Risk Factors of Obesity - Research Paper Example

Obesity This paper outlines the various risk factors resulting from obesity. Obesity has been associated with heart diseases, arthritis, and cancer and gall bladder diseases. The various causes of obesity include lack of physical exercise, lack of adequate sleep, lifestyles changes and other environmental factors. The various interventions for obesity are eating a well-balanced diet, including fruits in the diet, avoiding fast foods and implementing population-wide interventions through policy changes. A look at the “Obesity in Older Adults" OJIN by Newman 2009, obesity is still prevalent among the elderly. From the journal, health practitioners will gain more knowledge on how to deal with obese patients. In their journal, Judy, Sandra and Thomas (2009), obesity has a close link with other diseases such as heart diseases, stroke, certain cancers, hypertension and type 2 diabetes. They also argue that there is a growing concern of obesity among the older population. Eckle (1997) outlines the relationship that exists between obesity and heart diseases. He provides useful statistics to support his arguments. Obesity is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among the elderly. To prevent obesity, the old should eat healthier foods, engage in physical activities and avoid junk foods. Introduction In western countries, obesity frequency has increased in the recent past. Today, less developed countries are experiencing the same problem of overweight and obesity. Over the last two eras, the number has increased significantly. The environment has encouraged a sedentary lifestyle and the consumption of fatty foods and energy-dense diet known as nutrition transition (Debasis & Harry, 2012). The Higher mortality rate with colon cancer has been linked with high body mass index (BMI). Endometrial cancer is clearly common in obese women, who gain weight again increasing risk. Cardiovascular Disorders is another disease associated with obesity (Brophy et al., 2010). Elderly persons who suffer from obesity develop the cardiovascular disorder. The elderly are idle most of the time and do not engage in physical exercise. As a result, many fats accumulate in their body, and they end up being obese (Brophy et al., 2010). Hypertension, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and glucose intolerance are to be the cause of cardiac risk factors that tend to cluster in obese people. Most of the old people who suffer from obesity develop this problem and end up dying (Brophy et al., 2010). Type 2 Diabetes is another disease caused by the accumulation of fatty foods in the body. It is a chronic disease. Overweight and obesity is the main threat for type-2 diabetes, and it is the cause of the current epidemic of noninsulin-dependent diabetes (Brophy et al., 2010). Stimulation of excess insulin promotes synthesis body fat and cholesterol. Low-Density Lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides and decreased High-Density Lipoprotein are as a result of the impaired insulin. Central obesity increases the likelihood of severe diseases especially cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. The abdominal fat of central obesity seems to be more insulin resistant than bordering fat deposited over the abdomen and legs (Brophy et al., 2010). Older women who had multiple pregnancies have a high risk of becoming obese. Metabolic syndrome is also associated with obesity (Debasis & Harry, 2012). Old people who are obese sometimes develop (Overeaters Anonymous) OA. OA develop in their weight-bearing joints, such as knee and joints, contract muscles that stabilize joints and it alters the metabolism of cartilage, collagen, and bone Sleep apnea is enlargement of soft tissue in the upper airways that leads to the collapse of airways with inspiration during sleep. The obstructed breathing leads to apnea with hypoxemia, hypercarbia, and a stress response. Sleep apnea leads to hypertension that leads heart failure and unexpected death among the elderly (Debasis & Harry, 2012). Old People suffering from depression experience psychosocial disorders. Interventions .Health care providers are advising the elderly people to take a well-balanced diet. Fruits should be included in their diet together with vegetables. Fast foods should be avoided to reduce obesity. The elderly should avoid skipping essential meals such as breakfast to reduce the risk of becoming obese. Approaches to implementing population-wide interventions through environmental or policy changes that lead to increased activity or decreased energy intake should be encouraged (Debasis & Harry, 2012). Media and health workers are giving smokers and alcoholics’ tips on how to cut their food intakes. Literature has been written to provide readers with relevant information. These will enable them get all the information required to reduce weight gain and obesity. These days many towns and cities have created these places where people can relax. Adequate sleep decreases weight gain (Debasis & Harry, 2012). Lack of enough sleep causes the level of ghrelin to go up and the level of leptin to go down. This makes a person feel hungrier than a person who is having adequate rest. Practices Obese people should undergo bariatric surgery and be adequately monitored. They should undergo lifelong testing after this surgery. Their vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone (PTH), alkaline phosphate levels and bone density DXA should be monitored every 6 months until weight is stable to ensure bone health (Debasis & Harry, 2012). Elderly people should avoid dietary intake of sugary and fatty foods. On the contrary, they should encourage diet with high fiber content, increase intake of fruits and vegetables in their daily meals. To reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, stressed elderly people should be examined, and the course of stress established in order to make a necessary intervention. The level of stressor should be known, and advice given to the patient (Buttaro, Tybulski & Bailer, 2013). Individuals should be given health education that communicates facts, ideas, and skills that change knowledge, attitude, values, beliefs, behaviors, and practices of individuals, families, and systems that decrease obesity. In the case where patients have been referred to integrated programs as part of an obesity care pathway, it