fast food establishments are mushrooming throughout the community. They assure low price, good tasting food with few minutes waiting time. Convenience is the main “seducing factor” of many fast food chains. Consequently, this may lead to a certain backfire when it comes to health. According to Center for Science for Public Interest (CSPI) (2009), New York City’s fast food should include calorie content of their products on its menus, for information to the customers. The New York State Restaurant Association opposed the city’s ordinance thinking that it has “violates the First Amendment.” However, the local government argued that the city is obligated to follow the Nutrition Labeling and Educating Act. One third of the Americans’ caloric intake is taken from food establishments and without the necessary information about the caloric content of the menu means risking the population to obesity (CSPI 2009). On a report by Herrera (2010), 84% of the New York parents bring their kids to fast food restaurants once a week. Thus, the implementation of the said ordinance should be enacted for parents’ need to be informed of the nutritional value of the food their children are taking. Proximity to these kinds of restaurants also endangers the health of the people. In a study by Columbia University, they have found out that children whose schools are near fast food restaurants are more likely to be overweight than those students whose privilege of accessibility to food chains were not given (Rabin 2009). On the same article, it has also been noted that a study in Yale University proved that accessibility to fast food chains contributes to the rising percentage of obese Americans. Every place in America has its own fast food franchise or at least a branch of fast food chains; making citizens more prone to eating unhealthy foods. As a response, First Lady Michelle Obama has launched a program in which the aim is to fight childhood obesity. The campaign provides healthy options for school cafeteria, encourages more active lifestyle, and “making healthy foods available for all Americans” (Nestle 2010). Obesity may be a result of many factors including the media, the nature of business, and lifestyle; however, it boils down to one’s “personal preference.” Phillips (2006) reported in NBC about two obese girls from Bronx, New York who sued McDonald's for “making them sick.” The issue has been a laughing matter for most people but it has raised questions about who’s to blame of a fat America. Also in the said report, John Banzhaf said that restaurant and fast food industries should be held accountable, although he does not set aside one’s choice. He said that “modern law recognizes that balanced against personal responsibility is corporate responsibility.” Just as what packaged goods do, fast food restaurants should also put nutritional information on their menus since it is a right of every consumer to be aware of what they purchase. Statistics show that in New York, there are 15% of children who are overweight and have the possibility of getting obese. This means, if the numbers are constant, 15% of the adult population in New York in the future is at risk of having heart attack, high blood pressure, and immobilization due to excessive fat. Alarming as it is, the consumers, especially the parents, should be informed on what is on the menu. Conclusion and Recommendation New York has gone changes, bringing the pros and cons. The issue of obesity does not only affect a marginal population such as the children. Eventually, these children would grow bringing with them the effects of being obese which could affect the society, directly or indirectly. The most probable thing that could happen of having a large population of obese adults would be a weak human resource. Human workforce is essential in bringing up a healthy society and if society has failed to produce healthy, able, and qualified-to-work individuals, the economy would suffer. Banzhaf (n.d. cited in Phillips 2006), said that the fast food industry is the next tobacco, since it is the same in many ways. According to him, the tobacco industry has been using different people to “downplay the harmful effects of smoking,” making the consumers blind of the consequences it can bring. Now, the fast food industry is doing the same, risking hundreds of thousands of lives. There were countless changes in New York; from edifices to lifestyle. Advancements in medical technology and widespread of information producing different healthcare programs, have been working hand-in-hand so as to reverse obesity in the society. The government should act accordingly to solve an ailing community; however, there should also be self-help. “Consumers are the most important player in the solution to the obesity epidemic because they make individualized choices about food and lifestyle” (Verduin et al. 2005). It is an obligation of the people to make themselves informed about the possible consequences of obesity, if they are to make a healthier life. Weight loss programs might be an answer but prescription from doctors about what type of weight loss procedure one should undertake is also important. Of course, one cannot attain a slimmer body overtime. Others might resort to excessive or unprescribed intake of weight loss pills which are also harmful and may cause severe health damage instead of providing good health. There are many ways on how to reduce one’s weight, but what it takes to make it effective is sheer determination and a firm choice to a healthier life. As what has been mentioned, obesity is a societal issue and not merely an individual endeavor. Different aspects in the society must counteract and make necessary actions to make a successful outcome in the fight against obesity. References Aldersberg, J., 2010. Fast foods, healthy choices and kids. Eye Witness News, [internet] 8 November. Available at: http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/health&id=7771882 [Accessed 15 November 2010]. Anonymous, 2009. Race and short sleep duration increase the risk for obesity. Physorg.com, [Online] 8 June Available at: http://www.physorg.com/news163645437.html [Accessed 10 January 2011]. Bernard, S., n.d. Baby fat. New York Magazine, [Online] Available at: http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/features/n_9887/ [Accessed 10 January 2011]. Business First, 2006. Obesity bad for economy, business. 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