Fast-food Restaurant and Reasons for Obesity - Research Paper Example

? Fast-Food Restaurant Is Not The Only Reason For Obesity, Gene, Eating Habits And Physical Activity Are Other Major Causes, Scientists Have Identified Many Genes Increased Or Decreased Appetite, Prompting Some Opponents Than Others Of Who Choose Foods High Introduction and Thesis Statement Since the past few decades, it is observed that there has been sharp increase in the occurrence of obesity as well as obesity related diseases in the United States. It can further be claimed that over the identical period the growth in the number of fast food restaurants has been nearly doubled (Gutterman, 2011). Most of the people relate obesity with the fast food restaurants. However, it can be claimed that fast food restaurants are not the sole reason behind obesity. There are deeper causes of obesity that need to be explored (Tomer, 2011). The main objective of the discussion is to identify the chief causes of obesity in addition to the fast food restaurants. The study will identify two main problems of obesity and their solutions. It shall further discuss regarding the call for actions. First Problem (Genes) Genes have an impact upon each facet of human physiology and adaptation and hence obesity is no exception. Obesity essentially runs in families which further suggest the fact that it might have genetic reasons. It can be stated that an explanation of the obesity epidemic needs to include the role of the genetic and that of the environment. According to the ‘thrifty genotype’ hypothesis, the genes that assisted ancestors to sustain for longer time are now being challenged by the surroundings where the food is found in abundant. Although there is decline in the rate of physical activity and increase in the rate of calorie intake that is responsible for obesity, it needs to be considered that these trends are being practiced on the background of genetic variation in the population. The individual’s genetic background can be considered as a significant determinant related to vulnerability to obesity. It needs to be remembered that people with obesity related genes are not intended to be obese. However, they are likely to have a greater risk related to obesity (BBC News, 2009). Second Problem (Eating Habits and Physical Activity) Eating habits and physical activity can be considered as one of the main reasons behind obesity. It can be observed that Americans are found to be consuming higher calories in the present times. Only 10% of the Americans are found to be consuming a healthy diet in keeping with the federal nutrition recommendations (World Health Organization, 2012). The diet of the Americans is found to be too high in terms of saturated as well as trans fat, refined sugars and is low in terms of fruits, vegetables, calcium and fiber which increases the likelihood of obesity. Moreover, it has further been found that nearly 50% of the American adults do not obtain the suggested amount of the physical activity. It is the regular exercise that assists in preventing obesity by a significant extent (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2012). Solution to Genetic Problem With the assistance of the new molecular tools as well as resources, studies can be undertaken in order to seek common obesity genes in the near future. These genes can assist in the determination of the root causes of the problems related to obesity. It will also potentially advocate new therapies or interventions and thus offer tools in order to comprehend how people respond to their environment in order to become obese or remain lean. In the modern day context, it is significant for the obese people to work hard in comparison to others in order to maintain a healthy body weight by means of long-term and sustained lifestyle alterations. Although it is difficult to change people’s genetic make-up and to control the environment however the obese people can learn regarding controlling the lifestyle choices that they make (Lyon & Hirschhorn, 2005). Solution to the Problem of Eating Habits and Physical Activity Consumption of less sugar drinks and more healthy foods can be one of the most vital solutions to the problem related to obesity. Furthermore, it is important to focus upon the advertisement of healthy food choices in order to prevent the students from consuming less healthy food stuffs. The states are further required to make use of the licensing regulations for ascertaining that child care related facilities support more nutritious eating practices as well as physical activities are given due consideration. The adolescents are required to have no less than 60 minutes of aerobic physical activity on a daily basis (University of Washington, 2011). The administrators of schools are required to inculcate daily quality physical education in schools so that the students can learn regarding the importance of the physical exercise and good eating habits. It is also important for the states to increase the number of the supermarkets and stores that sell healthy as well as affordable food items so that people can easily avail their services. As it is a well known fact that excessive television viewing is one of the contributing factors towards obesity, hence, parents should necessitate measures to reduce the time that the children or the adolescents spend in watching it and increase the time that can be devoted for physical activity (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2001). Call to Action Overweight as well as obesity have reached countrywide pandemic proportions. The prevention as well as treatment of obesity must be the goals of the public health associations. In order to attain these goals, it is significant to focus upon a few of the overarching principles that have been outlined in below: Promotion of the identification of obesity as key public health issue Facilitate the Americans in balancing healthy eating with daily physical activities so that they can attain and administer a healthy body weight Recognize effectual and culturally adequate interventions in order to deter and treat obesity (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2001) Stimulate environmental alterations that can assist in deterring obesity Create and enhance public-private partnerships in order to assist in implementing the vision of minimizing the rate of obesity among the adolescents, child and middle-aged persons Evaluate the schools’ health policies and programs and create a plan for enhancements (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2001) References BBC News. (2009). Obesity gene discovery 'may cut cases blamed on abuse'. Retrieved from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8394991.stm Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2001). The surgeon general’s call to action to prevent and decrease overweight and obesity 2001. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/pdf/CalltoAction.pdf Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2001). Overweight and obesity. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/problem.html Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2001). The role of the school in preventing childhood obesity. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/physicalactivity/pdf/roleofschools_obesity.pdf Gutterman, S. (2011). Obesity: status and effects. Retrieved from http://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=7&cad=rja&ved=0CHAQFjAG&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.soa.org%2Flibrary%2Fmonographs%2Flife%2Fliving-to-100%2F2011%2Fmono-li11-2a-gutterman.pdf&ei=NPktUMj1GtCsrAecwIHoAQ&usg=AFQjCNFKNCGdgsjLyPusy7urCxMtAeN4Wg Lyon, H. N. & Hirschhorn, J. N. (2005). Genetics of common forms of obesity: a brief overview. American Society for Clinical Nutrition 82(1), pp. 2155-2175. Tomer, J. (2011). What causes obesity? and why has it grown so much. Challenge 54(4), pp. 22-49. University of Washington. (2011). Nutrition, physical activity and the health of Washington state. Retrieved from http://depts.washington.edu/waaction/plan/about/hlth_of_wa.html U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2012). Nutrition, physical activity, and obesity. Retrieved from http://healthypeople.gov/2020/lhi/nutrition.aspx World Health Organization. (2012). Unhealthy diets and physical inactivity. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/nmh/publications/fact_sheet_diet_en.pdf Read More