Obesity

Introduction

The purpose of this study is to expand the boundaries of our knowledge by exploring some relevant facts and figures relating to the problem of obesity in American society. Overweight and obesity have become key 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, pp. 1-8). 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 last 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 (Saguy, pp. 53-63). In this paper, we will verify that medical, economic and social aspects are the primary determinants that cause obesity in America.

Discussion & Analysis

Obesity is commonly defined as severely overweight. This verbal definition is complemented by a quantitative specification of the boundaries between underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity.

Overweight and obesity are 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, and psychological disorders, such as depression (Pidgeon, pp. 45-67).

Overweight and obesity have also considerable economic consequences: 9.1% of the total U.S. medical expenditures in 1998 are attributed to overweight and obesity. This number includes only the direct medical costs (such as preventive, diagnostic, and treatment services related to obesity) ...