Obesity is a medical condition that is described by an excessive fat in the body. It is caused of various factors such as unhealthy dietary choices, sedentary lifestyle, and social factors. This condition can result to major diseases and illnesses such as diabetes, heart problems, reproductive problems, and cancers among many others. Today, obesity is seen as a global epidemic as the obesity rates continue to increase every year. Although this nutritional disorder is now seen as one of the major health concerns of the 21st century, the medical world is trying to find ways to combat and solve his health problem.
Obesity is considered as the most prevalent nutritional disorder today. In both children and adults, this medical condition is continuing to balloon as more and more people becoming obese or overweight. In fact, the World Health Organization already classified this condition as a growing worldwide epidemic. In this United States alone, there is an estimated 72 million obese individuals in 2006. What is even more alarming is the fact that this figure continues to rise every year (Anderson, 2003, p. 43).
As obesity continues to rise to even greater epidemic proportions medical professionals and doctors are spending millions of dollars researching about the effects as well as the treatment for this problem. Apart from this health experts are also looking at the possible roots and origin of this condition.
According to studies, excessive body weight can cause numerous illnesses and diseases. It can particularly affect organs such as the heart, liver, kidney, and many more. Common health effects include high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, angina, myocardial infarction, diabetes, stroke, migraines, dementia, gout, lower back pains, multiple sclerosis, asthma, urinary incontinence, infertility, and even cancer. In the field of psychiatry, obesity can also result to severe depression and anxiety (Anderson, 2003, p. 43).
This paper will primarily give an in depth look about obesity. It will particularly cover the causes as well as the effects of this global epidemic. It will take on the different factors associated with obesity as well as discuss how to measure and determine if an individual is obese. From there, this paper will take at the various health effects of being obese and how these affect the overall health of a person. Likewise, this study will also present different treatment for this medical problem. Finally, this research work will also take a look at the current obesity rate and statistics both inside and outside the United States.
The Meaning of Obesity
In the medical world, obesity is categorized as a chronic condition defined by the presence of excessive body fat. Normally, the body stores up fat as it is necessary for heat insulation, for storing energy, shock absorption, and other bodily functions. The normal amount of body fat in an individual is usually about 18 to 23 percent in men and about 25 to 30 percent in women. Men with more than 25 percent of body fat and women with over 30 percent body fat are already considered obese (Bagchi and Preuss, 2007, p. 63).
Obesity is primarily evaluated by using three terms. This includes BMI or body mass index, body fat percentage, and waist circumference and waist-hip ratio. Among the three, the BMI or the body mass index is the most common method for determining an individuals body fat mass. This statistical measurement is done by comparing a persons height and weight. This means that a particular height is proportional to a weight. For a more accurate result, A BMI formula which includes a persons age and gender may also be used. The simplest BMI calculation however, involves dividing the subjects mass or weight with the subjects height in inches. A table will then indicate and classify a persons fatness. As such, any BMI that is greater than 35 or 40 is classified under severe obesity. BMI that is greater than 35 or 40-49.9 is considered morbid obesity while a BMI that is greater than 45 or 50 is categorized under super obese. The formula for BMI is also typically used to identify other weight problem such as underweight. The result however, is less accurate in some subjects such as pregnant women and body builders (Bagchi and Preuss, 2007, p. 63).
The body fat percentage is another method that can be used to identify a persons obesity level. It is done by dividing the subjects fat by his or her weight. The result then reflects the individuals storage fat or the fat accumulated in the adipose tissue and the essential fat or the amount of fat considered necessary for a persons biological and reproductive functions (Bagchi and Preuss, 2007, p. 63).
Much like BMI, the body fat percentage technique, measures the body fat depending on the individuals age and gender. For instance, a woman with 42 percent body fat is already considered obese. Likewise a 38 percent body fat in men is also considered as obese (Eckel, 2003, p. 103).
According to many health and fitness experts, the method of computing a persons body fat percentage is the best way to gauge the subjects level of fitness. This is primarily due to the fact that it is the only body measurement that does not consider the persons height or weight. Instead, it focuses directly on the subjects body composition (Eckel, 2003, p. 103).
