Summary of Content
Obesity has become a world-wide epidemic that affects every country and gender that exists. Obesity can result from poor nutrition, insufficient amount of exercise, or a lack of knowledge on how to care for one’s body. In general, many women suffer from being overweight. The article I read explains how some women, no matter what ethnicity, suffer from being considered over- weight during pregnancy. The article goes into further detail to explain how women feel about gaining weight while pregnant, what they believe to be considered healthy or unhealthy, and how they feel about their healthcare provider’s service to them while being pregnant. The articles states, “In the United Stated, 35.8% of reproductive age women (20-39)
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1). This statistic raises concern for both the individual and the baby. The chances of experiencing many health problems such as preeclampsia, birth defects, gestational diabetes, and still birth increase when a female is overweight and unhealthy while caring a child. The article states that most women thought that gaining 20 pounds was not a big deal, but numerous of these complications just mentioned could be decreased when overweight women set boundaries to their weight gain between eleven and twenty pounds (Kominiarek et al, 2015). In this particular study, there were four groups that consisted of three to six people per group. The study was over a four month period and 16 participants completed the study; most of the patients were non-Hispanic black (Kominiarek et al, 2015 Pg. 4). Women that participated in the study talked about how they felt uncomfortable talking to their healthcare providers about weight gain and how their providers were never strict on how much weight could be gained throughout the pregnancy. The healthcare providers were also a part of a focus group that showed some interesting facts. The article states, “The providers did not feel comfortable discussing weight with obese women and had to motivate themselves to start the discussion”
An estimated 97 million adults in the United States are overweight or obese (Klein 2000). “"Affecting one in five Americans – or more than 22 percent of the U.S. population – obesity is one of the most pervasive health problems in our nation right now," said George L. Blackburn, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of surgery and associate director of the Division of Nutrition at Harvard Medical School/Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. "We need to implement steps to slow the progression of this national epidemic” (NAASO 1999). But the problem of obesity does not only affect the United States. "We now know that the growing prevalence of obesity is creating major health problems worldwide," said Dr. James O. Hill, president of the North American Association for the Study of Obesity (NAASO) and Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. Obesity was once regarded as unique to Americans, but it is now seen as a global health risk affecting developing and underdeveloped countries (AOA 2000). Obesity is increasing at an epidemic rate in the United States - 1.3% a year for women over 20. Rates of obesity among minority populations, including African-Americans and Hispanic Americans are especially high (AOA 2000). There is also a marked increase in obesity among children.
The Hispanic cultures view on obesity or having a fuller and heavier child differs from an American’s perspective. Like many cultures around the world, hefty version of themselves is a sign of wealth and opulence. This belief is passed down to their children. Hispanic and Latino mothers believe a heavier child is a good idea and it shows healthy development. “Culture can influence the perception of risk associated with obesity. Studies of Latinos have found that many mothers of obese children believe their child to be healthy and are unconcerned about their child's weight, although these same parents are likely to believe that obese children in general should be taken to a nutritionist or physician for help with weight reduction.” (Caprio
This literature review will look into obesity in pregnancy and the influences its has on maternity care. The review will explore specifically health promotion including weight, dietary and exercise advice given to obese women, and will explore the challenges that come with giving weight related advice for the midwife and the women involved.
Obesity in pregnant women is a global concern. In The United States, obesity is a critical public health issue—one in every three women is obese (Masho, et al). This issue becomes crucial in the context that 36% of pregnant women in the United States are obese (Shub, et al). Studies show a strong association between maternal obesity and health risks during pregnancy and labor. In addition, a disconnect in perception and awareness exists such that most obese pregnant women who gain weight during pregnancy underestimate their Body Mass Index (BMI); and also have poor knowledge about the risk associated with obesity.
Obesity has become an epidemic across the United States. Americans have continued to gain weight, increasing the amount of people that are considered obese by millions every few years. More and more experts have come to a consensus: weight needs to be addressed and changed in America. Many experts, however, have not found a way to completely solve this problem at large. In the article, “Rethinking Weight”, senior writer Amanda Spake directs attention to the barriers our society has built for obesity treatment. Through this attention, it becomes evident these barriers have developed from the changing ideals in our society. Roberta Seid, a lecturer at the University of Southern California, argues in “Too “Close to the Bone”: The Historical Context for Women’s Obsession with Slenderness” how our body ideals have changed the way our society views obesity. Both authors emphasize the problem our society faces with obesity becoming an epidemic, and how that needs to be changed so our society can live happier and healthier lives. Although both authors are achieving the same point, Spake concludes that obesity has stemmed from pharmaceutical problems and biological factors, while Seid holds that obesity has come from the changing fashion and body ideals in our society. By reading both articles in conjunction, it becomes clear that the root of this problem is our societal issues, obesity has become an epidemic because of the way our society neglects obesity from all aspects.
