...to obesity be considered an eating disorder? Introduction The twenty-first century has seen many changes in body image from previous decades, ranging from all different body shapes and sizes. As the media is glorifying slenderness and a thin physique the rates of obesity all over the world are still increasing at an exceptional level. Obesity can be simply defined as having too much excess body fat that is considered healthy for a person’s height. Obesity after several decades of controversy has been finally recognised as a disease by the obesity Society in 2008. Just like all other diseases obesity can have very serious consequences on a person’s health. There are a lot of factors that come into context to determine if someone is obese or not. Currently the most convenient way to diagnose obesity is by examining a person’s BMI (Body mass Index). If an adult’s BMI results come back with a figure ranging between 25-30 they are likely considered to be overweight thus any score over 30 is on the scale of obesity. Obesity rates will continue to soar if people don’t take immediate action. Obesity is not always the result of excessive over eating or an extreme lack of exercise and physical activity, but it also is the result of biological and behavioural factors. (A)What are the causes of obesity? The cause of obesity is not always clear. Individual differences will play a huge role in determining what the cause of obesity is. The most known believed cause of obesity is over...
Words: 2042 - Pages: 9
... What are some effects of child obesity? Child obesity has become an epidemic problem that is affecting the whole world. In the U.S, obesity has caused children many health problems and conditions. Some of the health problems that obesity causes are diabetes, asthma and heart diseases. These complications can be caused by a series of factors that can be contributed by TV, computer games, lack of safe playgrounds and other factors that encourage children to be sedentary (Collins, 2002). From the factors mentioned before, the things that are attacking the kids of this generation are mainly the video and computer games. In addition to affecting the health of the kids it is also affecting the economy. Because the costs of health insurance premiums are going up, companies refuse to pay for such services. In addition child obesity is an issue that in most cases begins in the household. Justification: Studies show the impact that child obesity has caused in society. (CBS News, 2002) declared “A dramatic increase in diabetes and other diseases related to childhood obesity in the United States has added millions of dollars to health care cost”. From that article it is clear that child obesity is causing a tremendous problem to the economy, thus making it insufficient. The cost of medicine, treatments and operation is the reason why it is causing and contributing to the economical problems. Obesity has been a major cause for conditions...
Words: 1808 - Pages: 8
...one third of the United States adults are obese and approximately 17% of children and adolescents between ages two and 19 are obese” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010). According to the center for disease control, “ in 2010 no states has a prevalence of obesity less than 20%, thirty six states has a prevalence of 25% or more, and twelve of the states had a prevalence of 30% or more” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010). Individuals can become obese by eating a large number of calories and not exercising enough to burn the calories off. Although diet and exercise plays a part in obesity there are also other factors such as age, gender, genetics, environment, physical activity, illness, and medication (WebMd, 2005-2011) that takes a part in obesity. As individuals begin to age their metabolizism slows down. Women sometimes tend to be more overweight than me. Men are know to burn more energy at rest than women and require more calories to keep up with their body weight. Lack of exercise and the continuous consumption of junk food also contributes to obesity in youth and adults. Nowadays some families depend on fast food for dinner, although its good, fast, and easy it can cause individuals to eat bigger portions than recommended. Enviornmental and social activites also play a role. Because of new technology and games, children may choose to stay home instead of going out and getting the chance of exercise and burning calories. The chances of...
Words: 2078 - Pages: 9
...“Childhood Obesity” Sheena Henderson ENG 122: English Composition II Instructor: Xochitl Tirado April 23, 2012 Childhood obesity is quickly becoming a huge epidemic in the world today. Many health officials believe that obesity is one of the fastest growing diseases in America. What many people fail to realize is that obesity is a disease that can kill a person. The difference between being obese and being overweight is misunderstood, and eating habits is the number one cause of this condition and solutions are needed. One thing that causes obesity in children is their unhealthy eating habits, not exercising and not getting nutrients are all common causes of obesity. Eating high calorie foods regularly like fast foods, baked goods and vending machine snacks increases weight. Because of the abundance and availability of unhealthy foods, children are prone to becoming overweight or obese when their eating habits are not balanced with a sufficient amount of physical activity. No matter where the foods we eat come from, there is a good chance that it is unhealthy for us. Some people even feel that genetics play a role in weight issues in children obesity. Children of obese or overweight parents are much more likely to be overweight or obese. They eat the same foods and mimic the parents’ level of activity. Obesity cannot be inherited, but disorders that result in obesity can. There are many ways to solve childhood obesity. “However, no treatment will work on its own. One...