Another method to determine a persons obesity is through his or her waist circumference or hip-waist ratio. Abdominally obesity or more popularly referred to as belly fat is used to identify the correlation between central obesity and cardiovascular conditions Although this technique deems to very obvious by simply looking at the subject, the severity or the accuracy of an individual s central obesity can also be determined by taking hip and waist measurement (Eckel, 2003, p. 103).
This method is also utilized in determining a variety of health risks such as diabetes, hypertension, lipodystrophies, hypertension, heart disease, and insulin resistance among many others. It can also be used for measuring a persons body shape as well as his or her weight distribution (Eckel, 2003, p. 103).
Obesity Statistics
Before the beginning of the 20th century, obesity was in fact, a rare case. By the turn of the 21st century, however, mans lifestyle started to change. This also signaled the start of the prevalence of this condition. It was only last 1997, when the World Health Organization announced obesity as a worldwide epidemic. This means that more and more individuals are suffering from a variety of illnesses and medical condition as a result of being obese. Today, obesity is regarded as a serious health issue as well as one of the top preventable causes of death. Apart from this, WHO likewise predicted that obesity and overweight cases may soon replace traditional health problems such as infectious disease and malnutrition. Globally, there are now over one billion overweight adults and an additional 00 million adults are obese (Gumbiner, 2001, p. 295).
According to statistics, the rate of obesity is far more severe in developed and high income countries such as in the United States, Canada, Australia, and other European countries. In the United States, the rate of obesity continues o increase steadily every year. This is evident by the fact that about 72 million obese Americans to date. In this figure, about 3.8 million Americans are over 300 pounds with an average adult woman carrying at least 163 pounds. What is even more shocking is that there are about 400,000 Americans who fall under the super massive obese category which means the individual weighs in more than 400 pounds (Gumbiner, 2001, p. 295).
The staggering statistics does not improve in Canada as there are approximately 6.8 million overweight Canadians while another 4.5 million are considered obese. Aside from this, this country has also largely contributed to the ever growing obesity epidemic. The statistics continue to increase every year as more and more Canadians increase the numbers in their weighing scales (Gumbiner, 2001, p. 295).
Obesity is also very much widespread in European countries. United Kingdom in particular, leads the EU nations when it comes to obesity rates. Other Europeans countries such as Germany, France, Italy, and Greece have also an increased their obesity rate by three folds over the past few years.
Obesity rates are also catching up in the other parts of the globe. This is even becoming more evident in Australian, Pacific Island countries, Asian countries such as China as well as in numerous Middle Eastern nations. The only continent wherein obesity is still a rare is in South Africa.
Health Effects of Obesity
As the obesity trends continue to intensify all over the world, more and more individuals are also succumbing to the complications and negative health effects of obesity. According to health experts, obesity causes countless medical conditions and illnesses. Such complications are categorized under two divisions which includes to the effects attributed to an increased of fat mass and effects related to the increased number of fat cells.
Obesity as a whole affects various parts and organs of the body such as the heart, intestines, skin, reproductive system, the respiratory system and the nervous muscular and skeletal system among many others. In the field of Cardiology, obesity is seen as one of the leading causes of heart failure, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, high blood pressure, and congestive heart failure. Congestive heart failure is also seen as a major effect of obesity. Another study also shows that obesity can also cause heart attack. According to a medical research, the risk of developing a coronary artery complications are more likely to increase in individuals with a high level of BMI. This study also suggests that obese individuals are also in the risk of having a second heart attack.
Excessive body fat can cause very serious chronic illnesses such as insulin resistance, diabetes, and even cancer. While there is still no proven medical study that relates obesity and cancers, there have been various observational studies that link weight problems with different cancers such as colon cancer, prostate cancer, cancer of the rectum, cancer of the gallbladder, cancer of the uterus, liver and pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer, esophageal cancer, and breast cancer among many others.
