...IDENTIFY A HEALTH BEHAVIOR OR DISEASE THAT HAS A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT UPON A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE. The developed world has witnessed a growing trend in contemporary health issues. Society has been subjected to an unprecedented increase in availability and choice, these factors influencing both temptation and convenience within the modern lifestyle. It is recognized that the contributory factors to a person’s health are not confined solely to the body’s biological state, ‘health is seen to be a state valued not in nature, but in society’ (Murcott, 1979). Globally a steady increase in the amount of seriously overweight and obese adults and children has been observed, ‘There are now about one billion people worldwide who are overweight or obese’ (Ford Runge, 2007). Obesity is a major health concern and in danger of reaching epidemic proportions. Overweight and obese individuals risk the distinct possibility of a diminished quality of life and the consequence of developing serious illness and society in general is burdened with the financial implications of treatment. This essay will identify why obesity is a major health issue and examine its causes and associated behaviors. Overweight and obesity are terms that refer to an excess of body fat, the findings of a study conducted by the National Audit Office (2001) states that ‘Obesity is a condition in which weight gain has reached the point of seriously endangering health’. This opinion was reinforced in a report published by...
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...HEALTH RISKS & COSTS The Effects Of Obesity, Smoking, And Drinking On Medical Problems And Costs Obesity outranks both smoking and drinking in its deleterious effects on health and health costs. by Roland Sturm ABSTRACT: This paper compares the effects of obesity, overweight, smoking, and problem drinking on health care use and health status based on national survey data. Obesity has roughly the same association with chronic health conditions as does twenty years’ aging; this greatly exceeds the associations of smoking or problem drinking. Utilization effects mirrors the health effects. Obesity is associated with a 36 percent increase in inpatient and outpatient spending and a 77 percent increase in medications, compared with a 21 percent increase in inpatient and outpatient spending and a 28 percent increase in medications for current smokers and smaller effects for problem drinkers. Nevertheless, the latter two groups have received more consistent attention in recent decades in clinical practice and public health policy. M a n y b e h a v i o r a l r i s k f a c t o r s , chief among them smoking, heavy drinking, and obesity, are known causes of chronic health conditions. Chronic health conditions, like cancer, diabetes, or heart disease, in turn are primary drivers of health care spending, disability, and death. This paper compares the associations of smoking, problem drinking, and obesity with health care use and chronic conditions....
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...Introduction Obesity in children is a major health issue affecting the Australian population with approximately 1 in 4 children being overweight or obese (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2013). It represents a major health and economic burden costing Australia around $58 billion in 2008 (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2010). When assessing this issue from a public health perceptive, it is important to consider how obesity can affect the children in our society and the health complications obesity can lead to. The aim of this essay is to discuss the impact of obesity in children aged 6-17, in regards to its rising prevalence patterns, health risk behaviours and social determines. Health promotion and educational campaigns along...
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...Introduction The dramatic growth in obesity and overweight among Americans has become a health topic, which receives widespread of attention in the media. Providers believe that environmental and community factors contribute to unhealthy habits, which pose a major risk for chronic health conditions. The following are chronic health conditions: diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, stroke, high cholesterol, asthma, and depression. These health consequences can lead to premature death and chronic health conditions, which reduces the quality of life. In the Atlanta area, obesity has increased over the past 10 years in which affects an individual life. Health care organizations have established health objectives to reduce the prevalence of obesity among individuals in America. What is overweight and obesity? According to National Heart and Lung Institute (2010) “the terms overweight and obesity refer to a person’s overall body weight and whether it’s too high” (What are overweight and obesity, para. 1). A person is overweight when he or she is above a weight because of muscle, bone, and fat. Obese occurs when individuals have extra body fat on them. Hospitals, community clinics, and public health care agencies utilize the body mass index (BMI) to measure overweight and obesity for adults, children, and teens. BMI is the ratio of a person’s weight to the square of his or her height (MediLexicon International Ltd, 2011). This is an assessment tool to chart...
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...Childhood obesity Childhood obesity is a condition where children have excess body fats and weigh more than the recommended weight in accordance to their height. Obesity and overweight are usually measured using body mass index (BMI) which is calculated using the height and weight of a person. According to Centre for disease control and prevention (Childhood obesity facts) obesity is a result of caloric imbalance that is consumption more calories than the calories body expends. The causes of childhood obesity are lifestyle habits and behaviors, genetic s or family history, environmental factors, metabolism and in some cases medical conditions. The most contributing factor in childhood obesity is lifestyle behaviors such as lack of physical exercise, unhealthy eating habits and or combination of those. In present day lifestyle habits are characterized by consumption of junk foods that have high calories from fats and sugars and low proteins, vitamins and minerals. Also children are now physically in active because of watching TVs, social media and playing computer games. The result of such life style is that more calories are consumed and fewer calories are used by the body leading to obesity. There is numerous health risks associated with childhood obesity. While some health risks are immediate others are long-term. The immediate health risks affect the child while still in childhood while the long term comorbidities will affect the child later in adulthood (lakshmsn,...
