...sUnderstanding Obesity An educational resource provided by the Obesity Action Coalition What is obesity? Obesity is a disease characterized by excessive body fat. People who are affected by obesity usually are affected by behavioral, genetic and environmental factors that are difficult to control with dieting. Obesity increases the likelihood of certain diseases and other related health problems that can affect your quality of life and reduce your lifespan. Who is affected? Obesity is a serious health epidemic that affects one in three Americans. It is estimated that more than 93 million Americans are affected by obesity, with that number predicted to climb to 120 million in the next five years. “Overweight” and “Obesity” What is the difference? Stages of weight are medically defined by body mass index (BMI). An individual with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 is clinically classified as “overweight.” A BMI of 30 or more is classified as “obesity.” To determine your BMI, please view the BMI chart in the back of this brochure or visit www.ObesityAction.org Individuals affected by excess weight are also at risk for developing health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, certain types of cancer, gout (joint pain caused by excess uric acid) and gallbladder disease. Excess weight can also cause problems such as sleep apnea (interrupted breathing during sleep) and osteoarthritis (wearing away of the joints). Weight-loss can help...
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...Obesity Accumulation of excessive body fat is known as obesity. Obesity is measured and defined in terms of body mass index (BMI). Body mass index is the numerical way of deciding the appropriate weight range according to the height of an individual. A body mass index of more than 30kg/m2 indicates obesity. It is further classified as severe, morbid and super obesity in the order as the BMI increases. Obesity is a lifestyle disease which is spreading rapidly worldwide. Individuals of all age, gender and ethnicity are affected by this disease. Still, a general trend has been observed that women are affected more than the men. The tendency to gain weight also increases with the growing age. However, an alarming trend of childhood obesity is being noticed in the recent years. Obesity renders an individual susceptible to various other diseases like hypertension, coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnoea etc. Obesity is mainly caused when the intake of the calories exceed the dissipated calories. In simple words, when one tends to eat more than his body requirement the extra fat start depositing in the body tissues giving rise to obesity. Junk food is the main culprit. Children are fonder of such unhealthy food items and hence are getting more affected by the rising incidences of obesity. The other common cause is the lack of physical activity. To properly digest the consumed food, physical exercise is compulsory. But the modern day sedentary life style leaves less...
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...Obesity Obesity is a disease that is becoming increasingly common around the world. It is a serious medical condition that can lead to many medical issues. It is no question that America’s obesity rates are among the highest in the world. More than two-thirds of U.S. adults are overweight or obese (Ogden 2014). Obesity is on the rise among people of all ages, gender and ethnic background. The causes of obesity range from many different factors and all of them contribute to this alarming situation. Americans’ obesity has rapidly increased because of lack of physical exercise, an increase in high fat and sugary food intake, and genetic factors. Physical inactivity occurs when a person does not exercise on a daily basis. An examination of national health survey records shows Americans are exercising less, which could be driving the rising obesity rates (Bach 2014). Most people hardly exercise which is not a favorable circumstance. The percentage of women reporting no physical activity jumped from 19 percent to 52 percent between 1988 and 2010; the percentage of inactive men rose from 11 percent to 43 percent over the same period. Obesity also increased, climbing from 25 to 35 percent in women and from 20 to 35 percent in men (Bach 2014). Exercise is effective in weight loss, but most people do not accept the advantage of this preventive approach. Physical activity is rather excluded from our daily lifestyle. An excuse to not exercise is that working out is too time consuming...
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...Obesity on the Rise The obesity epidemic is a very common health issue in the United States. The Center for Disease Control (2011) calls it “dangerous and expensive.” On July 8th, 2014, Medical News Today, a health news website reported that obesity in the U.S. is due to a decline in exercise, and not due to overeating. The article reports, “a study from Stanford University reported in The American Journal of Medicine suggests the rise in obesity in the US is likely due to increased sedentary lifestyles across the nation, and not eating too many calories” (Paddock, 2014, para 1). Although this health issue has received a lot of attention in the last couple of decades, the rate of obesity still continues to be high. According to the CDC, in 2011–2012, the prevalence of obesity in the U.S. has continued to increase significantly in the past 20 years; 36% of adults and 17% of children and teenagers are currently overweight. Another 17% of children and teenagers are obese (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2010). The terms ‘overweight’ and ‘obese’ are determined by ‘body mass index’ or BMI. Body Mass Index (BMI) is a number determined from a person's weight and height. For an adult, a BMI from 18.5-24.9 is considered normal, a BMI between 25-29.9 is considered overweight, and a BMI greater than 30 is considered obese (CDC, 2011). This paper discusses the Medical News Today article, the topic of obesity, and how it is related to Healthy People 2020. While I agree...