Obesity can also affect a persons reproductive function. Numerous reports show that obesity can result to complications during pregnancy, and even birth defects. Aside from this, excessive body fat can also causes polycystic ovary syndrome which is an endocrine problem that occurs in women. It can also result to various menstrual disorders, intrauterine fetal death, and even infertility.
Obesity can also affect the respiratory system. Common health consequences of obesity in the respiratory system include asthma, obesity hyperventilation syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea. A reason behind this is because the excessive fats in the body obstruct the normal function of the respiratory system.
Similarly, obesity also has consequences on the skin as well as in the muscles and bones. Overweight individuals may often find themselves suffering from lower back pains and gout. Apart from this, obesity can also result to poor mobility which means that the person may have a difficult time moving primarily because of his or her weight. Cellulites and stretch marks are also common among overweight people.
Likewise, obesity can cause other long term complications for people who have been obese since childhood. This would include diseases and illnesses such as hepatic steatosis, cirrhosis, cholelithiasis, pancreatitis, cholecystitis, hyperlipidemia, and other numerous diseases.
Apart from the physical effects of obesity, this medical condition can also affect the person psychologically. For instance, most obese individuals may have a hard time fitting in a social group primarily because their excessive weigh have decreased their self esteem. Most of them find themselves unattractive and not good enough.
The society has also created a general and stereotype image for obese and overweight individuals. As such, numerous obese and overweight people see themselves being the object of ridicule because of their weight. Depression is also a common effect of being obese of overweight. According to a survey, most obese individuals prefer staying at home instead of going out with other people. Other cases even include not finishing school because of their total lack of self confidence which then leads to depression.
Causes of Obesity
Obesity is caused by numerous factors and causes. The most common cause of this medical condition however, is usually the lack of physical activity and excessive intake of caloric and fatty foods. This means that obesity is a result of health and diet choices as well as lifestyle choices.
Diet is one of the most common factors that cause obesity. An individuals choice of food greatly affects his or her weight. For instance, a person who loves o eat fatty foods such as burgers, bacons, fries, chips, and other grease-filled foods increases the chance of obesity. Fast foods and junk foods are also food types which has a high level of fat and calorie. Similarly, if a person constantly takes in foods with high carbohydrates may result to an increase in weight. A reason behind this is because carbohydrates gradually increase the levels of blood glucose. This in turn, stimulates a release of insulin which then stimulates the growth of fat tissues (Robinson and Thomas, 2006, p. 33).
Consequently, a persons frequency in eating is also related to his or her weight gain. For example, a person who constantly eats fatty and unhealthy food may soon find himself gaining more weight than the average person. This means that eating a large amount of calorie-filled food at a greater frequency can increase the likelihood of having weight gain problems (Robinson and Thomas, 2006, p. 33).
Inactivity or a sedentary lifestyle is also one of the major causes of obesity. According to surveys, obese and overweight individuals hardly get sufficient exercise or physical activities. This is because living a sedentary lifestyle would mean burning fewer calories. F a person takes in more amount of food, and then he or she must engage in some physical activities to ensure that the calories can be burned appropriately (Robinson and Thomas, 2006, p. 33).
Social determinants such as the media and culture are also major factors that affect obesity. For example, television and advertising has a pervasive presence in the lives of people today especially children. Most of what is shown in the media today includes advertisements of all sorts of junk and unhealthy foods. This means that the food types presented as food options to the consumers would typically be comprised of convenience or fast foods and sweets and confectionary products. As these food types continue to dominate the ads viewed by adults and children, it also represents a 2000-calorie diet which exceeds the recommended daily values (RDVs) of total fat, saturated fat, and sodium (Robinson and Thomas, 2006, p. 33).
With this kind of food diet presented in advertisements, several research studies were also implemented to seek the link of food advertisements to the increasing rate of diet-related conditions such as obesity and being overweight. Although it is the parents responsibility what goes in the plate of the kids television advertising in way also plays a major role in influencing a childs food preferences, food behavior, as well as purchase requests.
