Free Obesity Epidemic Essay Sample

Obesity is a major problem in the society. It affects both children and adolescents. The prevalence of obesity in our society has increased exponentially. Under normal circumstances, obesity refers to the unnecessary addition of weight. This kind of phenomenon is a great health hazard. This is due to the fact that obesity is a cause of several ailments. The prevalence of obesity exposes an individual to certain diseases that hard to cure. Childhood obesity has become a major source of concern in the society. As a result, several measures have been taken to address the phenomenon. Respect to Etta Kralovec essay, “No More Pep Rallies”, the American diet has been associated with elevated incidences of obesity heart disease as well as cancer.  Respect to obesity, the American diet is associated with the intake of high fat content. This has been attributed to lead to increased body mass index as well as gaining of weight. In this regard obesity is a serious concern for the American society based on the fact that majority of the individuals in this society consumes the American diet. Therefore, this research paper gives analysis of obesity epidemic and its causes.

Obesity Epidemic

Obesity is regarded as a major problem in the society, which affects children, adolescents, and adults. The prevalence of obesity in our society has increased exponentially. Under normal circumstances, obesity refers to the unnecessary addition of body fat which is accumulated to the extent that it cause great health hazard, leading to reduced quality of life, reduced life expectancy, and increased risks of  several avoidable ailments. The prevalence of obesity exposes an individual to certain diseases that hard to cure, thus becoming a major source of concern in the society. Obesity is regarded as a major public health crisis in the entire globe, where its effects have been felt by both developing and developed countries. In United States alone, behaviors conducive for obesity have been indentified has poor diet and lack of physical exercises, which is asserted as the second controllable cause of death after smoking.

In respect to obesity epidemic, children have become the most targeted group in the society. Several studies have been conducted whose results point at the rise in obesity cases among children. For instance, a study conducted by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between the year 2007 and 2008 indicate that 17% of children were obese. Similarly, between 1976-1980 and 1999-2000 the existence of the plague was high. A similar study by the same organization showed that obesity prevailed between 5-19% among pre school kids during the period 1976-1980. The prevalence was 6.5 -19.6% among children in the age group of 6-11years in 2007-2008. This was complemented by 5-18% prevalence among adolescents at the same juncture. The amount of weight gained by an individual is definitely multiply determined, meaning that the amount of fat in ones body is dependent on ones gender, age, and socioeconomic status. In addition, individual’s demographics, psychological developments, and genetic factors also influence an individual’s waistline. Research shows that for most individuals weight is not stationary, but changes over time. As individuals grow old, their normal metabolic activities reduce significantly, though their energy requirements and intake remain the same or at times it increases. This means that as adults continue to grow, they continue gaining weight as they age.

Research studies shows that their several causes of obesity epidemic, but the major cause has been identified to be the overconsumption of the American diet. The term American diet is in most cases used in reference to dietary habit that is practiced by many people in developed countries though it is as well increasingly being practiced in developing countries (Catherine 157). It is a dietary habit that is highly associated with the high consumption of red meat, sugary desserts, foods high in fat content, as well as refined grained. It is as well a major characteristic for this diet to include dairy products that are high in fats, drinks that have high sugar contents as well as eggs. A distinct characteristic of this diet is the fact that these foods are consumed as fast foods referring to foods that can be prepared and served quickly. This is not in reference to foods that have a low preparation time but rather foods sold in restaurants containing ingredients that are either preheated or precooked. This form of diet has to a large extent been facilitated by the busy nature of the American society that leaves less time for individuals to prepare their own food.

The rationale behind this is the fact that the increased consumption of the American diet by majority of the American citizens increases the incidences of obesity within the society. As such obesity becomes a serious concern for the society based on the fact that it is a health risk that is faced by majority of the society. Another aspect that makes it a serious concern for the American society is the factor that influences its occurrence. The argument in this is the fact that the increased incidences of obesity within the American society result from the increased consumption of the American diet. On the other hand, the economic set up of the society influences the overdependence of the society on the consumption of unhealthy diet. This is based on the fact that the global society operates a 24hour economy which is rather very competitive thus many individual spend most of their time in work related activities. As such they have minimal time to prepare their food resulting in the consumption of junk food despite its addressed health concerns. Another major cause of increasing obesity epidemic relates to the issue of family influence. Family influence in matters relating to exercises, eating, and cooking has proved as a significant influence in children weight and eating habits, meaning that a family diet and lifestyle, contributes significantly to the ever increasing rates of obesity epidemic. The health concern is that some family diets and unhealthy lifestyle increases the intake of calories which promotes the gaining of weight while elevating the risk of contracting diabetes.

Conclusion

Obesity is a huge threat to health in our society. The plague has prevailed to a great magnitude. Children have been the major casualties. Several studies conducted indicate a surging number of obesity cases among children and adolescents. Considering the huge health risks associated with obesity there is need to take control of the situation. In conclusion, better research is needed to answer questions regarding to obesity epidemic.

 

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