...Karmen Chavis MHA 610- Intro to Biostatistics “Obesity in African American & Other Minority Communities in the United States” Professor: Saran Tucker 11/21 /2011 Obesity in African American and Other Minority Communities in the United States” Obesity in the African American and other minority communities has increasingly and rapidly become an epidemic, affecting many people in the United States. During the past 20 years there has been a dramatic increase in obesity that plagues the United States of America (www.cdc/gov). Although there are many underlying factors, lack of nutrition and healthier food choices, lack of exercise, lack of knowledge, and emotional/ psychological problems are the most prevalent causes of obesity. According to research by Silja J.A. Talvi,: (2006) “In the United States, rates of obesity is highest in poor communities of color”; statistics and research has proved. What is Obesity? Obesity and overweight are both labels for ranges of weight that are greater than what is generally considered healthy for a given height (www.cdc.gov/obesity/defining.html). According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “For adults, overweight and obesity ranges are determined by using weight and height to calculate a number called the “body mass index” (BMI); BMI ranges for children and teens are defined so that they take into account normal differences in body fat between boys and girls and differences in body fat at various ages” (www...
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...Obesity in America Tamaneka Brown HCS/535 June 10, 2013 Sally Kohls Obesity in America Obesity in America is a growing health care issue and concern among health care officials. Today’s family setting and society in general is so fast pace that individuals find fast and easy ways to of getting a bit to eat. Poor eating habits and little to no physical activity are just a few contributors to the prevalence of obesity. Obesity affects individuals of all ethnical backgrounds, both male and female, and individuals of all ages. It is time that this nation takes control of creating a healthier America by encouraging healthy habits and lifestyles. An individual having a body mass index (BMI) of 25.0 to 29.9 is considered to be overweight and obesity is defined as having a BMI of 30.0 or higher (Flegal, Carroll, Ogden, & Curtin, 2010 ). BMI measures the amount of body fat that a person has in comparison to their age and height. A person begins to gain weight when their calorie intake is more than their physical activity (CDC, 2012). Lack of exercise and poor dieting are known causes of obesity, but the lack of sleep and exposure to air conditioning are also thought to be contributing factors (Causes of obesity, 2006). Other suggested factors that may contribute to the rising rates of obesity are endocrine disruptors, smoking, and certain pharmaceuticals (Causes of...
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...In the United States today, obesity has become an enormous problem. Obesity is one of the greatest health threats to the U.S. Overweight and obesity result from an energy imbalance and involves eating too many calories and not getting enough physical activity. It contributes significantly to a variety of serious diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and certain cancers as well as poor general health. Among Adult Americans age 20 and older, 154.7 million are overweight or obese (Adult overweight and obesity). The United States is one of the fattest countries in the world and the community should be aware of this epidemic and how dangerous it can be. Number in adult obesity statistics should decrease for the sake of our community and well being of family, friends, but most importantly ones self. Many years ago people didn’t have access to food 24/7 like we today, especially the type of foods we have access to now. When agriculture began it made it easier on society to get access to food, but they still had to put lots of energy into obtaining their somewhat balanced meals. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, obesity rates have more than doubled in adults and children since the 1970’s. Today our society is constantly surrounded by fast paced lives and busy schedules that the food industries feed on these everyday struggles of busy working men and women by taking the initiative to make their lives easier with unhealthy fast foods at a very low...
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...for mass production. HFCS was added to processed foods and soft drinks as a sugar substitute. Advantage of this new food additive was a much easier production and a low price. Right after Japan, USA started using it too; however, no one new its affects on the human body. Since USA started to add HFCS to manufactured food and soft drinks, the rates of obesity, heart diseases and metabolism problems has grown. Since we started to use HFCS in our manufactured food our obesity rates have been increased among the all ages of USA residents. According to Centers for Desease Control and Prevention (CDC), “During the past 20 years, there has been a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States and rates remain high. By state, obesity prevalence ranged from 21.0% in Colorado to 34.0% in Mississippi in 2010. No state had a prevalence of obesity less than 20%. Thirty-six states had a prevalence of 25% or more; 12 of these states (Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia) had a prevalence of 30% or more.” One significant problem that causes obesity is that HFCS mainly consists of “empty calories”. When people consume...
