Obesity+-+group+one

Youfa Wang and May A. Beydoun The Obesity Epidemic in the United States—Gender, Age, Socioeconomic, Racial/Ethnic, and Geographic Characteristics: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression Analysis

Obesity is on the rise! Through multiple researches, with obesity on gender, age, socioeconomic status, racial/ethnic groups, and geographic regions, national studies show that obesity is a constant growth in America ever since the 1970’s (Page 1).According to World Health Organization, obesity is a disease to which a person has to much body fat that it affects the person heath in a negative way. Through a simple set of math calculations any one can determine if he or she is overweight or obese. This process is called Body Mass Index (B.M.I.) Another way to determine obesity is by measuring the waist circumference which is tested to be more sufficient than the BMI (Page 2).

Racial/ethnic obesity differs between each group. Asian Americans obesity is much lower than national average. Only one fifth of the Asian American men are part of the prevalence of obesity. Asian American women are only one percent to four percent of the total fifteen percent in America (Page 4). “In 1999–2002, the combined prevalence and the prevalence of obesity among non-Hispanic Black women were 20 percentage points higher than among white women (77.2 percent vs. 57.2 percent, and 49.0 percent vs.30.7 percent, respectively). Among non-Hispanic Black women aged 40 years or older, more than 80 percent were overweight or obese, and more than 50 percent were obese. In 1999–2002, the prevalence of extreme obesity among African-American women was more than twice that among White and Mexican-American women (13.5 percent vs. 5.5percent and 5.7 percent) (Page 4).” Men’s average was much lower than the women. A higher BMI was collected from a group of children over 17 years determined that Blacks had a higher rate than whites. “Among overweight children, 65 percent of White girls versus 84 percent of Black girls became obese adults; among boys, the corresponding figures were 71 percent versus 82 percent (Page 15).”

Education and social status has a lot to do with obesity. The lower income and the lower education a person has the more likely it is for them to be obese. “The prevalence of obesity were 27.4 percent, 23.2 percent, 21.0 percent, and15.7 percent for persons with less than a high school education, a high school degree, some college, and college or above, respectively (44) (Page 6).” It is hard for lower income people to take part on sports or physical activities and be involved in good exercise (Page 19).

To determine obesity in geographic regions most of the study is done by a random sample of phone surveys. Each health department in each state has them call randomly to residence and take surveys about their weight (Page 2). Through a research group called NHANES they managed a linear chart from recent collected data on obesity and they determined that… “In 2003–2004, among men and women aged 20 years or older, approximately two thirds (66.3 percent) were overweight or obese, 32.42 percent were obese, and 4.8 percent were extremely obese (Page 3).” Through trends, the average BMI went up but three entities, 24.4 to 27.6 kg/m2 in men and from 25.3 to 28.2 kg/m2 in women (Page 3). The southeastern part of the United States has the highest prevalence of obesity in the United States (Page 7).

Age and gender plays a huge role in the differences of obesity. Men tend to have a lower rate of increase in obesity but females are higher than males. According to NHANES kids ages 2-5 had an increase from 7.2 to 10.3 percent obesity ages 6-11 increased by triple the amount from 6.5 to 15.8 percent. Aged 12-19 obesity prevailed from5.0 percent to 16.1 percent (Page 10).

The food in America is a low priced unhealthy intake like soda drink, snack foods, and fast-food restaurants, not to mention, the proportions of food has increased to larger sizes. It is easier for people to remain healthier if they shop at supermarkets rather than independent groceries stores because supermarkets supply for healthy food choices. It is hard, however, for those who cannot afford to buy expensive healthy food just like it is hard for those who have a lower income to be involved in sports. “The Add Health study shows that lower-SES and minority population groups have less access to physical activity facilities, which in turn is associated with decreased physical activity and increased overweight (Page 19).”

America needs to stop this epidemic now because it is increasing. Researchers need to take into count the difference among ages, gender, racial/ethnic groups, and social status in order to fix the problem because each group is different and has different eating habits, activity participation, and body weight (Page 19). 

