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The Importance Of Obesity In The United States

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The basic aim of the paper is to carry out research work on the social concern which I have selected obesity. The topic of obesity has been selected because it has become a major social concern of the United States as well as other industrialized countries. Information related to the research of obesity will be helpful for determining major causes and adverse consequences which are associated with obesity in the U.S. This topic was selected with the hopes in finding effective ways which can be used for preventing the ever increasing numbers of obesity in the world. While a lot of people try to blame children, and even adults, being overweight and obese on genetics, that does not play as crucial of a role as people try to make it sounds. Some …show more content…

Obesity and overweight are because of caloric imbalance which has become one of the major and serious social concerns in America. Almost two third of adults in United States have become obese and overweight (Flegal et al., 2010). In spite of the media, the public, mass educational campaign, and health profession related to increased physical activity and benefits of a healthier diet, the occurrence of obesity is increasing in the United States with a rapid pace (Tompson et al., 2012). The rate of obesity has been doubled in recent decade, which is posing a serious challenge for health care professionals. The weight may come from muscle, bone, fat, and/or body water. Both terms mean that a person's weight is greater than what's considered healthy for his or her weight" (Medline Plus, 2013). Being obese increases one's risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, arthritis, and even some cancers. This also increases the cost in our economy. "The economic costs from the excess morbidity and mortality attributable to obesity-related diseases go beyond health-care costs alone, perhaps most notable are the consequent losses in productivity" (Wang, McPherson, Marsh, Gortmaker, & Brown, 2011). We need to be focusing on more physical activity and better eating …show more content…

As stated previously, along with home and school based intervention, it needs to get even bigger with community and government based interventions. Education is the key. By organizing community activities, walks can be planned to encourage physical activity, paths can be made for children to ride bikes on, and playgrounds can be established for things like basketball and other physical activity. By coming together as a community and encouraging these things within our children, obesity can decrease significantly over the next five to ten years. Preparing foods at home and leaving fast food chains alone is also a major factor in preventing obesity. The fast food industry has become a huge target in the obesity rate. "Erci Schlosser's surprise best-seller, Fast Food Nation, featured some familiar demonization arguments: A cynical industry targets children, reshapes their eating habits (it is hugely "profitable to increase the size and the fat content of their portions"), and literally spongers an epidemic ("no other nation in history has gotten so far so fast")" (Kersh & Morone,

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