Obesity and Overweight Problems in Greater Geelong - Term Paper Example

Obesity and Overweight Problems in Greater Geelong [Author Name(s), First M. Last, Omit Titles and Degrees] [Institutional Affiliation(s)] Author Note 1.0. Introduction In 2014, a report combining health assessments of various risky behaviours was developed across the city of Greater Geelong. It incorporated various risky behaviours such as prevalence of extreme alcohol consumption, overweight and obesity individuals, smoking, insufficient levels of physical activity and rates of breastfeeding. In this case, I chose to analyse he issue of overweight and obesity in the city. Over the years, the challenge of obesity has burgeoned globally. This has put the lives of many individuals at risk; including infants, and adults. It has been termed by a plethora of researchers as a 21st century problem, mostly affecting developed countries. Now, the problem is spreading to developing countries, a phenomenon attributed to changing lifestyle habits. Focusing on the case of Greater Geelong, it is evident to note that as a developed region, such a problem is not uncommon. Therefore, there is the need to develop mitigate measures that will eliminate this problem in the most effective way possible. Therefore, this paper will seek to analyse the health condition as described in the Greater Geelong Community Health Needs Assessment 2014 report. It will further analyse the health issue, stating and explaining its impact on general health in the region. Furthermore, it will seek to disclose the effect of the condition to the general wellbeing of the society, stating its changes over time as well as a comparative analysis to other regions in the same country. Thereafter, it will describe the determinants of the health condition, considering the effect that they may have on the health condition. A health program for the condition will then be designed, stating its applicability to the situation before citing its merits and demerits. Based on the analysis above, a recommendation will then be drafted. 2.0. Overweight and Obesity 2.1. Facts about Overweight and Obesity Programs Obesity and overweight are described as an excess accumulation of body fat. In more details, Chan & Woo (2011) and (Chambers and Wakley, 2002) describe obesity as a condition of abnormal or excess fat accumulation in adipose tissue, to the extent that health may be impaired. The reports cite obesity as a significant challenge to Australians. In is labelled as a risk factor capable of accelerating diseases such as musculoskeletal disorders, gall bladder disorders, diabetes type 2, and hypertension among other fatal diseases. In this sense, it can cause premature morality especially in children of young age. In addition, the report cites that it has the ability to reduce life expectancy between 3 to 14 years (Dawes, 2014) and (Chen, & Dietz, 2002). Primarily, the Body Mass Index is used to measure overweight and obesity. It the most viable method of quantifying the amount of body fat present despite the existence of other methods. In mathematical representation, it can be expressed using the following equation (Borton and Teach, 2000) : (Borton and Teach, 2000) Where: W = weight of subject in kilograms H= height of subject in metres As expected, the world health organisation has particular standard measures of adult weight. They use the following scale: BMI Value Weight 30 Obese 2.2. Overweight and Obesity Problems in Greater Geelong The research employed demographic data of the population residing in the area. Participants were asked questions regarding their height and weight. Through structured designs, the participant’s BMIs were calculated and recorded as either underweight, healthy or overweight. The assessment report indicates that studies indicate a lot of ignorance from individuals due to the element of underestimations of weight. The report asserts that BMI measurements fall in the aspect that they cannot positively distinguish whether it is muscle or fact content constituting the large weight. In analysis of the situation at Greater Geelong, it is evident that the problem is becoming increasingly prevalent. Studies confirm an increase in the rates of overweight and obesity cases between 2008 and 2011. The analysis, carried out on both adult and young males as well as females, indicates that the problem is getting nearly out of hand. Adults lead the group in terms of obesity; with 56% of adults (160,000) in the community being obese. The figure exceeds that required by the World Health Organisation by 7.4% (12,000) adults. This presents the challenge at hand. According to the report, the changes over time are as follows: Table 1: Percent overweight/obese adults (male and female) in Greater Geelong, 2008* and 2011/12 [Hea14] Further statistics indicate that obesity alone was slightly lower than the state average averages in 2008 and 2011. Additionally, the combination of average obesity and overweight was higher than the average recorded in 2008 and 2011/2012. Table 2: Percent overweight/obese adult males in Greater Geelong, 2008* and 2011/ 12 Figure 1: Percent overweight/obese adults (male) in Greater Geelong, 2008 and 2011/ 12 Table 2: Percent overweight/obese adult females in Greater Geelong, 2008* and 2011/ 12** Figure 2: Percent overweight/obese adult females in Greater Geelong, 2008 and 2011/ 12 2.3. Determinants of the health problem in Geelong The trends display specific specialized health needs in the part of Greater Geelong community. In particular, the highest concentration of overweight and obese individuals is in the suburbs of the city. Furthermore, the report asserts that there were not any individuals below average weight in the areas[Hea14]. These phenomena are attributed to: The lifestyle of the individuals in the area Obesity and overweight statuses are different in areas of high socio-economic statuses. This is regarding the discovery that obesity is associated with low socioeconomic status while Overweight is associated with high socioeconomic status. This is exemplified in the by the statement in the report, stating that combination of overweight with obesity states can aid in masking obesity in various socioeconomic classes[Hea14]. Transport elements The social class of the population also dictates this variable. Lack of walkable paths and routes promoting physical activity is a vital determining factor. Infrastructural elements For instance, ratio of fast food to fresh food outlets and design of buildings without stairs is a key contributory factor[Hea14]. The social class and lifestyle of the population also dictate the attribute. 