Health Policy Analysis

Problem Statement:3

Background3

Prevalence of Obesity in United States3

Obesity an Epidemic7

The cost of weight7

Obesity Stigma8

Landscape Identification:8

Individual Factors8

Social Factors9

Economic Factors9

Technology Factors10

Alternatives Section10

Government Projects and Environmental Supports10

Communities and Worksites11

Educational Systems11

Industry and Media11

Health Awareness11

Table of Alternatives11

Recommendations12

Implementation Strategy12

Implementation Planning12

Environmental Supports12

Community-level Resources13

Conclusion13

References14

Health Policy Analysis

Problem Statement:

Obesity issue is growing so rapidly that it has converted to epidemic. 19 out of 34 OECD countries have a majority of obsess or overweight population. OECD predicts that by the end of 2020 two out of three individuals will be obese or overweight in OECD states. Observationally and experimentally, obesity has underlying personal, political, social, economic, practical, and legal factors involved.

Background

Prevalence of Obesity in United States

Obesity in Adults

In 2009-2010, 35.7% of U.S adult population was overweight.Categorically, in 2009-2010 35% of the adult population was obese. No significant difference in the prevalence of obesity was seen among men and women belonging to any age group. Young adults were less likely to become overweight than adults of age 60 or above. Regarding age there was no considerable difference in obesity rate. Whereas, 31.9% of women aged from 20-39 were less obese than those of 60 years or older who were 42.3% (Figure 1).

Obesity in Children and Adolescents

In 2009-2010, 16.9% of U.S children and adolescents population was overweight.

The prevalence of obesity was lower in pre-school-aged children than adolescents (Figure 2). In this age group boys were more obese than girls. 15.0% of girls were overweight whereas, 18.6% were obese boys.

Obesity in U.S Population

In 2009-2010, more than 78 million of U.S. adults and near 12.5 million U.S. children and youngsters were overweight.In 2009-2010, about 41 million of women were obese. The obesity ratio in men was 37 million aging form 20 to more. (Figure 3)From age 2-19, above 5 million were overweight children and adolescent girls and boys were 7 million.

Increase In obesity between 1999-2000 and 2009-2010

From 1999-2000 to 2009-2010, the occurrence of obesity amplified not in women but in men. 27% of men were obsessed according to the study of 1999-2000. This prevalence of obesity among men amplified to 35.5% whereas, women showed no significant difference from 1999-2000 (33.4%), to 2009-2010 (35.8%). It was noticed that the in 1999-2000 obesity was more common in women than in men. Between 1999-2000 and 2009-2010, the ratio of obesity in men was in equilibrium to that of women (figure 4). Data reveals that among men and women there is no noticeable change in the prevalence of obesity from 2007-2008 to 2009-2010.

Prevalence of Obesity among boys and girls

Between 1999-2000 and 2009-2010, obesity amplified among boys but not among girls.The increase was 18.6% in 2009-2010 which was 14.0% in 1999-2000. Whereas, obesity ratio remained same among girls, it reached 15.0% in 2009-2010 which was 13.8% in 1999-2000 (figure 5). Among girls no significant change was observed from 2007-2008 to 2009-2010 (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2009-2010).

Obesity an Epidemic

The U.S. is presently in the holds of a mature obesity plague. It has drastically adverse effects on health. Individuals with a form mass file (BMI) of >30 have a diminished ...