Comparative Analysis of Obesity Management: USA and UK Leadership

This report provides a comparative analysis of obesity in the USA and the UK, examining the scope, causes, and potential solutions from a global management and leadership perspective. The report is divided into two parts, with Part A focusing on obesity in the USA, detailing the problem's appreciation, scope, and contributing factors such as dietary habits, sedentary lifestyles, and genetics. Part B shifts the focus to the UK, highlighting the current state of obesity, its economic impact, and various proposed solutions, including public health initiatives, awareness campaigns, and government strategies. The report emphasizes the need for collaborative efforts between health organizations, local authorities, and community sectors to effectively address the issue. Implementation strategies, such as taxation on unhealthy foods, promotion of healthy eating habits, and encouragement of physical activity, are also discussed. The report concludes by emphasizing the importance of leadership in formulating and implementing comprehensive strategies to combat obesity and improve public health outcomes in both countries.

Obesity from global management & Leadership
point of view( US & UK)
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART A (obesity in usa)..................................................................................................................3
Appreciate the problem................................................................................................................3
Specify the scope behind the problem.........................................................................................3
Causes of the problem..................................................................................................................3
PART B (obesity in uk) ..................................................................................................................4
Solution........................................................................................................................................5
Implementation ...........................................................................................................................6
Review.........................................................................................................................................8
Learn ...........................................................................................................................................9
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12
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PART A (OBESITY IN USA)
Appreciate the problem
Obesity within USA is regarded as one of the contemporary health concern. Obesity is
the medical condition wherein excess of body fat is being accumulated to extent that it has
negative impact on the health of individuals (Gupta and et.al, 2012). The percentage of obesity in
increasing to a greater extent. This is because of the changing lifestyle of the people to a greater
extent. In USA the people with overweight are increasing to a significant level. In USA the
percentage is very high and this is contributing factor to 100000- 400000 deaths within US every
year. This is existing among the officials that is one of the major preventable causes of death.
There is increase in the childhood obesity as well. This is regarded as the national emergency.
Specify the scope behind the problem
The rates of obesity are increasing USA and this has increased to a greater extent from
past few years. This is to an extent of excess of 20% of the population (Popkin, Adair and Ng,
2012). The higher prevalence of the obesity in adults is alarming. The causes of obesity rate
relates with the fundamental imbalance among the energy intake as well as energy expenditure.
The World Health organization determines reduction in the physical activity that is combined
with increase in consumption of more energy dense, nutrients poor foods with higher level of
sugar and saturated fats. This has resulted in increasing the rate of obesity which has increased
over three fold since 1980 in some part of UK, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, the Pacific
Islands, Australasia as well as China (Mistry and Puthussery, 2015).
The major trend of worrying is obesity among childhood that tracks to adulthood with all
its attached risks (Misra and Shrivastava, 2013). This has been determined that initial generation
of the children who are likely to die before their parents. This is because of the effects of obesity
that results in cardiovascular diseases. There is presence of several people who make changes
within their lifestyle. This is in order to tackle obesity the scope of the problem is increasing to a
significant level. This has greater impact on the individual's survival rate. Moreover, it is
influencing the survival to a greater extent (Byrne, 2014).
Causes of the problem
There are several causes of obesity among the people of USA. This has been enumerated
in the manner stated as under:
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 Diet: Dietary energy supply varies among several regions as well as countries. This has
changed over significant duration of time (Pandit and et.al, 2012). The food habits of the
people are changing significantly. Today there are more number of people in UK and U
who are making consumption of fast food on regular basis. Because, of such there is
major issue faced in relation with obesity. This has major contribution in increasing the
other health related issues as well. The presence nutritional guidelines has contributes
less to address the issue that relates with overeating as well as poor dietary choice (Cai,
2014). Sedentary lifestyle: The role of such factor has greater role in obesity. There is greater
shift towards less physically demanding work (Gujral and et.al, 2013). There is
increasing number of population that is engaged in doing physical exercise. This is due to
the reason of increase use of mechanized transportation and labor saving technology
within homes. This is regarded as the major cause that is increasing rate of people that are
suffering from situation of obesity (Kukaswadia, Pickett and Janssen, 2014). In both
adults and children there is greater association among time for television viewing as well
as risk attached with obesity.
 Genes and family history: It is regarded as another major cause of obesity. Children
makes adoption of the habits of their parents (Bajaj and et.al, 2013). Child who possess
overweight parents eat high calorie foods and are not active become overweight as well.
But in situation if the family makes adoption of healthy food and physical activity then
there is chance that overweight is minimized.
