Socioeconomic Status Paper
The Disparity Between Socioeconomic Status and Obesity
Holli B. Taylor
Eastern Michigan University
The Disparity Between Socioeconomic Status and Obesity
The purpose of this paper is to discuss one of the many health disparities that are common in the United States. Medlineplus defines a health disparity as health differences between groups (Medline, 2012), I will be discussing the correlation between ones socioeconomic status (SES) in relation to the prevalence of obesity. I will go into detail about the specific population being affected and how they are affected by obesity. I will discuss disease management including preventative measures and health promotion. I will discuss how the information used throughout this paper was obtained …show more content…
and the ethics behind the obesity disparity. The current legislative efforts to address the problem will be discussed as well as any community interventions that are in place. I will discuss the impact of the obesity epidemic upon the health care system and nurses specially. The paper will be concluded with the development of a pertinent and applicable research question.
Who is affected and why
Obesity is a problem of epidemic proportions seen all across the globe, it knows no boarders. Obesity does however; appear to thrive in communities of low SES or those below the national poverty line. According to the article in TIME magazine It’s not Just Genetics, 22.4% of 10-17 year olds living below the poverty line are obese compared to only 9% of children in that same age bracket but in an income bracket four times larger (Walsh, 2008). There are many reasons why individuals of lower SES may be at increased risk of obesity. In many poor communities the emphasis is on convenience foods and foods that have a longer shelf life. There is little access to fresh fruit and vegetables in communities of low SES. In many of these homes the caregivers of low SES children are poorly educated. This lack of education forces them to work at menial jobs, for long hours, earning only enough to get by on. Many parents after working such long hours turn to convenience foods which are highly refined, over laden with large quantities of fats, and calories while lacking in nutrient value. Individuals in these communities also may not be aware of how their food choices are hurting their health and leading to obesity. In the age of computers and electronics very few people need to expend much energy in order to obtain their meals. They also don’t expend much energy doing many other activities that in the days past were rigorous activities. This decline is physical activity has greatly impacted the obesity epidemic. The lack of activity is seen even more so in communities of low SES due to the limited number of safe places to play or partake in physical outdoor activities. The research article titled Socioeconomic status Disparities in Health in the United States: What the Patterns are Telling us takes an in depth look at the disparity and the causes. The research indicates that the issues discussed above are the primary cause of the obesity disparity seen within communities of low SES.
Obesity and how it’s managed.
Put simply obesity means having too much body fat. The diagnosis of obesity is made based upon one’s body mass index (BMI). Your BMI is determined based upon your height and your weight. If your BMI is above 30 you are obese. There are many health issues associated with obesity such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, osteoarthritis, hypertension and some cancers to name just a few. An individuals BMI is directly correlated with increased risk of co morbidities and complications associated with obesity.
Management of obesity starts with preventative care, education and intervention. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) establishes the guidelines and makes recommendations for the amounts of food and activity that an individual should consume. There are many public service announcements on the television informing the public about the latest and greatest recommendations, along with suggestions for implementation of the recommendations. There are also many state and local programs aimed at community education. Many of the public schools across the country have adopted healthier food selections beyond those recommended by the USDA. Most schools have physical education classes established starting in primary school and many school have reinvested in the physical education programs enhancing and expanding them. Primary care providers are addressing the issue with there patients from the first appointment starting from infancy through geriatric population giving them guidance as their dietary and activity needs evolve. School teaches provide additional education on healthy eating and activity starting in preschool and extending through high school. There are many local initiatives and policies being put in place to increase the availability of fresh produce and increase the activity of children in populations of low SES. Programs are being put into place to encourage active transportation such as bicycling, walking, and skating. Many schools have banned vending machines on campus as well as food vendors within a certain distance of school campuses.
Moving beyond education and prevention is intervention and treatment. Intervention revolves around diet modification and increased physical activity. Increasing the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables to communities that are predominantly of low SES is critical to improving the health status of this population. One of the most successful programs is the Food trust program in Philadelphia. This program is credited with reducing the incidence of overweight elementary students by 50% (Walsh, 2008). There are also pharmacological interventions, medications that can be administered to aid in appetite suppression and weight loss. In extreme situations there are surgical procedures that can be performed for weight loss.
Information and health care
The information obtained for this paper came from many sources. The primary sources are the TIME magazine article and a research article from the American Journal of Public Health. Secondary sources were from the USDA, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Medline web sites, and finally from many years of doing private research my own health benefit.
Ethics
People who are obese face many prejudices. They are viewed poorly. The common thought is that if they “just stopped eating so much they would not be so large”. However this is a misnomer, as I stated above obesity is a multifaceted problem. The ethical dilemmas present themselves when an obese person seeks medical attention. The health care professional must remember to be nonjudgmental. They must remember that they are to uphold the strongest sense of morals, values, justice and ethics. When advising obese patient about their medical care they must maintain their veracity and fully inform them about risk and benefits, while respecting their right to their autonomy.