The review conducted by Hastings et al (2003) suggests that food promotion can influence a childs food preference and purchase behavior. A study of primary school children, for instance, found that exposure to advertising influenced which foods they claimed the foods they like and another showed that labeling and signage on a vending machine had an effect on what was bought by secondary school pupils. A number of studies have also shown that food advertising can influence what children eat. One, for example, showed that advertising influenced a primary classs choice of daily snack at playtime (Hastings et. al., 2003, pp. 11-12). In their study, Hasting et al also mentioned that there are two factors that contribute to the effect of food promotion on children. This includes cumulative effect of food advertising among children and adults together with the other forms of promotion and marketing that comes with it. The second one includes the direct effects of such advertising on individual children. For example, promotion for fast food outlets may not only influence and encourage the child, but it can like0wise, convince the parents to take them for fast food meals which then reinforces the idea to the children that this is a normal and desirable eating behavior (Hastings et. al., 2003, pp. 13-14).
Social class is also another social factor that affects obesity. According to some research studies, obesity is more prevalent among developed or rich countries. Consequently, developing continents such as in Africa present a almost zero rate in obesity. The relationship between obesity and social class can only mean that wealthy individuals have the luxury to afford and buy more foods than those who are financially incapable (Robinson and Thomas, 2006, p. 33).
Medical and psychiatric conditions may also lead to obesity. Depression for instance may lead to weight gain especially if the person is eating the problems away. This means that some people turn to food as a way of addressing a particular problem. Much like in drugs and alcohol, some individuals use food as an escape goat for their problems. In the medical world this is referred to as eating disorders such as binge eating syndrome and night eating syndrome (Robinson and Thomas, 2006, p. 33).
Obesity can also be caused by some congenital conditions such as hypothyroidism and Cushings syndrome. Hypothyroidism is a medical condition which is described by the insufficient production of a persons thyroid hormone. This commonly results to an unpredictable weight gain and even weight loss. Similarly, a person suffering from Cushing syndrome would experience rapid weight gain especially in the abdominal area, as well as in the face, trunk, and limbs (Robinson and Thomas, 2006, p. 33).
Drinking certain medicines and drugs can also induce excessive weight gain. This may include medications consisting of insulin, anti-depressants, steroids, sulfonylureas, atypical antipsychotics, pizatifen, anticonvulsants, and even hormonal contraception.
Genetics is also now being looked at as a major cause of obesity. Although there are still no valid medical proof that link genetic and obesity, some research studies suggest the people all have an obese gene in us. This obese gene however may simply not be present (Robinson and Thomas, 2006, p. 33).
Management
As the rate of obesity continues to increase by the millions every year, more and more people are also finding ways to stop this trend from spreading. In fact, health and fitness, has now become a billion dollar industry in many parts of the world. Today, common treatment for obesity includes surgery, exercise, dieting, and medications among many others.
Exercise along with a healthy diet is still two of the most effective ways of combating obesity. Regular exercise entails the muscles to use more energy. This means that when a person constantly engages in physical activity, then the body is forced to burn all the stored fats and use it into energy. Even simple exercises such as walking, running, and jogging can greatly help the body shift and use the stored fats for energy. Apart from this, exercise does not only help the body lose those extra pounds but it can also promote the strong bones and lean muscles (Eckel, 2003, p. 103).
Dieting is of course an important factor in managing obesity. It is essential that a person takes in nutritious foods. This means that instead of eating fried, junk, and fast food, he or she must replace it with more healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables. Such types of foods are not only high in essential vitamins and minerals but they are also rich in fibers which helps cleanse and detoxify the body.
Apart from exercise and diet there are now medications and surgeries available to help fight off obesity. One of the most common effects of anti-obesity medicines is laxative which allows the body to remove and take out all the fat that the body has absorb. Other weight pill works by curbing out the persons appetite. Popular anti-obesity drugs include Xenical, Meridiia, and Acomplia among many others (Eckel, 2003, p. 103).
