Put simply, obesity can be defined as an extreme excess of body fat. Simple, health-oriented definitions of obesity should be based on the amount of excess body fat at which health risks to individuals begin to increase. Since no such definitions currently exist, measurements of height and weight help to assess the overall health and nutritional status of adults. Obesity and healthy weight can be defined by the Body Mass Index (BMI), which is calculated as weight and height squared. Obesity is caused by many factors, including the contributions of inherited, metabolic, behavioral, cultural, and socioeconomic effects. Obesity may raise the risk of illness from numerous issues such as heart disease and diabetes. As weight increases, so does the prevalence of health risks. Because of the importance of these issues, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services considers obesity among the 10 leading health indicators in Healthy People 2020, which are the health objectives for the Nation. In recent history, obesity among the black communities has become one of the most prevalent issues that urban America endures. But why is urban America falling victim to such a seemingly curable health epidemic you ask? Over the years, people of color in focus groups have admitted that they did not eat healthy foods or exercise regularly. Many had personal stories of friends and family members who had been diagnosed with diabetes or high blood pressure. This reality was making them more
Obesity is defined as an accumulation of excessive fat that impairs a person health or a body mass index (BMI) that greater than or equal 30 (WHO, 2012). Childhood obesity is a major public health epidemic in which the prevalence has doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the United States over the past three decades with the highest prevalence in Blacks, Hispanics and Native American children and the number is
Obesity is when a person has excess body fat. It is calculated by dividing one’s weight by his or her height to get the body mass index (BMI=kg/m^2). This number is also used to screen for health problems that maybe be caused by certain weight categories. A BMI of 25-29.9 is considered to be overweight and over thirty is considered obese. A third of children are overweight (CDC, 2014). Obesity leads to significant physical and mental health consequences. Obese children are at risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, type two diabetes, high cholesterol, coronary artery disease and hypertension (CDC, 2014).
Obesity is defined as defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health. Obesity is not only based on an individual’s weight but also their BMI. A BMI greater than or equal to 25 is overweight. A BMI greater than or equal to 30 is obesity ((Organization, 2013). Obesity is the most common preventable deaths and the fifths leading health risk globally. Obesity has also been linked to other debilitating diseases and can increase a person’s chances of being hospitalized. Obesity-related conditions include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer, some of the leading causes of preventable death (cdc.gov, 2014).
As a result of the pervasive power of racism, African Americans and Latino’s consume a high fat and nutritionally low diet, which contributes to their declining health by increasing their a susceptibility to disease. According the American Heart Association (2013), African Americans have a greater chance of contracting heart disease and a 15% higher mortality rate as opposed to their white counterparts, illustrating not only the high prevalence of disease in minorities, but the alarming health disparities plaguing the United States health system. Although, more amicable/civil to blame proximate risk facts of the individual such as their individual diet and exercise habits, it blindly ignores the systemic oppression of residential segregation. Health disparities stem from various factors including a poor nutritional diet; however, all come back to one inescapable conclusion that the oppression of African Americans and Latinos due to residential segregation and institutionalized racism is directly responsible for the influx in chronic disease. The aggregation of minorities into low income communities leading to limited access to fruits and vegetables, paired with the financial burden of healthy eating trap these minorities in a pervasive, toxic cycle, which begs the question: how does residential segregation and institutional racism shape African Americans and Latino’s diet? and What are the consequences of a high fat, nutritionally low diet?
The Leadership for Healthy Communities (LHC) (2014) reported that food advertising continues to target African-American youths more aggressively that White youths. Consequently, African-American youths are at higher risk of developing diabetes. Also, African-American children and adolescents are expected to be overweight and obese than their White peer 's (Leadership for Healthy Communities, 2014).
There exists a close relationship between diabetes and obesity. The two conditions have troubled the global sector, leading to numerous deaths and excessive expenditure. This study evaluates the relationship between exercise/diets with obesity and diabetes among Hispanic and African American populations. The two communities face challenges of contracting diabetes and obesity owing to their lifestyle. There is much to compare among the African American and Hispanic people as far as their culture and observance of healthy living are concerned. The study also presents a future projection of the issues that need addressing to mitigate obesity and
Various studies on the health conditions of American demographics have provided supporting evidence for the aforementioned statement. Specifically, Flegal, Carroll, Ogden and Johnson’s study (2002) found that the obesity rates in the United States had been rising steadily since the 1960s (Flegal, Carroll, Ogden and Johnson, 2002). Particularly, the rates of obesity among female African American population were significantly higher than their white counterparts (Flegal et al, 2002). Gates and Macdonald (1997)’s study also identified the dietary habits of African Americans as the crucial factor leading to higher prevalence of cardiovascular illness among African Americans as female African Americans consumed a significantly higher level of cholesterol than their white counterparts (Gates, Macdonald, 1997). Catherine-Jen, Brogan, Washington, Flack and Artinian (2007)’s study focusing on symptoms of hypertension among African Americans found the rates of obesity to be significantly higher in their focused group of participants than the general population with hypertension (Catherine Jen, Brogan, Washington, Flack, Artinian, 2007). Thus, it is possible to make the connection that African Americans’ marginalization from the mainstream society could be attributed to
For people all over the world, obesity has reached an all time high and will only continue to climb. Obesity is the accumulation of excessive body fat on an individual that increases the chance of developing health complications. Obesity is a health condition that can cause much damage to an individuals mind and body, and has become linked to a shortened life span. It has caused an increase in blood pressure, strokes, high cholesterol, high blood sugar and heart disease. It has cause
Just what is obesity? Obesity is defined as having an excessive amount of body fat. Obesity occurs when a person’s weight is far above their ideal body weight. The root cause of obesity is widely debated. An inactive lifestyle, environment, genetics, family history, health conditions, medicines, emotional factors, age, pregnancy, and lack of sleep are many factors that can contribute towards obesity. Many times we can find multiple overlaying factors, for example, we may see a family history of obesity, along with an inactive lifestyle all while in an environment that reinforces overindulgence.