Words: 588 - Pages: 3
...OBESITY Obesity is a term used to describe somebody who is very overweight with a high degree of body fat. There are a number of ways a person’s weight can be assessed. The most widely used method is the body mass index. The body mass index (BMI) is your weight in kilograms divided by your height in metres squared. You can use the NHS Choices’ BMI healthy weight calculator to work out your own BMI. • if your BMI is between 25 and 29, you would be considered overweight • if your BMI is between 30 and 40, you would be considered obese • if your BMI is over 40, you would be considered very obese (known as ‘morbidly obese’) Another useful method is to measure around your waist. People with very fat waists (94cm or more in men and 80cm or more in women) are more likely to develop obesity-related health problems. The risks of obesity Being obese increases your risk of developing a number of serious and potentially life-threatening diseases such as: • type 2 diabetes • heart disease • some types of cancer, such as breast cancer and colon cancer stroke In addition, obesity can damage your quality of life and can often trigger depression. Read more about the complications of obesity. Treatment There are four main goals in the treatment of obesity: • to prevent further weight gain • to gradually lose weight through a combination of a calorie-controlled diet and regular exercise • to avoid regaining any lost weight • to improve your general state of health...
Words: 1660 - Pages: 7
...Introduction The number of American people who are obese has increased over the years. This complex condition has affected almost all ages with children obesity being on the rise. Obesity can be linked to the onset of some diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and some heart diseases that have increased the risk of death and reduction of an individual’s health. The answers that we seek are concerned with sugars’ role in the development of obesity and the emergence of related diseases. It is important to consider an individual’s genes when determining vulnerability to obesity but what doctors mostly emphasize is on food intake. As the socioeconomic levels of most Americans rise, diets are increasingly having a higher proportion of sugars while work is shifting into a less physical nature. The high proportion of sugars in the American diet has a direct relationship to obesity and other related illnesses. Is sugar related to obesity and medical disorders associated in the American society? In order to become fully aware of the link between sugars and diabetes, we have to look at the features and nature of sugar. Sugar is a generalized name for a crystalline carbohydrate that is simple, edible and has a sweet flavor. The main types of sugar are sucrose, lactose, fructose and glucose. Glucose, also referred to as blood sugar is the one that circulates in the blood. Table sugar and fruits contain sucrose and fructose respectively. During the process of digestion, carbohydrates...
Words: 2095 - Pages: 9
...Claudia Rawa Mrs. Donlan Advanced Composition 20 February 2016 Childhood Obesity in America Obesity is the condition characterized by the excessive amount of fat storage in the body. Childhood obesity is a major health concern in todays society. Obesity can lead to heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Also, self-esteem issues, which can lead to eating disorders, depression, and crash diets (Mayo Clinic Staff). Most children these days are classified as being overweight for their age. There are a numerous amount of causes of childhood obesity. Plenty of reasons, including genetic factors, calorie intake, and lack of physical activity are the prime causes of childhood obesity (“Cause and Effect: Obesity”). One of the contributing causes of childhood obesity is genetics. Genetic factors play one of the many roles in child obesity. Some individuals are more susceptible to inherit obesity diseases than others. Genes passed down from generations can directly cause obesity in children (Walley). A gene is a unit of heredity that is transferred from parent to offspring. These genes carry characteristics of the parental component, which may include obesity factors (“Behavior”). One of the genetic factors include metabolism. Metabolism converts food and drinks into energy into your body. People could have a fast metabolism or a slow metabolism, childhood obesity involves slow metabolism. Slow metabolism may be passed down through genetics...
