Obesity in America Essay example

In this research paper we will be looking at the topic of obesity and the social ramifications that it holds. We will first look at obesity in a broad way. Then we will focus on obesity and its effects on children. And finally, obesity and adulthood will be covered. The topic of obesity is important to the field of sociology because obese people make up a significant portion of the world’s population. In addition, the manner in which obese people are treated has a significant effect on society as a whole.

Obesity is defined as a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduce life expectancy and/or increased health problems. “The problem of obesity is increasing in the United States. Understanding the impact of social inequalities on health has become a public health priority in the new millennium. Social, political, and economic factors now are acknowledged to be "fundamental" causes of disease that affect behavior, beliefs, and biology.” (Goodman, 2003)  In the United States today, obesity has become an enormous problem. In the last 3 decades, the number of people overweight has increased dramatically. Obesity has not always been seen as a medical

Are Americans, where obesity is found to be a major struggle, in jeopardy with the various aspects that may cause obesity, such as poor eating habits, lack of physical activity, etc.? Poor eating habits such as eating processed foods is one reason for weight gain in children and adults. These eating habits are affordable, tasty, and an easy way out when an individual does not want to cook. Obesity is a personal issue that many have struggled with all their life. There are many risks that come along with being obese as well as ways to overcome it. In order to explain this the research report will ask: do individuals who are obese know the various health risks that come along with the constant weight gain and how to lose the weight

Obesity in America is real and profoundly alarming when you look at the major impact it has on our communities. Major health concerns like diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure cases are at an all time high. Specifically, the disparity between low-income urban inner cities in regards to obesity as compared to more upper class wealthier communities makes you take pause. This relates to my professional goals of going back into my community as an activist and organizer of issues related to my environment, like health and education.

“Obesity is a disease that affects more than one-third of the U.S adult population (approximately 78.6 million Americans). The number of Americans with obesity had steadily increase since 1960, a trend that has slowed down in recent years but show no sign of reversing”.

Obesity in the United States continues growing alarmingly. Approximately 66 % of adults and 33 % of children and teenagers in the US are overweight. Obesity is the result of fat accumulated over time due to the lack of a balanced diet and exercise. An adult with a BMI (body mass index) higher than thirty percent is considered obese (Whitney & Rolfes, 2011, pg. 271).

You don’t have a lot of money on you and you’re hungry so you grab a bite to eat at a nearby fast food restaurant. Without realizing what you are putting into your body you continue eating these inexpensive meals every night on your way home from work. Weeks turn into months and the next thing you know your cloths don’t fit the way they used you beginning to notice yourself gaining weight. Obesity among young Americans is a problem and can have serious effects if nothing is done about it.

Obesity has been measured or defined in various ways. Many researchers have differing opinions on the origins and effects of obesity. The rapidly increasing rates of obesity are often linked to a high calorie diet and little to no physical activity. Although obesity is seen as a disease that affects a person’s weight, it actually affects a lot more than that. Obesity can affect individuals in both adolescence and adulthood, their families, and the healthcare system. From an outside viewpoint, obesity looks like a disease that careless, inactive people develop. Not always is this the case. Obesity is not a disease that affects solely the weight of a person. To be considered obese, your BMI (body mass index) would have to be 30 or higher. Almost 70 percent of Americans are either overweight or obese. Not only does obesity affect the weight of a person, it can also lead to increased risk for diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep apnea, and many other things. Questions posed on this dreadful disease by many people are on the origin of the disease, the effects and exponential growth of the disease, and the actions that are being taken to help provide a healthier environment for Americans and to establish programs and preventative methods across the country to help fight the ever increasing obesity rate.

