Obesity : A Huge Strain On The Nhs

Farburn et al (2002) suggests that “the prevalence of obesity and its physiological and psychological complications is increasing among children and adults. These findings emphasize the need for effective prevention and treatment programs. Public health policies and strategies are implemented to meet targets to tackle health issues and socioeconomic problems (Lydia Balsdon, 2009). The House of Commons Health Select Committee (HSC 2004) foreseen the rise in health-care costs related to obesityas the figures are predicted to double by 2050, the estimated cost in 2002 was around £3340-3724 million. Obesity usually relates to limitations in mobility, which results in challenges with daily activities and affecting the quality of life and preventing individuals from finding employability. Health and psychological complications from obesity and related diseases impact the health and social care cost as individuals have high sickness and absence levels from work, which results in low productivity and enforces costs on industries.(McCormick et al, 2007). The government addresses the national strategies in tackling and reducing the obesity figures in the UK. (DH, 2005b). The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (2013) declared that from April 2013, the local government took on a widespread concern for public health within

The United Kingdom has one of the highest levels of overweight and obese people in Western Europe (Ng, M et al, 2013) and unless serious changes occur soon the obesity

This essay aims to discover and analyse adult obesity as a challenging public health issue in England as it has a detrimental effect on the society. The rationale for choosing adult obesity as a public health issue is to comprehend and develop the knowledge of obesity and its impact on individual’s health and wellbeing to better meet the needs of an obese adult in clinical practice. Obesity will be defined, its trends and the biopsychosocial factors that contribute to an individual’s health and wellbeing will be discussed along with the health inequalities. Furthermore, this assignment will highlight relevant policies and legislation aimed at addressing the health risk and needs of an obese adult. Lastly, this essay will explain the role of a nurse in both promoting and assessing of the health requirements of obese adult and then the conclusion will be drawn summarising the key points of the essay.

“I think I may go out on the town today and see what kind of fun things I can do.” Mommy look at that fat girl, fat people shouldn’t be allowed out, quack quack waddle fat girl, hey shamu go back to the water. These are some of the things that I have endured and heard on a day-to-day when going out in public as an obese individual. Like myself, a lot of other obese individuals have embarked on many failed weight loss attempts only to gain instead of lose weight. Bariatric Surgery is a great lifelong tool to help aid in weight loss and manage the success;, however, many individuals shy away from the surgery because many health professionals only state the risks over the benefits. Bariatric surgery has become very popular in the United States, but there are many factors to consider such as the risks and benefits, success rates, and procedure options offered. Bariatric surgery has afforded many obese individuals a new lease on life. Medical doctors and insurance companies seem to be down playing the benefits as a way to keep patients with many obesity related ailments to keep them in business. The benefits that bariatric surgery has greatly outweigh the risks and allows for new beginnings.

Besides, studies have shown that “The obesity epidemic ranks among the leading causes”. (WHO, 1998) are “poor diet and physical inactivity were the second leading cause of death in the USA in 2000 and may soon overtake tobacco as the leading cause of avoidable death” (Mokdad et al.,2004). “Obesity is a complex medical condition, which has social and psychological dimensions and some major economic aspects.” (WHO, 2000). “It affects people of all ages and socio-economic groups, and of both genders, and is not restricted to developed countries” (WHO, 2000). From

The social impact of obesity: although overlaps the concept of mental health, it includes the way society treats obese people and the difficulties they face because of it

Also deriving from obesity is social care. According to the health care Bill describes social care as, “all forms of personal care and other practical assistance for individuals who by reason of age, illness, disability or any other similar circumstances are in need of such care or assistance”. There is an important link between obesity and social care. Obesity contributes to the development of long term conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, resulting in physical and social difficulties which impact on social care.

Weight loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery is recommended by many physicians to people who are unable to benefit from traditional weight loss methods. However, choosing to undergo weight loss surgery isn’t an easy decision. It is an important decision that will drastically and permanently impact a person’s life. Therefore, before making such a significant decision, an individual should be aware of both the risks and benefits associated with weight loss surgery (McGowan & Chopra ix).

Furthermore, these individuals subside the average person due to their obesity; a disease that affects 70% of American adults. Consequently, this disease causes an increasing amount of heart diseases, strokes, high blood pressure, and diabetes in our current community. It is agreed upon our society that these individuals who suffer of obesity have been looked down upon and are put at risk of discrimination regardless of how hard we try to end it. To make the problem worse than it already

Obesity also poses serious problems for a society struggling to cope with rising health care cost. The cost of treating obesity currently totals $117 billion per year – a price, according to the surgeon general, “second only to the cost of [treating] tobacco use” (Carmona, 2004). And as the number of children who suffer from obesity grows, long-term cost will only increase.

Surgeons’ have an easy approach to doing the surgery. They have more of the right tools to do the procedure with. It results in the surgery being done correctly. Those who have gastric bypass know it is not an easy ticket out. This surgery is to help reduce and keep weight off; those that experienced it have to manage their diet, physical activity and psychological change. There required to think positive about their weight loss approach. Although, many insurers cover this surgery (“Is”). Most people who qualify are afraid to get the procedures, but bariatric surgery has been proven to be effective” Is gastric surgery the solution to America’s Obesity problem? Well for most of it yes, according to research more people are starting to get gastric surgery than a little bit. There are more people who have decided to get this procedure done. However, obesity may explain why weight loss interventions accumulate financial and social support in the past may prove to be the ultimate expansion of gastric surgery

Obesity in America, is almost becoming as sensitive a subject as discrimination or racism. Iain Murray states, “Health statisticians use a formula called the Body Mass Index (BMI) to determine if individuals should be categorized as overweight.” We Americans allow ourselves to indulge in the idea that a simplistic scale can determine whether or not a citizen is healthy or overweight. The scale, which is a basis to determine health and proper weight standings for some, does nothing more than bring about improper readings and emotional distress to others and does not support good health standard.

Obesity is not only a cosmetic problem; it is also a health hazard. People eating themselves to sickness are a disgrace. It is a choice that many will continue to make. Not listening to the doctor and just sneaking by on the hospital visits is not going to be the outcome every time. “People who are overweight or obese are at an increased risk for chronic disease compared to normal-weight individuals” (“Weight Loss”), and problems get extremely severe; “40 percent of overweight people are twice as likely to die prematurely, compared to a normal-weight person” (“Weight Loss”). Doctors tell patients everyday they need to change their diets and the answer is always the same “I will next time,” well maybe there might not be a next time?

Equal opportunity employment policy). Most importantly, stop making it politically incorrect to suggest that an obese person is in fact obese. As long as the government continues to allow these people to be a drain on society nothing will change. If a person wants to be considered for a job that a fit person can do better, then he/ she needs do what it takes to be able to compete at that level. Furthermore, a company should not be forced to change their methods because an obese person will not change theirs. It has been shown that although being overweight may be due to genetics the condition of obesity is brought on by the persons’ own life style choices. Think about it; should a person that has put in the extra effort to be in shape be over looked for a job simply due to the fact that and obese person can claim discrimination? I know it is not fair but, that is what is happening with these laws set to protect

Crawford, D., Jeffery, R.W., Ball, K. & Brug, J. (Eds.). (2010). Obesity Epidemiology: From Aetiology to Public Health (2nd ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.