Apart from medications, surgery is now also used to remove those unwanted fats in the body. Liposuction for instance is utilized to reduce the volume of the stomach by removing the fat in the body. Although this procedure may sound effective, this is in fact, recommended only for severely obese patients as it may result to a decreased in overall mortality.
Obesity is considered as the most prevalent nutritional disorder today. In both children and adults, this medical condition is continuing to balloon as more and more people becoming obese or overweight. In fact, the World Health Organization already classified this condition as a growing worldwide epidemic. In this United States alone, there is an estimated 72 million obese individuals in 2006. What is even more alarming is the fact that this figure continues to rise every year (Anderson, 2003, p. 43).
As obesity continues to rise to even greater epidemic proportions medical professionals and doctors are spending millions of dollars researching about the effects as well as the treatment for this problem. Apart from this health experts are also looking at the possible roots and origin of this condition.
According to studies, excessive body weight can cause numerous illnesses and diseases. It can particularly affect organs such as the heart, liver, kidney, and many more. Common health effects include high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, angina, myocardial infarction, diabetes, stroke, migraines, dementia, gout, lower back pains, multiple sclerosis, asthma, urinary incontinence, infertility, and even cancer. In the field of psychiatry, obesity can also result to severe depression and anxiety (Anderson, 2003, p. 43).
This paper will primarily give an in depth look about obesity. It will particularly cover the causes as well as the effects of this global epidemic. It will take on the different factors associated with obesity as well as discuss how to measure and determine if an individual is obese. From there, this paper will take at the various health effects of being obese and how these affect the overall health of a person. Likewise, this study will also present different treatment for this medical problem. Finally, this research work will also take a look at the current obesity rate and statistics both inside and outside the United States.
The Meaning of Obesity
In the medical world, obesity is categorized as a chronic condition defined by the presence of excessive body fat. Normally, the body stores up fat as it is necessary for heat insulation, for storing energy, shock absorption, and other bodily functions. The normal amount of body fat in an individual is usually about 18 to 23 percent in men and about 25 to 30 percent in women. Men with more than 25 percent of body fat and women with over 30 percent body fat are already considered obese (Bagchi and Preuss, 2007, p. 63).
Obesity is primarily evaluated by using three terms. This includes BMI or body mass index, body fat percentage, and waist circumference and waist-hip ratio. Among the three, the BMI or the body mass index is the most common method for determining an individuals body fat mass. This statistical measurement is done by comparing a persons height and weight. This means that a particular height is proportional to a weight. For a more accurate result, A BMI formula which includes a persons age and gender may also be used. The simplest BMI calculation however, involves dividing the subjects mass or weight with the subjects height in inches. A table will then indicate and classify a persons fatness. As such, any BMI that is greater than 35 or 40 is classified under severe obesity. BMI that is greater than 35 or 40-49.9 is considered morbid obesity while a BMI that is greater than 45 or 50 is categorized under super obese. The formula for BMI is also typically used to identify other weight problem such as underweight. The result however, is less accurate in some subjects such as pregnant women and body builders (Bagchi and Preuss, 2007, p. 63).
The body fat percentage is another method that can be used to identify a persons obesity level. It is done by dividing the subjects fat by his or her weight. The result then reflects the individuals storage fat or the fat accumulated in the adipose tissue and the essential fat or the amount of fat considered necessary for a persons biological and reproductive functions (Bagchi and Preuss, 2007, p. 63).
Much like BMI, the body fat percentage technique, measures the body fat depending on the individuals age and gender. For instance, a woman with 42 percent body fat is already considered obese. Likewise a 38 percent body fat in men is also considered as obese (Eckel, 2003, p. 103).
According to many health and fitness experts, the method of computing a persons body fat percentage is the best way to gauge the subjects level of fitness. This is primarily due to the fact that it is the only body measurement that does not consider the persons height or weight. Instead, it focuses directly on the subjects body composition (Eckel, 2003, p. 103).