PART B (OBESITY IN LONDON)
Obesity in United Kingdom is regarded as significant contemporary health concern. In
accordance with the new data analysis it has been gained that greater number of individuals
within UK are either overweight or obese than at any other time in past three decades (Seth and
Sharma, 2013). UK is third highest rate of excess weight in western Europe behind Iceland and
Malta. It is being analyzed by researchers that overweight and obesity within children as well as
adolescents is increasing problem in United Kingdom. The rate of obesity in UK are the highest
within Europe. This has increased dramatically over the past few years to a greater extent. This is
excess of 20% of the entire population which are obese. Thus, the cost to the economy of UK
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exceed £3 billion per year (Busetto and Maggi, 2015). The higher prevalence of the obesity is
among adults that is in England which is alarming. This has national average of over 40% of the
males that overweight. Further more than 20% are obese between the age range of 16- 75 years.
However, the average of women are lower for overweight but it is higher in case of obesity. At
the present data the level of obesity has crossed in UK and it has been considered as the second
most obese country within Europe (Robertson, Murphy and Johnson, 2016).
Solution
Tackling the issue of obesity in London not only requires implementation of plans to
control obesity but it also requires formulation of discipline and frameworks so that it can be
supported by local and national authorities (Peltzer and et.al, 2014). In order to place and
develop coordination between different actions it is necessary for public, health organizations
and community sectors to work collaboratively so that they can effectively tackle this health
issue in London. For the purpose of addressing the issue of obesity within London the local
organization that is NHS trust in London is adopting wide range of actions (Swamy and et.al,
2013). This is in order to resolve the issues as soon as possible. The health care officials have
introduced hard hitting awareness campaign for the purpose of making efforts to stem the issue
of obesity. Further, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust also provide training and
awareness to them so that they can guide all the residents of London about the negative
consequences of obesity. They also conduct health promotion campaigns on regular basis so that
they can improve the health and well-being of school going children and adults in London.
There is greater need among the doctors to make discussion regarding weight management with
the patients (Tzioumis and Adair, 2014). Further the medical practitioners ensure regular
measuring the children height as well as weight. The local authorities have adopted various
strategies so that health disorder can be reduced to maximum level. Encouraging healthy choices
is also important because it helps in developing a more user friendly system which can be
incorporated in diet so that health is maintained (What causes overweight and obesity, 2012).
The department for education and skills have also adopted the healthy eating approach so
that they are able to support the students in developing healthy eating habits (Gupta and et.al,
2012). Implementing pilot projects such as providing healthy breakfast clubs, clean water
provision and improvement in dining room has decreased the level of obesity to a greater extent.
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But still there is a scope of tackling this issue, because according to NHS report it has been stated
that a child whose parents are obese have twice the risk of becoming obese in school years
(Popkin, Adair and Ng, 2012). Hence, it has become compulsory in all schools to provide
education and awareness so that they are able to adopt healthy eating habits. Encouraging
physical activity five days a week is also one of the aim of local authorities in London because it
helps in regulating the body weight to a proper level (Mistry and Puthussery, 2015). If, the basal
metabolic rate of body rises above the normal range then it can lead to different diseases such as
cardiovascular disease, diabetes and renal failure. Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
also have a collaboration with primary schools in London because it has been noticed that
majority of children are engaged in consuming unhealthy and junk food which is the major
reason for increase in obesity rate in London. According to a survey report generated by local
authorities of London it has been noticed that 23% of school going children are obese and 11 %
are on the increased risk of developing obesity in later stages of life. Hence, it has become very
necessary for the primary school to adopt various measures so that children can consume only
healthy food on daily basis. Various weight management programs have also been implemented
so that it can bring about alterations in the physical activity level. Further it has also brought
dietary modifications and behavioural changes that is a positive sign of reducing the level of
obesity in London (Misra and Shrivastava, 2013). Dietary modifications have been made by
increasing the awareness so that reduction in weight can decrease the issue of obesity in
London . It has also been noticed that obesity has increased the mortality rate in citizens of the
country hence, to reduce the mortality rate, various local authorities and other healthcare
organisations have formulated various plans so that people can change their lifestyles
accordingly (Byrne, 2014).
The government of London has also played a very important role in reducing the level of
obesity by implementing obesity strategies (Pandit and et.al, 2012). The London government has
adopted a policy of ‘Healthy Lives, Healthy People: A call to action on obesity in England so
that they can decrease or target a deviating trend in children who have gained excess of weight
by the end of 2020. Based on the Health and Social care Act, the local authority have taken the
responsibility of improving the health of population so that they are able to live a healthy life.
Further, local authorities of London have also developed a locally tailored framework for
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obesity so that services are provided at strategic and delivery levels (Cai, 2014). External
partners such as local employers, primary school members charity organisation and NHS group
have also supported so that preventive service can be offered to citizens of London . They have
also implemented various physical health programs so that it can help children in maintaining
their basal metabolic index of the body.
