...talk with you about a health crisis affecting every state, every city, every community, and every school across our great nation. The crisis is obesity. It’s the fastest growing cause of death in America.” According to a government reports, 60 percent of Americans are overweight, and 25 percent are grossly overweight and at medical risk in this country. This condition contributes to approximately 400,000 deaths each year, drains U.S. economy of billions of dollars in direct and indirect medical expenses, disability, and lost productivity. The American culture of obesity is not just a societal trend. It also has strong cultural and economic roots. The economic interests that drive US cultural practices are rarely explained in the media, which makes solving the obesity problem especially difficult. US government officials have become aware of the huge health costs related to diabetes and hypertension, first on individuals, then on the society as whole, through lost productivity and through costs associated with expanding healthcare facilities to serve the increasing number of people with diet-related medical problems. But simple awareness is not enough. Now, when obesity has increasingly becoming a major threat to society and the biggest burden on economy, active government intervention is needed to combat this crisis. Government must develop new economic incentives for businesses and individuals to promote and implement a healthier lifestyle. Obesity is unique in that it is viewed...
Words: 900 - Pages: 4
...Get On Your Feet: Exercise and the Obesity Epidemic. The people of the United States face a deadly killer. One that will, for the first time in history, result in this generations children having a shorter life expectancy than that of their parents. The killer is obesity and though it may seem to be a new crisis, it has been classified and published about for some time. Nestle and Jacobson report that obesity has been classified as a threat for over fifty years, “Concern about obesity is not new. By 1952, the American Heart Association had already identified obesity as a cardiac risk factor modifiable through diet and exercise.” (14). This crisis is the result of a sedentary lifestyle led by a large number of the population combined with overeating and a complete lack of exercise and health education. The percentage of Americans classified as obese stands at 34 percent. Another 30 percent are merely overweight. This is a clear and present danger to the nation. The costs associated with obesity are currently as is as high as $157 billion annually. We must make decisions now or obesity will rob us of our future and harm our country. We must wake up to the following truth. Exercise is the most important part of a strategy to regulate and conquer the obesity epidemic engulfing the United States. If there ever was a war that is needed, it is a war on obesity. There are many factors behind this growing threat. There is a genetic factor. Some recent studies have concluded that 25...
Words: 342 - Pages: 2
...Childhood Obesity David Sholl Western Governors University Task 3 Childhood Obesity Part A: Description of the Problem The primary focus of the literature review will be childhood obesity among American children between the ages of five and eighteen years. Most parents are not aware that their children have problems until they become overweight. For instance, in a survey conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2011, about 49% of American parents believed that their children were of average size. However, after physical examinations, a team of physicians classified them as overweight. Central adiposity is one of the symptoms of childhood obesity. Children with excessive accumulation of fat around the abdominal area are either overweight or obese. Inability to cope with abrupt physical activities is another symptom. Numerous studies indicate that overweight children have diminished physical stamina because their bodies carry excess weight. Snoring is the other notable symptom of childhood obesity. As fat accumulates around the neck region, it obstructs the windpipe leading to snoring among children. Childhood obesity is now a pandemic in the U.S, and has become a national health crisis. One in every three children in America aged between two and eighteen years are considered overweight or obese. The life-threatening problems of obesity create a critical and compelling call for action that should not be ignored. According to numerous sources obesity is related...
Words: 2697 - Pages: 11
...Obesity, and more specifically childhood obesity, has recently been receiving a great deal of attention by society, but the severity of the obesity crisis seems to be less understood. Obesity in the United States has been deemed a “critical public health threat” (Wang et al., 2008, p. 620) for three reasons. First, overweight children are more likely to grow up to be overweight or obese adults. Second, obesity among adults causes health related problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, several cancers, and other health related issues that can result in premature death. Third, in 2000, the United States spent $117 billion dollars towards obesity (Wang et al., 2008, p. 620). Considering this chain of events often begins in childhood, reducing obesity in children could dramatically change the frequency of obesity in the future. Jamie Oliver, celebrity chef and advocate for stopping the obesity crisis, (2010) suggests that the frequency of obesity in children is related to three main external factors: the home, the school and, what he refers to as ‘Main Street’– corporations and businesses in the food industry. In the United States, it is estimated that 31 million children each day each breakfast, lunch or both at school and spend half of their days of the year there (Oliver, 2010). This substantial amount of time spent and meals eaten at school indicates the vast impact the school has on children. Obesity, in simple terms, is essentially caused by a caloric imbalance...
