HCA/250 Final

Obesity

HCA/250
September 15, 2013

Abstract
Obesity is an epidemic in the United States. There are several risk factors from centralized obesity. According to Whitney and Sizer, “Fat that collects deep within the central abdominal area of the body, called visceral fat, poses the greatest risk with regard to: diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, gallbladder disease, stroke and some kinds of cancer. (2011, page 326) However, knowing these risks that can be potentially lethal; America continues to consume more calories than needed. This paper will include the mystery of obesity; why some people struggle with weight and others do not. The psychological characteristics that coincide with obesity and how to cope with related factors that cannot be controlled. The calculations that are included for energy requirements are: gender, age, physical activity, body size and weight, and growth. If one is not using the energy requirements, hence weight gain is the result. Health related behaviors will be indentified, and the sociocultural factors that impacts obesity. Last, the lifestyle changes that are vital to live healthy and the strategies that are necessary to overcome obesity for the groups who are most affected.

“Weight Watcher’s” has been around since the early 1960’s. Founded by Jean Nidetch who wrote a book entitled, “The Memoir of a Successful Loser” In 1973, a handbook was prepared for women about how to implement an exchange based diet. The plan works for some women but success rate for weight loss was only 25%. Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem, Medifast, Lap Band Surgery and Liposuction, has made millions off of obese men and women. The community supports these companies and procedures because it improves awareness on healthy living and positive food choices. However, obesity stems deeper than just poor food choices. It is a psychological characteristic that is taught, learned or genetically pasted on. Groups that have obesity have genetic, metabolic, and environmental influences. For example, according to (CDC) Center for Disease Control and Prevention, “Non-Hispanic blacks have the highest rates of obesity. (49.5%) compared to Mexican Americans. (40.4%) all Hispanics (39.1%) and non-Hispanics whites (34.3%)”. (2012) Obesity increases each year regardless of income and educational status and levels. Furthermore, obesity costs an estimated $147 billion in 2008. The medical cost for an individual who is overweight is $1,429 yearly. That is significantly higher than those who are healthy. (CDC, 2012) In addition, the risk factors for obesity are staggering. Visceral fat poses the greatest risk to diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, gallbladder stones, stroke and some forms of cancer. Hence, the central obesity elevates possible death from all the risk factors because of subcutaneous fat of the abdomen, thighs, hips and legs. Unfortunately, extra fat puts stress on the heart. A hormone called adipokines regulates the inflammatory processes and energy for metabolism tissue. There is unequal balance of adipokines when a person is overweight thus, making a lipid profile higher than normal. Consequently, there are treatments for obesity. For extreme obesity (40 or higher body mass index) lipectomy or gastric binding will reduce body fat quickly. For other’s that do not qualify for the surgery, would benefit from a life style change. It has been documented that sleep deprivation is linked to obesity. (CDC, 2012) The Mayo Clinic suggests, “Dietary changes, exercise and activity, behavior change, prescription weight loss medication”. (2011, page 53) The one thing that is missing is social support. Social support is key to losing weight. For some, it is a battle everyday to start a weight loss program alone. Encouragement and healthy motivation will allow a person to change their negative outlook about themselves. However, the weight loss results for a person with poor genetics has a different story.
If genes carry enzymes, metabolism and genetic variations, it might be reasonable to explain why some people get fat and others stay thin. According to Whitney and Sizer, “For someone with at least one obese parent, the chance of becoming obese is estimated to fall between 30 and 70 percent”. (2011, page 338)
Environmental factors also play a role in obesity. Low income families have a higher tendency to be obese than higher income families. Although, an individual’s genetic inheritance may make obesity likely, the disease of obesity cannot develop unless the environment factor that lie outside the body, provides the means to doing so. Hence, there are lots of anti-obesity efforts in the United States. First Lady Michelle Obama started a health program called “Let’s Move”. Including some lessons at public and private schools, like nutrition education.
The first stop was banning high calorie drinks in schools. The greatest risk for caloric drinks is in lower elementary and middle schools. Mississippi has the largest (34.4%) percentage of obesity in the United States. Children in Mississippi are 17.8% over weight. Also, 67.4% are on the boarder of obesity.
Southern food is known as, “Soul Food”. Families have large gatherings on Sunday afternoon to enjoy the latest gossip and fried chicken. Just as Paula Dean claims, “everything is better with butter”. Dean has deep southern roots in Georgia where “lard and alcohol is the main staple in the kitchen”. The public is obese in the south because of lifestyle. A person does not want to disrespect their host by declining fried vegetables and collard greens boiled in lard. In the eastern states it is socially acceptable to decline food, but in the southern culture; it is rude.
“Every year over 400,000 people are dying of obesity in America. Health problems are also costing the country over 117 billion dollars every year.”
Health and lifestyle changes in the southern states would benefit from communities maintaining safe neighborhoods for physical activity, and improve access to parks and playgrounds. Encourage eating breakfast, and peer to peer support programs. Support local fruit and vegetables markets located in the community. Enhance athletic programs after school and make it affordable to participate.

