Obesity Epidemic in America - Research Paper Example

? Obesity Epidemic in America This paper analyzes the obesity epidemic in the United s. It is apparent that rateof obesity has significantly increased with time, and it affects all population groups, including children, adolescents and adults. In 2010, the data and statistics provided by CDC indicate that obesity prevalence range from 20 to 34 percent in the United State. Colorado was the most affected state while the least affected was Mississippi. These findings necessitate assessment of the current obesity situation, identification of its cause and consequences as well as formulation of ways to solve it. The causative factors of obesity are, lifestyles, eating habits, genes, workplace conditions, hormonal metabolic factors and recreational practices. Consequences of obesity include ailments, mental and emotional disorders, negative psychological outcomes, and hinders individuals’ performance. Obesity prevalence varies significantly across ethnic and racial disparities as well as socioeconomic status in the American population. In conclusion, obesity can be alleviated using pharmacological intervention, energy variation, public education, behavioral therapy, community-based initiatives and political-oriented solution. Introduction Obesity, weight gained or overweight has remained a contingent issue for a considerable time in health care, among scholars, the US Government as well as the community at large. Obesity is one of the most prevalent health care issues, which is causing worries in the United States. Obesity rates have relatively amplified over the years with its effects experienced in various population groups, and states. To offset the ever-increasing rates of obesity, it is important to evaluate the causes and effects of obesity in the American population. In view of this, obesity is associated with a number of negative physical and psychological consequences. It is attributable to several diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, depression, psychological disorders including withdrawal syndrome, and overall personal degradation. On the other hand, obesity is caused by a range of factors, which include eating habit, sedentary work, genetics, inert recreation and individuals lifestyle just to mention but a few. In this paper, obesity is analyzed at length with respect to its prevalence, causes, consequences, and ways of solving the epidemic. Prevalence Several researches conducted on the prevalence of obesity in America indicate that the rates at which individuals are becoming overweight are ever increasing. In the period between 1986 and 2000, severe obesity prevalence shifted to the proportion of 1 in 50 Americans from former status of 1 in 200. Besides, extreme obesity has greatly increased at an approximate rate of twenty percent in adults. Decades ago, obesity was a significant health issue among adults, but the situation has changed with time to include adolescents and children. Recent researches reveal that fifteen to twenty five percent of adolescents and children in America are obese with about nine million children aged above six years being obese. According to CDC’s data and statistics on obesity in America, obesity has dramatically increased over the past twenty years and rates remain high. In 2010, state based obesity prevalence ranged from twenty-one percent to thirty four percent in Colorado and Mississippi respectively. All states had obesity prevalence above twenty percent. Thirty six states had twenty five percent or more prevalence with states such Arkansas, Missouri, Louisiana Michigan, Kentucky, and Oklahoma having thirty percent or more prevalence. Regional prevalence was a follows; South 29.4 %, Northeast 24.9 %, Midwest 28.7 % and West 24.1 % (CDC, 2012). The findings of the analysis conducted, in 2009-2010 in the US indicate that, approximately forty-one million women and over thirty-seven million men aged twenty years and above were obese. Amidst children and adolescents aged two-nineteen years, about seven million boys and five million girls were obese. Based on estimates obtained in 2008, an approximate amount of $147 billion catered for medical costs related to obesity. The expenses incurred by third-party affiliates of medical costs for obese individuals were projected at $1,429 in excess of those individuals with normal weight. Furthermore, obesity prevalence varies significantly across ethnic and racial disparities as well as socioeconomic status in the American population. Starting from a socioeconomic status perspective, Mexican-American and non-Hispanic black men with higher income have a higher propensity to be obese compared to men with low income. Based on the ethnic and racial divide, Hispanics have 37.9 % rate of obesity, Mexican Americans 39.3%, non-Hispanic whites 32.6% while non-Hispanic blacks comprise the utmost obesity rates of 