National Health Care
Obesity affects every part of health care, in every state and in almost every country; with the greatest impact felt by the poorest communities in the United States and globally. The fiscal costs are exponential and range from education, to the cost of direct patient care and supplies. The obese patient requires special diagnostic tests, equipment, and supplies. Obese patients are at higher risk for post op complications and extended hospitalizations. The estimated cost associated with obesity in 2008, according the National Centers for Disease Control, was 147 billion dollars (CDC.gov, 2012).
The issue of obesity is extremely relevant to nurses. As nurses we are always teaching and educating our patients, and members of our community. Nurses are an integral part of community outreach programs in which they go into these low SES communities and educate them about the importance of proper diet and exercise. Nurses interact with school children in the public school systems, yet another opportunity for teaching. Nurses can take this problem and help create solutions through further research and legislative lobbying for policy changes. Nurses are also affected by the problem of obesity by way of direct inpatient care. Nurses must be aware of the special needs of this population of patients. Nurses must evaluate their needs appropriately and initiate care plans that address their specific needs.
Research Question
Does the availability of fresh produce affect the consumption pattern of children living under the national poverty level?
Conclusion
Obesity is a multifaceted health concern seen globally.
Obesity is not racist or biased; it will affect all individuals when given the opportunity. However obesity does seem to give preferential treatment to those of low SES. The predominate reasons for the increased prevalence in areas of low SES is lack of education, availability of healthy food choices, and cost and preparation time for healthy meals. There are many programs and policies that have been implemented to decrease to rate of obesity including legislative, state, and local policy and programs. The treatment for obesity is first and foremost prevention; if prevention has failed the next action is diet and activity modification as well as medical intervention. The problem of obesity confronts many actual and potential ethical dilemmas. As care providers we must ensure that we are caring for patients ethically and respectfully. The cost of obesity is wide stretch from the monetary cost of providing specialized care to the emotional impacts that obesity has on the individual. Obesity is a global problem but communities of low SES are the hardest hit. We must unite to battle this epidemic with an emphasis on aiding the low SES communities.
References
Braveman, P. (2012). Health inequalities by class and race in the US: What can we learn from the patterns?. Social Science & Medicine, 74(5), 665-667. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2011.12.009
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2012). Overweight and Obesity. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/
MedlinePlus. (2012). Health Disparities. Retrieved from www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/
United States Department of Agriculture. (2010). Choose my Plate. Retrieved from www.choosemyplate.gov
Walsh, B. (2008, June 12). It’s Not Just Genetics. TIME. Retrieved from
http://www.time.com/time/
Holli B. Taylor
Eastern Michigan University
The Disparity Between Socioeconomic Status and Obesity
The purpose of this paper is to discuss one of the many health disparities that are common in the United States. Medlineplus defines a health disparity as health differences between groups (Medline, 2012), I will be discussing the correlation between ones socioeconomic status (SES) in relation to the prevalence of obesity. I will go into detail about the specific population being affected and how they are affected by obesity. I will discuss disease management including preventative measures and health promotion. I will discuss how the information used throughout this paper was obtained …show more content…
and the ethics behind the obesity disparity. The current legislative efforts to address the problem will be discussed as well as any community interventions that are in place. I will discuss the impact of the obesity epidemic upon the health care system and nurses specially. The paper will be concluded with the development of a pertinent and applicable research question.
Who is affected and why
Obesity is a problem of epidemic proportions seen all across the globe, it knows no boarders. Obesity does however; appear to thrive in communities of low SES or those below the national poverty line. According to the article in TIME magazine It’s not Just Genetics, 22.4% of 10-17 year olds living below the poverty line are obese compared to only 9% of children in that same age bracket but in an income bracket four times larger (Walsh, 2008). There are many reasons why individuals of lower SES may be at increased risk of obesity. In many poor communities the emphasis is on convenience foods and foods that have a longer shelf life. There is little access to fresh fruit and vegetables in communities of low SES. In many of these homes the caregivers of low SES children are poorly educated. This lack of education forces them to work at menial jobs, for long hours, earning only enough to get by on. Many parents after working such long hours turn to convenience foods which are highly refined, over laden with large quantities of fats, and calories while lacking in nutrient value. Individuals in these communities also may not be aware of how their food choices are hurting their health and leading to obesity. In the age of computers and electronics very few people need to expend much energy in order to obtain their meals. They also don’t expend much energy doing many other activities that in the days past were rigorous activities. This decline is physical activity has greatly impacted the obesity epidemic. The lack of activity is seen even more so in communities of low SES due to the limited number of safe places to play or partake in physical outdoor activities. The research article titled Socioeconomic status Disparities in Health in the United States: What the Patterns are Telling us takes an in depth look at the disparity and the causes. The research indicates that the issues discussed above are the primary cause of the obesity disparity seen within communities of low SES.
Obesity and how it’s managed.