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...Obesity: An American Crisis EC315 (Term Project Report) Michael Higgs Fall 2 2012 TABLE OF CONTENTS Purpose Statement…………………………………………………Page 1 Definition of Variables……………………………………………Page 1-3 Data Description…………………………………………………….Page 3-4 Results……………………………………………………………………Page 4-6 Works Cited……………………………………………………………Page 7 Appendix……………………………………………………………….Page 8-10 Purpose Statement This project will discuss the correlation between exercise and diet on the ever growing crisis of obesity in America. The dependent variable obesity is determined by independent variables; exercise (lack of) and diet. Americans are not getting adequate exercise to burn their caloric intake. This is not only a concern for adults, the CDC (center for disease control) reports that “most adolescents fall shorts of the recommended 60 minutes of aerobic physical activity each day, as only 18% of students in grades 9-12 met this recommendation in 2007.” Instead of exercising outdoors, children are turning to video games and television to occupy their time. Nicolas Stettler, MD performed a study that suggested that every hour children play video games or watch television may double their risk of obesity. With this being said I feel the most important independent variable in this relationship is exercise, or the lack of it. By teaching proper exercise and nutrition at a young age the likelihood of being obese as an adult diminishes. Definition of Variables The model used is: Y = X1 +...
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...human consumption. GMOs should be banned because they have a negative impact on human health, and potential risks on the environment. Although GMOs were only introduced in 1996, the side effects can already be seen: there have been increased allergic reactions, antibiotic resistant bacteria and other toxic hazards. While these side effects of GMOs may seem minuscule in the grand scheme of things, the lasting effects can be much more drastic. More and more children are having life-threatening allergies, which can be contributed to increased GMO intake. Children that have been born with birth defects have been associated with the chemical, glyphosate. Glyphosate is an herbicide used to kill a wide range of weeds. This chemical alone can cause infertility, stillbirths, miscarriages and cancers. Researchers found that glyphosate “caused malformations in frog and chicken embryos that were...
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...The Future of Healthcare The question asked by healthcare professionals is: Is the United States healthcare system going to be prepared to address such issues as the obesity epidemic and the aging population as more Americans fall under these groups? The aging population and obesity epidemic go far beyond American soil but this report will focus on the healthcare concerns arising in the United States. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2011) has stated that the population of those greater than 65 years of age is estimated to grow from 12.4% in 2000 to 19.2% in 2030. In age that means in 2030 the population of those over 65-year- old will be at 75 million, up from 35 million in 2000. Furthermore, those individuals 80 years of age and older will rise from 9.3 million to 20 million in that same time frame. In 2025 the United States, minus Alaska and Florida, will see an estimate of 15% of their population who are 65 years old and older. Three combined factors make up the aging phenomenon; Age Dynamics: The fertility rate elevated between 1946 and 1964 (baby boom era); Fertility Rate Decline: The amount of older people has increased as the number of young people reproducing has decreased; and Increase in Longevity: Medical technology and healthcare improvements have helped to increase life expectancy by 20 years (Transgenerational, n.d). The CDC (2011) has stated the following: “The growing number of older adults increases demands on the public health system and on...
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...A. Summary of Situation The situation that will be evaluated in this analysis will be; is there a region of the United States in which childhood obesity tends to be more prominent? This will be done to show areas in which the Government, insurance companies and healthcare institutions should focus campaigns for healthy living to reduce future healthcare cost. The data that will be utilized to answer this business question will be the percent of children ages ten to seventeen that are overweight or obese in each of the fifty states. The states will then be categorized into their respective regions of East, South, Midwest, and West. It is important to look into the regions to see if there is a trend of obesity within a region, as this region should be the focal point of Government, insurance companies, and healthcare institutions to launch a healthy living campaign. Conducting such campaigns in a region of most need will in the long run, reduce healthcare cost because children will mature into health conscious individual with less preventable diseases. B1. Summary of Data Again the data that will be used in this analysis is the percentage of children ten to seventeen of which are overweight of obese in each of the fifty States and the District of Columbia. The States will then be put into regions to identify a region that shows more overweight or obese children. The data for this analysis will come from “The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation (Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation...
