Obesity in America

Though there is a copious amount of information surrounding obesity in America, there are several key factors that are exhibited in a majority of the research. The goal of this paper is to serve as a primer into the causes, effects, and consequences of obesity in America during the new millennium.

Causes of Obesity

The truth about obesity is: Americans are eating too much, and exercising too little. The effect of diet on weight became more prevalent since women entered the workforce. Meals were no longer being prepared at home, and the types of food being consumed have changed. As of 2000, women ate 335 additional calories per day than in 1971, men ate 168 calories more per day (Wexler 12-13). Assuming that females were only eating 335 more calories over their needs for a day, that would be equal to 34.9 additional pounds of fat per year, and in males the increase would be 17.5 pounds (Prentice 220).

People also have a direct affect on their friend's health. Recent studies, published by the American Council on Exercise, show that people who are obese increase their non-obese friend's risk for weight gain by 57%. The risk of obesity increases to 171% when the obese person is considered to be a very close friend. Many Americans, statistically, would not consider themselves to be overweight since 87%, including 48% of obese Americans, feel their weight falls within a socially acceptable range. This means that waistlines are increasing and people willingly accept the change. The type of relationship shared between people plays a key role in weight gain and overall health. The study stated that the same networks that promote obesity could be used to promote healthy, active lifestyles. Making a group commitment towards better health will help to provide support and unleash the beneficial power of social networks (Gerard 10-11).

The National Institutes of Health, in 2004, conducted research that suggests children who gain weight rapidly during infancy are more at risk for becoming obese as an adult (Wexler 7). Though the children are more at risk for obesity as adults, the quality of life of obese kids is adversely affected. Obese children have expressed a quality of life similar to that expressed by children with cancer ("Fattening of America").

Many people have developed a lack of self-motivation, which contributes to the obesity epidemic ("Truth about exercise"). Motivation is a key player in exercise, but what about behaviors in most daily routines? The utilization of energy, which is measured in calories, is essential to losing, maintaining, and preventing weight gain. The use of elevators instead of stairs, automatic garage door openers, and automatic doors help the body to conserve, not utilize, its energy (Prentice 210). The technology of today equally contributes to the high calorie diets of many Americans. Technology reduces the cost of food production; the reduced cost of production means more food for less money. This creates a surplus of cheap food for consumption by hungry Americans ("Fattening of America").

Sleep deprivation, common in today's fast paced society, is shown to boost hunger. Many Americans choose to curb their sleep deprivation by drinking coffee based beverages, which are usually very calorie, and fat, dense. As the population of America grows older, the seasoned generation becomes more prone to obesity. Many seniors retire from their jobs and begin facing a decreased metabolic state as a result age, and a reduction in physical activity from no longer working. The last main risk factor of obesity is genetics. People of the same body type tend to reproduce with each other. This means that obese couples that have a child put that child at inherent risk for childhood obesity (Lefebure).

Effects of Obesity

The effects of obesity can be felt throughout the nation. Eighty-five percent of Americans feel as if obesity has become an epidemic (Halvorson). As of 2005, 60.5% of American adults are overweight, and 30% of those are obese. Studies show that almost all income and racial categories have gained weight. Leaving no child behind may be a beneficial program for helping halt the obesity epidemic. Higher education seems to have an affect on obesity. The statistics did not explain why, but those with a college degree gained less weight than those without (Wexler 1).

Approximately $75 billion dollars are paid each year for obesity related medical expenses. Taxpayer-funded programs such as Medicare and Medicaid had to pay for nearly half of those costs. The problems related to obesity are rising, the nation's $75 billion dollar medical bill accounted for 9.1% of total health costs ("Expanding Obesity Problem"). The numerous goods and services provided to help curb weight gain have coined a new economic term, "ObesEconomy." Gyms, over the counter diet drugs, nutritional supplements, and other products and services that are designed to aid in weight loss sustain this new market ("Fattening of America"). An astonishing $33 billion dollars are spent annually on weight reduction products, such as over the counter supplements ("Expanding Obesity Problem"). These supplements are not needed by people in order to aid in weight loss, since a proper, balanced, diet will accomplish the same results Deceptive advertising and other tactics are used to promote miracle supplements. People then purchase these products, the equivalent of 44% of the total national cost for obesity related medical expenses paid by taxpayers. These supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, and are able to be sold under the Dietary Supplement Health and Safety Act (DSHEA) of 1994. The supplements, without proper guidance of a doctor or nutritionist could be potentially dangerous (Bryant 116-143). Compared to other developed countries like England and Canada, Americans are becoming sicker as an outcome of being fatter (Lee).