Another method to determine a persons obesity is through his or her waist circumference or hip-waist ratio. Abdominally obesity or more popularly referred to as belly fat is used to identify the correlation between central obesity and cardiovascular conditions Although this technique deems to very obvious by simply looking at the subject, the severity or the accuracy of an individual s central obesity can also be determined by taking hip and waist measurement (Eckel, 2003, p. 103).
This method is also utilized in determining a variety of health risks such as diabetes, hypertension, lipodystrophies, hypertension, heart disease, and insulin resistance among many others. It can also be used for measuring a persons body shape as well as his or her weight distribution (Eckel, 2003, p. 103).
Obesity Statistics
Before the beginning of the 20th century, obesity was in fact, a rare case. By the turn of the 21st century, however, mans lifestyle started to change. This also signaled the start of the prevalence of this condition. It was only last 1997, when the World Health Organization announced obesity as a worldwide epidemic. This means that more and more individuals are suffering from a variety of illnesses and medical condition as a result of being obese. Today, obesity is regarded as a serious health issue as well as one of the top preventable causes of death. Apart from this, WHO likewise predicted that obesity and overweight cases may soon replace traditional health problems such as infectious disease and malnutrition. Globally, there are now over one billion overweight adults and an additional 00 million adults are obese (Gumbiner, 2001, p. 295).
According to statistics, the rate of obesity is far more severe in developed and high income countries such as in the United States, Canada, Australia, and other European countries. In the United States, the rate of obesity continues o increase steadily every year. This is evident by the fact that about 72 million obese Americans to date. In this figure, about 3.8 million Americans are over 300 pounds with an average adult woman carrying at least 163 pounds. What is even more shocking is that there are about 400,000 Americans who fall under the super massive obese category which means the individual weighs in more than 400 pounds (Gumbiner, 2001, p. 295).
The staggering statistics does not improve in Canada as there are approximately 6.8 million overweight Canadians while another 4.5 million are considered obese. Aside from this, this country has also largely contributed to the ever growing obesity epidemic. The statistics continue to increase every year as more and more Canadians increase the numbers in their weighing scales (Gumbiner, 2001, p. 295).
Obesity is also very much widespread in European countries. United Kingdom in particular, leads the EU nations when it comes to obesity rates. Other Europeans countries such as Germany, France, Italy, and Greece have also an increased their obesity rate by three folds over the past few years.
Obesity rates are also catching up in the other parts of the globe. This is even becoming more evident in Australian, Pacific Island countries, Asian countries such as China as well as in numerous Middle Eastern nations. The only continent wherein obesity is still a rare is in South Africa.
Health Effects of Obesity
As the obesity trends continue to intensify all over the world, more and more individuals are also succumbing to the complications and negative health effects of obesity. According to health experts, obesity causes countless medical conditions and illnesses. Such complications are categorized under two divisions which includes to the effects attributed to an increased of fat mass and effects related to the increased number of fat cells.
Obesity as a whole affects various parts and organs of the body such as the heart, intestines, skin, reproductive system, the respiratory system and the nervous muscular and skeletal system among many others. In the field of Cardiology, obesity is seen as one of the leading causes of heart failure, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, high blood pressure, and congestive heart failure. Congestive heart failure is also seen as a major effect of obesity. Another study also shows that obesity can also cause heart attack. According to a medical research, the risk of developing a coronary artery complications are more likely to increase in individuals with a high level of BMI. This study also suggests that obese individuals are also in the risk of having a second heart attack.
Excessive body fat can cause very serious chronic illnesses such as insulin resistance, diabetes, and even cancer. While there is still no proven medical study that relates obesity and cancers, there have been various observational studies that link weight problems with different cancers such as colon cancer, prostate cancer, cancer of the rectum, cancer of the gallbladder, cancer of the uterus, liver and pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer, esophageal cancer, and breast cancer among many others.
Obesity can also affect a persons reproductive function. Numerous reports show that obesity can result to complications during pregnancy, and even birth defects. Aside from this, excessive body fat can also causes polycystic ovary syndrome which is an endocrine problem that occurs in women. It can also result to various menstrual disorders, intrauterine fetal death, and even infertility.
