Causes and Effects of Obesity in America - Coursework Example

Causes and Effects of Obesity in America Introduction According to Wyatt, Karen and Patricia Para (56), obesity entails a nutritional disorder subjecting an individual to gain excessive weight beyond the normal average weight of a human being. Obesity has been pronounced a major problem by most countries globally especially the United States where its effects has led to numerous complications including coronary diseases such as heart attack and related syndrome. An obese person is said to have accumulated exercise amount of body fats making it difficult to be directly absorbed by the body hence resulting into negative health effects. Based on the latest statistics in the United States, obesity has recently been classified as a disease by American medical association that extremely affects most demographic groups. The disorder leads to an escalation in medical costs of up to $ 90,000 annually. For most obese patients, the disorder has resulted into an increase in blood sugar levels mainly from improper diets characterized by very minimal exercise. Besides, some of the above conditions have also been contributed due to customs, beliefs, attitudes and genes that tend to replicate abnormally (Wyatt, Karen and Patricia Para 56). Causes of obesity in the United States Obesity has become a pandemic phenomenon in the United States. The situation is on the increase to an extent that almost 35% of the average American population currently have their normal body weight exceeded by over 25 percent (Brownell, and Christopher 433). According to medical surgeon general from Texas, two out of every three Americans will test positive of obesity. There are several reasons amounting to increased chances of obese some of which are predominant variables that can be adjusted accordingly through simple control measures such as regular exercise or a change in lifestyle. Some of the common causes of obesity include among the following Diets and a change in lifestyles Brownell and Christopher (433) clarify poor eating habit and inappropriate nutrition as some of the leading causes of obesity in the United States. If anybody does not engage in any simple physical activity, he is likely to be subjected into frustration leading to an increased weight that impact on negative health. Besides, poor nutrition is also a major problem leading to overweight among American citizens. If the body becomes deficient of the most important nutrients, then it will slow down thus making it difficult to shade weight. The above has been mainly enhanced by the abundant availability of junk foods and convenient accessibility to fasts-food restaurant. Most nutritional consultants argue that Americans depend on junk foods which, is on the contrary to meals cooked from home. The above has been driven by the fact that they are extremely committed to making their meals (Brownell and Christopher 433). Such kind of foods mainly contains too much amount of calories with fewer amounts of nutritional components. As such, it results into adequate provision of the required nutrients into the body. As such, the body will gain extreme amount of weight further leading to obese complications (Brownell, and Christopher 433). Poor tolerance to activity It has been noted that on average, Americans life is characterized by extreme luxurious life as compared to most countries globally. The above type of a sedentary lifestyle is mainly characterized by consistent movement aboard cars, conversation using mobile phones and digital controls associated by game pads. With respect to the above scenario, most people would, therefore, incorporate inconsistent routine exercise occasionally within their scheduled routines. Moreover, the American economy has been on the decline thus subjecting majority of the societal members to work for longer duration of time. As such, the concurrent need for returns and very minimal time for physical exercise leading to overweight (Brownell, and Christopher 433). Genetics Variation in genome also contributes greatly towards storage of fats at the point it gets accumulated into the body. Genome alone does not directly contribute to obesity. However, it has contributed immensely to obesity-related syndrome such as Prader-Willi and Bardet-Beidl syndrome. Research carried in the state California clarifies that some form of obesity often tracks into family lines where an individual may have high chances of a similar risk from the relatives (Brownell and Christopher 433). The above is a typical scenario along family lines even if they do not share a common roof. In essence, a bigger population that contributes to the highest percentage of inherited variations of obesity is often hereditary in nature due to a predictable pattern in life and similar activities such as eating patterns and dietetics. Age factor Age factor of an individual also impacts how a person gets obesity. For instance, most Americans beyond the age of 50 often slow down in response to taking up physical activity. The above tendency is often as a result of the contribution due to loss of muscle mass due to increasing in age. Physicians have pointed out that the physical activity of a person often goes down when one becomes inefficient. Therefore, it becomes very difficult to maintain metabolic circulation that is required for a standard weight (Brownell and Christopher 433). Other nutritional studies have also pointed out that much of the diets that Americans rely on never decline with the age factor while there is a considerable decline in energy expenditure. As such, there is an accumulation of excessive body fats into the body associated with a decline in hormonal growth hence leading to an abnormal increase in body weight otherwise resulting into obesity. Effects of obesity Some of the research that has been lately carried out in the past have brought very close relations between obesity and genetically modified food (GMO). Out of the research, it was noted that organism that are fed on GMO foods puts on weight very fast as compared to the ones that are fed on natural food items. The above is evidence that GMO foods increase chances to obese. GMO foods have played a considerable role towards food sustainability globally. However, there is still high possibility that such types of foods can always be avoided to reduce chances of the contracting obesity (Klesges et al. Para 26). For instance, there should be a significant reduction of processed food products within the diet. Moreover, before making purchase of a junk food product, one should be so sure to check they are indicated certified GMO or non-GMO products. Health and wellness Obviously, there is a considerable problem of putting up with extra weight brought as a result of obesity. As pointed out by most of the researchers, there is a burden of bearing a higher body index since it increases the likeliness of episodic sinus headache. It has been pointed out that almost 85% of persons who are suffering from obesity are more likely to experience unnecessary headache compared to those who are of the right health status. More often, older women who are obese suffer such kind of headache (Klesges et al. Para 26). Increased chances of coronary diseases Holtz (318), argues that people diagnosed of obesity are of more potential to contracting serious medical conditions such as cancer, stroke, diabetes or respiratory related complication. Such kind of persons, usually, has an increased healthcare dependency ratio hence posing much stress to healthcare delivery system. With the increase in the metabolic contents of fats in the body, there are increased chances of hormonal growth that triggers the chances of tumor projections. As a result, a person risks increased chance of cancerous related syndrome. Stale birth risks According to the journal published by American medical association, obesity increases chances of having premature newborns in most America women. For pregnant women who have attained a body index beyond 40% are often associated by weak cervical membranes and uterine walls leading to the high rate of mortality of unborn babies alongside disabilities (Holtz 318). Other than the effects discussed above, obesity may also lead to a decline in business productivity, tough life, high blood pressure alongside other effects if appropriate measures are not put in place. Conclusion Causes and effects of obesity are numerous and may not be controlled unless the society takes it upon them to reduce the quantity of calories consumption into the body. With causes ranging from taking junk foods containing excess amount of calories to laxity in taking simple physical activities, one becomes wrongly placed towards contracting obesity disorder. The paper has also highlighted on various side effects including factors of GMO and relevant precautions that need to be carried to avert chances of contracting such a condition. As a matter of fact, proper education that starts at a childhood age would be vital in the fight against obesity (Holtz 318). Works cited:Top of Form Top of Form Bottom of Form Brownell, Kelly D, and Christopher G. Fairburn. Eating Disorders and Obesity: A Comprehensive Handbook. New York, NY [u.a.: Guilford Press, 2002. Print. Holtz, Carol. Global Health Care: Issues and Policies. Sudbury, Mass: Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 2008. Print. Klesges, Robert C., et al. "Effects of obesity, social interactions, and physical environment on physical activity in preschoolers." Health Psychology 9.4 (1990): 435. Wyatt, Sharon B., Karen P. Winters, and Patricia M. Dubbert. "Overweight and obesity: prevalence, consequences, and causes of a growing public health problem." The American journal of the medical sciences 331.4 (2006): 166-174. Bottom of Form Read More