Obesity: Causes, Health Effects, and Prevention Strategies

This report discusses the causes of obesity, obesity impacts on health and ways of preventing obesity. It also describes the treatment plan and possible prevention strategy briefly.

Running head: Obesity 1
Obesity

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Abstract
Obesity has become a global problem and it is the root of various diseases in various countries in
the world. The story of United States in case of obesity is almost similar to the story of the
world. Obesity is associated with a number of serious diseases like cardiovascular diseases,
diabetes. The rate of prevalence of obesity among the children and adolescent is very high.
However, the condition of obesity among the adult male and female is also very much alarming.
However, the prevalence rate is much higher in the children and adolescent group than that of the
adult group. It is assumed that, overeating, unhealthy lifestyle is directly associated with the
weight gain issue in the United States. In addition, the genetic reason for gaining weight can also
not be nullified as a key reason of obesity in US. However, it is quite evident that, obesity can be
managed with proper planning such as changes in diet planning, exercise and by using a surgical
method, obesity can be treated. Moreover it is better to take preventive ways than to treat
obesity. In order to prevent obesity healthy and balance diet can be an effective method. In
addition, a proper exercise plan can also prevent obesity. Along with this, several government
plan should also be implemented in order to reduce obesity. In this report, the overall scenario of
obesity in US is discussed. Along with this, treatment plan and possible prevention strategy is
also described briefly.

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Introduction:
Obesity is a chronic illness that can affect various systems in the body. For instance,
overweight people are at a higher risk of developing life-intimidating conditions like type 2
diabetes, heart related diseases and born and joint disease to mention a few. In the United State,
obesity has reached epidemic extents as declared by the Surgeon General of the U.S (Ogden et
al., 2016). Approximately, 55 % of children between ages of 6 and 19 are
obese, whereas, 35% of women plus 31% is gravely considered overweight
(Balog, 2015). This paper discusses the causes of obesity, obesity impacts on
health and ways of preventing obesity.
Causes of obesity
Obesity causes are complex, and there are various interrelated factors
like for instance lifestyle, genetics and how energy is utilized in the body.
Studies have shown that genetics is one of the common factors influencing
obesity since one may inherit. Nevertheless, the chance of being obese in
America have risen by 25% because of excessive consumption of fast foods
whose results is gain of additional overweight. Lifestyle is another cause
whereby people are leading sedentary lifestyle combined with overeating.
Additionally, metabolic factors also play a role in weight gain determination
in association with hormones (Ogden, et al., 2016).
Health effects of obesity
On health, obesity has a far-ranging adverse effect. And that it costs
over 150 billion dollars and results to 300000 premature deaths in the United

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States. Just but to mention a few of the health effects related to obesity are
diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, heart disease, sleep apnea,
metabolic syndrome, psychological effects. To treat obesity, start by setting
goals, this is the most critical part of any obesity management. Many people
may want to lose weight for fashion reason as well as societal reasons. It is
essential to understand that losing weight of body significantly influence an
individual’s health. Also, treating obesity is by following the environmental
changes, doing exercises, diet modification, non-surgical and surgical
treatment.
How to prevent obesity
The best and most suitable way to get the escalating rates of obesity
and the epidemic of overweightness under controls entails more than telling
each persons to observe balanced diet (Mokdad et al., 2011). According to the
World Health Organization prevention of obesity calls for integrated
approaches such as:
 Supporting healthy consumption habits and encouraging individuals to
practice physical activity (Lee et al., 2017).
 Establishing public guidelines which enhance access to low-fat, healthy
and food rich in fiber.
 Training heath care professionals so as they can effectively support
individuals who want to lose weight and aid others avoid gaining
weight.

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 The public should be encourage to increase the amount of fruits,
vegetables and whole grains in their diet and decline the consumption
of sugary and fatty foods.
Conclusion
To sum up, a large population of the Americans and the world at large are at high risk of
becoming obese due to their unhealthy life style, habit of consuming unhealthy foods, fast food,
lack of exercises, lack in vegetable consumption. As discovered by the literature review, young
people are the most prevalent of becoming obese because they are practicing a sedentary life
style along with issue of overeating. The overeating behavior helps to get additional weight
among the children and they are facing various chronic diseases along with obesity. In order
Therefore, there is need for the U.S. to declare obesity an epidemic so as to undertake public
campaign against obesity. In order to fight against obesity issue in US government has
introduced various plans like awareness program in order to enhance knowledge about obesity as
it cannot be neglected and it has become a serious health problem among children in USA. In
those awareness programs people may be encouraged to do physical activity along with eating
healthy foods and vegetables to fight against obesity. In addition, they can also be encouraged to
lead healthy lifestyle as well so that the prevalence of the obesity in youths and in young adults
can be controlled. Consequently, through national campaigns it is likely to enlighten the public
on the need to prevent obesity.
References

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Balog, J. E. (2015). Economic disruption and childhood obesity: Distraction, disconnection,
displacement of children’s health, and a need for social change. Health Education &
Behavior, 42(1_suppl), 67S-75S.
doi: 10.1177/1090198114566802
Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2009). Differences inprevalence of obesity
among black, white, and Hispanic adults-United
States, 2006-2008. MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 58(27),
740–744. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19609247
Ogden, C. L., Carroll, M. D., Curtin, L. R., McDowell, M. A., Tabak, C. J., & Flegal, K. M.
(2016). Prevalence of overweight and obesity in the United States, 1999-
2004. Jama, 295(13), 1549-1555. Doi: 10.1001/jama.295.13.1549
Mokdad, A. H., Bowman, B. A., Ford, E. S., Vinicor, F., Marks, J. S., & Koplan, J. P. (2011).
The continuing epidemics of obesity and diabetes in the United States. Jama, 286(10),
1195-1200. Doi: 10.1001/jama.286.10.119