The Way Forward to Americas Obesity Problem - Essay Example

The Way Forward to America’s Obesity Problem Details: al Affiliation: The Way Forward to America’s Obesity Problem Introduction More than any other time in history, America admittedly faces one of the most extreme, serious and difficult to treat medical condition with additional threats nearing the effects of the deadly world epidemic HIV virus; approximately 60% of children in America are obese and/or overweight, with the number projected to hit new levels high, doubling the probability of courting extreme effects of numerous preventable acute as well as chronic medical. That in 21st century, an era characterized by advanced technology embodied in advanced healthcare, it is now a recognized fact that an obese American child/teenager is well on his way to a poor, body health throughout their adult life. Indeed as alluded to in the preliminary lines, the upcoming generation of adult Americans are not only staring disaster in the face, but could be headed for more lifespan shortening challenges with much less healthier lives compared to their parents (Olshansky, et al., 2005). Available evidence indicates that statistics of childhood and teenage-hood obesity have more than tripled since 1980 and the prevalence does not appear to be showing any significant downward momentum (Wojcicki & Heyman, 2010). Almost a third of 2 year-old children are currently overweight or obese with an increased likelihood exposure to cardiovascular disease and diabetes, prolonged hospitalization, and/or a subsequent diagnosis with a mental, bone and/or joint disorders than their normal counterparts (Thompson & Wolf, 2001). Worse still, the causative effects of obesity not only harms millions of Americans healthwise, but concurrently bulges-out annual health care costs with little results—more than one quarter of America’s health care budget is devoted to obesity related health issues (Finkelstein & Fiebelkorn, 2003). The above notwithstanding, the problem stands with worse consequences for a society regarded as a front-runner in nearly every sphere of influence, technology inclusive; overweight children adolescents graduate to adulthood with all the health complications that accompany obesity. The Contributing Factors of Obesity in American Children By its very definition, obesity refers to a chronic, complex condition characterized by an excess amount body fat/adipose tissue relative to lean body mass with a resultant effect of “caloric imbalance”—too little calories used in relation to the amount consumed (Daniels, et al., 2005). Noteworthy, the condition is influenced by a host of factors that include but not limited to genetic makeup, behavioral interactions as well as environmental factors. More generally, while the causes of obesity may genetically linked, many of them the causes are behaviorally and environmentally conditioned and are remediable with correct child upbringing. That though there are numerous causes to obesity, behavior-linked factors and the very effects of the environment majorly bear the causative burden of the problem discussed herein. To be specific, obesity comes about as a result of consumption of comparatively more calories than those burned during daily routine activities, sleeping included. Conceivably, the ever changing environment has altered the general population’s eating habits via broadened food options that are clearly less nutritionally healthy. From home to school, to the work place, a huge chunk of America population is accustomed to fast foods such as french-fries, hamburgers, doughnuts and the likes; all of which are the high content carbohydrate obesity causing foods (Kluger, 2004). As Wallinga (2010) reports, individual Americans consumes 400 and 600 more calories in the above foods per day than it was in 1985 and in 1970 respectively. Though relatively inexpensive and convenient in terms of time management, the popular supermarket-stocked food selection stores and the fast food restaurants contribute hugely the American obesity headache. Like restaurants and food-packed selection stores, schools feeding programs have also been blamed for promoting unhealthy eating among young Americans. That apart from the provision of foods rich in fat, calories and sugary foods, the availability of vending machines in such schools make junk foods much easily accessible, yet with little exercise; increasing the very risks of developing obesity. In spite of the adage of physical activity being a natural medical prescription to a healthy lifestyle, most Americans have relegated it to the periphery for cheaper, but rather expensive options; if not an elevator, then it’s a car, computer, or a remote control among other labor/time saving devices; all of which utilize little or no energy relative to the high intake of energy packed foods. Not known to the majority, or either known but ignored, is that a short walk to the bus stop or a short-distant bicycle ride for short distance errands helps a great deal in shedding off unwanted fats under the skin. More evidence to this effect indicates that a typical, modern American child spends roughly 28 hours or more in any given week watching varied TV programs, and that by their 18th birthday, such a child would have seen approximately 200,000 acts of violence with 16,000 simulated murders, all of which add to the burden of correction (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2001). With the advent of online rentals of movies, cable TV shows, pay-per-view TV programs, video games, and other online interactive programs, the 21st century American child is but a more sedentary individual, massively missing out on calories’ burning physical activities. The very sedentary lifestyle is buttressed by the school life where much effort is directed to academic life as opposed to the rather helpful physical activities. The Prevalence of Obesity in the United States According data from surveys covering the periods 1976–1980 and 2003–2006, obesity prevalence rates increased for