Implementation
Obesity and diseases which are caused due to excessive weight have taken a toll on
citizens of London. Hence, in order to reduce down this health disorder the government of
London and local authorities have incorporated effective strategies and plans to mitigate the
unhealthy consequences of obesity (Gujral and et.al, 2013). But formulations of plans is not only
the key to overcome this issue, it is very necessary to implement these plans so that the threat
produced due to obesity is reduced. Below listed are some interventions which have been
implemented by the government of London (Kukaswadia, Pickett and Janssen, 2014). To
reduce the consumption of junk food in London heavy taxes have been imposed on soda, sugar
beverages and junk food so that people are not able to access these foods easily. According to the
report, the individuals of London consume 45 gallons of soda person per year. Royal Free
London NHS Foundation Trust is a very active foundation trust that mainly focuses on
improving the health and well-being of all the citizens of London. In order to implement the
formulated plans successfully, the foundation trust in London prepares a report on monthly basis
so that they are able to check whether it is being followed accurately or not. This also helps in
reviewing the plans which have been formulated to reduce down the obesity rate in London. The
money which is recovered from tax is used in community intervention for reducing obesity and
supporting public health. The second method which was implemented was labelling healthy and
unhealthy food in front of the package. Many labels which are present on food items do not
clearly define whether it is healthy to eat or it is unhealthy (Bajaj and et.al, 2013). But recently
FDA has rules that food items which contains trans fats are generally not recognised as safe
food. But it is not easy to eliminate or stop the production of such food items from market very
easily.
Currently the food items which contains more than 0.5 gram of trans per serving are also
labelled as zero trans which leads to confusion in people (Seth and Sharma, 2013). The food
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lobby in London pressured that only those food items will be labelled as zero trans that have less
than 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving. Many other serving such as cool whip which is in
aqueous state is also marketed as zero trans because it contains high fructose corn syrup. Ending
sugar and other junk food marketing to children is also one of the most effective implementation
that has been made by the government of London (Busetto and Maggi, 2015). Majority of the
super markets in London markets sell food items which are not healthy, but as children are not
aware about those products they purchase it without reviewing them. Hence, it is very difficult to
make a differentiation between healthy and unhealthy food. To this issue the local authorities and
other sectors have stopped marketing junk food and cold drinks to children so that they can
decrease the consumption of these food items. This has also helped in reducing down the level of
obesity and have increased awareness among people and school going children in London. In
many cases it has been noticed that school going children are addicted to junk food and do not
develop the habit of eating healthy food. This produces a negative impact on health of children
(Robertson, Murphy and Johnson, 2016). This causes increase in excessive weight which further
leads to different diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and heart failure. The issue
of obesity can not only be solved with the help of implementation of different strategies but it is
also very necessary to bring about political and social transformations in the country.
It is the responsibility of government of London to protect the health and well being of
citizens of their country and not placing individual as well as collective profits above health of
citizens (Peltzer and et.al, 2014). According to the survey by WHO in 2013, it was reported that
80% of the public schools in various regions of London and England had a collaboration with
soda manufacturers so that they can sell them to all the school children. Hence, it has become
very necessary for government, local authorities and different health organisations to implement
all these strategies successfully so that the rate of obesity in London is reduced to maximum
level. This will also help in lowering the mortality rate which is caused due to various diseases
caused due to obesity (Swamy and et.al, 2013).
Review
Although, the government and local authorities of London has implemented various
strategies to control the growing rate of obese children and adults in London but it is very
necessary to have a review on the strategies on timely basis (Tzioumis and Adair, 2014). This
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will help in determining the effectiveness of strategies that have been implemented. To reduce
the rate of obesity, government have initiated various health care programs which can help in
increasing the physical activity in children and adults. As, all the individuals in London are
working they hardly get any time to remain physically active in this engaged schedule (Adult
Obesity Causes and Consequences, 2015). But by the incorporation of various physical fitness
programs, the government of London has encourages majority of citizens to develop a routine of
30 minutes in which they can undertake various activities which can boost physical power in
them. This has also helped in maintaining their body weight and structure which is very
necessary to perform various day to day activities (Misra and Shrivastava, 2013). Even after
defining so many advantages of undertaking physical activity, many citizens are not able to keep
themselves physically fit because they lack physical activity. If, a person do not undertake
physical activity then he/she starts feeling fatigue very early which decreases the concentration
in work (Kukaswadia, Pickett and Janssen, 2014).