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...Nowadays, people are emphasizing too much on pursuit of wealth in their life yet overlooked the importance of health. Recently, the issues related to obesity around the world are increasing as well as in our country. Obesity in Malaysia is growing in an alarming rate and it has associated with multiple problems. Ismail (2002) claimed that 20.7% of Malaysia’s adults are overweight with a BMI between 25.0 and 29.9. According to Asia Pacific Family Medicine, obesity is a condition in which the natural energy reserve, stored in the fatty tissue of humans and other mammals, is increased to a point where it is associated with certain health conditions or increased mortality (2009). Not only adults, childhood obesity also become one of the serious problems. It grown considerably in the past two decades and most of the children are more likely become overweight adults. Obesity will lead to suffering from the disease, for example heart attack and diabetes. According to Price, Danielle and Nicholas (2000), there are around 300,000 people die each year because infect the disease that causes by obesity (as cited by Sidik and Rampal, 2009). Generally, I strongly agree that obesity is a kind of disease among Malaysian because obesity can cause physical, mental and social problem. First and foremost, obesity can cause negative effects to our bodily systems, which will further affect our physical health. People who excesses weight will more care about their body health, compare to normal...
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...Obesity and Cancer According to the National Institute of Health, nearly two-thirds of adults in the United States are overweight or obese (2007). Research suggests that obesity may be the most preventable risk factor of cancer for non-smokers, and many studies are testing for the effects that obesity has in all cancers and at specific cancer sites. It is known that obesity plays a significant role in cancer; however, the knowledge of the relationship to all cancers and the overall health effect of excess weight in terms of total mortality from cancer is limited (Calle, Redriguez, Walker-Thurmond, & Thun, 2003). In this paper I will examine the research available on obesity and its relationship to breast cancer (in post-menopausal women), endometrial, colon, esophagus, kidney, and pancreatic cancers, and briefly mention a few other cancers currently being studied for a possible link to obesity. The rise of obesity in the last 25 years has been most prominent in the United States. It is not, however, limited to the United States; for instance, similar trends are being seen in other developing countries. As it becomes easier to access tasty but unhealthy food options and as physical activity declines, caloric intake is now exceeding caloric expenditure. Genetic factors have been shown to predispose an individual to become obese, but environmental factors are the ultimate cause for the rise of obesity within populations. It is the metabolic consequences of obesity that are...
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...Obesity an American Epidemic HCS/552 Karen L. Chambers University of Phoenix Monday June 4, 2012 Professor James Hamilton Obesity an American Epidemic Numerous research studies have confirmed that poor eating habits, lack of exercise and a sedentary lifestyle are the prime contributors to obesity in the US. Because of on the go life styles, fast food consumption and microwave meals, people have sacrificed their health. Instead of eating pure, wholesome foods, many people opt to eat a diet of packaged, processed and refined foods. Obesity is a condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to such levels that a person’s health can be negatively affected. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have ranked obesity as the number one health threat in America, with an estimated 400,000 deaths annually. (Smoking causes an estimated 440,000 deaths annually) Being simply overweight is not as dangerous as being obese. An overweight person can easily lose a few pounds by monitored diets and exercise, and usually regains a healthy body and mind. Obese people cannot accomplish this as easily, no matter how much effort is exerted. Studies conducted by researchers at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, examined three large, nationally representative surveys on food consumption conducted from 1987 to 1998. The survey collected data on what more than 63,000 people said that they ate. Salty snacks (crackers, chips, pretzels) increased from 1 ounce to...