Words: 1576 - Pages: 7
...Obesity and Overweight in Hispanics in the United States Maria Teresa Carrasco Francisca Velasco Adrian Rodriguez RES 341 November 19, 2011 Deborah Green Obesity and Overweight in Hispanics in the United States The purpose of the research that will be conducted is to validate what studies have shown about that Hispanic Americans have higher levels of overweight and obesity than Non – Hispanic Whites. “In accordance with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services information in 2008, Hispanic Americans were 1.2 times as likely to be obese than Non-Hispanic Whites. Among Mexican American women, 73 percent are overweight or obese, as compared to only 61.6 percent of the general female population. In 2007 – 2008 Mexican American children were 1.4 times more likely to be overweight as Non-Hispanic White children. In 2007, Hispanic adults were 50% less likely to engage in active physical activity as Non-Hispanic Whites” (OMH – Source: CDC, 2010) Impact of obesity and overweight The problem with obesity and overweight has affected the Hispanic race in many ways. Obesity and overweight are two different problems. A person with a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 25-29.9 is considered overweight and a person with a BMI of less than equal to 30 is considered obese. Based on the information gathered by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of minority health, more than 80% of the Hispanic overweight population tends to develop diabetes. Tests were driven...
Words: 2317 - Pages: 10
...A Crisis in the Marketplace: How Food Marketing Contributes to Childhood Obesity and What Can Be Done A Crisis in the Marketplace: How Food Marketing Contributes to Childhood Obesity and What Can Be Done is written by Jennifer L. Harris, Jennifer L. Pomeranz,Tim Lobstein, and Kelly D. Brownell1, in collaboration by Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity, Yale University, New Haven and 2International Obesity Taskforce, London. This article was publish on Annu. Rev. Public Health 2009.. This article is focusing to the health aspect but the causes is the food marketing. This article specifically on the childhood obesity. Childhood obesity was on of the biggest problem in the new decade. The some of the study shown that the 35% American kid is obesity and also the its expected in the 25 years us 35% china 78.8% India 162% kid will be obesity. The writer was justified that the obesity will come from few factor example like from the genetic/ physical activity like less activity for kids will cause of the obesity .environment also can be of the factor . The worried of this food marketing system is mainly the factor is the rapidly growing food industry cause of the growing food industry the marketing of the food will increased push the product. Cause of the spending power with kids and adolescent the marketing targeting specific group. Author was argued that the spending of kid per year in us is 200billion. The main factor in the marketing that effect kids is the advertisement...
Words: 695 - Pages: 3
...chose to watch the movie Fed Up by Katie Couric to get more insight on our healthcare crisis here in the United States. It blows me away knowing that our leaders have a big part in this dilemma. On an epidemic scale our generation is suffering from obesity. I believe that some causes of today’s crisis are but not limited to: obesity, processed foods, and the food industry attracting the eyes of children through advertisement. Obesity became an epidemic in the 1980’s and the rate has gone up drastically since then. If these rates continue go up, by 2050 one in three Americans will end up developing diabetes. Eighty percent of store shelves are stocked with processed foods. Processed foods are full of sugar and contain processed starches. If these foods aren’t loaded with sugar, then they are loaded with fructose corn syrup. These added sugars are empty calories that will eventually lead to stored fat in the body. The food industry is always advertising to children with...
Words: 661 - Pages: 3
...all honesty, this is what I felt like eating in the short amount of time I had to grab a “lunch”. I thought it was pretty ironic that while I was reading about all these “unhealthy” food options, I was eating them. This obesity epidemic has carved its way so deep into our lives, there is possible room to improve, but it’s difficult to come up with some miracle solution to make it disappear. Kelley Brownell suggests that the legislature should get rid of food advertising especially ones pointed at children watching television and also eliminating soft drinks and unhealthy snacks from school vending machines (Newman, 2004). I do favor Kelly Brownell’s suggestions but it is obviously easier said than done. I understand that food advertising is something that children see often when watching television and it does often times persuade children to decide to get up and look for something to snack on. But what is the point of getting rid of these advertisements when they could already have it in their pantry? If we get rid of these foods at school, how would we know if the kids aren’t just going to go home and eat them? Both The ABC News “Obesity in America” clip and Taubes Reader’s Digest article both suggest that the major dietary enemy in childhood obesity is refined carbohydrates. Taubes suggests that pasta, bread and rice should be cut from our diet (Taubes, 2012). I do agree with him to a certain extent although, I don’t think these items should be absolutely cut from our...