Obesity can also affect the respiratory system. Common health consequences of obesity in the respiratory system include asthma, obesity hyperventilation syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea. A reason behind this is because the excessive fats in the body obstruct the normal function of the respiratory system.
Similarly, obesity also has consequences on the skin as well as in the muscles and bones. Overweight individuals may often find themselves suffering from lower back pains and gout. Apart from this, obesity can also result to poor mobility which means that the person may have a difficult time moving primarily because of his or her weight. Cellulites and stretch marks are also common among overweight people.
Likewise, obesity can cause other long term complications for people who have been obese since childhood. This would include diseases and illnesses such as hepatic steatosis, cirrhosis, cholelithiasis, pancreatitis, cholecystitis, hyperlipidemia, and other numerous diseases.
Apart from the physical effects of obesity, this medical condition can also affect the person psychologically. For instance, most obese individuals may have a hard time fitting in a social group primarily because their excessive weigh have decreased their self esteem. Most of them find themselves unattractive and not good enough.
The society has also created a general and stereotype image for obese and overweight individuals. As such, numerous obese and overweight people see themselves being the object of ridicule because of their weight. Depression is also a common effect of being obese of overweight. According to a survey, most obese individuals prefer staying at home instead of going out with other people. Other cases even include not finishing school because of their total lack of self confidence which then leads to depression.
Causes of Obesity
Obesity is caused by numerous factors and causes. The most common cause of this medical condition however, is usually the lack of physical activity and excessive intake of caloric and fatty foods. This means that obesity is a result of health and diet choices as well as lifestyle choices.
Diet is one of the most common factors that cause obesity. An individuals choice of food greatly affects his or her weight. For instance, a person who loves o eat fatty foods such as burgers, bacons, fries, chips, and other grease-filled foods increases the chance of obesity. Fast foods and junk foods are also food types which has a high level of fat and calorie. Similarly, if a person constantly takes in foods with high carbohydrates may result to an increase in weight. A reason behind this is because carbohydrates gradually increase the levels of blood glucose. This in turn, stimulates a release of insulin which then stimulates the growth of fat tissues (Robinson and Thomas, 2006, p. 33).
Consequently, a persons frequency in eating is also related to his or her weight gain. For example, a person who constantly eats fatty and unhealthy food may soon find himself gaining more weight than the average person. This means that eating a large amount of calorie-filled food at a greater frequency can increase the likelihood of having weight gain problems (Robinson and Thomas, 2006, p. 33).
Inactivity or a sedentary lifestyle is also one of the major causes of obesity. According to surveys, obese and overweight individuals hardly get sufficient exercise or physical activities. This is because living a sedentary lifestyle would mean burning fewer calories. F a person takes in more amount of food, and then he or she must engage in some physical activities to ensure that the calories can be burned appropriately (Robinson and Thomas, 2006, p. 33).
Social determinants such as the media and culture are also major factors that affect obesity. For example, television and advertising has a pervasive presence in the lives of people today especially children. Most of what is shown in the media today includes advertisements of all sorts of junk and unhealthy foods. This means that the food types presented as food options to the consumers would typically be comprised of convenience or fast foods and sweets and confectionary products. As these food types continue to dominate the ads viewed by adults and children, it also represents a 2000-calorie diet which exceeds the recommended daily values (RDVs) of total fat, saturated fat, and sodium (Robinson and Thomas, 2006, p. 33).
With this kind of food diet presented in advertisements, several research studies were also implemented to seek the link of food advertisements to the increasing rate of diet-related conditions such as obesity and being overweight. Although it is the parents responsibility what goes in the plate of the kids television advertising in way also plays a major role in influencing a childs food preferences, food behavior, as well as purchase requests.