2010 State Obesity Rates
State
%
State
%
State
%
State
%
Alabama
32.2
Illinois
28.2
Montana
23.0
Rhode Island
25.5
Alaska
24.5
Indiana
29.6
Nebraska
26.9
South Carolina
31.5
Arizona
24.3
Iowa
28.4
Nevada
22.4
South Dakota
27.3
Arkansas
30.1
Kansas
29.4
New Hampshire
25.0
Tennessee
30.8
California
24.0
Kentucky
31.3
New Jersey
23.8
Texas
31.0
Colorado
21.0
Louisiana
31.0
New Mexico
25.1
Utah
22.5
Connecticut
22.5
Maine
26.8
New York
23.9
Vermont
23.2
Delaware
28.0
Maryland
27.1
North Carolina
27.8
Virginia
26.0
District of Columbia
22.2
Massachusetts
23.0
North Dakota
27.2
Washington
25.5
Florida
26.6
Michigan
30.9
Ohio
29.2
West Virginia
32.5
Georgia
29.6
Minnesota
24.8
Oklahoma
30.4
Wisconsin
26.3
Hawaii
22.7
Mississippi
34.0
Oregon
26.8
Wyoming
25.1
Idaho
26.5
Missouri
30.5
Pennsylvania
28.6

Conclusion
Obesity in America continues to top the body mass index charts. Each year the percentages of obesity increases throughout the United States. The reason could be from a short circuit healthy eating behaviors. Thinking habits turn out to be as important as eating habits to achieve a healthy body weight. And thinking habits can be changed. People need to honor themselves as lay down a foundation of worthiness.
However, not all people give themselves credit. Therefore, when they are sad, frustrated, stressed, or angry they eat large portions of food. A behavior therapist can alter cognitive skills to a new way of thinking, thus talking about what is bothering them rather than overeating. Although, people do not realize the damage of obesity and the diseases it causes, like hypertension, heart disease, strokes, diabetes, and certain cancers. It is staggering that most people do not know they are diabetic, when they are. For some, especially Hispanic’s find out when symptoms appear. It would be advantageous to exercise prevention of diabetes before it starts.
Hence, lifestyle change is the upmost importance to a healthy weight. Even if a person is already overweight, staying in motion for thirty minutes, four times a week is better than remaining stationary. Understandably, motion will not help the groups with a hormone balance and disabilities. For this selected group surgery would be best. Enhancing affordable sports programs at school would also be ideal.
Finally, removing soda, high fructose drinks, refined sugars, and simple carbohydrates from school lunches would be a good place to start. Education, social support and resources would also enhance health and prevent illnesses.
Cites:
1. (http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html) retrieved from internet 9/14/13 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2012)
2.(http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/obesity/DS00314/DSECTION=treatments-and-dugs) Retrieved from internet 9/14/13, Mayo Clinic Diet Book)
3. Psychology of Health in the Workplace, Copyright © 2011, 2008, 2006, 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
4. Nutrition Concepts and Controversies, 12th Edition, Frances Sizer and Ellie Whitey; 2011, Cengage Learning.
5. (http://www.weightwatchers.com/index.aspx) Retrieved from internet 9/15/13