Obesity in America Essay - 2102 Words

Obesity in America Introduction The Dynamics of Obesity Once the issue of malnutrition plagued many countries around the world, today obesity has become the new epidemic. The word epidemic traditionally â€Å"refers to an acute outbreak of disease caused by a specific microorganism that spreads through a sizable portion of a population and requires serious responses such as quarantines, travel restrictions, and medical treatment† (Bellisari, 2013, p. 4). Dealing with an epidemic often brings social disruption. When you look at how many millions of people are affected by obesity and its related health concerns, the use of the word epidemic seems very appropriate. When discussing the dynamics of obesity you must consider the rising number of†¦show more content†¦Causes of Obesity Experts have found that there are three contributing factors when studying the causes of obesity: biological factors, decreases in physical activity, and poverty. At its most basic the cause of obesity is the taking in m ore calories, or energy, than one uses. As people have strived to reach the American Dream – a life of abundance and ease – the biology of the body did not change. This makes it difficult for people to remain slim and healthy. The body is programed according to imprinting it receives while a fetus. One example of this fetal metabolic imprinting comes from the Netherlands. The entire population of the Netherlands suffered severe food restriction while under Nazi occupation during the â€Å"Dutch Hunger Winter† in 1944-45. Many women who were pregnant during this time of nutritional stress gave birth to low-birth-weight infants who, surprisingly, had a greater tendency than their siblings to become obese in adulthood. Maternal malnutrition had influenced their fetal metabolism to become extremely efficient and well adapted for a lifetime of nutritional stress. But postwar food abundance promoted rapid growth and weight gain after birth and the development of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease later in adulthood. Their siblings, who were born before or after the famine, were not affected in the same way (Bellisari, 2013, p. 38). Here we can see how biology can play anShow MoreRelatedObesity in America909 Words   |  4 Pages When discussing the issue of obesity in America, it seems to be that there is plenty of blame to go around and most of that blame falls on fast food companies. When searching for a concrete answer to the question used as my title, you will find none because there isn’t one. When asked this simple question, it is easy to blame the obesity problem on fast food considering 8 out of 10 Americans consume fast food according to a report done by the Huffington Post. But after doing more research you willRead MoreObesity in America787 Words   |  4 PagesGood news! We’re Number 2! As declared by a 2013 report from the U.N., America has only the second highest obesity rate in the world at 31.8%, second to Mexico with an obesity rate of 32.8%. America has held on to the title of most obese country for over 60 years. From 13% obesity in 1962, estimates have steadily increased righ t up to 2013’s 32.8%. This may sound like good news, but the harsh truth is that America didn’t reach the number 2 spot through sweeping diet changes or social conscienceRead MoreObesity in America909 Words   |  4 PagesObesity in America In the United States of America, there is a current epidemic of obesity throughout the country. Every age group is affected by this unfortunate trend. Even children are not immune to the national obesity problem. For a country that has an abundance of job opportunities, educational opportunities, and financial opportunities, it is a sad statement of fact that far too many people are tipping the scales in unhealthy ways. It is a fact that a disproportionate amount of the nationsRead MoreObesity : America s Obesity1204 Words   |  5 PagesDraft Obesity in America How many times a week do you go out to McDonald s or Taco Bell for dinner? If you go more than once or twice a week then you really need to look at your diet and how healthy your lifestyle is. America is having a huge obesity crisis, too many Americans just don’t care about how much they weigh or unhealthy their lifestyle is. From the advertisement of the fast food companies, to people not being able to afford healthier foods, and people just being plain lazy, America hasRead MoreObesity in America2116 Words   |  9 PagesENG 101 SL1 26 June, 2006 Obesity in America Obesity in America is a continually growing problem and even worse our own children are sharing in this problem. A commentary in the Washington Times reports that sixty million Americans are obese. What really is the meaning of obese? 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This is called a hierarchy of needs, and in 1943 a scientist by the name of Abraham Maslow theorized it. When he discovered this characteristic of the human body, he came out with an organized chart, or pyramid. His pyramid showed five different levels, Basic needs, Safety, Love and Belonging, Self esteem, and Self-Actualization. Basically he created a blueprint for life. First you have to lay your foundationRead MoreObesity in America Essay1285 Words   |  6 Pagesa long time, obesity has been one of the notable health concerns that America has struggled with during the last five decades .Obesity as a health concern is not limited to America alone, it is a serious concern among other affluent societies like European countries. A considerable number of Americans spend a significant amount of money trying to lose weight. Obesity become an important focus in the news items during the year 2002.According t o research findings, the rate of obesity among the AmericanRead MoreEssay On Obesity In America955 Words   |  4 PagesObesity in America Over the years the obesity rate in America has increased significantly. From 1990 to 2016, the average percentage of obese adults increased from 11.1% to 29.8%. The escalating obesity rate in America has made obesity prevention one of the top public health priorities. Being overweight has become the new normal in America. Obesity is caused by eating too much and moving too little, depression, and the input of social media. A lot of people wonder why we are so concerned aboutRead MoreThe Problem of Obesity in America840 Words   |  3 PagesObesity: one of the nation’s most critical health problems. â€Å"Overweight is defined as having excess body weight for a particular height from fat, muscle, bone, water, or a combination of these factors. Obesity is defined as having excess body fat† (â€Å"Centers for Disease Control and Prevention†). When energy input and output get out of balance, obesity arises. Many factors can cause someone to become obese such as genetics, metabolism, level of physical activity, and more. â€Å"Overweight and obesity