The Effects Of Obesity On Society And Government

Obesity has been a growing problem in the U.S. for more than a decade. Various reasons and theories are thrown around as to the cause of this severe problem by psychologists, dietitians, and professors trying to pinpoint a single cause. Due to America’s vast supply of resources, luxurious living standards, and moral of the country, there is no one cause for obesity contrary to advertisements offering a quick-fix drug. America’s obesity problem is rooted much deeper than just cheap fast food and poor choices. Medical conditions, influence of genes, unhealthy lifestyles, and mental illnesses are all contributors towards obesity in any one person. Obesity is a serious problem in America with multiple contributors and one lone solution

According to the media article, Whose Fault is our Fat? Obesity solely stems from Americans not participating in enough physical activity. On the other hand, Family Stressors and Child Obesity, attributes the stem of childhood obesity to stressors, particularly family stressors. Another possible explanation for obesity, other than Americans not getting enough physical activity or stressors, comes from the movie, watched in lecture, The Weight of the Nation. This movie makes the connection of rates of obesity to living in poverty areas. The movie also firmly believes that Americans are turning to quick, processed, and readily made meals, instead of healthy food options.

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.

America, like any other country, has its assortment of problems: immigration, debt, or foreign affairs but one issue that is rather hard to overlook, literally, its obesity epidemic. The extra pounds have become a sight all too common in America’s society, “men are now on average seventeen pounds heavier than they were in the late seventies, and for women that figure is even higher: nineteen pounds.” (Kolbert). Obesity does not just affect adults in this way either, the kid population has been getting bigger, according to the numbers on a scale “the proportion of overweight children, age six to eleven, has more than doubled, while the proportion of overweight adolescents, age twelve to nineteen, has more than tripled.” (Kolbert). This issue has been a major concern to doctors and scientists for decades and in recent years, has even has the American Medical Association recognizing obesity to be a disease (Pollack). That is a highly debatable statement because obesity itself is a preventable lifestyle. Obesity is avoidable and curable to all (or at least most) of its sufferers. For some citizens, obesity is not a choice, rather genetics, but for the majority of the population, obesity is caused by an unhealthy diet and lazy lifestyle, and for these certain individuals, through a lot of work and discipline, the return to a healthy lifestyle is not as impossible as it may appear.

An Obesity epidemic is disturbing the financial and social stability of the United States. As stated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services “our modern environment has allowed these conditions to increase at alarming rates and become highly pressing health problems for our nation“(U.S. Department of Health and Human Services). Efforts made by authority figures have been enforced to solve this severe crisis. Obesity has become a concerning problem in the United States. This epidemic is interfering with the success of American citizens and it is also impacting the American economy negatively. The obesity epidemic endures negative impacts to the United States’ economy; even though others argue it is contributing to the economy through the growing weight loss industry.

It is no secret that obesity is huge problem in the United States. About 40% of the United States’ population is obese (Centers for Disease Control [CDC], 2015). According to CDC, obesity causes: heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and is the second most preventable disease in the United States (2014). If that’s not enough of a public health problem, than add the 147 billion dollars spent in healthcare expenses just in the U.S. alone (CDC, 2014). According to the text, Public Health 101, “the prevalence of obesity has been steadily rising in the U.S. over the last 50 years; increasing over 250%” (Riegelman & Kirkwood, 2015, p. 114). The obesity percentages increase when a family is in poverty. The facts are that if you make about $30,000 a year; the children of that family is almost twice as likely to be obese than a family that is making 350% above the poverty level, which is about $136,000 a year (Riegelman & Kirkwood, 2015, p. 114). But, to make it even worse, the Mexican Americans and non-Hispanics black populations don’t even follow those statistics; they have a high obesity level in all socioeconomic levels (Riegelman & Kirkwood, 2015, p. 114).

