Obesity in America

Obesity in America

 Obesity in America is a serious health issue that is affecting many children and adults. Recent findings indicate that obesity in the United States is increasing, and if things continue this way, more than half of the country will be obese by 2030 (Newman). Most adults are gaining weight at an alarming weight. The average adult weighs 15 pounds more than an average adult 20 years. To understand the problem, it is essential to explore the recent statistics on obesity in America and the contributing factors.

In 2015 and 2016, the rate of obesity was estimated at 39.8 percent affecting approximately 93.3 million adults in America. Today, the rates of obesity are higher, with about 40 percent adults and 20 percent of children being classified as obese. Newman argues that there are disparities in obesity rates among various ethnic groups. African Americans, Hispanics, and Mexican Americans have the highest rates of obesity than Caucasians. Also, Skinner et al. (1118) claim that obesity among children and adolescents is on the rise. More children and teens are becoming obese at an earlier age than it was 20 years ago. Approximately one in six children and teens aged between 2 and 19 are obese, while one in three are considered overweight. This indicates that in America, obesity is affecting both children, adolescents, and adults.

One of the contributing factors for obesity in America is food and diet. Rhodes, Eliana, and Joseph (1390) state that the average American consumes 20% more calories than it was in the 1980s. Larger portions especially meat consumption, has increased drastically over the years. There is also an increase in consumption of dairy products that are attributed with high-fat content (Rhodes et al. 1388). Also, there is a rise in fast foods, including processed foods, which are directly related to an increase in body mass index (Newman). Studies show that fast foods make about 11 percent of the diet consumed by Americans (Newman). When sugars and processed products are added to the diet, American waistlines get bigger. Rhodes et al. (1389) also claim that messages in the media end up confusing “diet” for “nutrition,” and this sends mixed messages to consumers. For example, fast foods are advertised as nutritious and delicious, which is mostly not the case. Weight loss programs are also highly publicized and promoted such that people consume more, knowing they will lose weight fast.

Another major factor contributing to obesity is a sedentary lifestyle. Skinner et al. (1120) assert that the majority of Americans do not engage in physical activities. For example, most people spend most of their time sitting at work all day or watching television or relaxing at a restaurant. Skinner et al. (1120) argue that studies show that only 20 percent of modern jobs demand at least moderate physical energy compared to approximately 50 percent of work done in the 1960s. Also, advanced technology such as washing machines and dishwashers, among others, eliminate manual labor and promote automated processes that do not need one to exert energy. Even in rural areas, the same trend continues leading to higher obesity rates in these regions (Bakalar). This means less exercises that result in burning of fewer calories than it was 20 or 50 years ago.

Obesity has a significant negative impact on the physical, emotional, and economic aspects of human life. It is associated with various health problems, among them being Type II diabetes. Skinner et al. (1121) note that while obesity has increased over the last few decades, diabetes in America has tripled. Obesity also contributes to an increase in cardiovascular disease. Research shows that people who are obese are 1.5 and 2 times more likely to suffer and die from heart disease (Newman). Obesity is also associated with high blood pressure, sexual dysfunction, arthritis, sleep apnea, early onset of Alzheimer’s disease, gallbladder problems, and cancer. When one has high body fat, insulin levels go up and trigger an increase in cell growth that in turn, increases the risk of cancer (Newman).

Obesity and overweight also impose a heavy financial burden on the country. Heymsfield et al. state that obesity increases annual health care costs by 147 billion dollars to 210 billion dollars. The money mostly goes into the treatment of obesity and programs aimed at reducing the prevalence of obesity (Heymsfield et al.). The majority of people from low-income households are hardest hit by the medical costs of treating obesity. They end up in a cycle of poverty and poor diet that eventually results in high obesity-related illnesses. The increase in obesity costs is exacerbated by costly treatments for related conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer, among others.

Conclusion

Obesity is a public health problem that affects millions of Americans. Statistics indicate that obesity rates are on the rise and project that the problem will continue to increase. A major contributing factor is a poor diet that is escalated by the increase in fast foods and consumption of dairy products. Sedentary lifestyles in modern America also make it easy for obesity to persist. It is also a severe problem in America because it is linked to many health problems that have increased the cost of health care.