Obesity: a Rising Epidemic

Psy 315

Obesity: A Rising Epidemic
Obesity is a rising epidemic in the United States. Since the early 1970’s, the overweight population has more than doubled and has become one of the leading health problems in our country (Ogden, Carroll, Kit, & Flegal, 2012). With this rising epidemic brings about heart disease, diabetes, and other disorders that can become deadly if not treated. An astounding two out of every three people are overweight, while one out of three people are obese (Linklater, 2006). Weight loss programs are filling up television advertisements and even reality television is focusing on extreme weight loss goals of morbidly obese individuals. Obesity is not only triggered by the ease and comfort of junk foods and fast food restaurants, but mental health issues can also trigger this disorder into a downward spiral. Nonetheless, obesity is a trend that can be prevented through proper diet, exercise, and a certain level of good mental health. Researchers are still investigating what has triggered the cause of this epidemic, which is what we will be attempting to determine in this essay.
Research Issue
Obesity is the second most preventable cause of death in the United States; however, more than seventy-five percent of the population has been clinically diagnosed with obesity. More than nine million children and teens are overweight and an alarming sixty million adults are obese (Flegal, Carroll, Kit, & Ogden, 2012). There are various reasons why these numbers are so high; most can be traced back to poor dietary choices and lack of exercise. With fast food restaurants supersizing their value meals, many Americans believe it is easier to substitute a more nutritious meal with one of convenience. In Mississippi, which has the highest number of overweight individuals residing in the state, state officials have made it illegal to limit portions of food (Hepburn, 2013). Restaurants such as McDonald’s and Wendy’s are now substituting and/or adding fruit slices to the child menus, as well as providing healthier alternatives for beverages. However, portion sizes and dietary factors still make these meals less healthy. Children today are even more affected by the epidemic with all the video games and lack of physical activity or recreational sports in and out of school. Today, more adults have sedentary jobs that provide little to no movement, yet during their free time they still lead sedentary lifestyles (Harvard Health Publications, 2013). Thus, teaching and encouraging children to lead sedentary lifestyles. All that most individuals require to stay fit is generally thirty minutes of vigorous exercise and healthy eating habits (Harvard Health Publications, 2013). Our modernized world has inadvertently turned America into the laziest nation in the world.
There are lifestyle factors that can contribute to being overweight or obese. They include heredity and the environment as well as psychosocial and economic factors. These factors are very important and should be looked at closely. Hereditary has been explored by many and according to Causes and Consequences of Adult Obesity: health, social and economic impacts in the United States, “a family history of obesity has long been thought to increase one’s chances of becoming obese” (Wellman & Friedberg, 2002). This study has been shown by using different gene markers, because most have a lifestyle of little activity, environmental factors play a major role in weight management as well. Driving, sitting behind a desk, the use of remotes and other gadgets and computers that seem to make lives easier has also caused the lack of activity. These are environmental factors that have changed over the years and as things get easier, there is a decrease in physical activity. There are psychosocial and economic factors that also contribute to lifestyle factors and being overweight. The psychosocial factors are relationships of weight problems that are deeply rooted in emotional insecurities, needs and wants (Donatelle, 2010). Eating has also become a social ritual that is done for celebrations as well as losses and has become a major part of our lives as people gather with one another to share in their lives. The economic factor is different. Economically when eating is done on a budget, people tend to eat inexpensive foods that are unfortunately higher in calories. It is sometimes impossible to afford fruits and vegetables and foods that are healthier. Weight is closely attributed to lifestyle, and activity or lack thereof.
Weight has been an issue for many individual throughout their lifetime. For most of individuals who are of average weight there is no issue, but for others who are overweight life could be difficult. There are different criteria for weight. It can vary from normal to average to overweight, obese and morbid obesity. Measuring your BMI (Body Mass Index) is a great indicator of where you are when it comes to weight. According Rebecca Donatelle, “the BMI is calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by height in meters squared” (Donatelle, 2010). This number is used to assess future health problems and health risks. The criterion for being overweight is a person having a body weight that is 10% above average and has a BMI of 25-29. Obesity on the other hand has a body weight of more than 20% above average and a BMI of 30 or more. Lastly, morbid obesity is the most extreme and the most threatening when it comes to your health. The criteria for this category, is having a body weight of 100% more than the average weight and a BMI of 40 or more. In all of these areas of obesity the health risks rise as weight is gained.