Obesity basically means having too much body fat. Not being overweight for your height, having too much muscle, or water in your body. What exactly is obesity? “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. Obesity is classified as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or greater. BMI is a tool used to measure obesity. Obesity increases your risk of developing related conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and sleep apnea, to name a few. Many individuals are affected by obesity and are not aware of it” (O.A.C, 2016). Causes of obesity vary from person to person, but most are from the same reasons. Taking in more calories than your body can burn leads to obesity because your body stores the unused calories as fat. Typical causes are eating too much food than your body can use, drinking too much alcohol, and not getting enough exercise. Many obese people who lose large amounts of weight and gain it back think it is their fault. They blame themselves for not having the willpower to keep the weight off. Many people regain more weight than they lost. Today, we know that biology is a big reason why some people cannot keep the weight off. Some people who live in the same place and eat the same foods become obese, while others do not. Our bodies have a complex system to help keep our
Obesity is the excess accumulation of body fat. Body fat is complex to measure clearly obesity is calculated by body mass index (BMI), is general a precise way to judge whether an individual is underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese. Obesity in society is considered an ongoing problem in America. There are many contributing issues of obesity both childhood and adult, such as biological, environmental, social, or economic factors. There are many people in society which may think obese people tend to eat more than the average person which cause a person weigh to spiral out of control.
"Obesity is defined as having excess body fat (CDC)." Obesity quickly spreads and is a hazardous disease. Obesity is very different from being overweight. Overweight is just another term for being fat whereas, obesity means that one’s body contains thirty percent or more body fat. (CDC) The term "globesity (WHO)," was first used by World Health Organization, meaning obesity is affecting a great proportion of Earth’s population. W. H.O. Termed the word globesity because obesity has turned into a global epidemic and is very popular. (WHO)The older humans get the harder it is to lose weight! As one gets older it becomes more difficult to lose weight because ones metabolism slows down.(Allman) When it comes to check someone’s weight, a good way to find out if one is overweight or even obese is to check ones BMI or body mass index. If ones BMI is between twenty-five and twenty-nine, he/she are considered overweight. If ones BMI is, thirty plus then he/she is considered obese. (Overweight) Many parents often claim that their child is not overweight and just has a little baby fat. In fact, baby fat often turns into obesity by second-grade and is no longer considered baby fat at the age of five. (Robbins)
Obesity refers to the condition of having an extra amount of body fat. Obesity is caused by eating too much and moving too little. When an individual’s amount of body fat becomes too high, they are at a greater risk of being affected with life changing diseases such as heart failure, hypertension, type II diabetes, cancer, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, and others. This shows that people should become more physically active and attempt to make healthier choices because their life depends on the decisions, they make.
The ease of slipping on a pair of jeans turns into a battle between a thigh and pant leg while exerting too much pressure on the diaphragm; a loss of breath incurs. How can obesity be defined? This can be described as a critical medical condition in which the body fat has been accumulated in an abnormal way especially in the abdominal area. To be considered obese, a person’s Body Mass Index (BMI) must be 30 or greater, and this measurement can be calculated by dividing the person’s height and weight. Without having the need to find data, just looking around, more people are becoming overweight or obese. Where one problem begins,
WHO (2015) defines obesity as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation. Obesity and being overweight may cause health impairments such as cardiovascular diseases, mainly heart disease and stroke, diabetes, musculoskeletal disorders and some cancers. BMI (body mass index) is used for classifying adult obesity. The index is calculated by a person’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of his/her height in meters (BMI ≥ 25 = overweight, BMI ≥ 30 = obesity) (WHO, 2015). The Ministry of Health in NZ reported that, compared to non-Maori, Maori adults are facing more health risks like smoking, hazardous drinking, obesity, being physically inactive, asthma and psychological distress, and Maori children also have slightly higher obesity rates that non-Maori children. They concluded that three in ten adults (31%) were obese in New Zealand, a 29% increase since 2011/12 (Ministry of Health, 2015). This paper analyses Maori obesity through their worldview of wellbeing, discusses both the implications on obesity for Maori wellbeing and the crown’s responsibility to change the state of obesity in Maori, and analyses through a social lense. Finally I would like to discuss how I can apply all my knowledge to improve Maori wellbeing.