The Obesity Problem in America - Case Study Example

OBESITY EPIDEMIC IN AMERICA Institute Obesity is a global problem which has come to the attention of the world. Ithas now developed as an epidemic in the United States of America with one third of the people of the country suffering from this condition. It is a condition that needs to be tackled because it serves as a base for many pathologies affecting the normal functioning of the human beings. It has many underlying causes which include an imbalanced diet and a reduction in the physical activity of the individuals. The good part of this issue is that it can be dealt with and controlled. Increased awareness programs by the government along with better management skills and promotion of healthy programs by the media which support a healthy lifestyle can prove to be very beneficial for the people suffering from this condition. Understanding the causes of the disease and dealing with the issue by analyzing these causes can assist in treating this condition. Obesity Epidemic In America With the changes in the living styles of human beings many pathological conditions have emerged and they have become matters of global concern owing to the wide range of impact that they lay on the health of the individuals. Obesity is one such example of a global pathological problem which is now a subject of much concern. Obesity is basically a condition in which there is an increase in the amount of fats in the body of an individual. This condition serves as a base for many degenerative diseases and it serves to affect the most important systems of the human body. It has now also been observed that this condition also lays an impact on the psychological condition of the person (Stanford Hospital and Clinics 2010). The great number of risks and problems associated with the condition have made it a topic of concern for the entire world. The alarming levels of the condition in the United States have served it to be labelled as an epidemic. There is still a ray of hope and the great thing is that obesity can be solved by each and every one of us making better choices and providing better options for consumers. Obesity is a very widespread problem in the United States of America. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, two third of the people who reside in the United States either suffer from increased weight or obesity with on an average of one third of the population suffering from obesity (Weight Control and Information Network 2010). Another very important finding in the country explores the fact that the vulnerability of the children becoming obese has also increased and the in the last three decades the rate of this condition has increased by more than thrice in the country. The intensity of the issue of childhood obesity can be analyzed by the fact that the issue has come to the notice of the first family and even they have called for efforts to fight against obesity (Laing 2010). Obesity is a disease state which was initially considered to have no genetic role in its causation. But recent research has put forward the fact that obesity is a disease state which has both genetic component and environmental factors involved in causing it. It is caused by the deletion or damage in a gene known as Ob gene putting the subjects with these deletions at high risks of developing obesity (NCBI 1998). The disease can also occur because of an energy imbalance that is excessive intake of energy with lesser utilization by means of physical activity. Thus the increases energy is stored in the body in the form of fat leading to obesity. A diet rich in fat can also lead to obesity because a high fat diet stimulates a person to eat more. Another important reason for obesity is psychological disorders which include depression, eating disorders like binge eating and increased diet in times of stress. Obesity itself can also serve as a reason because it might lead for a person to lose his self confidence and hence the person loses the will to exercise and adopt weight loss plans (Biddle et al 2009). As the American individuals have come to know about the pathological condition of obesity several steps need to be taken to prevent obesity. The government has taken several initiatives in this regard so that they can promote activities which would decrease obesity. Michelle Obama announced a plan known as ‘Let’s Move’ which was targeted at childhood obesity. Through this plan the children of schools were being urged to take part in physical activities and consume a better diet. A specific amount of budget was allocated in this regard so children could learn more about obesity and follow the steps which would prevent obesity. Currently many schools have imposed state programs which help children to increase physical activity and have a balanced diet as per the requirements of their body. The calories that they intake are usually burnt with the help of physical activity and if this is not done then the BMI of that individual would increase resulting in obesity. The American individuals with the help of different programs are now more educated about the causes of obesity and hence have taken different steps to decrease obesity. Schools primarily have been targeted by the government so as to decrease the junk food being eaten in schools (Chappell 2010). Similarly adults have also become aware about obesity as an epidemic and have taken different steps. Several cases regarding the adults have taken place in America in which obese individuals performed healthy practices to decrease their weight. Leslie Sutton can be considered as a successful individual who got over the problem of obesity after changing her diet plans by consulting health practitioners (Success Stories). Studies carried out by CDC showed that the progression of obesity in adults and children had slowed down in the recent years. The experts clearly highlighted that it was because of different awareness programs regarding obesity which have helped adults and children to lower down the progression rate. In simple words awareness programs have helped the obese individuals to move towards a healthy diet consisting of more vegetables and increased physical activity (Jeffrey Kluger 2010). This assists in understanding the fact that there is hope and combined efforts can assist in overcoming the epidemic. It also explains that awareness programs can assist in tackling the problem. Media also has a role to play and it can be used as a tool to overcome this issue by promoting a healthy lifestyle choice for individuals. The media should work towards the creating of commercials which actually promote healthy food and living. The attraction posed in the advertisements and commercials should be reduced and commercials favoring physical activity for children should be posted. The family life should be improved with proper meal arrangements and cooking schedules because that would avoid the intake of unhealthy meals (Boyse, K.2008). The prevention and treatment of obesity needs to cater the requirements of all age groups. For proper results it is essential that all the causative factors of obesity should be understood. This is because only focusing on physical, nutritional and pharmacological treatment cannot decrease the prevalence of the disease. This is because psychology also plays its role in the development and progress of this condition. For preventing the condition physical activity should be encouraged among children so that the habit develops in them. A proper balanced diet should also be recommended for the people. For people who are very obese pharmacological treatment includes drugs like orlistat and sibutramine. This should be followed with a proper dietary plan for them as well as a physical activity schedule. Not only this, they should also be given psychological treatment to raise their self confidence and to motivate them to lose the excessive weight (Biddle et al 2009). Thus it can be understood that obesity is an epidemic in the United States. The condition has been rising on alarming levels and this has called for attention at the national level to curb this issue. The problem of obesity can be overcome with the help of awareness programs along with media as well as the treatment of the issue according to the cause. References Biddle S., & Dovey T. (2009). Obesity - Is physical activity the key? Psychologist. 22, 32-35. http://www.thepsychologist.org.uk/archive/archive_home.cfm/volumeID_22-editionID_171-ArticleID_1456 Boyse, K.(2008).Obesity and Overweight. University of Michigan Health System. http://www.med.umich.edu/yourchild/topics/obesity.htm Chappell, K. (January 01, 2010). Saving Our Children: The Obesity Initiative - Michelle Obama is on a mission to get our children healthy. Heres the skinny on her "Lets Move" plan. Ebony, 65, 7, 78. Laing, T.(2010).Society’s fault for childhood obesity? Democrat and Chronicle. http://blogs.democratandchronicle.com/editorial/2010/02/15/societys-fault-for-childhood-obesity/ NCBI. (1998) Obesity. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bookshelf/br.fcgi?book=gnd&part=obesity Kluger, J. (January 13, 2010) Obesity News: Americans Not Getting Fatter. Time. Stanford Hospital and Clinics. (2010). Health Effects of Obesity. Stanford University. http://stanfordhospital.org/clinicsmedServices/COE/surgicalServices/generalSurgery/bariatricsurgery/obesity/effects.html Success Stories< http://www.obesityinamerica.org/successStories/index.cfm> Weight Control Information Network. (2010) Statistics Related to Overweight and Obesity. National Institute of Health. http://www.win.niddk.nih.gov/statistics/index.htm Bottom of Form Read More