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...Quantitative Research Methods Term Project - Childhood Obesity Purpose Statement The purpose of this project is to determine the effect of physical activity, dietary patterns, and family/environmental factors on children with the overall outcome of obesity. The dependent variable childhood obesity is determined by independent variables physical activity, dietary patterns, and family/environmental factors. The most important independent variable in this relationship is physical activity, because the leading cause of childhood obesity is physical activity; or the lack there of. Children are not getting the exercise that they need in order to burn the high-calorie foods that they consume. Insufficient calorie expenditure through exercise is due to an increase in television, video games, and the low number of safe playgrounds (Collins, 2007). Only about one-third of elementary children have daily physical education, and less than one-fifth have extracurricular physical activity programs at school (Ross & Pate, 1987). This variable was chosen because it directly determines the fate of an inactive adolescent. A child’s diet/nutritional intakes also a link in the grand chain of childhood obesity bearing impact on the lives of unsuspecting children. Definition of Variables The model is: Y = X1 + X2 + X3 (Childhood Obesity) = (Physical Activity) + (Dietary Patterns) + (Family/Environmental...
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...Limiting Television Time for Children Is the Smart Choice Limiting Television Time for Children Is the Smart Choice Television what a beautiful spectacle with your rich display of colors and deep sound. Truly one of the most impactful inventions of the 19th century. Television has been affecting millions of people young and old since its inception. Since the beginning television has played with all the emotions one possesses whether it was a funny show, heart wrenching news story or sporting event that brought joyful tears. Some love television and others think it offers nothing but negativity. No matter what feelings one has there is no denying the affect television has had on the human race. Unfortunately most of the time that negativity touches the lives of children who are too small to know how to make a good decision when it comes to viewing television. Parents are also putting their children at risk of future problems and might not even realize it. Research suggests that an excessive amount of TV is harmful to children because it affects behavior, hinders development and makes children more susceptible to health problems. Research suggests an excessive amount of television can affect the child’s behavior because when a child is exposed to violence for such a length of time the child has a chance of developing aggressive behavior that can later lead to violent tendencies in their youth as well as into adulthood. When raising a child a parent wants their child...
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...Obesity Rising in America Florida State College of Jacksonville People are becoming more obese in America. According to Ferraro and Kelley-Moore (2003), "The number of people in America considered obese has been steadily rising since the 1960s, up 12 % since then. Obesity is not to be confused with being overweight. Obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute guidelines (NHLBI)" (p.708). Ferraro and Kelley-Moore (2003) go on to claim that, “Obesity is an important mediating variable between socioeconomic status and health. Persons of lower socioeconomic status are more likely to be obese, and the effect of obesity reduces the independent association between socioeconomic status and health measures” (p.724). There are many arguments about what is causing obesity, poor diet, genetics and low socioeconomic status are just a few factors blamed for obesity. Adler and Stewart (2009) reinforce Ferraro and Kelley-Moore’s findings of the correlations between socioeconomic status and obesity, “Environment also plays a role in obesity. Poor communities lack health promoting resources; for example, poorer communities have fewer supermarkets, more fast-food restaurants, and fewer accessible and safe recreational opportunities” (p.49-50). In the next ten years obesity will be at its highest rates if it continues on this path. With...
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...Childhood Obesity EC 315 Shane Martin Spring II 2012 Purpose Statement Childhood obesity is increasing worldwide. Experts estimate that 1 in 5 kids between the ages of 6 and 17 are overweight. That means that as they get older they will be more at risk for diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart related diseases. Things that we used to associate with older people are now affecting younger and younger children. There are many reasons for this rise in obesity and this paper will look at a few of them. My goal is to show a correlation between what children are doing and how it affects their chances of being obese. My data comes from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website. They sent a survey to schools in all 50 states and American territories. Once completed the survey was sent back to the CDC and then the results were tabulated. The data I am looking at represents middle and high school students. The dependent variable, childhood obesity, is determined by independent variables, physical activity, nutrition, meals with the family, and schools offering sugary drinks The model (less constants and coefficients is): OBESITY = %FRUITVEG + %PHYSICAL + %FAMILY + %SUGAR Definition of Variables I believe the most important independent variable in this relationship is nutrition (%FRUITVEG), because nutrition is the most important component for staying healthy. The data that I am using for my calculations...
