Obesity
Obesity the Silent Killer
Obesity has plagued the United States for the last 50 years. Since 1970 the rates of obesity have tripled, leading to many obese adults and children. The effects of obesity can be seen throughout the country, ranging from different age groups, ethnicities and states. Prevention methods and treatments have been thoroughly researched to help battle this disease. Nutrition is essential when considering obesity and its implications. This paper researches the demographics, prevention methods, treatments, effects, and nutritional aspects in regard to the obesity epidemic.
According to the NIH, a person is considered obese when their BMI is 30 or above and severely obese when their BMI is 35 and above (NIH). A person’s BMI is calculated by comparing a their weight in kilograms, to their height in meters. Obesity is a disease that involves excessive amounts of body fat which leads to a person being overweight. It effects millions of Americans and is considered an epidemic by the CDC. The prevalence of obesity in the United states during 2017-2018 was 42.4% and is considered as one of the leading preventable causes of death (CDC). Majority of the people who are obese do not have college degrees and this can be attributed to proper nutritional knowledge. Knowing what is nutritionally good for you and managing caloric intake is critical in preventing obesity. Higher income groups have less prevalence of obesity as compared to lower income groups. Having more money or wealth can allow a person to buy healthier and more expensive food options (CDC).
Obesity is caused by a variety of factors such as behavior, genetics and a person’s environment. People who exercise regularly show lower rates of obesity than people who have sedentary lifestyles. Sleeping also plays a role in weight gain as people who sleep less typically weigh more. Stress is also an important behavioral factor because it can cause people to eat and not handle their stress appropriately. Genetics has been studied by scientists and has been proven to play a role in obesity. There is no one gene that causes obesity but rather a variant of many genes that play a role in how effectively your body converts food into energy (AMA). Doctors also look at family history to help identify obesity markers. Environmental factors include lack of sidewalks, gyms and crime in a neighborhood. People in these areas will often drive, not exercise and live sedentary lifestyles (AMA). High sugar andcaloric foods that are considered junk are being advertised on billboards and commercials all around us. This aids in the obesity epidemic because it promotes harmful nutritional habits that are necessary in weight gain (Blumenthal).
In order to tackle the complex obesity epidemic there has to be a multifaceted approach. It requires a supportive environment along with schools, businesses and health care professionals who all promote a healthy lifestyle. At the governmental level, the CDC funds many programs to help fight the obesity epidemic, to universities, states and cities. Programs include REACH, racial and ethnic approaches to community health and CORD; childhood obesity research demonstration project(CDC). These programs aim to educate people on healthy nutritional alternatives and the importance of exercise. At the community level, children around the ages of 3-5 are in some form of childcare. During this time, they are educated on nutrition and physical activity. Schools are also used to instill healthy eating habits by exposing kids to fruits and vegetables.
Treating obesity is a multifaceted approach that involves, exercise, nutrition, surgery and medication. Exercise is one of the most effective ways of along with diet to help prevent weight gain. By burning more calories than you consume you can lose weight. A person should start gradually before doing intense workouts and it is recommended by doctors to get at least 60 minutes per day of exercise (Wayne Uni). Nutrition is also critical because a person has to eat healthy along with exercise to lose weight. How much a person eats is important in managing caloric intake and ultimately prevents weight gain(FDA). Surgeries are another alternative to treat obesity. The most common are bariatric surgeries which are for severely obese patients (ASMBS). They can be very effective and involve making the stomach smaller, so less food is consumed. Medications such as orlistat, Qysmia, Contrave, and saxenda are prescribed by doctors. These medications suppress a person’s appetite by stopping hormonal signals that cause the body to crave food (MAYO). They do not work for everybody and a person who stops using the medications may experience weight gain.
The effects of obesity are numerous, and it is considered one of the major contributors to the leading cause of death in the United States. Some of these effects include, mortality, sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease and mental illness. Excessive weight gain causes soft tissue around a person’s mouth and throat to accumulate which blocks breathing(Romero). These people are often sleep deprived, fatigued, snore and have nightmares. An obese person can develop insensitivity to insulin due to high levels of fatty acids and inflammation caused by excessive weight gain. 90% of people with Type 2 diabetes are overweight and this occurs when the body resists insulin. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes include blurred vision, excessive hunger or thirst and frequent urination (ASMBS). Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and 80% of people who have this disease are overweight. Cholesterol from obese people causes plaque buildup in the arteries of the heart which causes a blockage. As a result, the arteries cannot deliver oxygenated blood back to the heart (Ades, Phillip). Mental illness is also a major effect caused by obesity. Many obese people have a diminished quality of life which results in depression and a host of other mental issues. Young women are far more at risk to suffer from mental illness while being obese and this is because of low self-esteem. Interestingly certain psychotropic drugs can cause weight gain and changes to the body when dealing with insulin(Daves).
After thoroughly researching the obesity epidemic, I learned that nutrition is critical in fighting this disease. Obesity directly relates to nutrition because it is associated with consumption of food and weight gain. Unhealthy eating habits and food choices lead to high caloric intake. Good nutritional habits and meals recommended by healthcare professionals can help a person live a healthy life and lose weight. Education on vegetables, fruits and healthy foods is imperative to combat excessive weight gain. There should be more focus on advertisements, and awareness for nutrition geared towardsyounger children. Nutrition is the key to life and the way to beat this epidemic.
References
Ades, Philip A, and Patrick D Savage. “Obesity in coronary heart disease: An unaddressed behavioral risk factor.” Preventive medicine vol. 104 (2017): 117-119. doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2017.04.013
“Adult Obesity Facts.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 27 Feb. 2020, www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html.
“Adult Obesity Rates Rise in 6 States, Exceed 35% in 7.” American Medical Association, 26 Nov. 2018, www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/adult-obesity-rates-rise-6-states-exceed-35-7.
“Bariatric Surgery Procedures: ASMBS.” American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, asmbs.org/patients/bariatric-surgery-procedures.
Blumenthal, David. “Rising Obesity in the United States Is a Public Health Crisis.” Home, 24 Apr. 2018, www.commonwealthfund.org/blog/2018/rising-obesity-united-states-public-health-crisis.
Commissioner, Office of the. “Nutrition Basics Help Fight Child Obesity.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/nutrition-basics-help-fight-child-obesity.
Davies. “Mental Illness and Obesity.” Psychiatry Advisor, 17 Dec. 2018, www.psychiatryadvisor.com/home/conference-highlights/aaic-2015-coverage/mental-illness-and-obesity/.
“NIH Study Identifies Ideal Body Mass Index.” National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 6 Oct. 2015, www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-study-identifies-ideal-body-mass-index.
“Obesity.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 15 Feb. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obesity/symptoms-causes/syc-20375742.
“The Role of Exercise in Treating Obesity.” The Role of Exercise in Treating Obesity| Adult Care | Southeast Michigan | Wayne State Family Care | Wayne State University Physician Group, www.wsupgdocs.org/family-medicine/WayneStateContentPage.aspx?nd=1571.