Consequences of Obesity

Although the long-term consequences of obesity are not fully known, the challenges and consequences felt in present day society are. Obesity has ill effects on the cardiovascular system, and is a major contributor to heart disease, high blood pressure (hypertension), and in some instances stroke. Obesity has also been linked to other physical ailments, including: Type II Diabetes, gallbladder disease, arthritis, and breathing difficulties. A more serious, and potentially life threatening, condition that is facilitated by being obese is cancer. Obesity has been shown to contribute to a plethora of cancers, including: endometrial, gallbladder, cervical, ovarian, breast, colorectal, and prostate ("Expanding Obesity Problem").

The concern for America's national health has led to increased urgency towards behavioral change in the populace. Many changes need to be implemented at schools and workplaces across the nation, in order to protect the future of both children and adults (Halvorson). These changes include, as stated throughout the paper, exercise, diet, and social support. The correction of America's diet, learning how to handle the conveniences of the modern world, and learning to take care of the body, will ultimately lead to an improvement in America's health and waistlines.

Conclusion

Obesity is an expanding problem in America. The epidemic must come to an end. The causes surround each American, convenience, genetics, and impact each American has on each other. The main factor in the fight against obesity is simply, will society continue to allow this? The American people have the research, technology, and facilities to make this large, obese, problem nothing more than a small lapse in collective judgment. The new millennium should not be remembered for contributing to an epidemic, it should be remembered for stopping one.

Works Cited

Bryant, Cedric Y., Ph.D., Daniel J. Green, ed. ACE Personal Trainer Manual. 3rd ed. San Diego: American Counsil on Exercise, 2003.

"The Expanding obesity problem." State Legislatures. 33.1 (Jan 2007): 8(1). Academic OneFile. Gale. Lord Fairfax Community College. 3 Feb. 2008. .

"The Fattening of America: How the Economy Makes Us Fat, if it Matters, and What to Do About it. (Brief Article)(Book Review)." Publishers Weekly. 254.48 (Dec 3, 2007):62(2). Academic OneFile. Gale. Lord Fairfax Community College. 3 Feb. 2008 .

Gerard, Jim. "Can Your Friends Make You Fat? The Social Causes of Obesity." Fitness Matters. 13.6 (2007): 10-11,16.

Halvorson, Ryan. "U.S. obesity rates continue to grow. (making NEWS)(Trust for America's Health's report)(Brief Article)." IDEA Fitness Journal. 5.1 (Jan 2008): 17(1). Academic OneFile. Gale. Lord Fairfax Community College. 3 Feb 2008 .

Lee, Heather. "America's Health Slipping?" Prevention 58.9 (Sept 2006): 56. Academic OneFile. Gale. Lord Fairfax Community College. 3 Feb 2008 .

Lefebure, Jenna. "10 factors linked to rise in obesity." Food Management. 41.10 (Sept 2006): 86(1). Academic OneFile. Gale. Lord Fairfax Community College. 3 Feb 2008 .

Prentice, William E., Ph.D., P.T., A.T.C. Get Fit Stay Fit. 4th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2007.

"The truth about exercise: combined with a wise diet, exercise is absolutely vital to gaining and maintaining good health, and it's never too late to begin." Healthy Years. 3.2 (Feb 2006): 7. Academic OneFile. Gale. Lord Fairfax Community College. 3 Feb 2008 .

Wexler, Barbara. Weight in America: Obesity, Eating Disorders, and Other Health Risks. Detroit: Thomson-Gale, 2007.