The Obesity Epidemic

Sonia A. Preston-Campbell

New York City College of Technology

Urban Nursing

Professor I. Pearlman

April 12, 2015

 

Introduction

It is difficult to grasp the fact that the obesity epidemic has become a public health crisis not only in the United States of America but across the globe. This obesity epidemic is now in a stage where the government has to make regulations and restrictions in many areas of our lives to help save our people. One would imagine that people would be able to control their body weight and eat healthy meals, but several predisposing risk factors that contribute to obesity may be too many to control. Some of these factors are the inability to purchase healthy foods due to lack of money, difficulty to access healthy foods in the community, easy access to unhealthy foods and at inexpensive prices, fast food stores are in close proximity to homes, schools, and jobs, unsafe sidewalks for walking and bike-riding, minimal or no access to natural spaces or parks for exercises, and inequalities in income. These are some of the factors that cannot be controlled by normal residents because the community was designed in that manner. Obesity affects everyone regardless of socioeconomic status, religion, gender, ethnicity, color, and age. Yet some groups, especially people residing in urban areas, and minority groups are more at risk than others. People need to be educated about the adverse effects of obesity and the long term health hazards that result. In this way they will be more mindful of the complications and try to take care of their families and themselves.

(Freudenberg, Libman, & O’Keefe, 2010, p. 755-770)

General Public

In general, many Americans have poor, unhealthy eating habits, consuming unnecessary calories. They do not participate in exercise activities, they also smoke and consume too much alcohol. These are some of the contributors to weight gain and obesity, which then results in several diseases which destroys the human systems. Some of these diseases are diabetes, diseases of the eyes, lungs, heart, liver, kidneys, and various types of cancers. All of these debilitating diseases then lead to psychosocial disorders which can cause victims to be bullied, and limits a normal social lifestyle for individuals, families, and society, creating rising healthcare costs.

Obesity in childhood

Obesity in children has been rising to high rates over the years. Obesity is linked to children engaging in minimal or no daily activities, the consumption of unhealthy foods, and parental genes. The body-mass-index, (BMI) is an important measurement in the determination of the child’s weight. The number of adolescents in the nation who are regarded as overweight is over nine million, these range from six to nineteen years of age. There is a 70 percent chance that children who are obese will continue this trend as adults. We are seeing that children are the major targets of viewing unhealthy foods and beverages containing excess sugars, fats, and salt in television commercials, and the idea that many fast food restaurants that cater to children place toys on the meal tray, encouraging them to return are some of the influencing factors that lead to these obese children. Obesity in children leads to multiple problems which affect their health and can result in death prior to becoming an adult. According to Healthy People 2010, obesity is at the top of the list of problems affecting their health which proves that obesity in children is on the rise. Incidentally, children are not responsible for the surroundings they reside in. The elected officials are responsible for providing side-walks, paths for bikes, playgrounds that are safe, and activities in the community for recreation. The schools should provide and prepare healthy choices in food items, remove unhealthy snack and soda machines from school grounds. Parents play an important role in teaching young children to consume healthy foods. Children should be taught at a young age to consume more vegetables, fruits, and water at snack time instead of fast foods and sodas.

(Kanekar & Karnik, 2012, p. 1-7)

The Government

What can the government do to encourage healthy lifestyle changes? Some people ask whether it is the government’s responsibility to help Americans choose their foods and beverages, and if that will minimize deaths from preventable diseases. Some government supporters agree that the best approach does not necessarily point to individuals, but a more effective plan is to provide environments that “make the healthy choice the easy choice.”

In order to prevent and eliminate the obesity epidemic, many strategies and policies need to be designed and enforced by our elected officials from all levels of government. Since the industries that are most influential in the children’s lives play a key role in contributing to obesity, they should be a part of the solution, namely, commercial, beverages, and foods. The United States government has made attempts to collaborate with food industries over the years on ways they can work together to produce and supply healthier foods to consumers. Food industries and restaurants should reduce the sugar, fat, and salt contents in foods, as these when consumed in excess contribute to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, some cancers, and premature deaths. Restaurants should prepare and serve smaller portion sizes, and add a variety of vegetables and fruits to meals. Labels containing the ingredients and quantity should be legible on all food items. According to the federal government, the elimination and treatment of obesity has been one of the priority issue on their agenda with several initiatives in the attempt to eliminate obesity as they try to regain the health of the nation.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has the opportunity to enforce the law that has been effective since 2011, requiring restaurants that have over 20 stores to identify the number of calories on each menu, drive-through, and boards. The Let’s Move Initiative is geared to redesign the communities that are not equipped with supermarkets, by building supermarkets to provide easy access and affordability of healthy foods.