Obesity is associated with several serious health conditions. They range from stroke, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. These are major chronic conditions that seem to increase, as you get older. During the past several decades, obesity rates for all population groups—regardless of age, sex, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, education level, or geographic region—have increased markedly (Promotion, 2011). According to Causes and Consequences of Adult Obesity: health, social and economic impacts in the United States, it is also linked to certain types of cancers (Wellman & Friedberg, 2002). Obesity and the related issues are the 7th leading cause of death in the U. S. There are also secondary conditions that are related to obesity, which are depression, fatigue and low self-esteem. Although these are considered mild compared to the others, they can also cause harm to the physical and emotional well- being. This can all be prevented with proper diet and exercise.
Verbal and Numerical Hypothesis Statement
Hypothesis testing is the “systematic procedure for deciding whether the results of a research study, which examines a sample, support a hypothesis which applies to a population” (Aron, Aron, & Coups, 2009). Due to the factors that can cause obesity like depression, fatigue and low self-esteem is it safe to assume that obesity begins with dysfunction of the thyroid and an imbalance of emotions rather than technology and poor diet and exercise? The thyroid gland is a very important cell in the body that helps in the regulation of hormones, which in turn, helps maintain metabolism (Johnson, 2011). Metabolism is the chemical secretion that occurs in cells and the activity of the cells is measured in calories. Metabolic rates enhance exertion, stress, and even fear. Thyroid disease is hard to spot and is commonly mistaken by normal aging (Johnson, 2011). Thus, if this glad in the body malfunctions a person can be at risk for obesity. Can a person between the ages of 20 and 30 be more likely to suffer from obesity over a teenager between the ages of 14 and 19?
The American Heart Association reported that in 2013, within Americans age 20 and older, 154.7 million are overweight or obese with a BMI of 25.0kg/m2 or higher. 79.9 million were reported to be men and 74.8 were women. Of the 78.4 million, the combined BMI is 30.0kg/m2 or higher. According to the U.S Department of Health and Human Services the average healthy BMI is measured to be between 18.5 and 24.9kg/m2. These figures suggest that on average, Americans are about 6.1kg/m2 above the average healthy BMI.
Five Steps of Hypothesis Testing
Step One
According to the National Thyroid Institute, it is believed that 63.1% of Americans are either overweight or obese based on the individual’s age and height (Johnson, 2011). 50% of depression is caused by a dysfunction of the thyroid gland, which is estimated that about 300,000 people each year die from obesity (Johnson, 2011). Can obesity be prevented with or without a dysfunction in the thyroid gland? (H1) Regular exercise along with a balanced diet will aid the fight against obesity and other illness that may come with it. (H2) A person’s genetic make such as thyroid disease will take a toll on an individual’s health that may lead to obesity with our without exercise.
Step Two:
Determine the type of research being conducted. What age is the research being conducted on? Research group 1: Individuals who are in their 20’s and 30’s leading with regular daily exercise and balanced daily meals. Research group 2: Individuals who have been diagnosed with thyroid disease and require medication to control the body’s metabolism.
Step Three:
Group 1: Individuals must meet the normal requirements as compared to the rest of the population i.e., must be a student and/or work full time. Individuals who are body builders, for example, will be rejected from the research. Group 2: A person who is diagnosed with a thyroid problem or disease, a doctor can prescribe synthetic hormones that help regulate the body. If the individual is on more hormones other than to help the thyroid, person will be rejected from research as other medication may have a significant factor on research.
Step Four:
Group 1 will follow a scheduled eating and exercise regimen, the individual will log all meals as well as type and duration of exercise performed each day. Log will include all calorie intake and calories burned. Group 2 will log all meals, medication taken, and any activities performed, if any.
Step Five:
Based on the research, is the null hypothesis acceptable? Was the research presented with errors that may affect the outcome of the answer? Due to human error that both research groups may have been presented with, conclusion data may be greater or lesser than the actual truth. While Group 1 does have an advantage of having a healthy thyroid, Group 2 seems to have a success pattern when regular exercise and balanced meal is paired.
Conclusion
Although, the synthetic hormone will help the regulation of the person’s symptoms such as emotions and stress, it is highly recommended that the individual maintain a regular exercise routine along with a high-fiber diet (Johnson, 2011). For a regular healthy individual where the thyroid gland is not a factor, a well-balanced diet is needed to maintain healthy metabolism. On average, 60% of Americans are believed to be overweight so, regular exercise and healthy eating habits are crucial. A scheduled six servings of fruit and vegetables daily along with whole grains and balanced portions of protein can prevent undesired excess weight. On average, regular exercise consists of 30-minute high heart rate activities. The combination of a balanced diet and regular exercise will maintain a steady metabolism. Thus in fact, research has proven that no matter the battle a person may struggle with i.e.: thyroid disease, a well-balanced diet and regular exercise is always a necessity to avoid obesity and all other health risk factors that come with it.

References
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