Thesis Statement: Obesity in America has reached epidemic proportions, although diet and exercise is important in weight management it is not the only cause to obesity. 1. What is Obesity A. Obesity is a health condition where a person has an abnormal amount of body fat compared to their height 1. Probability of becoming obese, a person with a body mass index of over 30 is classified as obese 2. Nutrition and eating habits a.
Are We Losing the War on Obesity? Do you know that obesity is one of the major causes of deaths in the United States? Do you know that one in every three American adults is obese (Flegal, 2011)? Do you know that in 2008 the nation spent over $147 billion dollars to treat obesity-related problems (Finkelstein, 2009)? Do you know that nearly 13 millions of the children and adolescents are obese and they are likely to remain obese when they grow up (Park, 2012)?
In Washington state alone children age 2 -5 were 18.4% were overweight and 14.4% were considered obese. Obesity is a major risk factor for many serious health conditions including type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart disease, high blood pressure and certain cancers, and among youth these diseases are at an all-time high. The most striking fact to me is that during the past 40 years obesity rates for children age 3-11 nearly tripled from 5% to 14$ and more than tripled for adolescents age 12-19 n from 5% top 17.1%. Some of the causes as stated on the National Heart Lung and blood Institute were lack of exercise, oversize food portions, lack of access to healthy food, food advertising, and parents work schedules. Also some common factors such as genetics and cultural environment experts have agreed that are a cause of childhood obesity.
With this high proportion of overweight people, it is no surprise that by the year 2005, obesity will surpass smoking and become the nation’s leading cause of preventable deaths ("More Dieters...," 2004). After this statement was announced to the public, health activists pounced at this like a starving man at a buffet. Recently, Americans have been bombarded with products and programs that promise weight loss. One diet that has swept the nation with rapid weight loss results is the low carbohydrate diet. Low carbohydrate diets are receiving the attention of many people through the over-sensationalism of the diet through the media, low-carbohydrate books, promotion from fitness centers and health clubs, and by many restaurants (Bilsbourough, n.d).
Breastfeeding and Childhood Obesity Annie Jo Jones ENG 122 Craig Smith October 3, 2011 Breastfeeding and Childhood Obesity Childhood obesity rate is on the rise, and is the most serious health challenges of the 21st century. Taking in too many calories and not exercising is the result of childhood obesity. The number of obese children and adolescents has more than tripled in the past 30 years (Curry, 2011). In addition, approximately one-third of children and adolescents are obese. Obesity is causing children to develop diseases, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and strokes.
What do most people imagine when they hear the word “obese”? Some may simply picture it as being chubby or fat. However, being obese actually means being so overweight that it can endanger one’s health. In fact, obesity was declared an epidemic for the past decade. While some argued that it is the fault of food industries, and for some, fault of consumers, it can easily be resolved with two words: self-responsibility.
Overweight and obesity has become a national epidemic problem. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity has affected a third of the adults in the United States and a third of the Americans seem to be getting fatter. (Freedman, 2011) It has created many problems, such as an increase in health insurance premiums, health related diseases and unhappy lives. These factors are affecting Americans of all ages and the problem is not going away unless drastic interventions are implemented. In the present paper, overweight and obesity is being investigated.
In today's society, obesity, more specifically child obesity has become a growing epidemic for many years not only in the U.S but all around the world. The change in the environment is not the only cause of obesity, the change in genes is also a major contributor. Obesity has many causes, but the main cause is children not getting enough exercise and eating too much. The calories that are not burning up can results into excess fat, which is stored in our bodies causing obesity. Every child gains weight different mostly due to problems like poor eating, not enough exercise, family geneses, health issues, the environment, and psychological issues.
Most teens who try fad diets feel fat even when they aren’t, have self-esteem issues, and feel as though they have less control over their lives in general. When one group of teens were given quality-of-life test and self-esteem test, normal weight children who believed they were fat scored as poorly as children who really were obese. And normal-weight children who felt fat actually scored worse on family relationship questions than obese children. As a result, those teens that felt they were fat turned to the things that they constantly see on T. V., the things that boast of millions of success stories - fad diets. Feeling as though it is the only way to gain respect from their peers and even family members, the young adults ruined their health.
In addition, overweight and obese applicants are viewed as having poor self-discipline, low supervisory potential, poor personal hygiene, and less ambition and productivity, Larkin & Pines (1979). Nearly half, (43%), of overweight people report experiencing weight bias from employers and supervisors, Puhl & Brownell, (2001). A 2007 study of over 2,800 Americans found that overweight adults were 12 times more likely to experience weight-based employment