Obesity remains an extremely serious problem worldwide. Once considered a problem for wealthier counties, overweight and obesity are now rapidly increasing in low and middle income countries (WHO, 2011). In American, the rates of obesity continues to rise. NIH (2012) recognizes obesity as a risk factor for diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and other health problems. According IFT over two-thirds of the US are overweight or obese, and over one-third are obese (Fast food restaurants ‘not to blame’ for American obesity 2012). IFT.org (2012) in September it was predicated that 75% of Americans would be overweight in 2020. The problem is thought to cause Americans $150-170 billion in annual medical costs. Many people argue that the

Obesity is becoming more and more prominent in our country. In today’s society it is not rare to see someone who is obese, it is America’s epidemic. The pressure to be thin is at its highest and many people across America are found in a battle against their own body. Shaming people for being obese is growing in our country. Media and doctors are telling us that being fat is not tolerable.

Compared to other countries, the United States was reported to have the second highest rate of obesity in the world after Mexico. Over the past decade, cases of obesity have triplicated in the U.S., affecting more than one-third (34.9% or 78.6 million) of the adults (Ogden et al. 2014). Given the current trends, it was projected that 42% of the U.S. population will be obese by 2030 (Finkelstein et al. 2012). Aside from its nefarious impact on the overall quality of life on the affected individual on a micro level, this health issue presents an economic burden for a US healthcare system already without equilibrium. In their extensive annual medical spending report, Finkelstein et al. (2012) estimated the annual medical cost of obesity in the US to amount to $147 billion in 2008; the medical costs for people who are obese were $1,429 higher than those of normal weight. Additionally, more than $150 billion per year is spent on related health care costs and lost productivity (Finkelstein, Trogdon, Cohen et al 2009). The situation as a whole seems dire; however, its repercussions are disparate and its distribution across U.S. territories is uneven. For instance, African Americans are nearly 1.5 times as likely to be obese compared with White. According to Ogden at al.’s (2014) report which is cited by the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, about 47.8 percent of African Americans are obese (men: 37.1; women: 56.6 %) compared to 32.6 percent of Whites (men: 32.4; women:

An epidemic is happening in the United States of America; obesity is on the rise. The United States is currently is second in the world’s most obese countries with more than two-thirds of adults being overweight ("Overweight and Obesity Statistics"). Countermeasures to promote a healthier living style are on the rise, also. For instance, Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” program promotes eating healthy food and increasing exercise. The NFL promotes sixty minutes of play for children each day to promote healthier living and establishing an active lifestyle.

Obesity has become a national concern for the many health risks it poses. “More than one-third (36.5%) of U.S adults have obesity” (CDC, Overweight and Obesity Facts). The maintenance of the chronic diseases that result because of obesity impacts the cost on healthcare; “the medical costs of obesity in United States are high. In 2008 dollars, these costs were estimated to be $147 billion” (CDC, Overweight and Obesity Facts). Obesity also takes an emotional toll on the individual as well. There are certain stigmas that come from being obese. People with obesity are victims of negative and hateful actions every day. Research has revealed that, “individuals who experience weight stigmatization have higher rates of depression, anxiety, social isolation, and poorer psychological adjustment.” (Obesity Society, Obesity, Bias, and Stigmatization) The effects of obesity are seen in three areas: health, the societal economy, and the individuals’ emotional well-being.

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

Child\ teen obesity is a problem to society because physically and mentally affects society they don't want to work out really hard to motivate hard to concentrate on things like school not able to finish things that are started and they don't eat as much so they don't exercise as much and their self esteem are are high because they are stressed out.

Eric Oliver and Taeku Lee. J. Eric Oliver is from the University of Chicago, while Taeku Lee is from the University of California, Berkeley. Throughout this article, a variety of topics are discussed. These topics include the public opinion on obesity, the general attitudes toward obesity, the attitudes toward obesity-related policies, and a series of explanations that people give about why Americans are overweight. Along with the article, eight different tables are provided to the audience with detailed

Obesity has become an epidemic in our over indulgent North American society. In addition to body image issues, obesity causes significant health issues. Society often views obesity to be a disease when it is actually a sign of a disorder, genetic or environmental. The percentage of our population that is growing overweight is increasing every year, and can become a very serious issue if it is not dealt with urgently. Problems relating to self-confidence, self-consciousness, and isolation can occur as a result.