Obesity as a Health Concern

Running head: OBESITY AS A HEALTH CONCERN 1
Obesity as a Health Concern
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OBESITY AS A HEALTH CONCERN 2
Obesity as a Health Concern
According to data collected by Healthy People 2020, more than one individual in a group
of three Americans has obesity ("Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity | Healthy People
2020", 2019). As such, obesity is a serious health concern that should be addressed. The health
and wellbeing of an individual are directly related to their weights, good nutrition, and their
physical activity. Maintenance of a proper weight effectively reduces the risks of an individual
developing chronic health issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and cancer. Further,
the process of maintaining a healthy weight that includes increased physical activity and healthy
diets will help in managing health conditions. This paper will be analyzed from the perspective
and situation of Delaware State and the community in relation to the obesity crisis.
Collected Data and Evidence of Obesity
The goal of promoting healthy eating habits, physical activity and maintenance of a
healthy weight to prevent obesity is to ensure that all American citizens eat a healthy diet,
engage in regular physical activity and maintain a healthy body weight as a way of improving
their health ("Nutrition and Weight Status | Healthy People 2020", 2019). Individuals suffering
from obesity have a body mass index (BMI) of more than 30. Statistics reveal that the rate of
obesity in America for the period of 2005-2008 was at 33.9% among adults more than 20 years
of age. Unfortunately, the rate of obesity among adults who are 20 years and above has risen to
38.6% from 2013 to 2016. The high rate of obesity among the people is very low relative to the
target baseline set at 30.5% ("Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity | Healthy People 2020",
2019) It is an indication of poorly working interventions. This increase cannot be

OBESITY AS A HEALTH CONCERN 3
underestimated, due to the increased risk of people developing chronic diseases associated with
obesity.
In response to the high statistics, the health department of Delaware rolled out a
comprehensive obesity prevention plan in 2010. The division of public health within the health
department formed the Delaware Coalition for Healthy Eating and Active Living (DE HEAL) in
2009. The Delaware coalition was tasked to provide statewide leadership and the implementation
of both physical and nutritional programs to reduce the prevalence of obesity. Similarly, the
Physical Activity, Nutrition and Obesity Prevention Program (PANO) from the division of
public health effectively reinforce the efforts of DE HEAL ("Partnering to Reduce Obesity in
Delaware | Healthy People 2020", 2019). PANO accords various technical services to facilitate
the success of obesity prevention initiatives in Delaware State.
The team at PANO entails a multi-professional fabric encompassing healthcare and
transport and hence allows for the implementation of an inclusive approach. The PANO program
applies the social-ecological model to support healthy eating habits. The approach allows the
program to influence the community using multiple approaches that include the environments
and organizational structures to adopt healthy eating and physical activity habits (Welker, Lott &
Story, 2016). The sectors that are involved in such type of advocacy include education,
transportation, healthcare, and governments.
Weaknesses and Strengths
It should be noted that the eating habits of people in Delaware are similar to the overall
eating patterns in the United States ("Partnering to Reduce Obesity in Delaware | Healthy People