OBESITY

Obesity

Obesity

Introduction

Obesity is a chronic disease of multifactorial origin that gets characterized by excessive accumulation of fat or hypertrophy. Overall adipose tissue in the body, that is when the natural energy reserve of humans and other mammals, stored as body fat increases to a point where it gets associated with numerous complications such as certain health conditions or diseases and increased mortality. The main theme of this paper is to discuss the problems and issues related to obesity.

Thesis Statement:

Obesity and its impact on human lifestyle are a concerning social problem that needs to be addressed at all forums.

Discussion

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines obesity as BMI or body mass index (calculated from height and weight of the individual) is equal to or greater than 30 kg/m². Also, considered a sign of obesity an increased waist circumference in men greater than or equal to 102 cm and in women greater than or equal to 88 cm (World Health Organization, 2009).

Overweight and obesity have become leading challenges for public health. Recent data show that 61% of adults in the Unites States are overweight (have a body mass index > 25, see the following definition), and 34% are obese (body mass index > 30, according to the Office of the Surgeon General, 2009). Canada and the United Kingdom show lower levels of obesity (about a quarter of adults are obese), but the long-term trend is similar and visible not only in developed but also developing countries: A growing number of children, youngsters, and adults are overweight. As a result, of that trend, public communication on this issue has increased in the preceding years. Policymakers have coined the term obesity epidemic to label the associated challenge in a simple, illustrative, but at the same time also somewhat misleading way.

This entry starts with an elaborated and precise definition of the key terms overweight and obesity. Medical and economic aspects of the problem get described, and social constructivism and framing presented as promising theoretical perspectives for a critical analysis of the obesity epidemic from a communication science perspective. Obesity can be counteracted by policies focusing on the individual level or the societal level. Opportunities and challenges for communication about obesity suggested in the concluding paragraph.

Medical Aspects of Overweight:

Overweight and obesity caused by an imbalance of energy intake (nutrition) and energy expenditure (physical activity). If the energy intake exceeds the energy expenditure, the body saves this energy in the form of fat, associated with a weight increase. If the energy intake is lower than the energy expenditure, the body takes the lacking energy from the fat, resulting in a weight loss. This physiological mechanism has been instrumental for survival in pre-modern societies with a very irregular supply of food and long periods of hunger. However, the same process promotes overweight and obesity in modern societies with a lack of physical activity and an oversupply of food.

The health impact of overweight and obesity are high and include heart disease, certain types of cancer, type 2 diabetes, stroke, arthritis, breathing problems, ...