Words: 870 - Pages: 4
...Obesity in Children According to “Obesity Action Coalition” Obesity is a condition that is associated with having an excess of body fat, defined by genetic and environmental factors that are difficult to control when dieting. Today in society Children have become more obese due to all of the fast foods restaurants and junk food they are consuming on a daily basis. Obesity have become one of the major issues in the U.S today. Obesity is caused by some of following factors, dietary habits, physical inactivity, and depression along with other emotional problems. Children now a days are not really concerned about their weight so they just continue to eat and not really care. That is why there should be more nutritionist in the world today. One of the main causes of obesity in children is there dietary habits. Nowadays, children tend to prefer consuming fast food meals, junk foods and drinks containing a lot of sugar rather than eating healthy and hearty meals. These kinds of food tend to be high in fat and calories and also low in other nutrients that cause kids to gain extra pounds. According to Ferry, Jr. (2009), eating when not hungry, watching T.V or doing homework while eating are patterns and behaviors of people that is associated with obesity. Another reason behind obesity in children is their physical inactivity. Children today are slowly transforming into a poor lifestyle due to the increasing popularity of T.V watching, computer browsing as well as playing video games...
Words: 551 - Pages: 3
...Obesity HCA/250 March 2, 2014 University of Phoenix Obesity One of the leading causes of death in America today is Obesity. There are many different reasons a person will become obese. Whether it be gender, income, age or race it is still an epidemic and a health issue that needs to be addressed. When looking into the issue not only causes need to be addressed, the ways to prevent also need to be cited. People who are obese might not know how to get the help that they need, but education will help them learn. Living in Pennsylvania my entire life I have seen the obesity population grow from minor to major over the past twenty years. The town is better known as the “Mountains”, and is a large tourist and college town that borders New Jersey, and within two hours of New York City. With the school district noticing that childhood obesity is on the rise, there is only one psychological educational program that is offered for both children and adults. The program is called “Healthy in the Poconos”. Healthy in the Poconos offers counseling, education, nutrition counselors, and low cost fitness trainers for the community to access. Healthy in the Poconos on the outside seems like a great program but when researching the program in its entirety there is not a lot of education from professionals that can assist the community fight the ever growing obesity problem. Improvements that I would do immediately. First I would look into the funding. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of...
Words: 2002 - Pages: 9
...Childhood Obesity Name: Institution: Introduction Modifiable factors like sedentary lifestyles and physical inactivity are to blame for the high rates of childhood obesity. Adding to this, other non-modifiable factors which occur in conjunction with the modifiable factors contribute to childhood obesity. This paper will analyze these two factors, with specific emphasis on the modifiable factors, and the appropriate prevention strategies that can be employed to reduce its prevalence in the population aged below 16 years old. Childhood obesity is a major public health problem that has reached epidemic proportions in both developed and developing countries. A significant amount of both financial and human resources have been allocated to analyze its causes, prevention strategies and management schedules. Knowing the causes of childhood obesity and the appropriate prevention strategies helps the public heath sector and any other relevant authority to re-evaluate and incorporate prevention strategies into its programmes. Understanding Childhood Obesity Childhood obesity is a disease of caloric imbalance that occurs after excessive intake of calories above the required consumption levels resulting in excess body fat that negatively affects the child’s health and wellbeing. Diagnosis of obesity is based on two commonly used measurement methods. The first is Anthropometric measurements of which...