Put simply obesity means having too much body fat. The diagnosis of obesity is made based upon one’s body mass index (BMI). Your BMI is determined based upon your height and your weight. If your BMI is above 30 you are obese. There are many health issues associated with obesity such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, osteoarthritis, hypertension and some cancers to name just a few. An individuals BMI is directly correlated with increased risk of co morbidities and complications associated with obesity.
Management of obesity starts with preventative care, education and intervention. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) establishes the guidelines and makes recommendations for the amounts of food and activity that an individual should consume. There are many public service announcements on the television informing the public about the latest and greatest recommendations, along with suggestions for implementation of the recommendations. There are also many state and local programs aimed at community education. Many of the public schools across the country have adopted healthier food selections beyond those recommended by the USDA. Most schools have physical education classes established starting in primary school and many school have reinvested in the physical education programs enhancing and expanding them. Primary care providers are addressing the issue with there patients from the first appointment starting from infancy through geriatric population giving them guidance as their dietary and activity needs evolve. School teaches provide additional education on healthy eating and activity starting in preschool and extending through high school. There are many local initiatives and policies being put in place to increase the availability of fresh produce and increase the activity of children in populations of low SES. Programs are being put into place to encourage active transportation such as bicycling, walking, and skating. Many schools have banned vending machines on campus as well as food vendors within a certain distance of school campuses.
Moving beyond education and prevention is intervention and treatment. Intervention revolves around diet modification and increased physical activity. Increasing the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables to communities that are predominantly of low SES is critical to improving the health status of this population. One of the most successful programs is the Food trust program in Philadelphia. This program is credited with reducing the incidence of overweight elementary students by 50% (Walsh, 2008). There are also pharmacological interventions, medications that can be administered to aid in appetite suppression and weight loss. In extreme situations there are surgical procedures that can be performed for weight loss.
Information and health care
The information obtained for this paper came from many sources. The primary sources are the TIME magazine article and a research article from the American Journal of Public Health. Secondary sources were from the USDA, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Medline web sites, and finally from many years of doing private research my own health benefit.
Ethics
People who are obese face many prejudices. They are viewed poorly. The common thought is that if they “just stopped eating so much they would not be so large”. However this is a misnomer, as I stated above obesity is a multifaceted problem. The ethical dilemmas present themselves when an obese person seeks medical attention. The health care professional must remember to be nonjudgmental. They must remember that they are to uphold the strongest sense of morals, values, justice and ethics. When advising obese patient about their medical care they must maintain their veracity and fully inform them about risk and benefits, while respecting their right to their autonomy.
National Health Care
Obesity affects every part of health care, in every state and in almost every country; with the greatest impact felt by the poorest communities in the United States and globally. The fiscal costs are exponential and range from education, to the cost of direct patient care and supplies. The obese patient requires special diagnostic tests, equipment, and supplies. Obese patients are at higher risk for post op complications and extended hospitalizations. The estimated cost associated with obesity in 2008, according the National Centers for Disease Control, was 147 billion dollars (CDC.gov, 2012).
The issue of obesity is extremely relevant to nurses. As nurses we are always teaching and educating our patients, and members of our community. Nurses are an integral part of community outreach programs in which they go into these low SES communities and educate them about the importance of proper diet and exercise. Nurses interact with school children in the public school systems, yet another opportunity for teaching. Nurses can take this problem and help create solutions through further research and legislative lobbying for policy changes. Nurses are also affected by the problem of obesity by way of direct inpatient care. Nurses must be aware of the special needs of this population of patients. Nurses must evaluate their needs appropriately and initiate care plans that address their specific needs.
Research Question
Does the availability of fresh produce affect the consumption pattern of children living under the national poverty level?
Conclusion
Obesity is a multifaceted health concern seen globally.
Obesity is not racist or biased; it will affect all individuals when given the opportunity. However obesity does seem to give preferential treatment to those of low SES. The predominate reasons for the increased prevalence in areas of low SES is lack of education, availability of healthy food choices, and cost and preparation time for healthy meals. There are many programs and policies that have been implemented to decrease to rate of obesity including legislative, state, and local policy and programs. The treatment for obesity is first and foremost prevention; if prevention has failed the next action is diet and activity modification as well as medical intervention. The problem of obesity confronts many actual and potential ethical dilemmas. As care providers we must ensure that we are caring for patients ethically and respectfully. The cost of obesity is wide stretch from the monetary cost of providing specialized care to the emotional impacts that obesity has on the individual. Obesity is a global problem but communities of low SES are the hardest hit. We must unite to battle this epidemic with an emphasis on aiding the low SES communities.
References
Braveman, P. (2012). Health inequalities by class and race in the US: What can we learn from the patterns?. Social Science & Medicine, 74(5), 665-667. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2011.12.009
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2012). Overweight and Obesity. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/
MedlinePlus. (2012). Health Disparities. Retrieved from www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/
United States Department of Agriculture. (2010). Choose my Plate. Retrieved from www.choosemyplate.gov
Walsh, B. (2008, June 12). It’s Not Just Genetics. TIME. Retrieved from
http://www.time.com/time/