OBESITY

Health and Social Policy (obesity)

Health and social policy (obesity)

Obesity

Obesity is commonly defined as being 20 percent over the midpoint of one's expected weight range (using the height weight charts) or above 30 on the Body Mass Index. Despite this social pressure to be thin, the increasing number of people suffering from obesity is increasing dramatically. For many families, having a child fat, plump, and full of creases is quite an achievement as it shows a sign that the child is strong and full of health. On the other hand, their perception is wrong as this well being of a child can become a basic factor of obesity. In 2004, 67% of men and 69% of women were overweight or obese. Current predictions indicate that 60% of the UK population will be classified as clinically obese by 2050 (Baak 2003, 209).

Despite the publication of guidance on obesity by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in 2006, (n2) the researchers found that GPs were hesitant to raise the issue of weight loss if they felt it would negatively impact on their relationship with patients. This has resulted in doctor's under-utilizing drug treatment or referral for bariatric surgery -- less than 40% of GPs view these options as effective.

The main responsibility lies in individuals. The individuals should exercise; consult with physicians, dieticians, nurses, doctors, physical therapists to control one's obesity. It is the individual's responsibility for one hand and then on the government. Physicians should be consulted on a regular basis. The people should make good and healthy dietary choices. Exercise should be done regularly. Fast food and child obesity are very much interrelated. Therefore, government should put a healthy check on the fast-food items and ingredients used. Government should ask the fast food and junk restaurants to keep health and check balance on their food items. This is for the better of the citizens in the long run.

Government responses

Obesity has become a major national and global public health challenge in recent years. The Health Survey for England 2009 (NHS Information Centre, 2010) reported that 31 per cent of girls and 28 per cent of boys aged two to 15 years were classified as either overweight or obese. Prior to the recent publication of the Coalition Government's Public Health White Paper, the prevailing strategy in England for tackling obesity has predominately focused on five areas: (Baak, 2003, , 209).

1) Promotion of ...