For adolescents ages 12 to 19, non-Hispanic black girls and Mexican-American boys have the highest rates of obesity, 29.2 percent and 26.7 percent respectively. Non-Hispanic white boys and girls have the lowest rate of obesity at 16.7 percent and 14.5 percent respectively (Schwarz & Peterson, 2010). Schwarz and Peterson (2010) described many lifestyle factors
Obesity as Social Stigma Compulsive overeating (binging but not purging) is most often considered a bad habit that can easily be changed. On the contrary, compulsive overeating is an eating disorder that is more properly defined as an addiction rather than a simple habit. Overeaters use eating as a means of hiding from their emotions and coping with the stress and problems of their lives, turning to food for comfort. Compulsive overeating is characterized by uncontrollable eating that results in weight gain that may lead to obesity. According to the American Obesity Association (2002), obesity is a “complex, multi-factorial chronic disease involving environmental (social and cultural) and genetic, physiologic, metabolic, behavioral and psychological components.” AOA points out that approximately 127 million adults in the U.S. are overweight, with 60 million being obese.
The importance of Body Mass Index (BMI) Obesity is the accumulation of adipose (fatty) tissue in the body. This is now considered by the world health organisation to be a public health problem, hence it is a good practise to monitor and be aware of service user’s body mass index (BMI).There can be a genetic predisposition to gain weight, the risk is increased when parents themselves, or close relatives are obese. Also inadequate physical activity often combined with ‘bad eating habits’ cause an imbalance in the amount of energy taken in and expanded. It is also important to look at other factors such as hormonal imbalance and the ingestion of medication e.g. corticoids and antidepressants.Previously considered as an aesthetic problem, obesity is now regarded as a real illness.
What is obesity? According to the Webster’s College Dictionary obesity is defined as ‘very fat or overweight; corpulent’ [2]. The Bing Dictionary defines obesity as ‘overweight: extremely or unhealthily fat or overweight, or clinically overweight: having a body weight more than 20 percent greater than recommended for the relevant height’ [3]. The online encyclopedia known as Wikipedia defines obesity in clinical terms as ‘a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extend that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems’ [4]. From the above definitions we can conclude that obesity in its simplest form is being overweight or simply stated “fat”.
People that live in poverty are assumed to have diets consisting of more fats, carbohydrates and processed foods which lead to a higher BMI (Body Mass Index, an indicator for excess body fat). The gaveled choice of high calorie and unhealthy food due to “food insecurity” is not a valid reason as to why obesity tracks with poverty since wholesome food has become much more affordable over the years; instead, it is the nature of the environmental influences and behavior that primarily impacts obesity. A few years ago, I met a friend named Jerimiah West that lived in poverty somewhere in the slums of Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Jerimiah and his siblings received food stamps from the government through a direct payment card to buy food. He is very close to being considered obese and the reason why is due to his sedentary life of playing video games about 14 hours a day, along with the type of food he consumes on a daily basis.
As Richard Carmona states in “The Obesity Crisis In America,” “Nearly two out of every three Americans are overweight or obese”(1). Why are Americans so overweight? I believe the three main causes of obesity in America are; the lack of motivation to exercise, the convenience of fast food, and America’s perspective that everyone is fine just the way they are. One of the primary causes of obesity is simple; lack of exercise. If we don’t even bother to workout, do we expect to magically lose weight and stay healthy?
Obesity in children Is obesity a disease? Some think it is not so important. Worse, we are seeing an epidemic problem of obesity in our children. Obesity is an excess of body fat that frequently results in a significant impairment of health. Obesity results when the size or number of fat cells in a person's body increases.
Why are 2/3 of American people overweight or obese? Won Woo Jung February 7th 2013 Mr. Duncan DUSH Obesity rates has been increasing since the 1970’s and by 2030 the rate of obesity among the American population is expected to rise to 42% by 2030.1 Estimates suggest that obesity has been causing negative health for obese people and it continues to be one of the most leading public health problem in the United States. Some Americans seek to improve their diet and their habits to lose weight, however some Americans is expected to grow much worse. Rick’s story tells how obesity is a negative cause for health and he shares his story by saying how he was overweight, tired, lazy and the only way to get rid of his weight was by doing medical
Common health risks associated with obesity include hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesteremia, cardiomegaly, left ventricular hypertrophy, and coronary artery disease,. Preventative measures such as a low carbohydrate or low-fat diet with an increase in consumption of fruits and vegetables as well as an increase in physical activity may help reduce the increasing obesity rates and related health risks. Health risks related to obesity should be addressed and preventative measures should be implemented in the healthcare setting. Methods: For this study, an analytical review of 15 scholarly articles was conducted in order to determine the effects of obesity on the cardiovascular system and ways to prevent obesity in the United States community. Assessments and diagnostic tests used in the research include measuring waist circumference, assessing blood pressure, measuring cholesterol levels, calculating BMI, checking blood glucose levels, chest x-ray, and echocardiogram.
Results of the survey F. Obesity comes with consequences, and these are three of the them 1. High cholesterol a) What is high blood pressure? b) Risks for high blood pressure 2. High blood pressure a) What is high blood pressure? b) Risks for high blood pressure 3.