Obesity: Disease or Choice?

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When one hears the term “obesity,” an image or connotation instantly appears in the mind. Depending on the person with the thought, the image, or connotation differs. However, for most people, obesity implies a negative image in the mind of the general public. With this in mind, is obesity a disease or a choice? While this may seem like an easy question to answer to a person who is not obese, the answer is a difficult one because the topic is so controversial. Researchers disagree; healthcare professionals disagree; people with no understanding of the problem disagree. 35.7% of adults and almost 17% of children ages 2-19 in the United States are considered obese (Ogden, Carroll and Kit). After careful research, consideration, and an interview with a trusted pediatrician, I argue obesity is a choice and environmental factors, genetic makeup, and social influences are leading causes that can be controlled.
When one considers obesity, one must first look at the surroundings of the obese individuals. Obesity often begins early in life and continues throughout adulthood. “The home environment has been identified as a key influence on the diet and physical activity of children” (Robert). School age children spend an average of 7.5 hours a day sitting and using TVs, computers, and video games (Rideout, Foehr and Roberts). One can infer with so much exposure to electronics, physical inactivity leads to obesity. Adults are no different. Escalators and elevators have taken the place of stairs. Rather than walk to the grocery store, many adults will drive. All inactivity leads to a sedentary lifestyle, which can result in obesity. Therefore, a chosen life of inactivity is a step towards obesity.
Not only is the environment a ...

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...ty and Social Networks. July 2009. 21 January 2014. .
Leung, Plato. How Peer and Social Pressure Can Affect a Person's Obesity. 26 October 2008. 20 January 2014.
Nauert, Rick. Social Networks Influence Obesity. 12 July 2012. 20 January 2014. .
Ogden, Cyntia L., et al. January 2012. 20 January 2014. .
Rideout, Victoria J., Ulla G. Foehr and Donald F. Roberts. Generation M2 Media in the Lives of 8- to 18-Year-Olds. Menlo Park, California: Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, 2010.
Robert, Courtney. The Home Enviroment and Childhood Obesity. Dissertation. Virginia Poltechnic Institute. Blacksburg, Virginia, 2010. 20 January 2014. .

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