The review conducted by Hastings et al (2003) suggests that food promotion can influence a childs food preference and purchase behavior. A study of primary school children, for instance, found that exposure to advertising influenced which foods they claimed the foods they like and another showed that labeling and signage on a vending machine had an effect on what was bought by secondary school pupils. A number of studies have also shown that food advertising can influence what children eat. One, for example, showed that advertising influenced a primary classs choice of daily snack at playtime (Hastings et. al., 2003, pp. 11-12). In their study, Hasting et al also mentioned that there are two factors that contribute to the effect of food promotion on children. This includes cumulative effect of food advertising among children and adults together with the other forms of promotion and marketing that comes with it. The second one includes the direct effects of such advertising on individual children. For example, promotion for fast food outlets may not only influence and encourage the child, but it can like0wise, convince the parents to take them for fast food meals which then reinforces the idea to the children that this is a normal and desirable eating behavior (Hastings et. al., 2003, pp. 13-14).
Social class is also another social factor that affects obesity. According to some research studies, obesity is more prevalent among developed or rich countries. Consequently, developing continents such as in Africa present a almost zero rate in obesity. The relationship between obesity and social class can only mean that wealthy individuals have the luxury to afford and buy more foods than those who are financially incapable (Robinson and Thomas, 2006, p. 33).
Medical and psychiatric conditions may also lead to obesity. Depression for instance may lead to weight gain especially if the person is eating the problems away. This means that some people turn to food as a way of addressing a particular problem. Much like in drugs and alcohol, some individuals use food as an escape goat for their problems. In the medical world this is referred to as eating disorders such as binge eating syndrome and night eating syndrome (Robinson and Thomas, 2006, p. 33).
Obesity can also be caused by some congenital conditions such as hypothyroidism and Cushings syndrome. Hypothyroidism is a medical condition which is described by the insufficient production of a persons thyroid hormone. This commonly results to an unpredictable weight gain and even weight loss. Similarly, a person suffering from Cushing syndrome would experience rapid weight gain especially in the abdominal area, as well as in the face, trunk, and limbs (Robinson and Thomas, 2006, p. 33).
Drinking certain medicines and drugs can also induce excessive weight gain. This may include medications consisting of insulin, anti-depressants, steroids, sulfonylureas, atypical antipsychotics, pizatifen, anticonvulsants, and even hormonal contraception.
Genetics is also now being looked at as a major cause of obesity. Although there are still no valid medical proof that link genetic and obesity, some research studies suggest the people all have an obese gene in us. This obese gene however may simply not be present (Robinson and Thomas, 2006, p. 33).
Management
As the rate of obesity continues to increase by the millions every year, more and more people are also finding ways to stop this trend from spreading. In fact, health and fitness, has now become a billion dollar industry in many parts of the world. Today, common treatment for obesity includes surgery, exercise, dieting, and medications among many others.
Exercise along with a healthy diet is still two of the most effective ways of combating obesity. Regular exercise entails the muscles to use more energy. This means that when a person constantly engages in physical activity, then the body is forced to burn all the stored fats and use it into energy. Even simple exercises such as walking, running, and jogging can greatly help the body shift and use the stored fats for energy. Apart from this, exercise does not only help the body lose those extra pounds but it can also promote the strong bones and lean muscles (Eckel, 2003, p. 103).
Dieting is of course an important factor in managing obesity. It is essential that a person takes in nutritious foods. This means that instead of eating fried, junk, and fast food, he or she must replace it with more healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables. Such types of foods are not only high in essential vitamins and minerals but they are also rich in fibers which helps cleanse and detoxify the body.
Apart from exercise and diet there are now medications and surgeries available to help fight off obesity. One of the most common effects of anti-obesity medicines is laxative which allows the body to remove and take out all the fat that the body has absorb. Other weight pill works by curbing out the persons appetite. Popular anti-obesity drugs include Xenical, Meridiia, and Acomplia among many others (Eckel, 2003, p. 103).
Apart from medications, surgery is now also used to remove those unwanted fats in the body. Liposuction for instance is utilized to reduce the volume of the stomach by removing the fat in the body. Although this procedure may sound effective, this is in fact, recommended only for severely obese patients as it may result to a decreased in overall mortality.
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