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Overweight and Obesity

In: Social Issues

Submitted By RAMurray67
Words 661
Pages 3
Renée Murray
COMM 230
June 30, 2008

Overweight & Obesity

Attention Step

I. Overweight and obesity may soon cause as much preventable disease and death as cigarette smoking.

II. Right now, about 300,000 U.S. deaths per year are because of obesity and overweight. Cigarette smoking is compared at more than 400,000 deaths per year.

III. The total direct and indirect costs because of overweight and obesity were $117 billion in the year 2000.

Need Step

I. Overweight and obesity in the United States is a major public health problem. In 20 years, obesity has doubled in adults and overweight has tripled in children and adolescents. Right now, about 119 million, or 64.5%, of adults in the United States are either overweight or obese and it’s not getting any better.

II. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of many diseases and health conditions, including the following: • Hypertension (high blood pressure) • Osteoarthritis (a degeneration of cartilage and its underlying bone within a joint) • Dyslipidemia (for example, high total cholesterol or high levels of triglycerides) • Type 2 diabetes • Coronary heart disease • Stroke • Gallbladder disease • Sleep apnea and respiratory problems • Some cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon) • Reproductive complications

III. Costs are involved directly and indirectly with overweight and obesity. A. Direct medical costs include: preventive, diagnostic, and treatment services. B. Indirect costs are income lost from decreased productivity, restricted activity, absenteeism, bed days, and the value of future income lost by premature death.

Satisfaction Step

I. We must determine our role and take action to prevent and decrease overweight and

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