Obesity in America Essay

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

Have you noticed obesity has become a big problem in the Appalachians? According to M. Wewers, "Nearly 44 percent of the Appalachian population is obese" (Herath 129). For those who struggle with obesity, it is not just having a little extra weight. When you are obese, you are more prone to heart disease, depression, and high blood pressure. In addition, obesity increases the risk of premature mortality (Herath 127). As the number of people who are obese increases, the nation becomes unhealthier. For some of the individuals who are obese, it is not about eating unhealthily or being lazy. For these individuals, they have a medical condition that causes obesity. The amount of obesity in the Appalachians is shocking; however, there are

Throughout the past few decades the obesity rate in the United States has been climbing to horrifying levels. Many people have come up with different solutions to this problem but none of them seem to be stopping the rates from growing as fast as they are. There is no exact cure to this problem, however there are steps people can take in order to ensure that overtime this problem can slowly become a problem of the past. This proposal will go through many different ideas on how the problem may be solved. It will also show how some of these ideas may be helpful or harmful in their own ways. Due to the complexities of the obesity epidemic in America, there must be fluidity within the solution itself to ensure a broader fix for this large scale

There is a problem that is sweeping the world and has literally been growing on billions of people. This problem can lead to complications such as heart disease, and is a leading cause of death. This disease, which has also cost billions of dollars, is obesity, a disorder “involving an excessive amount of body fat” (“Obesity Definition” Mayo Clinic). However, the National Obesity Foundation is making excellent efforts at putting an end to this issue. Together with this foundation, a difference can be made in this world to help those with and prevent obesity by raising awareness, running programs to help victims lead healthier lifestyles, and fighting for national patient

Fiechtner, L., Sharifi, M., Sequist, T., Block, J., Duncan, D. T., Melly, S. J., … Taveras, E. M. (2015). Food Environments and Childhood Weight Status: Effects of Neighborhood Median Income. Childhood Obesity, 11(3), 260–268. http://doi.org/10.1089/chi.2014.0139

Howlett, Davis and Burton discuss how childhood obesity is a wide-spread problem with life-altering consequences as well as how it is more apparent among low-income consumers. The authors reference the World Health Organization often citing many statistics to help support their topic. They also discuss how the location of stores and prices of food can play a role in childhood obesity. They emphasis the fact that unhealthy foods are much more inexpensive than healthy foods as well as how convenience stores or restaurants such as fast food restaurants are much more plentiful than their counterparts. Due to this, low-income consumers are likely to purchase unhealthy foods rather than healthy foods as it is considerably more cost efficient. Through

In America, the way society views overweight adults are viewed as inferior and disgusting, but it does not stop there, children who are also overweight experience the same reactions, as those in adulthood. Childhood obesity has been on the rise, as the generation continues to grow, more children have suffered from childhood obesity which have led to future health problems in adulthood, therefore creating an epidemic. The advances in technology numb the instinct of outdoor play and adventure discouraging children from going out and experience the outdoors. But technology is not the only cause for childhood obesity. A child’s diet over the years have changed as the way food processed now is more advance, hence a difference in diet between the old and new generations. Studies also have shown that the income a household earns and the community where the child is raised in affects the diet of the child. The impact of the child’s environment also affects the “financial influences related to nutrition and recreational activity of middle school students” (Eagle et al.). Over the decades, childhood obesity has become a growing disease in America and has increased its long-term side effects, such as diabetes and hypertension, along with it. Childhood obesity is not entirely decided by an individual’s decisions, but rather by general trends in society such as increased technological exposure, schools’ lack of physical activities, and low socioeconomic

The continuing expansion of America 's waistline has pushed obesity to the top of the list of major health problems in the United States. Although obesity is currently a hot topic among policy movers and shakers, it is certainly not a new issue and has been a topic of concern since the

Obesity is one of the toughest and challenging positions within health care year after year. As providers and health community organizers look for ways to promote health awareness, healthy alternatives and healthier lifestyles the communities are caught between paying high prices for health food or choosing their typical local fast food affordable chain food. When comes to federal, state and local agencies many are trying to improve their communities and incorporate campaigns that promote the awareness of obesity, unhealthy eating, and other related issues that come with concern for communities. According to an article read, it states, “Case studies reviews several New York State (NYS) obesity prevention programs that target underserved communities

The United States has a high percentage of obesity, which could derive from the lack of exercise and consumption of processed, fatty foods. Obesity can also relate to socioeconomic factors, in which poor individuals and families are likelier to consume more processed, unhealthy foods. This is due to the idea that fast food and junk food tend to be cheaper than fresh produce and meats (Bean, Stewart, & Olbrisch, 2008). In an experiment conducted by Meinfield, Doty, Fletcher, and Audwin in 2008, the prevalence of obesity in the US was seen in relation to those in poverty and lower incomes, uninsured individuals, and low education levels. This further reinforces the idea that obesity can be linked with socioeconomic

Poverty in the us is a socioeconomic dilemma. It is regarding restricted social and economic assets. Obesity is involving poverty and can also be linked to disparities in entry to healthful meals.() introduced sugars and delivered fat are a

Obesity is an increasingly large problem in the entire world today. Not only in America, but weight is increasing across the globe. There are major health, social and economic implications that impact us all, not just those that are overweight. If you just look around, wherever you are, you typically see quite a few people who are obese or morbidly obese. It is a sad but true fact in today’s society.

In todays society the amount of obese children is constantly increasing at a drastic rate. Since the 1970’s the rate of obesity has doubled in the United States causing researcher to study what factors are causing this epidemic. When studying weight researchers use body mass index (BMI), or a chart which takes into account height and weight to tell if a person is in a healthy weight range. When looking at the BMI of a person there are four categories in which they can be classified: underweight, healthy weight, over weight, and obese. Obesity is considered one of the most extensive diseases with the highest rates of mortality and

Obesity follows a socio-economic gradient with the poor having the greatest risk. There is a direct link between poverty and obesity primarily due to the social determinants of income inequality, social capital and policies surrounding food. (Reidpath, 2002) Those with low socio-economic status (SES) can not simply adopt a healthier eating habit due to healthy and fresh foods being expensive in comparison to low-cost unhealthy foods. These economic restraints lead to further inequality between the availability and access to healthy food. This can be attributed to the growing price gap. According to Drewnowski (2009) “Some low-income families limit their

Obesity among low socioeconomic populations is increasing due to the lack of environmental factors and resources available to the community (Powell, Auld, Chaloupka, O’Malley, & Johnston, 2007). Public assistance resources supplement food choices and availability to people in need. When public