ABSTRACT Obesity is one of the major health problems of today, which has taken on the proportions of the global epidemic. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) 1.5 billion people are overweight, of which more than 500 million people are considered obese, which provides for the increase in prevalence in the coming years. Fourteen million Australians are overweight or obese in Australia (http://www.modi.monash.edu.au/obesity-facts-figures/obesity-in-australia/). There are number of causes relating to obesity. In fast pace working life, including the availability of fast and unhealthy food, unhealthy living and eating habits and a sedentary lifestyle are considered to be major risk factors for the development of over-nutrition and obesity. Accumulation of fat, particularly visceral, has been implicated in chronic lesions and diseases of organ systems. The diagnosis of obesity used anthropometric measurements and to determine body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and the ratio of waist and hips to give insight into the type of obesity which the patient belongs and which is exposed to a health risk. Creating a well-designed prevention programs are one of the major challenges for public health in order to raise awareness in the population that obesity is a disease that can be prevented with proper diet and adequate physical activity. INTRODUCTION Obesity is a major health problem worldwide today. Globalisation and urbanisation
Overweight and obesity now affects at least 1.7 billion people. With the largest proportion in developing countries: In 2010, almost 2 billion people of the world’s population are overweight (BMI between 25 and 29.9 kg/m2) and more than half a billion are obese (BMI > 30 kg/m2). Using standard international criteria by 2015, the figure will be nearer 2.3 billion overweight and
In recent decades, obesity has grown to become considered an epidemic. In Natalie Boreo’s book “Killer Fat”, she discusses this obesity epidemic along with its social, political, economic, and moral influences. A number of factors contribute to the high instances of obesity; a person’s lifestyle, eating habits, culture, sedentary behaviors, activity levels, socioeconomic status, among many others. Sociologists seek to understand the physical, emotional and social influences involving obesity. Boreo brings about the thought-provoking point that throughout history, epidemics were considered to be infectious diseases; though in recent years, this term has loosened to include diseases and conditions that are
Obesity occurs in all countries and it is one of the gravest problems in modern society. Mankinds around the world are concerned about obesity. One of the chief causes is unhealthy diets. Obesity is also due to lack of exercise and lack of education and awareness. Therefore obesity has various effects include risk of suffering from a range of health conditions, large fiscal expenditure on medical insurance and lack of self-esteem.
Obesity in the United States has been a serious problem affecting Americans and has been continually growing higher in numbers each year. American obesity has nearly doubled within the last 40 years and is now considered to be an epidemic that is affecting millions of people around the nation. According to the National institute of Diabetes and digestive and kidney Diseases, 31% of men and 35% of women are considered seriously overweight, along with 15% of children between the ages of six and nineteen are also overweight. The lack of physical inactivity and extreme poor dieting are catching up to almost the same threat as cigarettes and tobacco smoking. We as a nation are considered to be the fattest country in the world.
There are a variety of public issues in the United States society today. Many people are facing some type of illness or disease, one we do not consider a major problem until just recently. Obesity is a disease/condition that many people in America are suffering from. Really obesity can be defined in many different ways; Mayo Clinic defines obesity as a “complex disorder involving an excessive amount of body fat” (Obesity, 2015). When a person is diagnosed having this disease/condition it can cause many health problems such as, diabetes, heart trouble, high and low blood pressure. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one-third (34.9% or 78.6 million) of U.S adults are obese. (“Adult Obesity Facts,” 2015).
America's children are not getting enough exercise, and the health risks due to obesity are becoming epidemic in nature. Even First Lady Michelle Obama is supporting an initiative to help children become more active and to provide for exercise (at least 30-60 minutes per day) in all schools. Even limited amounts of exercise can have great health benefits. When humans exercise, the brain produces chemicals that help enhance mood, limit cravings for sugars, and contribute to healthier joints, muscles, the heart, and kidneys. In turn, this translates into more productive work time, the ability to sleep better, increase memory, and reduce dependence on medications. Children are so vulnerable to this health risk that if it continues, over 60% of graduating seniors will be clinically obese. Written by a medical journalist, the book is designed for the lay reader but has a number of documented scholarly sources.
This book comprehensively addresses the subject of obesity. Apart from highlighting the main causes of the epidemic, the book also presents suggestions on what can be done to stem the rising rates of obesity.
Obesity is a major problem in the United States that has been increasing over the years. It is not only a problem in the States, but it is a problem around the world. It is an issue because obesity is a public health problem; therefore, obesity can lead to an unhealthy lifestyle and may cause relatable diseases and even death. It is a well-known health problem in U.S. due to the growing population. According to OAC (Obesity Action Coalition), “obesity is a condition that has to do with having an excess of body fat, this is defined by genetic and environmental factors that are difficult to control when dieting”.
Nowadays, obesity is considered one of the most popular and major health issues. The United States is also among the group of countries that has the highest obesity rate. Due to many resulting serious illness it implicates, obesity was claimed to be the cause for high preventable mortality rate.
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 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 everyday routines of life can and will be more difficult if encumbered with obesity.
Did you know that “sugar-sweetened beverages are the single most fattening and disease promoting aspect of the modern diet” (“15 Things”), yet it is one of the most popular drinks in the United States? It is surprising that a liquid could cause so much damage to one’s health. This is one of many factors contributing to obesity. In fact, the population of obese adults who are of the age 20 and older in the United States has doubled since early 1960s, from 13.4% to 35.7% (“Overweight and Obesity Statics”). That means that more than one-third of adults are considered to be obese today in America, and its number is still increasing. This is something we need to further study since obesity causes critical health damages such as cancer, stroke, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and stillborn for a child whose mother is obese.
The global obesity epidemic has been recognized as a significant health threat to developed nations by the World Health Organization (WHO, 2013). Globally the number of obese individuals, over 1.4 billion adults, has doubled since 1980. This represented 11% of all adults aged 20 and over in 2008. Another 35% of this age group was considered overweight. Even more troubling is the increasing number of children who were considered overweight in 2011, more than 40 million.
Obesity is a condition in which the over accumulation of adipose fat tissue causes the weight of a person to increase abnormally. Their weight exceeds by 20%, as a factor of their ideal body weight. According to recent analysis, statistics show that more than one third of the world’s population is targeted by obesity. Research shows that overweight and obesity kills more people than underweight. Obesity occurs greatly amongst adults who are 18 years or older. An estimated 600 million adults were obese out of the 1.9 billion that were overweight, around the world in 2014. One in three adults in Mexico, New Zealand and United States are obese, and one in four adults in Australia, Canada, Chile and Hungary are obese. In contrast, rates of obesity are much lower in Asian countries, where approximately 2-4% of adults have obesity. In countries such as Mexico and the United States, Latino and Africans have the highest rates of obesity amongst all the individuals. However, along with adults, statistics show that the rates for obesity are also high among children within and below the age of 5. As calculated in 2013, the number of children across the world that were either overweight or obese was 42 million. Since then, the rates have increased by 30% more in in low- and middle-income countries than in developed countries. Due to the fact that this condition continues at higher rates across the world, several organizations, such as the World Health Organization, are working with and