Obesity has become a problem that society has overlooked for too long. There is a difference in being a little overweight and becoming obese and the latter which is a disease. People no longer believe that obesity is a national issue. “15 percent of children between the ages six and 19 are overweight.”(Stanford Health Care #). Fifteen percent is a concerning number of children when it comes to such a chronic disease. “Currently about 17 percent of U.S. children are overweight and many more are at-risk of becoming overweight.”(Finkelstein and Zuckerman #). Statistically, children are becoming increasingly overweight. Obesity is becoming a broad issue in the United States of America. This national issue has become more pressing for a few reasons. Causes of Obesity vary immensely. “There are many interrelated factors such as genetics, lifestyle, and how your body uses energy.” (Stanford Health Care #). A factor of obesity is genetics; obesity can be caused by a low metabolism, which can run in a person’s genes and cause obesity. Obesity is hereditary. …show more content…
There are advertisements on every television show and billboards warning American’s of the dangerous effects of tobacco; but where are the advertisements about the negative of becoming overweight? There should be more propaganda about obesity than there already is. “People who are overweight or obese have a much greater risk of developing serious conditions including: heart disease, type two diabetes, and bone and joint diseases.” (Stanford Health Care). Being obese makes a person in a more likely to develop chronic diseases. Heart disease and strokes usually go hand and hand when it comes to these diseases. Heart disease can cause chest pain, heart attacks, and even heart failure. Another disease caused by obesity is type-two diabetes: a disease that is irreversible and requires lifelong self-monitoring. It can increase thirst and hunger and cause blurred vision. Bone and joint disease is also an effect of obesity. Bone and joint disease can cause joint pain and reduced the body’s ability to move freely. Obesity caused diseases can even be life threatening. “Through the centuries obesity has become culture, medical opinion both as a highly unhealthy condition…” (Stern and Kazak #). Many people believe obesity just another problem happening in society that will solve itself. This is not true, however, obesity