Adolescents Obesity and Intervention Strategy Adolescents Obesity Intervention and Prevention Strategy According to Schwarz and Peterson (2010) “adolescents’ obesity in the United States has many important implications for both the health and well-being of the individual and society.” The negative health consequences of obesity include many diseases, chronic health disorders, psychological disorders, and early death. This contributes to billions of dollars of health care costs each year. The healthcare costs due to the adolescent obesity rate are estimated at more than $14 billion per year. The direct and indirect cost totals more than $140 billion dollars annually. The United States spends six to 10 percent of healthcare on costs caused by obesity compared to 2 to 3.5 percent in other western countries (Schwarz & Peterson, 2010).
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. Overweight is defined as a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 25 or more and obesity is 30 or more. Added to the health problems engendered by excess body weight is the social stigmatization faced by excessively overweight people, mainly young women and youngsters. A 2001 scientific study found “clear and consistent stigmatization, and in some cases discrimination….in three important areas of living: employment, education and healthcare” (Obese people suffer bias…). In addition, overweight and obese people are portrayed in a negative way in the media, including television and movies.
It’s amazing how many health conditions and disease can be linked to childhood obesity. I hope through my research project I can enlighten some of us to educate our children. With enough encouragement we will be able to say the number of obese children in the United States is down. Why should America be concerned with childhood obesity? People who are obese are more likely to have health problems such as: high blood pressure, raised cholesterol high insulin levels, impaired glucose tolerance, type two diabetes, heart attacks, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, kidney problems and polycystic ovary syndrome.
How is poverty and obesity associated with each other? Many researches show that a large segment of the U.S. population is affected by obesity. According to my findings, approximately 33 percent of the population is obese and another 33 percent are borderline overweight. One of the common myths about obesity that exists today is that most low income families are more likely to be overweight or suffer from obesity because it has been suggested that low income people are less likely to afford healthier whole or non-processed foods due to its higher costs. 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).
Statistics show that today, 2013, more americans can be classified as obese than ever before. This film raises the question of, “how well do we understand what we are consuming when we eat fast food?”. This question remains relevant today. NUTRITION CONCEPTSServing size, sugar consumption and caloric intake are three ideas emphasized in the film. As the title “SuperSize” says, the portions of food being per meal today are a factor in many health related concerns; the obesity epidemic and its impact on health concerns about hypertension (salt consumption), diabetes(sugar consumptions) and high cholesterol just to name a few.
If we consider the definition of obesity, it means that an individual has excess body fat, as a result of taking in more calories than what is expended (Centers, 2012). It is believed that genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors could also be considered related causes of childhood obesity (Center, 2012). The purpose of this section is to explore various definitions of obesity and consider the prevalence of childhood obesity and its far-reaching associated health concerns with the goal of providing a literary work that will be both informative and educational to the reader and increase their knowledge on the subject. As a nurse, childhood obesity has both personal and professional interest for me. From a personal standpoint I began gaining weight in my late teens which continued into adulthood with subsequent health problems following related to obesity including hypertension, high cholesterol, joint problems, obstructive sleep apnea, dysphagia, asthma, and chronic headaches.
corticoids and antidepressants.Previously considered as an aesthetic problem, obesity is now regarded as a real illness. Being severely overweight and obesity are responsible for a certain number of problems e.g. Premature death – according to international obesity task force (IOTF) obese women run three times more risk of being affected by a cerebral vascular illness than thin women. There is a high risk of thromboembolic diseases (angina pectoris, phlebitis and pulmonary embolism).Arterial Hypertension - is linked to obesity in 30-60% of cases, notably in western adults under the age of 40. Type 2 Diabetes – this diabetes which appears in adults, and where insulin, which reduces blood sugar levels, is no longer effective is closely linked with being overweight.
America’s Issue Childhood Obesity America’s Issue Childhood Obesity Childhood obesity is becoming more and more of an issue that greatly effects the overall health of America’s youth. In almost every case the obesity follows the youth well into adulthood resulting in terrifying health conditions and even death. It is an ever growing issue amongst America’s youth and adult health. America is suffering from a heart disease epidemic that ranged in the medical cost of 273 billion dollars in 2010. The cost is expected to sky rocket well into the 800 billion dollar range by 2020.
Thomas 1 Elton Thomas Ryan Shiroma Engl 60 25 April 2012 Obesity In America. “During the last 20 years in America, there have been dramatic increases in obesity and, unfortunately, those rates continue to stay high. Obesity means having too much body fat, which is commonly confused with being overweight” (Adult Obesity Facts par. 5). A person can be overweight but still be healthy.
The Modern Plague: Obesity With one of the highest obesity rates in the world, many Americans are affected by this disease, however, they continue to make poor choices in regards to their health. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that over 65% of U.S. adults were overweight, 32% were obese, and about 5% were extremely obese (Marchiondo). Considering that more than half of our population is at risk for obesity, Americans do not seem very distraught. Even with all the dieting techniques, negative depictions in the media towards heavier individuals, advanced technology to help combat obesity, and being one of the world’s most developed nations in terms of resources