Obesity in America
Good news! We're Number 2! As declared by a 2013 report from the U.N., America has only the second highest obesity rate in the world at 31.8%, second to Mexico with an obesity rate of 32.8%. America has held on to the title of most obese country for over 60 years. From 13% obesity in 1962, estimates have steadily increased right up to 2013's 32.8%. This may sound like good news, but the harsh truth is that America didn't reach the number 2 spot through sweeping diet changes or social conscience or sheer determination of a will to live longer, healthier lives. We made the number 2 spot solely by the fact that someone else had a higher increment than we did. Our numbers increased and are expected to continue to increase to nearly 43% by...show more content...
With such a limited understanding of the consequences of obesity, coupled with statistics and the facts mentioned above, it is clear that methods to educate American about obesity have not been effective. Just what is obesity? Obesity is defined as having an excessive amount of body fat. Obesity occurs when a person's weight is far above their ideal body weight. The root cause of obesity is widely debated. An inactive lifestyle, environment, genetics, family history, health conditions, medicines, emotional factors, age, pregnancy, and lack of sleep are many factors that can contribute towards obesity. Many times we can find multiple overlaying factors, for example, we may see a family history of obesity, along with an inactive lifestyle all while in an environment that reinforces overindulgence. Obesity and its cause is a complex issue, but the main causes can be generally grouped into three headings: poor diet, lack of exercise and lack of awareness. Major labor–saving technological changes of the 20th century gave rise to the industrial processing of food. In the 1950's and 60's we saw a rise of supermarkets and the spread of fast–food eateries. The growth of supermarkets and fast–food eateries gave way to a new method of consumption. No longer was food's route from the local farm or ranch to the Get more content
Obesity has grown so much it can now be said to have replaced smoking as the number one preventable cause of diseases in America. Even though the obese have to be responsible when deciding what and how much to eat, society is what not only created obesity but also discriminates against them. The media, food market, and the rapidly advancing technology are all factors that influence not only the increase in obesity rates, but also the psychological status of the obese. According to epidemiological studies, there is a direct correlation between BMI and the risk of obtaining an obesity related disease. The authors of "Waist Circumference and Cardiometabolic Risks...." state that men and women with a BMI greater than 30 are at a very high risk...show more content... In addition, the risk of being obese as an adult was twice as high in obese children than in the non–obese. However, even though individuals have to be responsible when deciding what they consume and how much of it, the credit for creating obesity should be given to society. The huge gap in distribution of wealth is one of the causes of obesity and where you stand determines the foods that you have access to. For instance, the low quality built environments can lead to inability to exercise which leads to accumulation of calories causing obesity. For instance, this can be seen in areas of high pollution, where it is unsafe to travel for long periods of time while being exposed to these toxic chemicals in the air. In addition, food dessert also contribute to an inability to obtain healthy foods in other words, food desserts are urban or rural low–income areas with low access to healthy nutritious foods. One reason that can cause inability to obtain nutritious food is not having enough money to own a car which in turn forces someone that lives in this area to resort to low cost unhealthy food products. Moreover, low–income areas are typically known to be areas with high levels of crime. As a result, the members of the community might fear their safety or the safety of their children due to the fact that there is so much crime being committed. For example, according to the Census
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Obesity has been a growing problem in the U.S. for more than a decade. Various reasons and theories are thrown around as to the cause of this severe problem by psychologists, dietitians, and professors trying to pinpoint a single cause. Due to America's vast supply of resources, luxurious living standards, and moral of the country, there is no one cause for obesity contrary to advertisements offering a quick–fix drug. America's obesity problem is rooted much deeper than just cheap fast food and poor choices. Medical conditions, influence of genes, unhealthy lifestyles, and mental illnesses are all contributors towards obesity in any one person. Obesity is a serious problem in America with multiple contributors and one lone solution...show more content...
Cancer is also a long term complication associated with obesity, causing the body to shut down in one area depending on the type of cancer. These irreversible effects will plague a person with constant pain and the possibility of a much shorter life span. Obesity is a sickness that many people choose to have, the only true cure is a choice. The definition of obesity is someone who is grossly overweight. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines obesity as: "...labels for ranges of weight that are greater than what is generally considered healthy for a given height" (Causes and Consequences 1). Almost one–third (35%) of America's population falls under the category of 'obese'. Colorado has the lowest statistics of obesity with less than 25% of its population registering as obese. This percentage in the U.S. has been rising steadily since 1986 when the obesity rate registered less than 10% nation wide. This data states that in less than thirty years, the obesity rate has exploded in North America and is still climbing. Many fear the rate might continue climbing to dangerous levels in the near future. A study conducted by the American College of Preventive Medicine (Obesity Forecasts Through 2030) reveals data predicting obesity rates to skyrocket past 50% nationwide by 2030 (Finkelstein 1). This quickly growing rate has many looking to the cause of this epidemic in an attempt to
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One of the most commonly discussed issues of America in the last few decades has been obesity. It remains one of the biggest problems in American society and requires a careful, systematic but also immediate solution. Obesity is a term used to describe body weight that is much greater than what is considered healthy. Today, 65% of adults in the U.S. are overweight and half of those are obese. The rates for children are smaller but they are not satisfying either: 15% are overweight and another 15% are headed that way (Lemonick). Besides the aesthetic problems for many people that this condition creates, it is most importantly known as the main cause of serious health problems as well. There are many causes that contribute to these high...show more content...
There is scientific proof that obesity is linked to many serious health conditions of our time. Cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure and osteoarthritis [(National Institutes of Health) (Haslam)] are just some of them and were responsible for almost 400,000 deaths in America in 2004 alone (Goldfarb). These conditions even if they do not cause death, are serious enough to significantly decrease the quality of an individual's life. The aesthetic effects of obesity, on the other hand, are known to cause depression and low self–esteem. Unfortunately, the criteria that most people are judged and evaluated today are based on the stereotypes created by advertisements and lifestyle in general. A thin, fit person has more chances of being likable and preferable than someone who is overweight, in many aspects of everyday life, including the workplace. All these situations create a very negative impact on the mentality of an overweight person. Obesity is extremely expensive, too. The nutrition choices that obese people make not only decrease their health levels, but also create a strong impact in American economy. In 2003 Americans spent 75 billion dollars in medical treatment for issues connected to obesity (CDC). Half of those costs were covered by Medicare and Medicaid or, in other words, by the taxpayers. In addition, it is worth mentioning the entire industry that has been created as a result of the need to fight
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