America is facing an epidemic of obesity and overweight individuals, with more and more children and adults weighing more and suffering health problems as a result. In 2004, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention called obesity the number one health risk in America. Though there are a myriad of causes, choices around food and eating are part of the increase in obesity and health problems.
Significance
Americans are becoming more obese. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, approximately 72.5 million individuals in the United States are obese. The Trust for America's Health website states that in 2010, obesity rates rose in 28 states, more than two-thirds of the United States have obesity rates above 25 percent, and the only area in which obesity rates declined was Washington, D.C.
Features
Obesity is typically described as an excess of body fat in relation to lean body mass. Weight-wise, obese individuals are at least 30 percent heavier than the suggested healthy weight for a given height. In terms of body mass index, or BMI, a BMI of 30 or above defines an individual as obese.
Causes of Obesity
There are a variety of reasons an individual may be obese; and nationwide, certain factors increase the risk of becoming obese. Environment is a possible cause of obesity, says the CDC. A community may not have sidewalks or green spaces for walking and physical activity, so individuals stay inside and lead a more sedentary lifestyle. Genetics can also play a role in obesity, with some gene variations predisposing an individual who carries the gene to become overweight or obese, especially if other factors are also present. Lifestyle and cultural factors also play a role in obesity. According to the Weight-control Information Network, obesity has been linked to the increasing availability and consumption of fast food, the consumption of traditional foods that are high in fat, sodium or calories, and poverty and lower socioeconomic status.
Food Considerations
With obesity rates rising in America, much attention has been given to the foods being consumed, portion sizes and diets. Portion sizes have been doubling and tripling throughout the years, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. When larger portions are set in front of individuals, more calories are consumed, helping to contribute to the obesity epidemic. This trend toward "super-sized" portions combined with cheaper prices for less nutritious, packaged products compared to healthier produce and organic, low-fat foods, plus busy lifestyles that lend themselves to grabbing fast food on the go, are all reasons obesity has become a problem in America.
Considerations
Obesity is linked to a host of diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and stroke. Thus the increase in obese and overweight individuals can translate into expensive health-care problems for America. Encouraging healthy eating habits, increasing physical activity and monitoring portion sizes can help reduce the risk of becoming obese.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report: State-Specific Obesity Prevalence among Adults
- Trust for America's Health: F as in Fat: How obesity threatens America's future 2010
- Obesity in America: Understanding Obesity
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Obesity and Overweight: Causes
- Weight-control Information Network: Understanding Adult Obesity
- National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute: Larger Portion Sizes Contribute to US Obesity Problem
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