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...Trinette Rivers Child Obesity Composition 1 National American University 10/15/13 Obesity has become an epidemic in our society today. After reading an article on obesity, I felt like I needed to do more research. What causes obesity? Well too much television and video games and fast food, and sitting on the computer all day. However, that is not all this can also be a hormonal influence on the body weight (According to mayo clinic). Most parents today are always on the go and usually have no time for a full course meal. What ever happen to the good old days when we were kids and would go outside and play until we passed out? Science plays a role in obesity. Genes can cause obesity in disorders such as Bradet- Biedl syndrome and Prader-Willi syndrome. Well your behavior can affect your lifestyle choices, the you eat and weather you exercise or not if you eat foods high percentage of calories chances are you and your children will become obese. (Stanford Medicine). People make decisions based on their environment you choose not to walk to the store because the sidewalk is to narrow. The effect and other factors some illness may lead to weight gain. These may include Cushing’s disease and polycystic ovary syndrome. Drugs such as...
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...Childhood Obesity: School Prevention Children in the United States are getting heavier and heavier. As a result, schools are essential towards finding a solution in the obesity epidemic. Through solid norms and school programs such as proper nutrition standards, quality health education, quality physical education, and opportunities to do physical activity, schools can help students to adopt and maintain healthy physical and nutritional behavior. All around the country, obesity has become a great problem that affects children and adults of all races and income levels. In particular, childhood obesity is becoming a more alarming situation to address because it creates physical problems and affects mental health. The essential cause of the increase in their weight is straightforward: an excess of unhealthy eating choices compared with their physical activity. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, “An estimated 61 percent of overweight young people have at least one additional risk factor for heart disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure” (National Association of State Boards Education NASBE). Consequently, social and psychological problems can emerge such as discrimination and poor self-esteem. In addition, children and young adolescents who are obese are more likely to become obese when they grow older. It is known by most people that it is fundamental to have good eating behaviors and do physical activity in order to maintain a healthy weight...
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...bad day (Beller 264). Whether it’s the unhappy news of the gained weight on the thighs, age creeping up on the body, or perhaps only being uneducated in nutrition. Overall well-being should be the goal for weight control, not only to enhance the body’s appearance (Sobal 81). Being overweight can be helped; as any degree of obesity can be considered one of the most preventable causes of death in America (Frankle et al. 1). Obesity in the United States has grown over the years with no real solution, however vegetarianism can contribute to overall well-being of any individual. Karlsberg states that obesity is “the condition of being extremely overweight”, being usually about twenty percent over healthy weight (77). Even if one is not obese, but overweight, the problems that obesity has could be the same. Such as heart disease, circulatory problems, high blood pressure, type two diabetes, certain cancers, and arthritis (78). Other troubles associated with obesity include, but are not limited to are: impairing vigor, increasing fatigability, gallstones, cirrhosis of the liver, hardening of arteries, and the increase of surgical risks. These reasons make obesity the “prime reason for early breakdown of the human body,” says Dr. Charles Glen King, once the scientific director of Nutrition Foundation in 1964 (Diehl 120). Fewer calories (less energy) are needed to be consumed to maintain current weight as the body ages, which is one of the most common reasons for becoming obese. When...
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...Childhood obesity is harmful I selected childhood obesity as my topic. I chose this topic because it is a major crisis that children are suffering with. I believe obese children are faced with many challenges. Many of the problems travel with them throughout adult hood. I have a family member that was an obese child. She still struggles with her weight, self-esteem, and identity today and she is thirty years old. I want to explore the damaging consequences of childhood obesity. I want to take a stand against childhood obesity. I plan on limiting the topic by exposing the mental and health problems associated with childhood obesity. The Center for disease Control and Prevention says “Childhood obesity can have a harmful effect on the body in a variety of ways” (CDC, 2012, para 5). Obese children are more likely to have high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). In one study, 70% of obese children had at least one CVD risk factor, and 39% had two or more. Other health problems include: Increased risk of impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes; breathing problems, such as sleep apnea and asthma, joint problems and musculosketal discomfort, fatty liver disease, gall stone, and gastro-esophageal reflux (i.e., heartburn). These are just a few of the health problems. Obese children and adolescents have a greater risk of social and psychological problems, such as discrimination and poor self-esteem...