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...There are many health care problems that are sweeping the nation. Some of these problems are disorders, which can be prevented, while others are inevitable. Sometimes the disorder can be due to something that one can control/prevent or fix through intervention, while other times that is not always the case For example, Obesity is a disorder that is to most extent preventable. The incidence of obesity is growing significantly all over the United States including New Jersey. “Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health” (1). This leads to a reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems. "Obesity is the second preventable death in the country." (1). It is often an associated factor for other health issues such as “cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure… and certain forms of cancer.” (2) Obesity is a well-known risk factor for breast cancer. There are many health care problems that are sweeping the nation. Some of these problems are disorders, which can be prevented, while others are inevitable. Sometimes the disorder can be due to something that one can control/prevent or fix through intervention, while other times that is not always the case For example, Obesity is a disorder that is to most extent preventable. The incidence of obesity is growing significantly all over the United States including New Jersey. “Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat...
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...Effects Of Obesity On Healthcare March 24, 2013 University of Phoenix In a world where obesity is becoming an epidemic, people should be informed about prevention, and on how to boost the quality of their life. Obesity is increasing at alarming rates and affects over two-thirds of the American population. While media and entertainment are obsessed with thinness, we should be more concerned with the larger problem of obesity. There are great risks involved in being obese. Obesity is taking it’s toll on many people. It is about time somebody stepped up and proved to these suffering humans that there is help available, and there are people who care and are willing to help with this problem. Obesity currently affects over two – thirds of the population. (www.acsh.org ) Americans are paying less attention to what they are eating, and paying more attention to the costs of foods. Obesity rates have been steadily increasing over the past twenty five years. This is partly due to the rising costs of eating healthy. ( www.acsh.org) “Families get fatter as they buy cheaper and less healthy foods in order to try to fill up”. (Emily Openchowski, May 21, 2012) Obesity has been known to shorten life spans by six to seven years depending upon it's severity. ( www.acsh.org/publications/obesity-and-its-health-effects) Of...
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...Breastfeeding, Health Lifestyle and Government Support ——Best Way to solve Childhood Obesity Problem Childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century (Global Strategy on Diet). According to the research report from World Health Organization (WHO), the childhood obesity prevalence has increased at an alarming rate. Globally, in 2010 the number of overweight children under the age of five is estimated to be over 42 million. Close to 35 million of these are living in developing countries (Global Strategy on Diet). Extreme obesity among American children is much worse than previously believed. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in the United States, childhood obesity affects approximately 12.5 million children and teens (17% of that population). Changes in obesity prevalence from the 1960s show a rapid increase in the 1980s and 1990s, when obesity prevalence among children and teens tripled, from nearly 5% to approximately 15% (Figure 1) (Popovic 42). Source: T. Popovic, "CDC Grand Rounds: Childhood Obesity in the United States." MMWR: Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report 60.2 (2011): 42-46.Web. 28 Mar. 2012. Compare with the numbers of obese children, the more worrying things are health issues of childhood obesity. Obesity poses a significant public health threat to children for reasons that affect both their current and future health. Immediate health effects included: obese youth are more likely to have risk factors...
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...RUNNING HEAD: CHILDHOOD OBESITY 1 Childhood Obesity C. Kevin Barr SOC120 John Meeks February 8, 2013 CHILDHOOD OBESITY 2 Childhood Obesity and the Health Concerns Obesity is such a hot topic in America today and childhood obesity and the ethical arguments over obesity has greatly increased over the last 10 years. Health problems that occur from this deadly disease is something that no one wants to talk about. When people think about health, what usually is discussed is cancer or heart disease. Not many people really think about one of the biggest issues out there that is really not taken very seriously and that is obesity. In America there are hundreds of thousands of children that are overweight. Obesity is a disease, a disease associated with many other health issues, including congestive heart problems, diabetes among other physical and mental complications associated with this disease. We will discuss throughout this paper how one of the classical theories would help resolve the problems that are associated with the dangers of childhood obesity, then discuss the perspective of society and how it relates to relativism in today's world. There are many arguments about how childhood obesity starts, who's to blame for allowing this to happen and societies ethical and moral obligation associated with fixing the problem. Who or what is to blame for the...
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...paragraph one Obesity is a major issue but it can be prevented by having some specific dietary changes, increasing everyday physical activities and involvement of support from family and friends. According to Tyers (2005), the study provided dietary markers this include fruits and vegetables, surgery drinks, crisp, sweets and chocolate which were given to the participants. They were also given an indication of when to take the specific diet. The reason for this was to identify if the food participants eat plays a part in them being obese. With the findings which were collected, it is clear to see that physical activity also is a major factor which helps to prevent obesity. The findings show that the ‘83% of the participants improved...