Words: 1022 - Pages: 5
...Obesity in American Society Wade Henson RN Western Governors University Abstract The obesity rates in America have steadily risen over the past several decades. The roots of the exploding waistlines in the United States have many causes. This paper will take a look at what “obesity “ is by definition, some of the causes of obesity and what societal factors influence this rise. We will also examine to what extent obesity affects the United States and look at obesity through the parameters of sociological theory. Obesity in American Society The World Health Organization defines obesity as it relates to BMI or the Basic Metabolic Index. BMI is (Weight in Kilograms/Height in Meters squared). Healthy BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9, Over weight is from 25 to 29.9, while obese is defined as BMI from 30 to 39.9 and morbidly obese is greater that 40. Many experts argue that this BMI definition of obesity is not accurate because in does not allow for the heavy muscled individual, but none argue that obesity is not a growing problem. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 4.7 percent of the United States population is morbidly obese. This is up from 2.7% less than 20 years ago. With the direct link between obesity and many of societies health and disease issues, it is easy to see what all the concern is about. At its core the cause of obesity is simple. When a person’s energy intake exceeds energy expenditure a person’s body stores the excess...
Words: 1160 - Pages: 5
...Policies Obesity is seemingly becoming a healthcare problem because its health and economic burden is exceedingly enormous. Before 1980’s, the prevalence rate of obesity was relatively low, but its prevalence and incidence rates have assumed an upward trend, probably due to the rapid change of lifestyle. Prevalence rate of obesity has increased by two folds, over the last three decades in the US, and the incidence rate is predicted to triple by 2015. Currently, obesity is ranked fifth leading cause of mortality in the entire world. From a global scope, obesity and its related morbidity accounts for about 2.8 million deaths yearly. Recent epidemiological reports reveal that, approximately 44 percent of the diabetes disease burden is caused by obesity; whereas, 23 percent of the cardiovascular disease burden is attributable to being overweight and obese. Further reports indicate that, obesity is responsible for about 7-41 percent of the total cancer burden worldwide (WHO par. 3). It is absurd for medical insurance companies to charge obese people high premiums for their healthcare policies compared with the physically fit Americans. Since obesity seems to be causing negative consequences on the American healthcare systems, efficient approaches are required so as to curb this health problem (Dent &Morgan 3). This paper will dissect the reasons as to why the obese people should be charged normal or less health insurance premiums just like the physically fit Americans. Some of...
Words: 2739 - Pages: 11
...Fighting to End Obesity Everyone knows someone like Mary; she is a woman who many consider to be beautiful, smart, successful, and has a great personality. Each person she comes in contact with admires her and who she is as a person, but Mary has a problem; she cannot run and play with her children nor do most things that an average sized adult at her age would be able to do. The reason she cannot perform these tasks is because she is obese. Mary is three times heavier than what is believed to be typical standards for her age and height. She often has trouble breathing, swollen feet, as well as an extensive list of other medical conditions that affect her well-being; therefore, is constantly on medication to ensure that she stays alive. Upon reflection, one may actually relate in some way or another to this story either by knowing someone in her position or even connecting directly on a more personal level. People like Mary are now deemed to be, what the United States declares, an average statistic in Americans today. Evidently, obesity is becoming a growing problem which appears to be worsening each year. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 1/3 of Americans are obese (Adult Obesity, 2011). In the United States alone the amount of adults who are statistically obese, whose BMI also known as body mass index, (the body weight in kilograms divided by the square of the body height in meters, is greater than 30%) has increased from no states to...
