Obesity Prevalence Trends in Texas Adults - Article Example

 Obesity Prevalence Trends in Texas Adults Part I: Assessment Table 01: Obesity Prevalence Trends in Texas Adults (1990 to 2009) Source: (Window on State Government (Texas), n.d.). The figure 01 clearly demonstrates the historical obesity trend in adults living in Texas. From the year of 1990, normal weight trend (which is reflected by blue line) has been clearly diminishing from the level of 57.1 per cent in 1990 to 33.1 per cent till the end of 2009, reflecting overall decline of 24 per cent over a course of 19 year period. On the other hand, the trend reflecting overweight adults highlights that more adults are gaining weight and entering into this category over this course of period. Overall an increase of 6.6 per cent has been reported during this period. In other words, Texas adults continued to gain weight particularly in this type of classification. And it is this category that contributes its part to the obese category in the subsequent period. Subsequently, the red line, which represents the level of obesity in adults living in Texas, has been continually experiencing an upward trend over these years by recording a growth of more than 17.2 per cent during this period. In addition, the figure 01 also highlights that an increase of 139.8 per cent in obese people has also been recorded during this period. In other words, it can be deduced that the obesity is the single health factor that has been increasing with an alarming speed in the Texas population. Table 02: Share Percentage (Obese, Normal and Overweight) Adults by Race or Ethnicity in 2009 (Texas vs. the U.S.) Source: (Window on State Government (Texas), n.d.). Obesity refers to the presence of considerable amount of body fat (Davies et al., 2008). This figure highlights obesity found in different ethnic communities living in Texas by comparing Texas statistics with the statistics of the United States. In 2009, the White has almost same level of normal weight (36 per cent) and overweight slightly higher in the Texas (37. 9 per cent), and 25.7 and 26.4 per cent in Texas and the United States respectively. In other words, in the Texas population, overweight population is comparatively higher than the rest of the United States of America. Based on this situation, it can be inferred that the eating habits, lifestyle, and certain other factors that directly or indirectly contribute to obesity are considerably higher or more active in Texas than in the other parts of the United States. However, when the percentage of obesity is compared, the subsequent results highlight that the United States has 26.4 per cent obese people whereas 25.7 per cent has been recorded in the Texas. This slight difference cannot undermine the existing eating habits and lifestyle structure effects on the prevalence of obesity in Texas. In turn, obesity directly affects mental health as well (Ali, 2012). On the other hand, the Black community’s statistics considerably reflects the same level of difference which has been found in the statistics of the White community. Overall, obesity found in the population of Texas is almost of similar level that has been common in the other states of the country. However, the most important issue highlighted by the figure 02 is that the percentage of overweight adults in Texas has been higher in all ethnic communities living in Texas than the communities living in other parts of the country. This trend clearly hallmarks that the Texas population has more chances to experience rise in the number of people falling in the trap of obesity because of their current living style which is reflected by the figure 02. Table 03: Share Percentage (Obese, Normal and Overweight) Adults by Educational Level in 2009 (Texas vs. the U.S.) Source: (Window on State Government (Texas), n.d.). Obesity is a serious threat to children (Dixon and Beaty, 2013). The figure 03 compares obesity issues in students living in Texas and other states. The figure highlights that in the less than high school category, 24.5, 37.9 and 37.4 per cent has been identified as normal weight, overweight and obese respectively in Texas whereas 34.2, 33.1 and 31.7 per cent has been categorized as normal weight, overweight and obese respectively in the United States. In this figure, it is clearly depicted that the highest percentage has been provided by overweight category, which is 37.9 per cent, in the classification of less than high school. Based on this situation, it can be extracted that students are not having those eating habits which decrease the chances of obesity but the trend reflects that they are heading towards obesity trap. At the same time, when this figure is compared with the statistics provided by the United States, it can be highlighted that overweight students are more common in Texas than in the United States and the same is also reflected by the statistics of obesity in which Texas has more obesity percentage than in the United States, demonstrating that this category (less than high school) is at greater risk of falling into the trap of obesity. In the high school classification, Texas statistics are 31.5, 36.7 and 31.7 per cent in normal weight, overweight and obese category respectively. In addition, 31.2, 35.1 and 33.6 per cent has been highlighted as normal weight, overweight and obese respectively in the post-high school classification whereas 38.9, 38.7 and 22.2 per cent has been reflected as normal weight, overweight and obese respectively in the college graduate category in Texas. Based on this trend, it can be extracted after receiving high school education, majority of the students able to retain normal weight which is reflected by the figure 03. However, when the entire Texas bars are taken into account, the results demonstrate that yellow and red line are more visible than the blue color, highlighting that the issue of overweight and obesity is not something that can be undermined but needs more attention from the society members for reducing its spread throughout Texas through laws, regulatory policies and other individual and collective measures. Part II: Policy Development Table 04: Obesity Prevention Policy Source: (Texas Department of State Health Services, 2006). This is policy portfolio pursued by Texas Department of State Health Services. It has used exemplary approach to highlight and expound the obesity policy framework for the Texas population. In the obesity prevention policy framework, the focus has been the school going children in the first policy step in which physical activity has been emphasized for increasing fitness level of students. And this has been promoted through imparting them into curriculum as reflected by the first step in the obesity prevention policy. However, this step does not elaborate the type of physical activity