44.1% (CDC, 2012). Obesity Causes in America The ever-increasing rate of obesity prevalence in America is attributable to a number of causative factors. One of the primary driving forces of obesity epidemic in America is the modern lifestyles of the population. Modern work, especially in private sector is responsible for increased incidences of obesity. It is apparent that most work packages require minimal physical activity with the extensive use of modern technological advancements in agriculture and manufacturing industry among others. This change in occupational energy expenditure result to burning of smaller amount calories, about 142 calories. As a result, men have exceedingly accumulated their body weight with the decline in calories consumption in the body accounting for about 28 extra pounds in a day. Modern recreation is also associated with the current prevalence of obesity in the United States. Many Americans do not match up with the national leisure-time exercise guidelines and only five percent of American adults get enough exercise. This along with other factors such as modern work plays a significant role in the ever-increasing obesity rate (Harvard Men's Health Watch, 2012). Modern eating plays part in obesity epidemic in conjunction with abovementioned inert recreation as well as sedentary work. The shifting in eating habits among Americans affects individuals’ weight with respect to eating frequency and portion size attributed to the increase in caloric consumption. Intake of junk foods and sugar-sweetened sodas considerable contributes to caloric glut causing obesity or overweight. Nutritionists presume that fast foods contain exceeding levels of carbohydrates, calories, and fat above the quantity required or utilized by our bodies. Fast foods therefore, lead to accumulation of unwanted or excessive fat and weight; an essential indicator of obesity (Harvard Men's Health Watch, 2012). Other lifestyle aspects such as drinking, smoking and use of drugs such as antidepressants, steroid hormones, contraceptives, as well as diabetes drugs cause obesity among Americans. On the other hand, genetics influence individuals’ susceptibility to obesity. Some people may contain genes associated with abnormal growth and development. Hormonal metabolic factors may also result to overweight. These factors determine body’s capacity to burn or utilize consumed foods or calories, which consequently affect individual’s vulnerability to obesity or overweight. Consequences of Obesity Obesity has negative effects on people’s physical and psychological health as well as socialization. These effects are linked to the recognition of obesity as a complex problem influencing individuals and societal wellbeing. Obesity causes several diseases including hypertension, diabetes and heart diseases because of the accumulation of excess fat in the body as well as metabolic imbalance. It also causes cancer, depression, arthritis, fatty liver disease, kidney stones, and erectile dysfunction. Overall, overweight and obesity has an approximate death rate of 1 in 10 American deaths (Rossen & Eric, 2011). Furthermore, obesity is associated with a couple of negative psychological outcomes. The obese are subject to various negative obesity stereotypes and prejudices that lower or weaken their self-esteem as well as confidence. In addition, obese women and girls are likely to consider themselves unattractive as per the beauty scale or standard set in the society that link beauty with body size. These depressing perceptions and judgments greatly influence an individual’s aptitude to socialize or participate in social activities. Consequently, obesity may result to mental and emotional disorders such as withdrawal syndrome, agitation, with the possibility of causing self-harm. Severe obesity robs individuals of their ability to participate in physical activities and perform their daily activities or responsibility. Regarding financial aspect, obesity drains the American society an approximate amount of $223 billion per annum (Rossen & Eric, 2011). Obesity Interventions In the attempts to solve the epidemic of obesity in America, different interventions should be enforced or enhanced. The interventions available for weight management and curbing obesity include energy variation, pharmacological intervention, and behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy encompasses altering individuals’ physical activity and diet habits as well as patterns. Habits embracing healthy eating or food intake, which ensures that various food elements are constituted in daily meals in their right proportions and quantities will significantly help minimize as well as rectify incidences of obesity in the American population. The consumption of balanced diet and infrequent intake of fatty as well as fast foods is an essential move towards solving this rampant health problem. Adequate leisure-time