Arvantes, J. 2010)

As the federal government targets obesity, one of the initiative appears in a twin form which focus on the elimination of obesity, and the nutrition in the schools where lunch and breakfast are served.

Owners of grocery stores will be rewarded a deduction in their taxes when they move into a food deprived neighborhood where there is no healthy foods, or no existence of supermarkets.

(Quillen & McNeil, 2010, p. 16-19)

The city government has made attempts to contribute to healthy lifestyle and reduce obesity and the diseases associated with it by designing bicycle lanes on the side of some streets, providing low cost bikes, opening school play-grounds during holidays and off-peak school hours. The My Plate Planner is basically an example of how a meal should be organized. A dinner plate measuring not more than nine inches should be used containing about a quarter inches of starch, a quarter inches of protein, preferably broiled, steamed, boiled, or bake, and a half of the plate containing a variety of vegetables and fruits.

(“nyc.gov” n.d.)

Vendors on the streets are reimbursed for selling healthy foods. Former Mayor Bloomberg attempted to discontinue the availability and sale of sodas with added sugar that are more than 16 ounces in various public places. The court did not grant the permission for such restrictions. The producers of sodas argued that people should have the right and freedom to choose to drink whatever they like. According to Dr. Gowda, of Columbia University, this was a good plan because he had the opportunity of taking care of patients who were obese and had developed obesity related diseases. He further argued that people are getting used to obesity just the way they get used to oversized drinks.

(Grynbaum, 2012).

State legislation proposed that if additional taxes are placed on foods that are needed, people will no doubt continue to purchase them, but if the food items are not of necessity people will refrain from purchasing them or purchase them in smaller amounts. Therefore, the state has placed an additional tax of ten percent on soft drinks that contain added sugar, with the hope that people will consume less of these beverages, and overtime this will eventually aid in weight reduction.

It is in the best interest of children across America for the agencies involved in recreation and parks to collaborate with schools in the attempts to help control the epidemic of obesity in order for our children to mature into healthier adults. This initiative will definitely help our children as they participate in simple everyday activities. One good area of this initiative is that children with disabilities can also participate with positive benefits as they ride their bikes or walk to and from school, accompanied by adults at specific times and along specific paths. This is referred to as the “walking school bus.” It is rewarding to see that some schools in Washington have started utilizing this initiative, and proving that it can work well, particularly at a time when transportation cuts are in sight.

(Bashir, 2011, p.45-46).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that in the year 2012, survey showed the slowest rate of the increase of obesity.   According to the recent report from the CDC, the country that has the most obese people around the globe is America. In 1997, there was 19.4% of the population with known obesity which increased to 28.9% in early 2012. Experts assume that it could be the initiatives of the federal government over the years which was focused on the consumption of fewer calories and creation of more activities allows many people to be taking heed. Mrs. Obama made it a priority for obesity to be eliminated. The administration of President Obama has made vast monetary contributions that will create and maintain programs to control the obesity rate, providing appropriate activities, and valuable nutrition, and for healthcare organizations to incorporate obesity-related prescriptions to the clients. There has been nationwide support for a healthier nation as we aim to wipe out obesity.

(Daly, 2013).

Healthcare Experts

Healthcare experts and researchers do not believe that using education solely as observed with catchy phrases in commercials nationally, is enough to help the general public to purchase less or no beverages containing added sugar in order to lose weight and lower the rate of obesity. These may enlighten people and make them more knowledgeable about the ill effects of consuming drinks with added sugar. They are convinced that adding taxes to sugary drinks will help people purchase less of these items if they realize that the drinks are taxed, then body weights will be reduced, people will be healthier, and less money will be spent on obesity related diseases. They are convinced that if this intervention is not applied to real-life situations, one cannot say it will not work. They believe that money saved from these taxes should be utilized for designing programs in the fight for prevention of obesity, assist in schools to provide and prepare healthier meals, design more natural spaces and parks so residents can have access to physical activities, and assist recipients utilizing stamps for food to purchase more affordable vegetables and fruits. According to Friedman, “a sugary drink tax may help” to reduce weight and prevent the escalating rate of obesity, and control rising healthcare costs associated with debilitating diseases caused by obesity. It is easier to prevent obesity than to cure its resulting diseases.

(Friedman, 2012)

Statistics

Obesity affects almost 93 million people in the nation. Obesity is the cause of death for about 112, 000 people every year. Statistics show that adults make up about 40 percent of the people who engage in sedentary lifestyle.