essential to fight against the issue of obesity. In the absence of such clarity, it would be very difficult to assess the fitness level and meet the required level of fitness. In addition, this policy step does not set certain health benchmarks essential to highlight the current level of fitness and required level of fitness among the school going children. Consequently, it will be very difficult to compare the actual and required level of performance improved in the school going children over a certain period of time. It is highly recommended that the policy makers should develop certain health and fitness benchmarks pertaining to schools and at the same time, they should collaborate with the school administration for implementing them in letter and spirit. And it has been recommended that obesity issue must be tackled at the school level (Jennifer and Eriksen, 2010). In the second step mentioned in the obesity prevention policy, emphasis has been laid on the traffic-calming measures for developing pedestrian and cycling areas in Texas. Through this measure, the regulatory body is trying to provide healthier environment in which physical activity is promoted through physical infrastructure. In this regard, it is important to highlight that this policy step looks more effective. However, at the policy level, this measure is useful but it should have more clarity by putting certain milestones in these areas by allocating particular amount should have been mentioned for improving the current such infrastructure and building the newer infrastructure. Table 05: Obesity Prevention Policy Source: (Texas Department of State Health Services, 2006). In the fourth step, the policy is directed towards employers. This policy step requires that the employers should include wellness program in the employee benefit package. Simultaneously, this step also highlights the importance of physical activity for adults living in Texas. This policy measure looks more result-oriented as it endeavors to include physical activity in the commercial activity. However, this measure has not further elaborated the type, time, and level of wellness program to be included in the employee benefit package. In this regard, it is significant to highlight that some firms may not agree with this type of policy because this measure has potential to increase the business cost and reduce productivity of employees. Under such condition, it will be highly challenging to implement this measure in all business activities. For implementing this policy measure, it is recommended that the state and local administration should remain in close collaboration with the business community and they should work out a workable framework in which this objective is appropriately included in the employers’ policy. At the same time, they should be satisfied if they are facing any issue relating to the actual implementation of this policy measure. Affordable healthy food prices have been highlighted in the last step of the obesity prevention policy. This policy has the significant effect on the overall health index of Texas. Through this policy mechanism, the main factors causing obesity are being directly addressed. However, there are certain gaps in this policy. For example, how will the retailers be able to cover the cost gap which is created after providing affordable healthy food prices? This is and this will be a main hurdle in this policy. At the same time, it is still unclear what kind of regulatory authority will be given to the related regulatory body to ensure the prevalence and implementation of this policy mechanism across Texas. Part III: Assurance New initiatives These steps against the spread of obesity must be result-oriented and measureable as well. For example, each step should have short term and long term goals which should be actively pursued. For extending the use of healthier employees in Texas firms, it should be ensured that certain number of firms will have to be registered in coming six months. And this planning should be written and well documented as well. After the end of six months, the actual and planned results should be compared and this comparison should be used for assessing whether stated objectives have been met and at the same time, gaps and loopholes should be highlighted and subsequent remedial measures should be taken for reducing the impact and presence of gaps. And for reducing these gaps, social marketing and local communities should be accessed and mass awareness programs should be arranged (Institute of Medicine, 2009). Before using these measures, it is recommended to realize the gravity of obesity for the community and nation as well (Waters et al., 2010). In addition, at the personal level, adults should understand their part for fighting against the spread of obesity. At this level, they should know their eating habits and lifestyle and should know whether their current lifestyle is compatible with the healthy lifestyle. Through this way, they will be able to maintain a healthy lifestyle which is and will be main step against obesity in Texas. Conclusion Texas faces the issues of overweight and obesity as well. The growing number of overweight and obese people clearly highlights that certain steps must be taken at the state, local and individual level in which each part should play its role by appropriately satisfying the required conditions for stopping the problem of obesity. At the state level, obesity prevention policy has been developed and at the individual level, healthy lifestyle should be adopted. References Ali, N. (2012). The Obesity Reality: A Comprehensive Approach to a Growing Problem. Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. Davies, D.H., & Fitzgerald, H.E. (2008). Obesity in Childhood and Adolescence: Understanding Development and Prevention. Connecticut: Praeger Publishers. Dixon, A.E., & Beaty, E.C. (Eds.). (2013). Obesity in Lung Disease: A Guide to Management. New York: Springer Institute of Medicine, (2009). Childhood Obesity Prevention in Texas: Workshop Summary. Washington: National Academies Press. Jennifer, A.O., & Eriksen, M. (Eds.) (2010). Childhood Obesity Prevention: International Research, Controversies, and Interventions. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Texas Department of State Health Services, (2006). Texas Obesity Policy Portfolio. Texas Department of State Health Services. Retrieved: https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/obesity/NPAOPreports.shtm Waters, E., Seidell, J.C., Swinburn, B.A., Uauy, R. (Eds.). (2010). Preventing Childhood Obesity: Evidence Policy and Practice. New Jersey: Wiley. Window on State Government (Texas), (n.d.), The Obesity Epidemic. Window on State Government. Retrieved: http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/obesitycost/epidemic.php Read More