Impact That Globalization And Socioeconomic Transition Have On Nutrition

The increased prevalence of obesity among high income groups in nonindusrialized countries may have changed as non-indusrialized countries become more affluent and obesity becomes more prevalent in individuals who have low socioeconomic status (Monteiro et al., 2004).

Barry M Popkin, Linda S Adair, Shu Wen Ng; Global nutrition transition and the pandemic of obesity in developing countries. Nutr Rev 2014; 70 (1): 3-21. doi: 10.1111/j.1753-4887.2011.00456.x

The nutrition transition and the increasing westernization, urbanization and mechanization occurring in most countries around the world is associated with changes in the diet towards one of high fat, high energy-dense foods and a sedentary lifestyle (Popkin, 2001). This shift is also associated with the current rapid changes in childhood and adult obesity. Even in many low income countries, obesity is now rapidly increasing, and often coexists in the same population with chronic under nutrition.

There has been an increased availability, accessibility, and affordability of food, this could explain the excess energy intake and weight gain among different populations. In addition to the easy access to food, there has also been decreased opportunities for physical activity in the recent years. Researchers have proposed a range of interventions to reduce obesity, these include, restricting the advertisement of unhealthy foods to children, improving school meals, using taxation to reduce consumption of unhealthy foods and providing subsidies to increase intake of healthy foods, and supply-chain incentives to increase the production of healthy foods (The GBD 2015 Obesity Collaborators.

According to a recent trend analysis in 200 countries, age-standardised prevalence of obesity increased from 3.2% to 10.8% between 1975 and 2014 in men, and from 6.4% to 14.9% in women. In this study, like in many others, obesity was defined by a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. Due to its effect on the expenditure and consumption of calories, income may directly affect weight. A rise in income can affect a person’s weight.

In 2015 fitness has seemed to be the latest trend, but at the same time you can’t lead a large country to follow the trend as they are picking up supersized portions of food and drinks an giving the thumbs down to exercise and fitness. This leads them right to a stereotype of individuals within obesity in America. The reason that people are obese in America is due to many obstacles. Genetics, overeating, lack of physical activity and over all lack of movement from having the weight on them. Food companies as well restaurants have updated their food selections to healthier choices, as well cut calories within the food they disburse to the country but there still raises a question, “Is the individual that can’t gain control of their consumption

An Obesity epidemic is disturbing the financial and social stability of the United States. As stated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services “our modern environment has allowed these conditions to increase at alarming rates and become highly pressing health problems for our nation“(U.S. Department of Health and Human Services). Efforts made by authority figures have been enforced to solve this severe crisis. Obesity has become a concerning problem in the United States. This epidemic is interfering with the success of American citizens and it is also impacting the American economy negatively. The obesity epidemic endures negative impacts to the United States’ economy; even though others argue it is contributing to the economy through the growing weight loss industry.

KRAKOW, POLAND- According to an alarming new study published Friday by the Federation of Abnormalities in Thickness, the percentage of obese Americans over the age of twenty has just hit 40%. This growing obesity epidemic has been called one of the heaviest issues in modern day society. "I don't understand why those in rich, developed nations like the US or the UK get to gorge themselves with lavish delicacies every day, while in Eastern civilizations, people are forcing dirt down their throat simply to survive." said Winnie Woltrap, celebrity spokesperson for FAT. "So why is food still being handed to the already obese Americans while the millions of starving people in Africa have bellies full of worms?"

Transition: Researchers at the Mayo Clinic explain how obesity is more common in industrialized countries where more fast food and convenience stores are prevalent

Summary: This article goes on to tell us what a problem obesity is becoming. It’s becoming such a problem that nowadays Overweight and obesity are the main risk factors for many non-communicable diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, and some types of cancers. Statistics show, in both developed and developing countries, that the prevalence of overweight and obesity is growing. It used to be in just developed countries that obesity and overweight was a problem. But now, it’s a problem in both developed and developing

London School of Economics and Political Science graduate Joan Font, offers the effects of globalization on obesity and caloric intake. Joan makes his case from an economical and social standpoint, this is backed up by his education specialization in Health Economics and Social Policy. Joan looks deep into the prevalence of obese people from 1985-2005 and compares this to globalization.

Obesity makes you more likely to have conditions like heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, gallbladder disease and breathing problems. Since, according to the International Obesity Task Force, there is an estimated 300 million people around the world that are obese and according to Globalization101, more than 115 million of those people are in developing countries, I don’t believe this epidemic should be takes lightly. According to Buzzle.com, “Disease associated with obesity have also risen worldwide. The number of people with diabetes has increased from 30 million worldwide in 1985 to 135 million in 1995 and the numbers continue to rise.” The University of Minnesota concluded in a research that there is, “A link between poverty, low educational attainment and poorer health outcomes with increased morbidity and mortality is well established. Heart disease, diabetes, obesity, elevated blood lead level, and low birth weight are more prevalent among individuals with low income and low educational attainment. Also, Research by Doctor Margaretha Voss has shown that unemployed people are more likely to be obese and have poor health habits. Excess drinking, smoking, lack of exercise and a stationary lifestyle are all concerns for your well-being. Globalization should be reformed because there are many health concerns with today's practices. There are far more detriments to the human body as a whole population caused by globalization than anything

Statistical information confirms: obesity and overweight have already turned into an issue of national concern. In 2002, “a National Survey conducted by American Sports Data revealed that 61% of adults in the U.S. felt that they were overweight, 19% admitting that they were ‘considerably’ overweight” (American Sports Data). The major causes of obesity, overweight, and similar nutritional problems included genetics, population trends, hurried lifestyles, high-carbohydrate diets, less demanding workplaces, smoking cessation, and social class aspects (American Sports Data). That hurried lifestyles and a less demanding workplace contribute in the development of obesity trends is clear. But even more importantly, because the number of those who are overweight or obese exceeds one half of the American population, the government must control our diets. The information about the costs of obesity and related diseases is even more compelling.

(2003), likewise point out that the fact of not being physically active plays a crucial in doubling cases of obesity. According to Hastings et al. (2003), people in 1st, 2nd and 3rd world countries are doing less physical activities such as riding bikes, working in the fields. Instead, people spend more time sitting in cars, in factories, in offices, in front of the TV, developing “Couch-potato” syndrome, only eating and drinking. In addition, the authors comment that wage-labor patterns are other contributing factors in culture-bound

Obesity is classified as one of the extremely common and serious public health problems in the world. Overweight and obesity are the fifth leading global risks of mortality in the world (World Health Organization, 2009). Furthermore, they are one of the major factors of for a number of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer (World Health Organization, 2005). According to NHS UK, obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more for adults, and the UK 1990 growth reference curves are used to define obesity for Children (Cole TJ, Freeman JV, Preece MA, 1995). The growing challenge of obesity of Europe countries is remarkable among Asian countries .In 2008, 1.4 billion adults (35%) aged 20 and over were overweight and 500 million were obese (11%). More than 40 million children under the age of 5 were overweight or obese in 2012(World Health Organization, 2014). That is the global obesity situation. Furthermore, the obesity problem in the UK is not optimistic, the UK has the highest obesity rates among Europe countries, and this trend has strikingly increased over the recent years to the point where more than 20% of the population are now obese. (University of Birmingham, 2014) However, the obesity situation in Singapore is more worrisome. In 2010, 40% adults aged 18 to 69 were overweight and 10% were obese which is more than double the level seen in 1992. (Ministry of Health Singapore, 2010) This essay will