The Number One Health Risk in America: Obesity

In 2004, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ranked obesity as the number one health risk facing America. Obesity is defined as a body weight that is at least 30 percent over the ideal weight for a specified height, with an individual's body max index (BMI) of more than 30 (Koch, 2013). The CDC estimates there are 400,000 deaths per yeah in the United States and more than 15% of children are obese (Koch, 2013). Baum (2010) asserts that about 30% of adults are classified as obese which is roughly a 100% increase from 25 years ago. This increase can be seen across men, women, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status (Baum, 2010). It is very evident that obesity is a growing epidemic which results in severe consequences.

We live in an unprecedented time in history where technology and education have become readily available to the majority of the public. Researchers have investigated why obesity has grown so rapidly, and as someone who struggles with being overweight, this topic concerns me as well. Many explanations have been suggested to explain this rise. The increase in sedentary jobs, rise fast food convenience, and less physical activity are just a few of the variables that have been asserted to increase obesity (Koch, 2013). Due to government and awareness campaigns, Americans currently hold more knowledge of the consequences of obesity than ever before, yet obesity continues to rise (Baum, 2010). While awareness has increased, there have been studies that have shown that not all Americans have equal access to healthy choices, instead, certain areas are inundated with convenience stores and fast food restaurants rather than full service grocery stores and famers' markets (Treuhaft & Karpyn, 2010).

Obesity has risen in all categories of Americans, however, this rise has not been equal among groups. Flegal et al. (2002) found that African-Americans and Hispanics are more likely to be obese than whites. African-Americans have a rate 11% higher than whites and Hispanics are almost 6% more commonly obese. Treuhaft & Karpyn (2010) assert that people living in low-income communities of color have more difficulty accessing healthy foods compared to other neighborhoods. Areas where there is reduced or no access to affordable and healthy food are called food deserts (Treuhaft & Karpyn, 2010). Low-income neighborhoods are shown to have a lack of healthy and high quality foods in stores, more liquor and convenience stores, and a lack of transportation to access quality stores further away.