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...Childhood Obesity Shaquella Burnam ENG 122 English Compositions II Erin Schwartz Jan 30, 2012 Childhood Obesity Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition that affects children and adolescents. It has risen dramatically within the U. S. and it is an awfully serious issue, which might cause several health and social consequences which can continue into adulthood. There are several people who do not understand that there's a problem with obesity relating to their kids. This paper discusses the causes of childhood obesity, the definition of obesity, the cause behind obesity, and additionally the health issues accompany with obesity. What is obesity? According to the Childhood Obesity Foundation (2011), Childhood obesity is a medical condition that affects adolescents. Obesity is an excess proportion of total body fat. Obesity is abnormally great amount of neutral fat inside the storage depot of the body; Obesity has been made public as an abnormal accumulation of body fat in proportion to body size. Obesity also referred to as over-nutrition that is that the generalized accumulation of fat each beneath the skin and throughout the body. (Definition of Obesity, 2009) The cause behind obesity Obesity occurs when a child is well above the normal weight for his or her age and height. Obesity is when a personal consumes plenty of calories from food than he or she burns. Our bodies would like calories to sustain life and to be physically active...
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...These Days Childhood obesity plagues more children in America than ever before, and it continues to grow in number year by year. In order to avoid letting childhood obesity numbers continue to grow, there needs to be changes in certain aspects of children’s lifestyles. This increase over the years can be attributed to many factors including unhealthy, calorie-filled school lunches and children not receiving enough exercise. Childhood obesity poses a very real threat to the health of younger generations and can lead to dangerous, life-threatening health issues later in life. In the rise of child obesity, children are at more risk of diabetes and other heart diseases that could not only affect them in the short and long term. In response to this issue, child obesity should be combated by offering healthier choices for school lunches, and allowing a full hour for recess. All of these could be accomplished by allowing more funding from the Department of Education, and this would allow more funding to state educational funds. Decreasing child obesity would be important for children in the long run because it would decrease their chance of developing type-two diabetes and early heart diseases. Obesity is the root cause of countless diseases, conditions, and illnesses, some of which are even life-threatening. Adulthood obesity has been linked to many deadly diseases. Some examples include heart disease, diabetes, and some forms of cancer. While the health risks that go along with childhood...
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...Childhood Obesity Abstract Many early life risk factors for childhood obesity are more prevalent among blacks and Hispanics than among whites and may explain the higher prevalence of obesity among racial/ethnic minority children. Eliminating racial/ethnic disparities in health and health care is a national priority, and obesity is a prime target. During the last 30 years in the United States, the prevalence of obesity among children has dramatically increased, sparing no age group. Obesity in childhood is associated with adverse cardio-metabolic outcomes such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and type II diabetes and with other long-term adverse outcomes, including both physical and psychosocial consequences. By the preschool years, racial/ethnic disparities in obesity prevalence are already present, suggesting that disparities in childhood obesity prevalence have their origins in the earliest stages of life. Several risk factors during pregnancy are associated with increased risk of offspring obesity, including excessive maternal gestational weight gain, gestational diabetes, and smoking during pregnancy, antenatal depression, and biological stress. During infancy and early childhood, rapid infant weight gain, infant feeding practices, sleep duration, child’s diet, physical activity, and sedentary practices are associated with the development of obesity. Studies have found substantial racial/ethnic differences in many of these early life risk factors for childhood obesity. It...
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...Childhood Obesity “The rise of childhood Obesity has placed the health of an entire generation at risk”. Tom Vilsack says it all, he states that the climb of childhood obesity places the following generations at an immense health risk. Obesity controls thirty-five percent of school age children, keeping them from participating in sports and activities, it makes the simplest tasks harder, and it puts their entire future at major risk. Not to mention the outrageous health costs that come along with being obese. Parents and schools need to step up and take control. Childhood Obesity is a big problem in the U.S and all over the world, as a society we need to solve this epidemic and find ways to prevent this from recurring in the coming generations....
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...Health Risks, Prevention, and Lack of Exercise; Childhood Obesity Jessica Higginson ENG 122 English Instructor Patricia Vineski Sept. 30, 2012 Childhood obesity is a growing problem that if controlled, children today can be and stay healthy. Over the past three decades childhood obesity has increased dramatically and is still climbing. Obesity is defined as “an increase in body weight beyond the limitation of skeletal and physical requirements, as the result of excessive accumulation of body fat.” (Saunders, 2007) According to the medical dictionary, mildly obese is twenty to forty percent over ideal weight; moderately obese is forty to one hundred percent over; and severely/morbidly obese is over one hundred percent. (p. 1) Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition that affects children more today than ever before. The extra pounds children are carrying around starts them on the path to health problems. Heath problems that were “adult” problems have now become a bigger problem in children. More children are developing health related problems due to bad eating habits and lack of exercise. Childhood obesity causes serious complications, the risk of illness, and even a shorter life span. These are the ways to help prevent childhood obesity, health risks, and issues associated with the lack of exercise. Childhood is an important period of life to deal with obesity. As it is today more than thirty percent of children are overweight. The International Obesity Task...
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