The Problem of Obesity
The Problem of Obesity
Western Governors University
Collegiate Level Reasoning and Problem Solving
James Reed
The Problem of Obesity Obesity is a major problem in American. Year after year, new diets are published, and new medications are hailed as wonder drugs that will take weight off with little physical effort, yet the problem still exists unabated. In testimony before the US Congress, Berzins (2001) asserted that, “[weight] is a complex result of heredity, culture and lifestyle.” According to Rosin (2004), “About one-third of the U.S. population is 20 percent or more overweight and is therefore at risk of suffering high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and other cardiovascular diseases.” Finding the best way to deal with obesity in America is also a problem. Since it is an open-ended problem, there is no certain solution. Some of the factors that impact the complexity of the problem of obesity are healthcare costs to treat obesity-related diseases, second-hand diseases which arise from obesity, such as diabetes and hypertension, and the fact that there has never been a successful treatment found for obesity. Biases and assumptions about the topic of obesity include believing or not believing genes play a role in this condition, the idea that it is all right to eat more calories, as long as one is on a low fat diet, and perhaps the most clichéd of all, that “Overweight persons are…unhealthy, unattractive, asexual, weak-willed, lazy and gluttonous” (Smith, 1996). In a certain way, we face persons and environments affected by obesity every day. Our whole American society, for example, places too much value on physical appearance. But the obese themselves may include those with sedentary lifestyles who do not get the physical activity they need and then rely on television for entertainment. They may be partial victims of a culture filled with “quick fix” remedies for being overweight or a portion of the population who are
Western Governors University
Collegiate Level Reasoning and Problem Solving
James Reed
The Problem of Obesity Obesity is a major problem in American. Year after year, new diets are published, and new medications are hailed as wonder drugs that will take weight off with little physical effort, yet the problem still exists unabated. In testimony before the US Congress, Berzins (2001) asserted that, “[weight] is a complex result of heredity, culture and lifestyle.” According to Rosin (2004), “About one-third of the U.S. population is 20 percent or more overweight and is therefore at risk of suffering high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and other cardiovascular diseases.” Finding the best way to deal with obesity in America is also a problem. Since it is an open-ended problem, there is no certain solution. Some of the factors that impact the complexity of the problem of obesity are healthcare costs to treat obesity-related diseases, second-hand diseases which arise from obesity, such as diabetes and hypertension, and the fact that there has never been a successful treatment found for obesity. Biases and assumptions about the topic of obesity include believing or not believing genes play a role in this condition, the idea that it is all right to eat more calories, as long as one is on a low fat diet, and perhaps the most clichéd of all, that “Overweight persons are…unhealthy, unattractive, asexual, weak-willed, lazy and gluttonous” (Smith, 1996). In a certain way, we face persons and environments affected by obesity every day. Our whole American society, for example, places too much value on physical appearance. But the obese themselves may include those with sedentary lifestyles who do not get the physical activity they need and then rely on television for entertainment. They may be partial victims of a culture filled with “quick fix” remedies for being overweight or a portion of the population who are
References: Berzins, L. (2001). The government can help prevent eating disorders. In. A. Ojeda. Opposing Viewpoints Series. Greenhaven Press. Retrieved on July 15, 2006 at http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/OVRC> Buchholz, T. (2005). Fast food is not the primary cause of obesity. In. A. Ojeda (Ed.) At Issue Series Opposing Viewpoints Series. Greenhaven Press. Retrieved on July 15, 2006 at http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/OVRC> Gaesser, G. ( 2004) The health risks of obesity have been exaggerated. In. A. Ojeda ( Ed.) Opposing Viewpoints Companion Series. Greenhaven Press. Retrieved on July 15, 2006 at http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/OVRC> Poston, C. & Shinn, E. (2003). The problem of obesity. In. A. Ojeda. Teen Decision Series Rosin, H. (2004). Junk-food taxes may encourage people to eat healthy foods. In. A. Ojeda (Ed.). Health: Opposing Viewpoints. Greenhaven Press. Retrieved on July 15, 2006 at http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/OVRC> Smith, S. (1996). Weight loss treatments are harmful and unnecessary. In. A. Ojeda (Ed.) Opposing Viewpoints Series