Obesity and Chronic Diseases

Abstract

This paper has explained the concept of obesity, its high prevalence in the society and assessed how this obesity causes the occurrence of chronic diseases. The research has also described how obesity and chronic health diseases can be controlled in Springdale community.

Obesity and Chronic Diseases

Introduction

As the world health organization (WHO) describes, chronic diseases are those diseases that occur for a long duration and progresses slowly. The chronic diseases affects the body slowly and can cause the damage over a prolong period of time, if not managed appropriately. Most commonly occurring chronic diseases are heart diseases, kidney problems, diabetes, stroke and cancer. These diseases have caused more than 63% deaths in the United States alone (WHO, 2011). Obesity is one of the principal causes of many underlying chronic diseases. In this research paper, obesity and its affects on chronic health conditions have been discussed.

Discussion

The term chronic disease refers to the condition in which there is a long, recurrent and persistent disease. This disease can cause future complications and lead to lifelong disabilities. These chronic diseases are also exceptionally expensive for the government to manage. As a report by centers for disease control and prevention states, more than 70 % of the total health care expenditure of the nation is spent on the treatment and management of chronic diseases (University of Michigan (2011).

There is a common misconception amongst the individuals that chronic diseases are acquired as they grow old. However, in reality, it is not essential that every older individual will exhibit presence of chronic diseases. There are many diseases that are responsible for the occurrence of secondary chronic conditions.

Obesity; an Alarming Problem in Springdale

Obesity refers to the condition in which there is an over disposition of body fats, and a body mass index that is more than the assigned limit (WHO). This excessive accumulation can be dangerous, subjecting the individuals towards chronic health care conditions like heart diseases, diabetes mellitus, stroke, degeneration of cartilage and bones, complications in fertility, and vice versa (WHO, 2013). In Springdale, obesity is a dominantly prevalent issue, which is common in children as well as adults. This has lead to an increase in chronic health care problems amongst the individuals, affecting the quality of their life (Institute of Medicine, 2012).

The chronic diseases are not only responsible for affecting the individual's life, but they also affect the government's health care system by an abnormal increase in the health care costs. The management of chronic diseases requires costly treatment agents, time and care of the professionals. Disability and mortality are to significant outcomes of chronic diseases. As an estimated, out of every ten deaths, seven are due to chronic diseases while those that become disabled, and cost the health care system a great amount of money.

Springdale Community Coalition

In order to secure Springdale from future health care financial crisis, increased mortality and disability management, it is necessary that there should be a coalition formed. The major aim of this union is to provide ...