OBESITY IN AMERICA

Obesity in America

Table of Content

Introduction3

Context of the Problem3

Statement of the Problem4

Main Research Question4

Significance of the Study4

Research Methodology5

Literature Review6

America's Fast Food Industry9

America's Obesity Problem11

Diet Therapy15

Physical Activity17

Behavioral Modification18

Combined Therapy18

Prevention19

Results/Discussion19

Conclusion23

References26

Obesity in America

Introduction

Obesity develops into "morbid"(Birch, 1999, 1264) state when it reaches the point of considerably growing the risk of one or more obesity-related health conditions or severe diseases that result either in major physical disability or even death. Morbid obesity is normally described as being 100 lbs. or more over ideal body weight or having a Body Mass Index of 40 or higher. The National Institutes of Health Consensus Report states that morbid obesity is a serious disease and must be treated as such. It is a chronic disease, meaning that its symptoms build gradually over a long period of time. (Caterson, 1997, 11)

Obesity threatens to become the leading health problem of the 21st century unless actions are taken to prevent this chronic disease. The prevalence of overweight/obesity among U.S. adults has reached epidemic proportions. An estimated 97 million adults, or about 55% of the population, is overweight or obese, according to new standards set by the U.S. government . Overweight is defined as a body mass index (BMI) (weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters) of 25 to 29.9; obesity as a BMI of 30 to 39.9; and extreme obesity as a BMI of 40 or more .

The problem of overweight/obesity pervades genders and all ages, races, and ethnic groups . Overweight/obesity is particularly high among some minority groups, as well as people with low incomes and less education. An epidemic of obesity is also occurring among U.S. children and adolescents. As many as 11 to 25%of U.S. children and adolescents are overweight or are at risk of becoming overweight . Considering that childhood obesity, particularly during adolescence, likely continues into adulthood, the future prevalence of adult obesity can be expected to be even greater if childhood obesity is not prevented . Obesity is not just a national epidemic, but a worldwide crisis . (Dietz, 1998, 518)

In addition to its high prevalence in the U.S., overweight/obesity has risen dramatically in recent decades. Among children and adolescents, the prevalence of obesity has more than doubled during the past two decades. A similar trend is described for adults. The World Health Organization describes obesity as an ''escalating epidemic'' and ''one of the greatest neglected public health problems of our time'' . The public health challenge of reducing the prevalence of obesity in the U.S. has been acknowledged by several government agencies, as well as health professional organizations. Despite progress in our understanding of overweight/obesity, weight control remains a formidable challenge. (Dietz, 1998, 518)

Literature Review

Obesity develops when energy intake exceeds energy expenditure. Despite this seemingly simplistic statement, much remains to be learned about the basic causes of obesity . The etiology of obesity is multifactor. Genetic, molecular, cellular, metabolic, physiologic, cultural, behavioral, and social factors are all believed to play an interactive role in the development of ...