Words: 1464 - Pages: 6
...Obesity in America Obesity has risen to epidemic levels in the U.S. It causes devastating and costly health problems, reduces life expectancy, and is associated with stigma and discrimination. A multitude of factors likely contribute to obesity, from inherent biological traits that differ between individuals relevant to body weight; to environmental and socioeconomic factors; to behavioral factors--which may have both molecular and environmental influences. Close to two-thirds of adult Americans are overweight or obese. Despite the attention of the health profession, the media, and the public, and mass educational campaigns about the benefits of healthier diets and increased physical activity, the prevalence of obesity in the United States has more than doubled over the past four decades. Add the relatively few Americans who practice the habit of regular physical activity to the many who practice the habit of “super-sizing,” and it is no revelation why this has occurred. We have inherited our genetic makeup from our ancestors, hunters and gatherers who ate diets rich in low-fat meats and grains, who had to stalk and capture the entrée for dinner. During times of feast, their bodies were designed to store nutrients as adipose tissue to be used for fuel to survive periods of famine. We are descended from these survivors, and we share this ability to store fat when food is in overabundance. However, famines in the United States are fewer and farther between nowadays, so...
Words: 2719 - Pages: 11
...Have you ever wonder what are the causes to the great increase of childhood obesity in the past 30 years? Childhood obesity is a very serious problem and becoming very dangerous. Childhood obesity affects 17% of all children that is triple the rate of just one generation ago. children are becoming are very obese at young ages and they are getting diseases and unhealthy conditions very young. Obesity is now the second most preventable death in the U.S. Up to one out of every five children in the U. S. is overweight or obese, and this number is continuing to rise. Childhood obesity has greatly increased and they are three main things that have caused this, they are the increase of fast food, increase of technology, and change of family habits. These three things are the main reason why childhood obesity has been increasing so much in America, and it is becoming a very dangerous problem. Fast food has become a huge part of America in the last 30 years. Families lives have became very busy and fast food is a very easy way for parents to feed their children when they don’t have time to cook a meal. What parents don’t realize is how bad fast food is for people and how horrible it is to eat on a daily basis. Every day, nearly one-third of U.S. children aged 4 to 19 eat fast food, which likely packs on about six extra pounds per child per year and increases the risk of obesity.( www.cbsnews.com/2100-204_162-591325.html) Fast food is made with tons of preservatives and...
Words: 1626 - Pages: 7
...Today sugary drinks are one of the leading causes of obesity and other illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease. This has been an increasingly important issue amongst kids 6-12 years of age. There have been various laws/bans put in place such as the New York City ban of soft drinks that are larger than 16 oz. In the article “Your Favorite Drinks Can Wreck Your Body” by Russ Lloyd, he talks about how more and more states are putting restrictions/bans on sugary drinks do to the dangerous effects they have on people. Although some say sugary drinks aren’t so bad, in “Let us enjoy our sweet drinks in piece” by Evan Cook, he describes just that, however, sugary drinks are extremely dangerous because they can lead to deadly illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity, and are also extremely addictive, and are the leading cause of obesity and diabetes in America today....
Words: 1041 - Pages: 5
...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...
Words: 1897 - Pages: 8
...Public Awareness and Human Diseases HCA/ 240 Melissa Braxton May 29, 2011 Gioia Scoppa Obesity is a major problem in society today. The current generation of children is said to be the first generation of children that will not out live their parents. In the following I will discuss an overview of obesity and a current program that educates the community about obesity. I will also discuss some ways that the program could be improved. An obese person is defined as a person who weighs 20% or more over the ideal weight for their age, height, and gender. Over 40,000,000 Americans currently are considered obese. Most people believe that obesity is caused by over eating, but that is not always the case. In some cases genetics play a part. If a child has parents that are obese it puts them at higher risk for being obese themselves. Over eating and unhealthy food is sometimes the cause. Fast food has become a booming business. With the economy the way it is both parents must sometimes work. Going to a drive thru and picking up some fast food is just more convenient and faster. This unhealthy food can do horrible things to our bodies. Another possible cause for obesity in adults and youth is a sedentary lifestyle. Most people depend on their vehicles to get them around everywhere they need to go. Individuals use elevators and escalators more than actually walking up the stairs. School programs have cut down the amount of time students spend in physical education class, if the...
Words: 1365 - Pages: 6