Obesity is a developing issue in the U.S. today, principally created by physical latency and indulging. Along these lines, an increment in body weight can likewise be brought about by mental elements, innate qualities, using certain pharmaceutical furthermore through a man 's conduct and culture. America is among the wealthiest nations on the planet also, the fattest country and our stout rears are the objects of jokes in other lands (Klein 28). This developing pattern remains a noteworthy worry as heftiness influences an individual 's condition of prosperity, therapeutic services costs, efficiency levels and social criticism (U.S. Bureau of Health). Weight is an incessant condition characterized by having an abundance measure of muscle to fat ratio ratios. Grown-ups above 35 years of age are thought to be stout if their body mass record is 30. Then again, youngsters are viewed as overweight, on the off chance that they have a body mass list more noteworthy than or equivalent to the 95th percentile for their age (Bell). Be that as it may, a few people wind up being wrongly sorted as large or overweight (Sturm, 2002). As per a report in the Journal of the American Medical Association, around 60 million individuals in the United States weigh more than 25 percent of their body 's optimal weight. The article "Fat Times" states, "If this were about tuberculosis, it would be called a pestilence" (Elmer-Dewit 58).

Obesity has become increasingly more prominent in American society. The Unites States has even been termed an overweight nation. Some twenty to thirty percent of American adults are now considered obese (Hwang 1999 and Hirsch et al 1997). With this in mind, Americans constantly look around themselves determining their weight status as well as that of those around them. While some Americans do fit the healthy category, others enter the underweight, overweight, and even obese categories, all of which can be unhealthy.

Obesity does not discriminate against social status, sex, or race; it can take a person’s life and turn it upside down in the blink of an eye if they are not careful. Some people think of obesity as a worldwide killer because there is no outrunning it if it overtakes a person’s body. Every 1 in 3 adults are obese right here in America, that should give each and every individual some type of hint that there is a major problem occurring. The obesity epidemic is not something that has just caught the attention of people recently; it has been going on since the 1950’s! This epidemic is a major problem; over 2.8 million people die each year as a result of being obese or extremely overweight and over 40 million children were said to be obese in

America is facing a rigorous obesity plague that is endangering the health of millions. Moreover, we are passing our bad practices down to our children. Obesity is a stipulation in which anomalous or excessive fat buildup in adipose tissue that damages health. Obesity is defined in adults as a body mass index (BMI) exceeding 30 (kg/m). Obesity is one of the most discernible, but until recently, most deserted public health problems. The present high pervasiveness of obesity and the brisk increase in pervasiveness in the last twenty years has been referred to as an endemic (Johnson SJ, Birch LL. 1994). Children all through the U.S. are getting fatter and less fit, through potentially treacherous enduring consequences. The figure of

Obesity has caused great dilemma in America. It was known as an adult disease. “Over two thirds of adults are over weight or obese.”(Obesity, Jerry R Ballenttne) these numbers are increasing rapidly. Obesity is not just a appearance

The concern for increasing obesity rates in America is evident in recent media coverage. Obesity has been presented as a crisis that must be quickly addressed and corrected. There are many effects generated by obesity, from personal, social, and even economical effects. Obesity brings about many diseases like high cholesterol and diabetes. However, some people are overlooking these effects. Once rejected by society, obese people are now accepted as a common sight in streets, at work and at school. While everyone is getting comfortable with having overweight Americans, obesity seems to gain strength, and citizens are not seeking help because it has become a normal part of American lifestyle. People are now faced with a decision. Will obesity become more acceptable and continually increase, or will Americans work to prevent it. In order for society to come to a reasonable solution for the obesity debate, this literature review will discuss both sides of the issue through four basic questions:

What is the extent of obesity in the U.S.? American’s love to eat, but eating any type of food with little or no physical movement is the main cause of being overweight or obese. Approximately, 17 % of children and teenagers (ages 2 to 19) are obese and 31.8 % are either overweight or obese. More than one in twelve children is obese in early childhood (The State of Obesity). American’s choose to stay inside and watch television, play video games, or focus on their phones. Stress can play a big role as well in overeating. Indulging in food can be a distraction from their stress or a belief to make matters better, where a smoker smokes to give them a distraction from their stress. Eating can be a disease, a pleasurable addiction that spirals out of control. However, like most addictions it can be controlled. Indiana now has the seventh highest adult obesity rate in the nation. Indiana’s adult obesity rate is currently 32.7 %. Adult obesity rate by age are; 18 to 25 is 19.9 %,