Obesity in Western Societies

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Obesity in Western Societies
Statistics show that obesity has risen in tremendous numbers over the last couple of years. All over the world, it has become an issue of wide discussion and worry, more so in the western society, where a third or more of the population has obesity (centers for disease control and prevention, 2011).
Obesity can be defined as having excessive fat in the body and therefore contributing to a higher than recommended body weight (Kopelman, Caterson and Dietz, 3). To reach this conclusion, a person’s BMI (body mass index) is calculated by using the formula; weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared (weight /height*height). If the result is 18 or less, it means he is underweight, if it is between 18.6 and 24.9, it means he is healthy, if it is between 25 and 29.9, it means he is overweight and if it is over 30, it means he is obese. Obesity is then further subdivided into classes that seek to explain its magnitude and also the health risk it carries. There is class 1 which is low obesity which consists of people with a BMI between 30 and 34.9; there is class II obesity which is between a BMI of35 to 39.9 and finally a BMI of over 40 which is also further subdivided into severe, morbid and super obesity.
The western society has not embraced obesity and the people who are considered to have this condition are judged harshly due to the fact that the society is obsessed with the mirror image, therefore one has to be of a certain size to be deemed beautiful and attractive as observed by the number of underweight celebrities and fashion models that brace the catwalks (Bray and Bouchard, 42). It is unfortunate that most of them have to deal with eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia in addition to using other means such as drugs to keep their weight at a minimum..
For many who are considered obese, they have to live with the stigma brandished on them, being called too lazy to look after themselves and also careless about how and what they eat. They are usually victims of social injustice and unfair treatment in the society, be it in the health, education or employment sectors (Puhl, Heuer, 2009). The rise in cases of childhood obesity is also a worrying trend; the statistics show that over 8 percent of children under the age of five years are obese, with girls being affected more than boys. Data provided also shows a link between childhood obesity and adulthood obesity and in this respect, also a growing number in obesity related illnesses in children for example type 2 diabetes (Deckelbaum, Williams, 2001). With the western society becoming an even busier place to live in, children are raised on junk foods. Parents no longer have the time to prepare healthy meals for their children and their families in general and therefore subjecting them to the risk of obesity.
Obesity has been cited as a major contributor to some of the most risky diseases known to man, for example, diabetes, some of the cancers, hypertension, high cholesterol, cardiovascular diseases and sleep apnea just to name a few. Although the diet is a major contributing factor, it is not the only reason, for some people, they are genetically predisposed to obesity. It is therefore recommended that one embraces a healthy attitude towards life and try to always have a healthy balanced diet and limit their intake to what the body actually needs to avoid overeating. Avoid emotional eating and take up healthier options to deal with stress.

Works Cited
Kopelman, G. Peter, Caterson, D. Ian, Dietz, H.William, Clinical Obesity in Adults and Children, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, 2009.
Bray, A. George, Bouchard Claude, Handbook of Obesity: Clinical Applications, Second Edition, Florida: CRC Press, 2003
The Stigma of Obesity: A Review and Update, Puhl M. Rebecca, Heuer A. Chelsea, North American Association for the Study of Obesity (NAASO), 2009
Childhood Obesity: The Health Issue, Deckelbaum J.Richard, Williams L.Christine, American Association for the Study of Obesity (NAASO), 2001
Charlie wang, Obesity in Western Culture, www.studymode.com/essays/Obesity-In-Western-Culture-412007.html.com, Sep 2010
Overweight and obesity, http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html, 2011

Cited: Kopelman, G. Peter, Caterson, D. Ian, Dietz, H.William, Clinical Obesity in Adults and Children, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, 2009. Bray, A. George, Bouchard Claude, Handbook of Obesity: Clinical Applications, Second Edition, Florida: CRC Press, 2003 The Stigma of Obesity: A Review and Update, Puhl M. Rebecca, Heuer A. Chelsea, North American Association for the Study of Obesity (NAASO), 2009 Childhood Obesity: The Health Issue, Deckelbaum J.Richard, Williams L.Christine, American Association for the Study of Obesity (NAASO), 2001 Charlie wang, Obesity in Western Culture, www.studymode.com/essays/Obesity-In-Western-Culture-412007.html.com, Sep 2010 Overweight and obesity, http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html, 2011