Eric A. Finkelstein; Ruhm, Christopher J.; Kosa, Katherine M. 2005. Economic Causes and Consequences of Obesity. //Annual Review of Public Health. 26. 239-57 //  **Authors’ Main Question: **  This study researched how obesity rates, specifically in the United States, have grown at an alarming rate, the negative impacts, and the reasons for the increase. It does not only affect the health of our country, but every aspect of it. Until recently, obesity was almost unheard of as many more people were suffering from the lack of food rather than too much of it. However, now obesity is the second leading cause of death at 400,000 causalities every year (Finkelstein et. al 2005; 240). The authors question why the increase has occurred, and in doing so, they examine common-sense views, whether or not they hold up, and the problems our country is having as a result of this epidemic. **Findings: **  Surprisingly, what has been about the same since the 1970s is the amount of physical energy people use (Finkelstein et. al 2005; 242); thus, this rules out a cause stemming from how jobs have changed from manual labor to being less strenuous. The number of calories have frequently increased since that same decade (Finkelstein et. al 2005; 242), often due to snacking (Finkelstein et. al 2005; 243). Moreover, the prices of healthy foods (such as fruits and vegetables) are much higher than prepackaged, easy-to-fix meals, which are also mass-produced and calorie-dense (Finkelstein et. al 2005; 245). Additionally, there is “the trend toward large portion sizes, perhaps due to falling food prices, [that] only serves to exacerbate this problem” (Finkelstein et. al 2005; 252) of obesity. Also found was a lack of self-control in obese individuals. Technology has not directly affected the increase of obesity; however, because of the snacking that occurs while on the computer, playing video games, and watching shows, technology has been pointed at as being “primarily responsible” (Finkelstein et al 2005; 249). Both doctor visits and an increase in medical care costs have gone up since obesity grew more widespread. Those who are classified as obese visit the doctor for reasons pertaining to their weight 38% more often than people of healthy weights (Finkelstein et. al 2005; 247). Also, 5% of health insurance paid by companies is for obese problems (Finkelstein et. al 2005; 247). While researching lifetime medical costs, it was found that “4.3% of lifetime costs are attributable to obesity, compared with an annual estimate between 5.6% and 7.0%” (Finkelstein et. al 2005; 248). **Summary: **  There has been a rapid increase in obesity rates in the last several decades. All in all, the reason appears to be that people consume more calories: Food is attainable, cheap, easy to fix, and often calorie-dense than in the past. With more opportunities to eat, such as while using the technology that has developed along with the rise of obesity, people are losing their ability to use self-control while eating more snacks than ever before. Obesity can be a problem for a country. People who are obese have more health problems than people with healthy weights. This leads to an increase of doctor visits and a rise in the cost of healthcare, which affects individuals and companies alike. People are likely to be unable to help themselves; as a result, the researchers suggest that “interventions will need to be multifaceted to have the best chance of success” (Finkelstein et. al 2005; 253). In performing our own research, we should find a way to distribute healthy foods more fairly. This can be done by finding ways to cheapen the prices of fruits, vegetables, and other foods with nutritious values. If obesity rates are brought down, health care costs will become lower as well, which would allow for the poor to be able to afford healthcare. All together, the health and wealth of the entire nation would increase and prosper. 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “At a Glance” for February 2009 Obesity: Halting the Epidemic by Making Health Easier  This article is about the obesity epidemic coursing through the United States. The obesity rates have doubled in adults and tripled in children. More than one third of the adults in the United States are obese, as well as 16% of children. There are numerous health consequences that can occur from obesity. These include but are not limited to: coronary heart disease, type-2 diabetes (which now occurs in children), and cancer (Page 1). To help diminish obesity and conditions related to this occurrence, Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (DNPAO) has created multiple state-wide programs. There are 23 states funded by CDC’s DNPAO to address the calamity of obesity. There are many important tasks of these new-founded programs in the states that include urging people to increase their physical activity, eat healthier, and decrease their television viewing hours. Fortunately, CDC supplies the training and technical assistance to the states (Page 2). Not only does CDC do many things to help people that are already obese, they also conduct and support research to help prevent obesity (Page 2). They are completing evidence based reviews of obesity interventions in three settings – medicare, work sites, and communities. And once the reviews are finished, CDC works hard to have translations of the evidence available for practitioners, communities, and the public. CDC also has created many new partnerships to help stop this obesity epidemic (Page 3). 