is important to observe the main reason for a referral (Buttaro, Tybulski & Bailer, 2013). In His Journal Newman (2009), outlines the various causes of obesity to include lifestyle, behavioral and environmental factors and lack of physical activities. In the literature review, the facts are clearly presented with proper references being used. He further outlines the various interventions needed to deal with the issues of obesity among the elderly people. Newman follows the writing guidelines having included the abstract, the background, and the main body of the document together with the conclusions and references. He supports his arguments with statistics from well-known sources. Newman (2009) argues that obesity is a threat to all age groups. Around 7% of the world’s total population is over 65 years of age. By the year 2030, these numbers are likely to have risen to 12%. Prevalence of obesity in persons who are over 80 years of age is more than half that of older adults between the ages of 50 and 59. The issue is that more than 25% of the older American population is obese. Poverty and low levels of education have also been listed as key players in the cause of obesity. Newman (2009) outlines other causes of obesity as depression such as feelings of sadness, hopelessness and lack of sleep. Others include the use of drugs such as steroids and antidepressants. Older adults are more likely to experience functional limitation associated with chronic illnesses that may lead to stress-pain-depression cycle that leads to a lifestyle change that eventually leads to obesity. Newman (2009) classifies health problems associated with obesity as either nonfatal or life-threatening. Non-fatal problems include respiratory problems whereby lungs decrease in size. Due to the increased weight of the chest wall, obese patients find difficulty in breathing. Newman argues that life threatening illnesses as a result of obesity include cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers and gallbladder diseases. This journal is to help nurses have a clear understanding of the causes, risks, and interventions in addressing obesity. Nurses are better positioned in assisting he older generation adapt to changes and promote healthier lifestyles. The main purpose is to achieve a sustained lifestyle change through dietary changes, exercise and use of community support. In their Journal Judy, Sandra and Thomas use logistic regression to predict the likelihood of overweight and obesity in healthy weight among older adults. In this case, self-reported weights and heights were used to establish the correlation between risk behaviors for chronic diseases. They also examined the specific health conditions among the overweight and obese older persons. The authors have used statistics and supportive evidence for the indication of the various sources of information used in the document. Judy, Sandra and Thomas (2009) indicate that obesity has a close link with other diseases such as heart diseases, stroke, certain cancers, hypertension and type 2 diabetes. They also argue that there is a growing concern of obesity among the older population. According to Judy and others, smokers are at a high risk of being obese. Lifestyle changes reduce behavioral risk factors for overweight and obesity among older people. To ensure reduced cases of obesity among the older generation, there should be continued public health surveillance coupled with lifestyle modification programs. This journal will help health practitioners be able to address the behavioral changes that individuals need to make in order to live a healthier lifestyle. The health care professionals will gain more knowledge on how to promote health among the elderly. This will further aid the health sector to ensure continued health surveillance efforts to reduce obesity prevalence Eckle (1997) outlines the relationship that exists between obesity and heart diseases. He provides good statistics to support his arguments. He provides the proper outline of a journal article with an introduction and the body. Eckle (1997), define obesity depending on one’s frame size. He brings into play the individuals BMI, person’s size, and waist circumference. Using these factors, Eckle (1997), indicates that it is possible to establish the comorbidities and mortality rates. He outlines the risk factors for obesity as congestive heart failure, coronary heart disease and lack of sleep. He further indicates that obesity should be treated based on its severity and the presence of comorbidities. Old people should ensure that they maintain a BMI of ≤25 throughout their adult life and attend training programs that increase physical activity. This article will help health practitioners and pharmacists to deal with obese individuals. It will help health practitioners to understand clearly which treatment is necessary for certain obese patients and what effects certain medications will have on the patients. This will help the health practitioners advise the patients according to avoid another adverse effect Conclusion Obesity has major implications for the society as a whole. Individuals with obesity are struggling with diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and other diseases. This has led to increased death rates. Lifestyle has been labeled as the major cause of obesity. To deal with obesity individuals need to engage in physical exercises, eat a healthy diet and ensure they get adequate sleep. However, most of the individuals are neither aware of the causes of this disorder nor the risk factors or interventions necessary to minimize obesity. References Brophy, K., Ferguson, H., Webber, K., Abrahams, A. & Barnett, C. (2010). Clinical Drug Therapy for Canadian Practice. Wolters Kluwer: Canada. Debasis, B. & Harry, G.P. (2012). Obesity: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Prevention. Second edition, CRC Press, U.S. Judy, K., Sandra, A.H. and Thomas, R. P. (2009). Behavioral Risk Factors Associated With Overweight and Obesity Among Older Adults: The 2005 National Health Interview Survey. Preventing Chronic Disease; 6 (1): A14 Newman, A., ( 2009) "Obesity in Older Adults" OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 14(1), Manuscript 3 Eckle, R.H (1997). Obesity and Heart Diseases: A Statement for Healthcare Professionals from the Nutrition Committee, American Heart Association. 96: 3248-3250 Read More