Obesity and Being Overweight

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions globally, with more than one billion adults overweight. At least 300 million are clinically obese are a major contributor to the global burden of chronic disease and disability. According to American Obesity Association, “Approximately 127 million adults in the U.S. are overweight, 60 million are obese and 9 million are extremely obese in the United States.” February 2004. “Obesity in the U.S.” 22 Nov. 2008. . Obesity has become a major social issue since long ago. It can affect anybody at any age across the world, especially in the United States. The health statistics in www.nationmaster.com notes that, “the United States has most overweight people in the world.” Obesity(most recent) by country. 22 Nov. 2008. . There is a graph that shows approximately 30.6 percent of people who are overweight live in the United States. The US is a suitable environment to create risk for obesity. Economic growth, modernization, urbanization, and globalization of food markets are all possible causes of obesity. Obesity is a complex problem, which could not be entirely explained by one factor alone. Obesity combines complex factors such as gene, food and lack of physical activities. Obesity is a serious problem that is steadily growing and people should be more aware of the risks.
The main factors of obesity are bad eating habits, lack of physical activity, and poor nutrition. Genes also could be a factor of obesity. However, genes do not always predict future health. Genes and behavior may both be required for a person to be overweight. In these cases, multiple genes may increase susceptibility for obesity and require outside factors such as abundant food supply and little physical activity. In United States, many people eat fast food at least once a day. Along with economy growth, people prefer to have fast food. Nowadays, there are fast food restaurants at just about every corner. With its low prices and convenience, it makes it hard for people to make the right decisions of what type of food they should consume in their diet. For instance, microwave dinners, snack foods like potato chips, and French fries all have high calories and high fat content. Foods like these definitely cause people to gain weight. Today's busy families have less free time to prepare nutritious, home cooked meals. From fast food to electronics, quick and easy seems to be the mindset of many people in nowadays. According to www.brianmac.co.uk, “For every Kg of body weight 1.3 Calories is required every hour. The energy we need has to be blended. The blend that we require is as 57% Carbohydrates (sugar, sweets, bread, cakes), 30% Fats (dairy products, oil) and 13% Protein (eggs, milk, meat, poultry, fish).” Nutrition-Fat, Protein and Carbohydrates. 22 Nov. 2008 . Many fast foods and snacks do not have enough protein and other nutrients needed for good health.
Being overweight and obese can lead to some mental problems as well. Most people who are obese feel unattractive and have low self-esteem, which can cause an indirect mental illness. This in turn can cause eating disorders, depression, and lack of self worth. Not being able to do many simple activities is another reason people with obesity become depressed. Not being able to do things like riding a bike or playing with kids can cause depression. These are risks that people do not normally associate with obesity but it can be the most negative part of obesity.
Some of the illnesses and diseases associated with obesity are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, and insulin resistance. The non-fatal but debilitating health problems associated with obesity include respiratory difficulties, chronic musculoskeletal problems, skin problems and infertility. The more life- threatening problems are type 2 diabetes, certain types of cancers, and gallbladder disease. These are all coincidentally problems that are steadily increasing all over the world.
Childhood obesity is another epidemic that is constantly growing. According to Childhood Obesity, “in the USA the number of overweight children has doubled and the number of obese children aged 6-11 years has more than doubled since the 1960s. Obesity prevalence in youths aged 12-17 has increased dramatically from 5% to 13% in boys and from 5% to 9% in girls between 1966-70 and 1988-91 in the USA.” October 2008. Health young childhood obesity. 22 Nov. 2008. <>. This is because many kids are spending less time exercising and more time in front of the TV, computer, or video-game console. Although physical education in schools can help kids get up and moving, more and more schools are eliminating physical activity programs or cutting down the time spent on fitness building activities. According to www.kidhealth.org, “Current guidelines recommend that kids over 2 years of age should engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity on most, preferably all, days of the week.” Mary L. Gavin. Overweight and Obesity. 24 Nov. 2008 . Most children in the US do not get enough physical activity and they become obese. The problem is they do not know about obesity and it is up to the parents to feed their kids a proper diet. People should take more care in what their children eat in order to prevent childhood obesity.
People can do many things to prevent or control their obesity. There are many public policies that promote the availability and accessibility of a variety of low fat, high fiber foods, and provide opportunities for physical activity. The most common way to prevent obesity is to live an active lifestyle. Simple activities, such as taking the stairs or walking to the store, can help tremendously. Many people also enjoy going to the gym. A local health club membership can be a wonderful way to stay active and socialize with other like minded individuals. Watch your weight is also important. People should weigh themselves once a week to monitor their health. If you notice that you are starting to excessively gain weight, you should take appropriate measures to lose that weight. Investing in a scale for the home is recommended. Drinking water is also really helpful. Many times people will mistake dehydration for hunger signals in the body. According to www.ehow.com, “The FDA recommends drinking eight to 10 glasses of water per day.” Prevent Obesity. 22 Nov. 2008. <>. Water cleanses and detoxifies all the impurities in your system. Only eat when you are hungry. Studies have shown that those who are naturally thin only eat when they are hungry. Only eating when your body signals you to eat can be a great way to prevent obesity. These things are simple solutions and many people already know them. However, most of people cannot take that first step.
In conclusion, obesity is a growing problem that people must be aware of and prevent. If obesity increases at the rate it is at, we will have triple the amount of people who are chronically obese. Obesity can create many negative impacts in one’s life such as disease, depression, and lack of ability to enjoy life. Many people who are obese cannot enjoy simple everyday activities such as playing with their kids, going for a bike ride, or visiting places that are inaccessible without a long walk. If obesity keeps increasing, we will see increases in disease, health risks, depression, and even death. People need to be more health conscious and be more active so we can regain control of this epidemic.
















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American Obesity Association. Obesity in the U.S. February 2004 .
Health statistics in www.nationmaster.com. Obesity(most recent) by country. 22 Nov 2008.
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Nutrition-Fat, Protein and Carbohydrates. 22 Nov. 2008 .
Childhood obesity. October 2008. Health young childhood obesity. 22 Nov. 2008.
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Kids health. Mary L. Gavin. Overweight and Obesity. 24 Nov. 2008 .
Drinking water. Prevent Obesity. 22 Nov. 2008. <>.