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...Michael McCarthy PED200 Factors Influencing Obesity Did you know America is ranked as one of the most obese countries in the world? If you were to just take a second to look around the reasons are quite obvious. Fast food chains are on every block. This is because unhealthy food is so much cheaper than the healthy food that we should all be eating. Also these new technology coming out every year to make our lives easier and lazier, also high amounts of stress are all factors to weight gain in our country. A study in January 2010 shows that obesity rates have reached a constant level and stayed there for the past five years, but the levels of obesity are still unacceptable. Nearly 34 percent of American adults are obese; this number is more than double the amount of 30 years ago. And the percentage of obese children has nearly tripled in that time, to 17 percent. Are we doing enough to bring these numbers down? My opinion, is no. In the past 40 years, there has been an expansion to more than 160,000 fast-food restaurants in America. These restaurants serve more than 50 million people per day. Restaurants such as McDonald's, Hardees, and Wendy’s, serve pre-cooked, frozen foods, usually thawed out by hot oil. Now, their French fries are fried in vegetable oil, and there are now healthier side options to choose from. But honestly I believe we can do so much more than just changing what kind of oil we cook fries in. Maybe we should get rid of French fries all together, and replace...
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...Childhood Obesity 1. Problem identification and overview 1. Problem identification The problem issue of childhood obesity is regarded in a very serious light by nursing and healthcare profession. It is considered to be “…the most common prevalent nutritional disorder of US children and adolescents, and one of the most common problems seen by pediatricians”( Childhood Overweight. NASO). However, it is also important to see this problem in the large problem of obesity in the country. The problem of obesity has become an increasingly serious concern for medical and healthcare authorities in recent years. The rate of obesity in developed countries like the United States has shown an alarming growth in the last decade and this has concomitant implications for healthcare professionals, including the nursing profession. The seriousness of the issue at stake is underlined by many experts in the field; for example, the claim that obesity is "... poised to become the nations leading health problem and No. 1 killer" and is "already the cause of 400,000 deaths a year...or 45 per hour..." (Hearne. S. et al, 2004) Central to the increase of general obesity is the severity of childhood obesity. There has been an alarming increase in obesity among younger children and adolescents and this has placed the emphasis on policy that focuses particular attention to this problematic area. Figure 1: The following table provides details about the increase in the prevalence...
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...CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION Definition Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems. People are considered obese when their body mass index (BMI), a measurement obtained by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by the square of the person's height in metres, exceeds 30 kg/m2. Obesity increases the likelihood of various diseases, particularly heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, certain types of cancer, and osteoarthritis. Obesity is most commonly caused by a combination of excessive food energy intake, lack of physical activity, and genetic susceptibility, although a few cases are caused primarily by genes, endocrine disorders, medications or psychiatric illness. Evidence to support the view that some obese people eat little yet gain weight due to a slow metabolism is limited; on average obese people have a greater energy expenditure than their thin counterparts due to the energy required to maintain an increased body mass. Dieting and physical exercise are the mainstays of treatment for obesity. Diet quality can be improved by reducing the consumption of energy-dense foods such as those high in fat and sugars, and by increasing the intake of dietary fiber. Anti-obesity drugs may be taken to reduce appetite or inhibit fat absorption together with a suitable diet. If diet, exercise and medication are...
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...Obesity is termed to be a medical condition with excess fat within the body. Various reasons such as medical conditions or the types of food being ingested can cause it. Obesity also increases the chance of getting various diseases one that is common is heart disease. It can also cause certain types of cancer. Obesity has a drastic effect on a person’s lifestyle such as their mobility and just any type of daily activities. It has already been proven that obesity is already a leading concern around the world. An overall growing issue is child and teen obesity. Overweight children are most likely to experience all the health issues explained before. This research will focus on the hazards of child and teen obesity and how it became a concern through out the United States. Research has shown Child and teen obesity in the United States has grown considerably in recent years. Between 16 and 33 percent of children and adolescents are obese. (American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry). While, Obesity is known to be easiest medical conditions to recognize it is still most difficult to treat. Unhealthy weight gain due to poor diet and lack of exercise is responsible for over 300,000 deaths each year and annual cost to society for obesity is estimated at nearly $100 billion (American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry). Overweight children are much more likely to become overweight adults unless they adopt and maintain healthier patterns of eating and exercise (American Academy...
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