Words: 2899 - Pages: 12
...Who is to Blame for Childhood Obesity? Childhood obesity has been a hot topic over the past few years. With this crisis on the rise, many are asking who is to blame. Is it the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)? Maybe it is the ad companies that promote sugar filled foods to catch the eye of young ones, as well as the food distributors. Some say it is the cafeteria’s fault in your local school. Others protest that it is the obese child’s parents who we should be blaming. Some love to blame it on their genetics, saying “It runs in the family, we are just heavy naturally”. The truth is, we can blame all of these factors, but really the responsibility falls on the government. The FDA website clearly shows their slogan that states, “U.S. Food and Drug Administration Protecting and Promoting Your Health” (fda.gov). Is the FDA really looking out for our health and even more so our children’s health? The FDA website says that when it comes to foods they are responsible for labeling and the safety of all food products (except meat and poultry). This means that the foods in your supermarket that are FDA approved are supposed to be safe, what does “safe” mean according to the FDA? Many of these products are not healthy. Not only are they not healthy, but they are targeting young children, which the FDA is responsible for labeling. As far as parents go, many of us aren’t educated enough and think that if it is FDA approved then it is healthy, after all, the...
Words: 1271 - Pages: 6
...Numerous American's believe obesity is a problem that just cannot be solved. No matter what fad diet or magic weight loss pill they try, they cannot seem to find a thing that will keep weight gain at bay. What many people do not realize is that the food they put in their mouths affects not only their weight, but the way their body and mind function. With the overwhelming amount of fast food restaurants taking place in towns all over this country, unhealthy eating becomes a habit for many people when in a crunch for time. There are 240,115 fast food restaurants in America alone and only 37,716 super markets in the US; this means that for every seven fast food restaurants there is only one grocery store in our Nation. So where are citizens to turn when looking for something to eat? When the odds are seven to one, statistically you'd be more likely to choose the fast food restaurants almost every time. By increasing the amount of healthier store alternatives in the US we can give Americans accessibility to more affordable, healthier options, and the equal choices the people of America deserve. For many people across America eating healthy is a difficult thing to do, because they do not know where to start. This becomes even more difficult when they do not have a grocery store near by in order to purchase healthier alternatives. Grocery stores offer fresher fruits, vegetables, and many now offer organic meats and milk. In the article “Escape from the Western Diet” by Michael Pollan...
Words: 1625 - Pages: 7
...Time to Reverse Childhood Obesity Brian Brown ENG/147 May 11, 2015 Kevin Phillips Obesity in Children Is childhood obesity a personal choice or genetics? It could be both. Studies have indicated that a genetic predisposition to obesity may exist, but that the interaction of genetic and environmental factors may also cause obesity (Larsen, Mandleco, & Williams, 2006). Children ages 12 and under account for one-third of those with Type 2 diabetes resulting from improper nutrition, lack of exercise, and/or poor education. The ramifications are increased health care costs and a generation of children that may need to be medicated for life. The key is change. Attitude, nutrition and education can reverse this epidemic and allow these children to create a healthy lifestyle. Children with Type 2 Diabetes The number of children with Type 2 diabetes (Mellitus) has increased over the years due to childhood obesity affecting the metabolism. Before the 1990’s, this condition was diagnosed in middle-aged to older adults and was considered normal. According to Copeland, Chalmers & Brown (2005), “During the past decade, pediatricians have witnessed a profound change in that the epidemiology of diabetes is being diagnosed in children and adolescence at an alarming rate.” Children ages 12 and under account for 30% of those with Type 2 Diabetes in the United States. Obesity has become big business in the medical arena as it also relates to potential...
Words: 1253 - Pages: 6
...individual can always alter to improve their health. For example, changes in their diet, physical maintenance, and stress. The decisions from the initial case deal with treatment; further along there is areas of discipline, education, responsibility, and adopted healthy lifestyles. With this in mind, the wrong decision will equally influence health care supply and demand significantly. For example, the increasing rate of diabetes in the country is a result of either decision. Type 1 diabetes is a hereditary form of the virus caused from the digestive system not processing insulin. However, type 2 diabetes is caused by environment influences which cause the pancreas to insufficiently produce insulin. Type 2 diabetes is usually caused by obesity. In fact, I researched this information before for a previous class and its been proven that 95% of all diabetes infected individuals have type 2 diabetes. The overall number of individuals with diabetes make up 30% of the U.S. population. The number of individuals with the disease began to spike in the mid 1990’s and the demographic equally expands from young children to older adults. Financially, the health care system has suffered economically due to the increasing amount of dialysis, amputations, blindness accommodations, heart procedures and medications. The increased demand for these services eventually led to a spike in costs and lack of equipment and supplies. Currently, the CDC considers the dilemma severe and is urging to...
Words: 1850 - Pages: 8