2.4. Comparison of Obesity in Victoria and Greater Geelong Looking at the table above, a comparative analysis reveals that the City of Greater Geelong experiences a higher health risk in the case of obesity and overweight cases than Victoria. Furthermore, the level of individuals in Victoria who have the health risk is far much less than that of Greater Geelong; therefore more manageable. As explained above, the differences are attributed to geographic and demographic pattern differences of the two regions. However, Victoria’s statistics cannot be termed as excellent. In fact the city itself may be headed in the same direction as greater Geelong, only taking a longer time to arrive at the final destination. Therefore, viable program for handling the situation at Geelong may also prove important for Victoria. 3.0. Obesity and Overweight Health Management Programs Poor health in early life has been shown to have significant and long-term consequences that reach into adulthood (The Scottish Government, 2010). These health inequalities later present a challenge in the later lives of the children; preventing them to reach their potential. Mitigation of this issue will also result to an increased life expectancy of the children. It is also well known that the burden of social inequality and in particular poverty falls disproportionately on children and families with children. Over the years, the meaning of child health has been evolving. In the earlier years, the definition only encompassed the state of being disease free; leaving out some parts now incorporated in the modern definition. Chan & Woo (2010) assert that there are three main intervention approaches for reduction of obesity and overweight problems as well as other co-morbidities. These include strategies aiming at: i) The food settings, the physical activity atmospheres and the wider socioeconomic environments ii) Directly influencing behaviour, aiming at improving eating and physical activity behaviours iii) Supporting health services and clinical interventions. Burke & Wang (2011), also recommend the strategies, citing them as effective in fighting the 21st century pandemic. However, choosing an intervention plan will involve an in-depth analysis of the strongest points as well as flaws of the program. For instance, while Burke & Wang (2011) assert that behavioural approaches, nutrition and workout to sustain lifestyle change, they add that bariatric as well as pharmacotherapy approaches may be of value in treatment of the pandemic. Fowler-Brown & Kahwati (2004) assert that treatment of overweight and obesity is dependent on various factors. These include the cost of the programs, their effectiveness, and the quality of the outcome as well as the population characteristics. Furthermore, the authors term the issue to be more serious in young populations than those of adults, citing the effectiveness of the programs in schools. In the next section, I will analyse the three identified prevention and treatment methods and conclude on their efficiency and effectiveness in the situation. 3.1. Food, Physical Activity, and Socioeconomic Environments This approach involves setting of policies that institute healthy food choices as well as beneficial physical activities. Their main aim is to decrease a sedentary lifestyle, primarily making the bulk of multiple overweight and obesity prevention programs. In practical applications, food controls involve use of: Financial food Policies Enactment of food and nutrition labelling polices Compulsory nutrition boards on the design and redesign of mass-produced foods Limiting promotion and publicising bans of unhealthy food Increase in food prices for unhealthy foods and concomitantly reducing those of healthy foods Chan & Woo (2010) cite a marked influence on the above polices in the contemporary setting, giving numerous examples of cases where these strategies have worked in effective manners. Secondly, intervention strategies requiring the use of physical activity include the use of: Transport policies Community transport networks should permit the use of walkable tracks, as well as networks that can support increased physical activities. Urban planning policies This is effected through the design of sites that encourage physical activity in all populations’ including young, adults and the older individuals. Better design policies such in schools, as well as encouraging staircase use in residential homes are approaches that can be effectively applied. Organizational policies on the provision of facilities for physical activity Policies encouraging the development of parks as well as other recreational facilities should be advocated for in the area. Burke & Wang (2011) assert that the use of physical activity is mostly effective in adult populations; acting as a risk reducer and treatment method at the same time. Fowler-Brown & Kahwati (2004) also support the method’s effectiveness. The third factor, socioeconomic aspects, is a key influence of overweight and obesity problems in Greater Geelong. In using this approach, a program incorporates Employment policies, Social policies, financial policies and Educational polices as the main factors having an effect of the health of the individuals. Chan & Woo (2010) further assert that the policies should be adapted from international to local levels. The term health inequality is sometimes used to describe the fact that health varies between individuals. Health inequalities can best be defined as the differences in health status or in the distribution of health determinants between different population groups (Royal College of Nursing, 2012). However, the concept is justified to be inequitable when any form of its content is determined as avoidable or unfair. Health inequalities are evident from the start of life. For instance, there are ascents in birth weight, an important stimulus on subsequent intellectual and corporeal development and on a range of adult diseases. In infancy, there are also socioeconomic ascents in growth and height, in language and cognition as well as in social and emotional adjustment ( McCauley et al, 2004). Living with illness and impairment makes economic hardship much harder to dodge. Continuing health difficulties, and the perception with which they are associated, surges the risk of job loss, reliance on welfare remunerations and long-term poverty. Children from poorer families are more expected to live in over-crowded homes with limited amenities and play space; they are more likely, too, to experience disrupted family relationships and other stressful life events (Roberts, 2000). 