Obesity: A Solution To The Obese Problem

With over 2/3 of the American population classified as obese, and one in ten adults over 20 classified as extremely obese (BMI of 40+), obesity is not limited to one specific group (Filer, 2015). Rather, the effects of obesity can be seen through-out all ages, all ethnicities, and all economic classes. Obesity on its own is debilitating, but it is the host of other diseases that it entails that causes additional health problems. The need to eat is necessary to survive, however America’s constant access to fatty foods, lazy mentality, and lack of willing to take responsibility for personal actions has created an environment that caters to fat people, rather than aiming to save them. Health care professionals are struggling to cope to not only …show more content…
Obesity has been linked to increased rates of diabetes, high blood pressure, risk of certain cancers, COPD, heart disease, stroke, and numerous other chronic diseases (Warren, 2006). Those affected by obesity often suffer from multiple side diseases, such as those listen above, creating a cycle which only progresses the initial disease. Each of these conditions entails its own list of symptoms, mortality and morbidity rates, and unique treatment options. Many studies have shown that preventative action against obesity, such as physical activity and monitored diets, could also show a significant decrease in the incidence rate in not only obesity but also the majority of these related …show more content…
More research is needed but recent studies have shown the genetic makeup of an individual may make the person more susceptible to weight gain or have an addictive personality. If the latter is the case, the person may succumb to a food addiction. This may be the hardest addiction to overcome, as not only is food always available but it is necessary for survival. Some people may use food as a coping mechanism to overcome a dramatic event, such as bullying, death of loved one, sexual assault, etc. While genetics and physiological factors may play a role in weight gain, the environment in which a young child grows up may be the most significant contributing factor in the development of adult obesity. Children who are raised in low socioeconomic households or by larger parents often adopt the habits of those around them. Therefore, if the parents lack healthy dietary and exercise habits, it is not uncommon for children within these households to become obese much like their adult role models. However, the opposite also holds true; if the parents practice healthy habits, the children will adopt this behavior and most likely not develop adult onset