(“Obesity Action Coalition,” n.d.)

Obesity and overweight increases the risks for cancers of the esophagus, liver, pancreas, breasts, uterus, kidney, colon, and rectum, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory, and muscular disorders. Healthcare Utilization research showed that healthcare cost rises as body mass index (BMI) increases. The average expectancy of a male who is 20 years old with a BMI of 24 is over 70 years, compared with the same age male with a BMI of over 45, is only 52 years.

(“United States Department of Health and Human Services,” 2003)

Cypress Hills

My clinical placement is located in the Cypress Hills Community in Brooklyn. This is the Cypress Hills Child Care Corporation on Fulton Street, which began in 1996, intending to help with the necessity of child care in the community. This corporation consists of the Head Start Family Day Care Program. Services are rendered during the months of August to June, beginning at 8:00 a.m. and ending at 4:00 p.m. The children are taught at an early age the importance of healthy eating habits, not only from the books, but they are served a balanced meals including vegetables and fruits every day at breakfast and at lunch. Daily exercise in the gymnasium is encouraged where the children are supervised as they run and play, an outdoor park is available for children to appreciate nature and the fresh air, and family support is encouraged through parent teachers’ conferences and various family activities, including men’s night where men are encouraged to support their families. The Family Daycare Network helps families by encouraging and supporting them in providing day-care services in their homes to low-income families. The Day Care Center came into operation serving the community in the year 2000. Its purpose is geared to help stabilize the community and acknowledge and enhance the good qualities of the developing children and parents while supporting favorable educational goals. This corporation was designed by residents in the neighborhood who saw the need to make their community a better place to foster and support children and their families. The corporation has been effective in the prevention of childhood obesity and the diseases associated with it. Children are evaluated by annual health screening including more frequent heights and weights. This evaluation is documented and stored in a safe closet and an evaluation from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene agency personnel monitors these documents to see if the children are maintained within their normal developmental ranges.

(“Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation,” n.d.)

Conclusions

Obesity has been declared a disease because it leads to multiple diseases which affect the human systems, resulting in debilitating diseases, and depress the economy causing rising healthcare costs. In order to bring this epidemic under control, support is necessary from everyone. Family members, especially parents, educators, counsellors, restaurants, manufactures of foods, commercial experts, and government officials need to establish obtainable goals toward keeping obesity under control. The year 2012 had seen a reduction in obesity, which could be that people are trying to adhere to the initiatives that the government is proposing to eat fewer calories and be active. If children are taught at an early age that good health is obtainable when they choose and eat whole grains, vegetables, and fruits, and water as a beverage at every meal, then it is likely that will be a part of their lifestyle. We must keep the obesity epidemic under control in order to maintain a healthy nation for everyone. When this happens, children will be able to enjoy their childhood as they learn the importance of healthy eating, and grow up to be responsible, healthy adults free from preventable diseases.

 

References

Arvantes, J. (2010). Federal Government Takes Bigger Role in Combatting Obesity. Far-reaching Initiatives Aim to Halt National Epidemic.

Bashir, Z. (2011). Partnering with Schools to Prevent Childhood Obesity. Parks and Recreation, 46(2), 45-46.

Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.cypresshills.org/youth-family-services.html, on April 10, 2015.

Daly, R. (2013). Pace of Obesity Growth Slows. Modern Healthcare, 43(25). doi:01607480

Freudenberg, N., Libman, K., & O’Keefe, E. (2010). A Tale of Two ObesCities: The Role of Municipal Governance in Reducing Childhood Obesity in New York City and London. Journal of Urban Health, 87(5), 755-770.

Friedman, R. (2012). A Soda Tax? Will it Change Anything?

Grynbaum, M. (2012). Health Panel Approves Restrictions on Large Sugary Drinks.

Kanekar, A. & Karnik, S. (2012). Childhood Obesity: A Global Public Health Crisis. International Journal of Preventative Medicine, 3(1), 1-7.

McNeil, M. & Quillen, I. (2010). Twin Federal Initiatives Target Child Nutrition, Fitness. Associated Press. Education Week, 29(22), 16-19.

NYC.gov. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/csi/obesity-plate-planner, on April 08, 2015.

Obesity Action Coalition. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.obesityaction.org/educational-resources/obesity-statistics, on April 09, 2015.

Obesity Action Coalition. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.obesityaction.org/educational-resources/resourses-article on April 09, 2015.

United States Department of Health and Human Services. (2003). Retrieved from http://www.Aspehhs.gov/health/prevention, on April 09, 2015.