Khan, Laura K., Kathleen Sobush, Dana Keener, Kenneth Goodman, Amy Lowry, Jakub Kakietek, and Susan Zaro. "Recommended Community Strategies and Measurements to Prevent Obesity in the United States." //<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report //<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> RR-7 58 (2009): 1-32. Web.

The article recommends different strategies to aid in the prevention of obesity on the community level, specifically in the United States. It exposes the rising obesity epidemic by stating statistics that can no longer be ignored, “approximately two thirds of U.S. adults and one fifth of U.S. children are obese or overweight. During 1980–2004, obesity prevalence among U.S. adults doubled, and recent data indicate an estimated 33% of U.S. adults are overweight, 34% are obese, including nearly 6% who are extremely obese. The prevalence of being overweight among children and adolescents increased substantially during 1999–2004, and approximately 17% of U.S. children and adolescents are overweight” (1). The article continues to inform the reader on the many health risks involved. “Being either obese or overweight increases the risk for many chronic diseases [for example,] heart disease, type [two] diabetes, certain cancers, and stroke” (1). The article then specifies the problem, “although diet and exercise are key determinants of weight, environmental factors beyond the control of individuals (including lack of access to full-service grocery stores, high costs of healthy foods, and lack of access to safe places to play and exercise) contribute to increased obesity rates by reducing the likelihood of healthy eating and active living behaviors” (1-2). This statement emphasizes the social conflict perspective and appropriately states the factors that can only be improved at the community and local level.

The most compelling and pertinent strategies involve the promotion of healthy food and beverage choices, and making widely available healthy food options that are affordable for the lower class and those in poverty stricken areas. This includes lowering the prices of healthier foods and beverages, “and providing discount coupons, vouchers redeemable for healthier foods, and bonuses tied to the purchase of healthier foods. Pricing strategies create incentives for purchasing and consuming healthier foods and beverages by lowering the prices of such items relative to less healthy foods” (7). Pricing strategies can be used in schools. For instance, “decreasing the prices of healthier foods sold in vending machines and in cafeterias and increasing the price of less healthy foods and beverages at concession stands” (7). Research has also stated that more than half of the television advertisements that children watch are food related; making a push to limit the number of said advertisements in government facilities and schools; with the hopes that other communities will follow suit, so that the kids are no longer bombarded with unhealthy fast food commercials. Backed up by constant research, other strategies work to encourage and mandate physical activity among children and youth, as well as the push for developing safe places to play and exercise. They propose several changes in sidewalks, bike lanes, as well as a “half-mile network distance of at least one outdoor public recreational facility [from a residential community]” (17). The article calls for the state government to create polices that will work to prevent obesity in children and decrease the current statistics. School districts could collaborate with The Center for Disease Control to increase the amount of physical activity among the students in the public school system. Changes such as requiring that Physical Education be a part of the school curriculum as well as a requirement of, “a minimum of 150 minutes per week of PE in public elementary schools and a minimum of 225 minutes per week of PE in public middle schools and high schools throughout the school year as recommended by the National Association of Sports and Physical Education in 2006” (14). A strategy to encourage breastfeeding is one of the most intriguing, as noted evidence states that “Breastfeeding has been linked to decreased risk of pediatric overweight in multiple epidemiologic studies” (13). Encouraging breastfeeding could be as simple as designating private places specifically for women to breastfeed their infants.

American's current societal views on instances such as the appropriateness of breastfeeding in public, if changed, could increase the number of women who choose to breastfeed their babies. This change could then lend to a decrease in current obesity rates. One can clearly see who suffers in the current system as far as obesity rates in the lower classes as well as their limited accessibility to healthy foods. Communities can work to lower obesity rates by making changes so that those who currently cannot benefit will soon be able to. The structure of our society could aid rather than hurt obesity statistics if communities work toward the prevention of obesity and the recovery of healthy lifestyles.