According to a survey report only 12% of the overall obese children encourage
themselves to undertake physical activities so that they are able to maintain the basal metabolic
rate of their body. Government should implement more effective strategies so that they can
encourage more and more people to keep themselves physically fit. Another method which is
very necessary to be reviewed is imposing taxes on junk food and soda drinks. Junk food are full
of fats and cholesterol which tends to increase the deposition of fat in adipose tissue (Robertson,
Murphy and Johnson, 2016). This is one of the main reason which leads to develop different
diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, heart failure, diabetes and renal failure. Junk food and
cold drinks are mainly consumed by school going children because they are not able to decide
which food is healthy and which food should not be consumed. It is the responsibility of
education system and other teachers to have a look on food items which are brought by different
students in the school (Seth and Sharma, 2013). They should not be allowed to buy food which
contains high amount of trans fat because it is one of the main reason which causes various
health issues in both adults and children. Hence, it is very important to review all the strategies
that have been implemented so that positive results can be produced. Otherwise, if they are not
reviews then it can lead to increase in obesity rate in London which will directly increase the
mortality rate in the country (Tzioumis and Adair, 2014). Further, various local as well as
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national trust in London should have a total record of people and children who are suffering from
obesity so that they can make a proper strategic plan to overcome the problem effectively. This
will certainly help in improving the lifestyle and other conditions of the people living in London.
They should also create awareness about what food should be consumed and which one should
not be consumed so that people are able to maintain a healthy diet. As, people will start gaining
awareness about various factors which can cause obesity then they will automatically adopt the
lifestyle which will not lead to obesity. Hence, it is necessary to provide education and
awareness so that rate of obesity is decreased to a maximum extent.
Learn
In present scenario, it is essential to handle health problems like obesity. Otherwise, it
can lead to cause various other health issues in an individual. For preventing people from
obesity, there are various measures to follows. One of the most important factor is to include
physical activities in daily life (Tzioumis and Adair, 2014). There are various types of exercises
like yoga, jogging with the help of which an individual can maintain his/her diet in effective
manner. Involvement of physical activities in regular life results to decrease amount of fat,
calories and carbohydrates and prevents person from health problem like obesity. Along with this
above factor, it is also important for people to take healthy and nutritious diet. There food should
contain green vegetables, fruits, liquid diet, etc for having a healthy life. Advise or health trainer
can help obese individuals to take proper and balanced diet (Misra and Shrivastava, 2013).
It is better to ignore fast food, ready to made, packed food, etc as they are major reason
behind increasing weight of adults in present time. On the other hand, it is also necessary for the
children to avoid using social networking sites, watching television, etc which increases the
chances of increasing fat. Instead of living at home and watching television or using internet, it is
essential for kids to play outside and stay away from the health issues like obesity. It is necessary
to avoid obesity from childhood otherwise it becomes worse in adulthood and difficult to handle.
People can take advice of health trainers for reducing their weight (Kukaswadia, Pickett and
Janssen, 2014). With the help of proper care plan which includes daily exercise, intake of healthy
food and other activities, individuals can prevent themselves from obesity. The entire scenario
explained in the report proves to be very knowledgeable to me. Here, I studied many strategies
which facilitate me to improve lifestyle of people. Accordingly, I came to know that healthy diet
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is very important for a person which will be effective to keep him/her healthy throughout the life.
This aspect tend to enhance my knowledge which will be effective for me to rotate the same
knowledge in from of my family members and who so ever is suffering from the issue of obesity.
Furthermore, I came to know regarding major causes behind obesity such as poor diet, sedentary
lifestyle and other related aspect. It enables me to overcome those issues by focusing upon
specific aspects such as not having fast food and taking food on right time. However, I found that
children carry the same kind of attitude as parents have. Here, I can now better focus upon my
own eating habits which will be effective for me to teach my kids regarding healthier diet.
Furthermore, I got to know regarding physical activities which play significant role in the
life of individual. Owing to this, I will recommend regarding the same to people who are
suffering from the issue of obesity. It will facilitate them to get rid from this issue and
accordingly they can reduce their weight to a great extent. In addition to this, I have learned
many measures regarding reducing obesity which will be implementing by in me future. Apart
from this, I also learned to regard other measures which can help society to resolve this kind of
issues which are caused by obesity. Moreover, I conducted pilot survey through which I can
easily bring perfection in the research findings by making appropriate questionnaire. In addition
to this, I got to know regarding the weight management programs that aid to bring improvement.
CONCLUSION
The overall assignment has been based on Obesity from global management &
Leadership point of view( US & UK) which was mainly divided into two major parts. The first
part of the assignment included appreciation of the problem, scope associated with the problem
of obesity in UK and US and causes that lead to obesity in both the nations. Obesity is a major
health issues which has affected nearly many people of the world. US and UK are top two
nations which have major number of obese adults and children. Due to this the number of
mortality rate has also increased. Further, in the second part of the assignment it included four
basic factors such as solution for the problem of obesity, implementation of various strategies,
review of those plans and frameworks and learnings which have helped in reducing down the
level of obesity in UK.
Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
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