According to (Wang et al. 2011, p.815), obesity is a major health concern in the world today. Over the last 30 years, its prevalence has been increasing (Dixon 2010, p.104). According to (Dixon 2010, p.104 cited in Kelly et al., 2008), approximately 300 million people around the globe have exceeded the body mass index (BMI) obesity threshold of 30kg/m. Obesity is affecting people across all age groups: children, adults and the elderly are increasingly being affected. (Ebbeling, Pawlak and Ludwig 2002, p.473) assert that “Overweight in childhood increased the risk of death from ischaemic heart disease in adulthood two-fold over 57 years.” Obesity is a health concern that is steadily becoming a leading cause of death and health issues. This essay
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Estimated 300,000 deaths are reported every year in the U.S.A because of overweight and obesity issues. A BMI range of more than 30 increases the likelihood of deaths among young adults (Dixon 2010, p.105 cited in Calle et al., 1999; Gu et al., 2006; Jee et al., 2006). The inability of the body to cope with the high amounts of fats in the body causes health concerns that have the possibility of leading to death. Another effect of obesity worth discussing is its ability to cause cancer. There is a relationship between an increasing BMI and the risk of developing cancer (Dixon 2010, p.106). This implies that people who are obese have higher chances of getting cancer compared to people who have healthy bodies. In light of the relationship between obesity and cancer, it was found out in 2003 in the U.S. that 14% of cancer deaths were in men and 20% in women (Dixon 2010, p.106). Thirdly, according to health experts, diabetes is also known to be associated with obesity. Hence, people with obesity run the risk of having diabetes. It is reported that half of the people with type-2 diabetes in the United States have obesity. Compared with people with a low body mass index, those with a body mass index of more than 30 are exposed to the risk of having diabetes (Dixon 2010 p.106). The alarming statistics is a clear indication that obesity increases the chances of having diabetes, which in turn leads to negative health
Estimated 300,000 deaths are reported every year in the U.S.A because of overweight and obesity issues. A BMI range of more than 30 increases the likelihood of deaths among young adults (Dixon 2010, p.105 cited in Calle et al., 1999; Gu et al., 2006; Jee et al., 2006). The inability of the body to cope with the high amounts of fats in the body causes health concerns that have the possibility of leading to death. Another effect of obesity worth discussing is its ability to cause cancer. There is a relationship between an increasing BMI and the risk of developing cancer (Dixon 2010, p.106). This implies that people who are obese have higher chances of getting cancer compared to people who have healthy bodies. In light of the relationship between obesity and cancer, it was found out in 2003 in the U.S. that 14% of cancer deaths were in men and 20% in women (Dixon 2010, p.106). Thirdly, according to health experts, diabetes is also known to be associated with obesity. Hence, people with obesity run the risk of having diabetes. It is reported that half of the people with type-2 diabetes in the United States have obesity. Compared with people with a low body mass index, those with a body mass index of more than 30 are exposed to the risk of having diabetes (Dixon 2010 p.106). The alarming statistics is a clear indication that obesity increases the chances of having diabetes, which in turn leads to negative health