children between the ages of 2 to 5 by 7.4 percent up from an average of 5.0 percent during 1976–1980. For those aged 6–11 and 12-16 years, an increase from 6.5 percent to 19.6 percent and 5.0 percent to 17.6 percent were recorded respectively (National Center for Health Statistics, 2011). In the year 2000, roughly 19 percent of children between the ages of 6–11 years and 17 percent of teenagers between the ages 12–19 years were either overweight or considered obese. Additionally, 15 percent of none obese children and adolescents were at risk of acquiring the same condition (CRC Health Group, 2012). Presently, about one- quarter of those between the ages of 2-5 year and a further one-third of United States’ school-going children (adolescents included) are either overweight or obese (Flegal, et al., 2012). The Consequences of an Obese Society Being severely overweight and/or obese comes with serious socio-psychological repercussions. Overweight individuals are not only subject to disapproval from family members and friends, but are carried over to strangers in social places such as school events, whose sneers and remarks cause more than enough distress (Guo & Chumlea, 1999). Not surprising, many of such children grow up with distaste of public places simply of self-consciousness, for often times they are larger than normal seats reserved for children or due to uncomfortable accommodations in general. These experiences ultimately combine to cause depression, anxiety, and/or low self-esteem among other mental illness. Just to add on the growing list of consequences, the over than 60 percent of American obese children have a much higher risk of developing not only high blood pressure, diabetes (type 2) and heart disease, but also stands the risks of developing conditional illnesses such as stroke, cancer of the breast, gallbladder disease, prostate cancer and even cancer of the colon compared to those with healthy weight (Kershnar, et al., 2006). Obesity now contributes to approximately 100,000–400,000 deaths each year in the United States with children forming the majority due to their weak systems compared to adults (Blackburn & Walker, 2005). Healthcare expenditures have more than doubled over the recent years costing the public an estimated loss of $117 billion in direct and indirect preventive measures and loss a future capacity to earn either through premature death or via total. Advocacy for Change in Obesity Prevention Methodology The evidence of a society headed the wrong path health-wise is in the open, and intervention measures are of essence to arrest an impending disaster. Action oriented policies that prioritize health education, well balanced nutritional diet and physical exercise must be implemented to help stem the epidemic. Surprisingly, while there are numerous strategies offered towards confronting the same, a universal agreement on how best to tackle the issue of childhood obesity is nonexistent. Researchers and medical practitioners all agree that exercise and appropriate nutrition are essential for preventing obesity both in children and adults. As such, behavior change education has been fronted in all fronts to curb an epidemic that is yet to reach its peak. Because of the complex sociocultural issues involved, such efforts have been limited with regards to the contextual factors that actually define family lifestyles such as poverty, housing instability, employment, and neighborhood influences among other factors that forms the origins of the problem discussed herein. As suggested by Davison, Lawson, & Coatsworth (2012), an all-inclusive model that recognizes the family as the most important institution in shaping a child’s development, and consequently taking a family-centered approach in obesity intervention, but with a more balanced focus on the “intrafamilial and contextual factors” that serve as the origins of maladjustments influencing a child development is but the only way to effectively tackle the problem. Indeed as it is, childhood obesity intervention programs inexistence engage the family unit in modeling healthier development in children. However, many tend to narrow the crucial objective of “improving behavior and body health”, neglecting even more important ecological systems, which are basically the contributory factors. That while addressing the family needs and concerns by empowering them with the requisite knowledge is crucial in tackling obesity, that very knowledge must be wired for adaptability, viability and sustainability beyond the basic family unit [in schools, for instance] in line with the trending cultural values. Knowledge in itself is power. Nonetheless, obesity has reached crisis levels needs an approach that first contextualizes intrafamilial processes and the realties associated with the complexities of family life, for it is only through such a framework that the stakeholders will be sensitively engaged with the cultural issues involved without the loopholes that have degenerative effects into the giant epidemic we have today. That is to say, we need a multipronged approach, with eradication efforts directed right at the children themselves, parents, schools and their systems, and educators, bolstered with sanctions and proper guidelines from the governments regarding food advertisements and dietary choices respectively in order to get any meaningful results. References American Academy of Pediatrics. (2001). Media Violence. PEDIATRICS, 108(5), 1222- 1226. Blackburn, G., & Walker, A. (2005). Science-based solutions to obesity: What are the roles of academia, government, industry, and health care? The American journal of clinical nutrition (American Society for Clinical Nutrition), 82, 207–210. CRC Health Group. (2012). Obesity statistics. CRC Health Group. Retrieved from http://www.weinerpublic.com/CRC_Links.html Daniels, S. R., et al. (2005). Overweight in children and adolescents: Pathophysiology, consequences, prevention, and treatment. Circulation, 111(15), 1999–2002. 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