Health Promotion Activity - Essay Example

The Research Findings
The Centers for Disease Control (2012) indicates that approximately 25 percent of women between 20 and 30 are considered obese. Though this is significantly lower than other age groups with a higher prevalence of obesity, it should be considered that the 20-30-year-old age group in society is one of the lowest in terms of total national population percentages. Between 2009 and 2010, there was no reduction in obesity ratios in women, which illustrates that existing health promotion campaigns and other obesity initiatives are not meeting the psycho-social characteristics prevalent with young females. Of this entire female age group, the majority of obese women are non-Hispanic black females, indicating that this particular ethnic sub-group of 20-30-year-old women have unique lifestyle characteristics that contribute to obesity growth.

Women between the ages of 20 and 30 are also in the population category that has the fastest increases in obesity compared to the rest of the national population. A study involving 555 women between 20 and 34 found that 63 percent of these women were obese as measured by the World Health Organization body mass index testing (Parrish, 2010). This study supports a finding which has identified that the type of foods purchased is strongly linked to income levels and the choices that women select related to their perceptions of health benefits. It is commonly known that younger females in this age category maintain unequal pay to their younger male peers in the professional organization and many are under-employed. Thus, it becomes more cost-effective for women between 20 and 30 to select cheaper food options congruent to their lower incomes in this particular age bracket.

Contributions to the Program
The CDC statistics illustrating that 25 percent of women between 20 and 30 being obese contributes highly to this program intention. By understanding just how many women are affected by obesity, it can help select an appropriate target audience and how best to establish an exercise routine that is effective based on lifestyle. The study involving such a high percentage of women being obese by Parrish (2010) acknowledges that obesity rates are significantly higher when measured against body mass index. Further, the linkage between incomes can provide new health imperatives to reduce this rapid phenomenon of weight gain and provide cost-effective solutions that are in line with budget restraints for the younger female between 20 and 30.

The goal of the program is to provide comprehensive knowledge about exercise and healthy lifestyles, which also includes food selections and preparation. It would be fundamentally defeating to the program to not identify the specific ethnic profiles and frequency of obesity within this group before selecting an appropriate strategy for combating this problem and improving young female health conditions. Since the study now recognizes that some of the catalysts for increasing obesity rates are directly linked with income, low-cost and healthy food options can be promoted in the health program that is relevant to a busy and dynamic lifestyle. The resources provided knowledge that non-Hispanic black women face a much higher obesity ratio than other ethnic groups of women between 20 and 30, therefore healthier food choices should also include acknowledgment of the dietary preferences fitting this particular high-risk group. Failure to recognize these ethnic differences would also deplete the success of this health promotion activity and would only serve a niche group.

Conclusion
Now that the study understands the statistics associated with obesity rates and their frequency, an effective health campaign can be developed. It will take into consideration lifestyle, incomes, ethnicity, and feasibility for this age group in order to make any notable differences in changing the obesity problem in America.