3.2. Eating and Physical Activity Behaviours These are termed as strategies that directly affect behaviours of a population in a given setting. The first step in application of this approach is an analysis of whether the situation is community, workplace or home setting. Thereafter, one is able to design a strategy that will produce tremendous results in the identified setting[Bur11]. The intervention strategy above has been extensively tested in situations involving young populations especially in school-based interventions. This includes the use of parent outreach, social marketing, nutritional strategies and self-assessment in institutions. Chan & Woo (2010) conducted a review of nineteen studies, with the results indicating positive outcomes in each of the programs employed in the research. However, the leader has an important role to play in institutional, home as well as workplace setting to ensure adherence to these behaviours[Ang04]. Home behaviours such as excessive television viewing have been termed as independent risk factors for obesity ad overweight problems. Furthermore, role models in eating behaviours as well as creation of physical activities also play an important part in this strategy. These interventions strategies can be extended in situations such as supermarkets, fast food outlets, and restaurants among other environments. It however includes the use of sophisticated knowledge to effect such a program[Cha10]. 3.3. Supporting Health Services and Clinical Interventions The 21st century presents an environment with some of the most complex barriers to effective management to overweight and obesity management[Ang04]. This ranges from the physician to the grassroots’ level in the community. At the high level’s (practitioners’ level), there is inadequate training which can be minimized through offering of effective training programs, lack of time to address obesity in official visits, inadequate Reimbursement and low self-efficacy. At the patients/ Community level, there is discrimination, poor financial ability, and insufficient knowledge on weight management programs[Cha10]. Therefore, a comprehensive improvement program will incorporate primary care physicians in the sector to be the main facilitators of the process. This will involve processes that will see the numbers of various health specialists and staff increased in hospitals, provision of training of all elements of the weight pandemic and offering of financial motivation. Though no existing studies can assert the effectiveness of the program, preliminary evidence suggests a huge amount of success in the method of clinical intervention[Cha10]. 4.0. Recommended Strategy In all the articles analysed, the use of an integrated approach towards the management of the health problem seems to work best. Therefore, the most recommended approach in this case will involve the three methods outlines above. However, the approach will be unique in that it will extensively utilize established and emerging concepts of technology in its operations. Chan & woo (2010) stipulate that although policy approach programs may work, they have a high fail rate if not coordinated specially. Though technology may be a contributory factor, it can also be employed extensively to aid in the mitigation of this dangerous pandemic. Furthermore, the approaches will be client centred, reducing the level of generalization and standardization of procedures involved in treatment and mitigation of overweight and obesity. It will focus on either the preventive or the curative perspective that the patient holds. Before effecting the program in whole, a prospective behavioural analysis to determine the general population’s interpersonal, organizational, individual and community context will be carried out. The use of all three approaches will compensate for all the areas that other methods seem to lack. 5.0. Conclusion In conclusion, healthcare professionals have the obligation to serve the patients to the best of their knowledge. The occurrence, popularity and transience of obesity and overweight cases have all been of great concern. However, it is the duty of all members of the community to act in order to help reduce these cases. The process begins with awareness programs aimed at sensitizing the public on the issue of BMI and healthy lifestyles. Keeping overweight and obesity cases at bay require individual lifestyle alterations, as well as adequate digging for additional means for combating the epidemic. References Borton, J., Teach, L (2000). Obesity in America. Denver, Colo: National Conference of State Legislatures. Burke, L. & Wang, J., (2011). Treatment strategies for overweight and obesity. J Nurs Scholarsh., 43(4), pp. 368-75. Chambers, R., Wakley, G., (2002). Obesity and overweight matters in primary care. Abingdon: Radcliffe Medical Press. Chan, R. S. & Woo, J., 2010. Prevention of Overweight and Obesity: How Effective is the Current Public Health Approach. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health,.Vol (7), pp. 765-783. Chen, C., & Dietz, W. H. (2002). Obesity in childhood and adolescence. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Dawes, L. (2014). Childhood obesity in America: Biography of an epidemic. Cambridge, Massachusetts ; London, England : Harvard University Press, Fowler-Brown, A. & Kahwati, (2004). Prevention and Treatment of Overweight in Children and Adolescents. Am Fam Physician., 69(11), pp. 2591-2599. Healthy Together Geelong, (2014). Greater Geelong Community Health Needs Assessment 2014. Geelong: Healthy Together Geelong. McAuley et al, (2004). Young Families Under Stress: Outcomes and costs of Home-Start Support. New York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Roberts, H., (2000). What Works in Reducing Inequalities in Child Health?, Basildon: Barnardo's Publications. Royal College of Nursing, (2012). Health inequalities and the Social determinants of Health. London: Royal College of Nursing Policy & International Department. The Scottish Government, (2010). Growing up in Scotland: Health inequalities in the early years. 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