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.
Childhood obesity is increasing at rates of epidemic proportion across the globe and is becoming a significant health problem. The current obesity rates in Australian children are among the highest in the developed world. ‘In 2007–08, one-quarter of all Australian children, or around 600,000 children aged 5–17 years, were overweight or obese, up four percentage points from 1995 (21%). According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABOS) (2009). ‘Research indicates an annual increase of this figure of 1-1.5%, a trend that suggests half of all young Australians will be overweight by the year 2025’ (Tipping the scales: Intervention and management of childhood obesity 2007).
Using a calculation called the Body Mass Index (BMI), you can determine if you fit into the obese category. BMI is based on a persons height and weight, and a BMI of more than 30 defines obesity. A score of 30 or more means that your body’s weight is 30%-40% more than your ideal weight should be. Body shape is also important. People who carry most of their weight around the waist (apple shaped) have a greater risk of heart disease and diabetes than do people with big hips and thighs (Intellihealth, 2009).
As these children grow older, they are actually, in many cases, at high risk of being seriously injured or even killed by this harmful thing, obesity. Only six years ago a survey was taken up that led to knowledge of estimated deaths caused by obesity-related illness. The astounding statistic shows that 112,000 to 325,000 American adults die from it every year. This means that people with the highest BMI’s are twice more likely to die prematurely than the average American. Here are a few examples of the illnesses caused by obesity: type 2 diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular (heart) disease, and asthma.
This is measured in terms of the impact of being absent (absenteeism) from work or being less productive at work that a healthy person (presenteeism), and loss of productivity due to premature mortality caused by obesity. The indirect costs are associated with productivity losses (both absenteeism and presenteeism) and premature mortality is estimated to be $6.4 billion in 2008/2009. In addition to the costs of obesity related to healthcare, productivity and premature death, the burden of disease costs associated with obesity were estimated to be approximately $30 billion in 2008/2009. Notably, this is significantly larger than the other costs presented above and are important to consider, as this estimate captures not only the financial but also the social costs of obesity. Absenteeism was found to be 14 percent higher is obese employees compared with normal-weight employees in the working population.
According to the Journal of Community Health, “the prevalence of obesity is significantly increased from 1985 to 2011 (8.6% vs. 22.8 %). This increase was seen among men and women, and among all race/ethnic, age, and socioeconomic groups. Hypertension and diabetes also increase during this time period. Hypertension 20.7% – 35.9%; diabetes 4.2% – 11.2%. Obesity prevalence was highest in blacks 33.35% and Hispanics 28.8% and lowest in Asians 9.0%.
Childhood Obesity Majority of children in today’s society are decreasing the time spent in physical activities as they are spending more time playing video games and watching TV. Due to their sedentary behavior they are increasing the level of excessive body fat to their weight (Whitker, Robert). This issue of childhood obesity has become an epidemic in America. The Colorado University research shows that within last couple of decades the obesity level among children and adolescent has doubled (P. Kendall). The increase in excessive body fat leads to serious health problems such as high blood pressure, type two diabetes, and other serious health risks (Estarbrooks, Paul).
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.
Childhood Obesity Policy Obesity is one of the leading health problems of the 21st century. According to Ferry, 31.7% of children between the ages of 2-19 and 34.2% of adolescents are obese (Ferry1406). About 1/3 of all children in America are obese, that is an alarming number and it must be lowered. Childhood obesity that develops into adulthood is only second, in deaths that could have been prevented, to tobacco (Ferry 1406). We can now see obesity is the second killer behind tobacco that could have been prevented with the proper lifestyle changes.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, obesity rates have tripled in America's youth and adults since 1980 America needs to understand that not the only people getting larger, but so are their children. We are leading children to poor health and a poor understanding of what exercise and being active can do for you. With schools limiting PE classes and sporting budgets, exercise has been something only merely talked about rather than being practiced. Children are being diagnosed with Cardiovascular disease which is one of the leading causes of death in our nation and many other chronic diseases. Because of the significance of fast food chains in America, we feel the urge for an easy meal, Americans, in general, immediately look to the fast food nation for a quick suppression to their hunger.