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...Elderly as a Vulnerable Population According To the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary (2002), vulnerability is the Ability to "Be Easily Physically, Emotionally, or mentally hurt, Influenced or attacked." “As one of the faster growing segments of the population, over 70 million American citizens will be considered elderly by 2030 (Centers for the Disease Control and Prevention , 2007).” The United States Census Bureau states that, the Population greater Than 65 years old is growing at a rapid pace and by the year 2050 will duplicate and will increase from 12 to 20 percent of the population. This same percentage will be considered vulnerable population. Currently 40 million of people in the United States are 65 years or older, according to the Census Bureau these numbers will be expected to double by 2050, longevity will increased and this will bring a new number of common diseases which, will make this group more vulnerable. At Any Given Time, anyone can become vulnerable, the composition of the population has changed demographically and the elderly population has increased in recent years because of the development of the science and technology, but with this increment of the elderly population the vulnerability increases as well, due to some factors that this vulnerable population is exposed to, such as increase of the needs, physical and mental limitations, and lack of financial resources. Chronic illnesses increase vulnerability in elderly patients because...
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...Community Health C229 1 ! ! ! ! ! ! CKA Task 1 Sharon Wiggins Western Governors University ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Community Health C229 ! ! Date Spent ! ! 6/19/15 ! 6/19/15 ! 6/19/15 ! 6/29-7/2 ! 7/11/15 1200-1700 ! 8/30/15 1100-1600 ! 9/4/15 1100-1200 ! ! 9/9-10/15 0800-1700 0800-1200 ! ! Fieldwork Study Activity Location and Contact Time Windshield Survey Dakota County, Minnesota 10 Cultural Survey Dakota County, Minnesota 5 Scavenger Hunt Dakota County, Minnesota 10 Childhood Obesity attended conference, interviewed other attendees and exhibitors 8757 Rio San Diego Dr, San Diego, CA 92108 (619)692-3800 30 Festival of Farms attended festival interview with community members and exhibitors Lakeside Prairie Farm 20503 180th Ave Barrett, MN 56311 320-492-2526 5 Minnesota State Fair attended & interviews and surveys 1265 Snelling Ave St Paul, MN 55108 (651) 288-4400 5 Dr Koch interviewed Dr. Koch Physician Fairview Ridges Clinic 303 E Nicollet Blvd # 160 Burnsville, MN 55337 (952) 460-4000 1 Communities for Health attended conference, interviewed other attendees, exhibitors Duluth Convention Center 350 Harbor Dr Duluth, MN 55802 (218) 722-5573 12 1 Community Health C229 ! 9/12/15 1200-1500 ! ! 9/18/15 0800-1200 ! 9/19/15 0800-1300 Farm Fest attended, interviewed ...
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...Your name Professor’s name Class Information 06 May 2013 Final Argumentative Essay Zombie Children: The Over-diagnosis of ADHD in children Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a behavioral syndrome predominantly occurring in children (CDC 1). It is one of the most common childhood disorders. This condition is characterized by lack of attention, fidgeting, lack of organization, or squirming when seated. Children with ADHD often have difficulty paying attention to details and are easily distracted by other events happening at the same time; they find it difficult to complete their schoolwork; they put off anything that requires a lot of thought; they are prone to making careless mistakes, and are disorganized; they may seem as if they are listening when spoken to and often fail to follow through with tasks. The symptoms usually become evident in preschool or when entering into elementary school but can continue into adolescence and adulthood. There is no fixed test that can give an accurate diagnosis that a child has ADHD; therefore, over diagnosis has become difficult to avoid. Approximately, 9.5% (5.4 million) children, between four and seventeen years of age, are diagnosed with ADHD (CDC). This translates to three percent to seven percent of school aged children being diagnosed with ADHD. The rate that ADHD has been diagnosed has increased an average of three percent per year between the years 1997 and 2006 and an average of five and a half percent...
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