According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2011-2012, more than 34% of all adults are obese in that their BMI exceeds 24 (Ogden, Carroll, Kit, & Flegal, 2014). Interestingly, though this prevalence is high, it seems as though there has not been an increase since the same study done from 2003-2004. This seems to imply that we have plateaued at the peak that we have been rising towards since 1976 (Ogden, Carroll, Kit, & Flegal, 2014). To take this further, during the time of increasing incidences, in a study done from 1990-2004, it was seen that “the incidence of maternal obesity at the start of pregnancy [was] increasing and accelerating” which corresponds with the previous study’s findings (Heslehurst, et al.,
Adult overweight and obesity have become a worldwide issue that has very dangerous consequences on health. World Health Organization defines obesity as the “epidemic of the 21st Century”. WHO reports show that 1.9 billion people with 18 years age and older are overweight, and 600 million of them are obese. In the United States, obesity is a serious problem today that results from overconsumption of high-fat food and sugary food with lack of exercise. The Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention reports show that the obesity rates are above 20 percent in all states. Overweight and obesity have become a major public health issue because of their high rates of mortality and morbidity. People who are considered overweight or obese are at increased
“Obesity affects nearly 1 in 3 American adults” according to The National institute of Health. Obesity clearly is a common problem the U.S. and will permanently alter our family dynamic. It had changed our social behavior and our culture as a country. These changes stem from are weight discrimination, negatively influencing other family member’s lifestyles, and an over-eating culture.
First, because American mothers and fathers were misled or failed to deliver healthy children to the best of their abilities, generations have inherited and still are inheriting genes that have triggered obesity. Early-life impacts, starting with the intrauterine environment, have shaped the path of weight gain and body fatness throughout a child’s life course. Shari Roan, a journalist at the Los Angeles Times newspaper, says obesity rates in American children may have risen because of pregnant mothers’ misconceptions and irresponsible decisions related to the care of their unborn children. She continues that Melinda Sothern, a leading fitness and nutrition expert at Louisiana State
Some public health professionals believe parents should be responsible for their own children being overweight. However, this can raise ethical issues if parents coming from communities that do not have access to health promotion care. Also, these significantly impacts impoverish family, especially obese children, since these children will not have the daily availability of accessible health care (Holm et al., 2014). Moreover, they are living on in
Much has been written to explain the medical aspect of obesity but little attention has been paid to understanding the sociological aspect of the epidemic. This research attempts to understand the sociological aspect of obesity by examining the socio-cultural, gender, and psycho-social effects and includes the different perceptions of the epidemic as well as what is deemed acceptable in the society we live in.
He notes that the children aren’t making this diagnose by assessment based, but by looking at the other people around us who are overweight. He points out that it’s a big problem and that it’s extremely complicated; when educating a teenager or child about being overweight it can become a touchy subject; and it requires a different approach. Teenagers deal with a lot of shrewd things about their body image. He notes that parents, educators and healthcare providers have to get involved. “It has to be a Pro-Health, not anti-obesity, campaign”, says Ferdman. Today’s children have a misconception about their own weight, because there are so many adolescents that are obese. Ferdman argues it’s, because they do not understand what a healthy weight is, because it’s hard for them to identify. According to the Food and Research Action Center, United States suffers from being one of the biggest populations with over weight people. This is an alarming issue across America. I am using Ferdman’s article to argue that our children aren’t aware of their weight issues, therefore parents, educators, mentors and healthcare providers need to make them
The number of women of child-bearing age who are overweight and obese is increasing today. This study investigates the views and attitudes of health professionals on giving antenatal care to women who have body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 and over. A qualitative study using three focus groups was assumed within the department of obstetrics and gynaecology at a large teaching hospital in south-eastern Australia. One with hospital midwives (n=10), one with continuity of care midwives (n=18), and one with obstetricians (n=5). Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to analyze data. There are 6 dominant themes that emerged and formed a model representing current health care issues for these women: 1) obesity puts the health of
Obesity plays a major role in women’s health and impacts it in numerous ways. Those who are at increased risk for obesity are African American, have multiple children or are in their twenties. (Sarina Schrager, 2011) Obesity puts the women at greater risk for developing coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, preeclampsia, cancers, and musculoskeletal pain among the many other complications that may be associated to being overweight. Obese women may have trouble becoming pregnant due to irregular menstrual cycles and decreased fertility. Women who are obese are at greater risk for complications during pregnancy, labor and postpartum. Cesarean rates are higher among obese women which require longer hospital stays and increase
Weight discrimination “generally refers to negative weight-related attitudes toward an overweight or obese individual” (Puhl 1). Obesity numbers started to skyrocket in the 1990s and weight discrimination started to become a problem about five years later. Obese individuals are susceptible to weight discrimination at health care facilities, school, work, and even in personal relationships. Studies have found that the chances of experiencing weight discrimination increase the more an individual weighs. “In our study, 10 percent of overweight women reported weight discrimination, 20 percent of obese women reported weight discrimination and 45 percent of very obese women reported weight discrimination. men were lower, with 3 percent of overweight, 6 percent of obese and 28 percent of very obese men reporting weight discrimination. This finding also tells us that women begin experiencing weight discrimination at lower levels of body weight than men” (Puhl 2). For women weight discrimination is more common than race discrimination.