The Disturbing Outcome of Obesity

Abstract As a health care professional it is our position statement that obesity should be considered as a disease. Overweight and obese adults are considered at risk for developing diseases such as type II diabetes, hypertension, high blood cholesterol, coronary heart disease, and certain type of cancers. An average of 300,000 deaths is associated with obesity and the total economic cost of obesity in U.S. was about $ 117 billion in 2000. As health care professionals it is our responsibility to increase public awareness of health consequences of over weight and obesity. Obesity as a disease: Obesity fits all the definitions of ‘disease’, that is, interruption in bodily function.

Obesity is a major feature in several syndromes, such as Prader-Willi syndrome which is a rare genetic disorder causing excessive feel of hunger and therefore overeating. By examine certain genetic patterns studies have also found that 80% of the offspring of two obese parents were obese (webmedcenteral). Although genetics does play a role in obtaining this ... ... middle of paper ... ...ease Control and Prevention. Retrieved May 18, 2014, from http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/ Senauer, B., & Gemma, M. (n.d.). The Food Industry Center .

As obesity is the second cause in deaths in America, there are ways to decrease and prevent the number of people living with this condition. With healthy eating habits, exercise, and encouragement, those suffering and those wishing to prevent obesity can be saved. Since obesity in America is a growing issue, it is important to maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly. If more people exercise and have a healthy diet the population of obese people will decrease. Obesity is the second most harmful conditions in the United States today.

Over time, if they continue this, they will develop health problems. Most Americans can not change their diets overnight, but with more knowledge about trans fat, this can be a revelation to people to slowly eat healthier and be healthier. It is time for change in America. Trans fat helps contribute to an unhealthy lifestyle by causing people to pay more to not be sick. In 2008, “medical cost for obesity was nearly $150 billion dollars”, which can be avoided if people try... ... middle of paper ... ...g in Adults, Study Finds."

While an American Health journalist says, “A 2012 national survey showed that 62% of Americans somewhat or strongly opposed SSB taxes, with 37% of fast food chains strongly opposed… Cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers are strongly associated with obesity, which accounted for an estimated $147 billion in national medical spending in 2008, Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are gaining policy attention as a result of reported links between their consumption and weight gain, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes. Evidence also shows an association between decreasing SSB consumption and weight loss among people who attend fast food restaurants” (Jou).

People should limit the amount of food they are supposed to eat because most obes... ... middle of paper ... ...11-ways-tech-has-made-us-lazy/> "These Disturbing Fast Food Truths Will Make You Reconsider Your Lunch" Renee Jacques. The Huffington Post. November 20, 2013. < http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/20/fast-food-truths_n_4296243.html> "Obesity Rates Rising: 10 Fattest Countries In The Developed World" Jocelyn Richard. The Huffington Post.

The recent obesity epidemic in the United States has wide-ranging implications, and as more literature further validates this phenomenon, we can observe obesity’s real effects on the nation’s level of health and labor market outcomes. Economically, obesity drains valuable resources from the nation’s healthcare budget, decreases worker productivity through an increased number of missed work days, and forces employers to spend more on their health care plans for overweight employees. These factors prove that obesity forces taxpayers to forgo valuable income and consumption in order to subsidize higher medical costs and treatments for the obese. According to Baum and Ford, “currently about one in three [Americans] are overweight and one in five obese” (2004, p. 885). These statistics are worrisome to economists and employers alike, and they warn us that the current rates are unsustainable.

While obesity is rising at an exponential rate, there is disconnect between how society views and defines obesity and the actual medical costs and future health risks the disease holds (ACSM, 2010). This is where medical professionals need to bridge the gap of medical and social construction. Medical Construction of Obesity: The American Medical Association defines overweight and obesity as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health. To classify weight status the most commonly used parametric in adults is Body Mass Index (BMI) a measure of weight-for-height (weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) (Cawley, 2010) A BMI greater than or equal to twenty-five is considered overweight, and a BMI greater than or equal to thirty is considered obese. BMI is calculated differently in children because of body fat changes with age, and differs between girls and boys.

If a person ate two fast food meals a day on average they would be over their total calorie intake allowances. Obesity does not only cause health problems but it can also cause physica... ... middle of paper ... ...estaurant and rather eat that then try something new like healthy food. People cannot control the location or amount of fast food companies and are now realizing that fast food is causing people to become obese(Lusk and Ellison). Obesity is a growing problem and more people are starting to consider themselves as becoming one of those obese Americans. Obesity is associated with many health problems both physical and mental.

To maintain a healthy weight, your energy in and out don’t have to balance exactly every day. People who are inactive are more likely to gain weight because they don’t burn the calories that they take in from food, and this type of lifestyle raises your risk of heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer and many other health problems. If you are developing a thick midsection you may be losing muscle mass from disuse along with dangerous fat accumulation in your abdomen which places your risk of heart disease. The rate of obesity differs from state to state, which is probably a reflection of various lifestyle, age and economic factors. Ten (10%) of weight lost can... ... middle of paper ... ... obesity also causes unhealthy eating habits and death.