exercises are associated with overall body fitness with minimal chances of becoming obese. Exercises are one of the fundamental ways of preventing obesity associated with sedentary lifestyle, especially in modern workplaces. Physical workouts enable obese individuals in shedding the excess weight as well as body fats. This intervention is most effective since it has minimal cost effects and involves physical approaches towards weight management (Ward-Smith, 2010). Pharmacological interventions involve the use of prescription and over-the counter drugs as well as herbs as a way to solve obesity. Most drugs suppress victims’ appetite, particularly those with hormonal imbalance resulting to excessive craving for food. Others facilitate weight loss in a number of ways such as increasing metabolic rate. Several medications have been used for decades, including amphetamines, fenfluramine, dexenfluramine, Meridia, Xenical, and Phentermine among others. Although pharmacological interventions are essential in alleviating obesity, they have several side effects. These side effects include behavioral abnormalities, addiction, physiological changes, cardiovascular disease and others. On the other hand, herbs such as Chinese detoxifying and metabolism herbs enhance metabolism and digestion, thus facilitating weight loss. Chinese have used these herbs for a considerable period indicating their prowess in weight management despite the fact that no scientific account has been given on their role in weight loss as well as likely side effects (Ward-Smith, 2010). Conventional approaches are available for curbing the increment in obesity rates. In their efforts to minimize or eliminate obesity among children and adolescents, schools may ban junk foods and sweetened sodas from cafeterias as well as other sale points in the schools. Pepsi and Coca Cola have made such attempts when they banned vending of high-calorie drinks as well as beverages in containers measuring more than eight ounces in high, middle and elementary schools. Education on healthy living and eating plays an important role in helping individuals make healthy food choices, thus fighting obesity. Initiatives and political solutions are likely to minimize obesity ratings by encouraging exercise, nutrition education and ensuring accountability in the beverage as well as food industry in the United States among other regions. Political measures may include advocacy for food labeling in order to indicate the amount of calories contained in food products. Community based initiatives will ensure that a more personal approach is adapted. This will not only provide solutions to the problem but will also unearth other causative factors of the increased rates of obesity (Pomeranz, Teret, Sugarman, Rutkow, & Brownell, 2009). Conclusion The rate of obesity has significantly increased over the past decades, which has created worries in the United State. All population groups in America are affected by this epidemic to an alarming extent, which necessitates assessment of the current obesity situation, identification of its causes and consequences as well as formulation of ways to solve it. As mentioned in the foregoing analysis, in 2010, obesity prevalence ranged from twenty-one to thirty-four percent in the United State. The most affected state was Colorado while the least affected being Mississippi. Obesity prevalence varies significantly across ethnic and racial disparities as well as socioeconomic status in the American population. Further, the ever-increasing rates of obesity prevalence in America are attributable to several causative factors, including hormonal metabolic factors, genes, eating habits, lifestyles, workplace conditions and recreational practices. Obesity causes several ailments including hypertension, diabetes, cancer, depression, arthritis, negative psychological outcomes, mental and emotional disorders as well as impedes individuals’ ability to perform their responsibilities or duties. Nonetheless, obesity can be solved through energy variation, pharmacological intervention, behavioral therapy, public education, political-oriented solution and community-based initiatives. Reference List CDC. (2012). Data and Statistics. Retrieved May 8, 2012, from http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/index.html CDC. (2012). Overweight and Obesity. Retrieved May 8, 2012, from http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html Harvard Men's Health Watch. (2012 ). Obesity in America: what's driving the epidemic? Harvard Men's Health Watch , 16 (7), 5-7. Pomeranz, , J., Teret, S. P., Sugarman, S. D., Rutkow, L., & Brownell, K. D. (2009). Innovative Legal Approaches. Milbank Quarterly , 87 (1), 185–213. Rossen, L. M., & Eric, R. A. (2011). Obesity 101. New York: Springer Publishing Company. Ward-Smith, P. (2010). Obesity -- America's Health Crisis. Urologic Nursing , 30 (4), 242-245. Read More