Obesity among Adults

Obesity among Adults

Introduction

Obesity is a major health concern in the world today. Lifestyle changes and lack of proper diet are the main causes of obesity, especially inn developed nations. Since obesity is a lifestyle disease caused by poor health choices, it is more of a personal health issue as opposed to a social problem. Nonetheless, statistics indicate that the problem is becoming more prevalent among adults in the United States. The following presentation will illustrate the statistics pertaining the prevalence of obesity among adults and describe disease prevention for adults.

Obesity among Adults in Statistics

Currently, the statistics of the obesity in America are really matters of worries. Today, about 35% of citizens, which translates to 78 million of the adult population of America are considered as obese (Fender, 2008). Obesity is considered higher among middle aged adults between 40-59 years old, which is about 40.2 % of the total adult population. Among the middle-aged adults, men with higher incomes are likely to suffer obesity than those with low income. While for women it is the opposite (Fender, 2008). Fender (2008) states that this is because the adult population is either busy working or taking care of their families hence forgetting to take care of themselves.

The Factors That Affect Health Promotion and Disease Prevention among Young Adults

Some scholars have argued that poverty is the main reason why obesity levels are so high among adults (Crawford, 2010). The cost of healthy and organic food stuff is twice as more expensive today as compared to the cost of a quick McDonalds’ burger and a coca cola. Many people are put in a fix between eating healthy and unhealthy eating due to the cost and time implications.

Importance of Exercise and Nutrition

Community-based intervention focusses more on the policies developed to mitigate and prevent obesity. For instance, fitness programs and healthy eating boost the immunity of adults against diseases that occur due to obesity. Being a national phenomenon, obesity has forced policy makers to act fast. Porcari, Bryant, and Comana (2015) state that the severity of the condition has prompted the policy makers to create obesity awareness by putting billboards showing the side effects of unhealthy eating. The billboard shows two adults one of a normal body weight and the other with overweight. This campaign is aimed at giving the community knowledge and motivation for people to embrace body weight management (Porcari, Bryant, and Comana ,2015). To support the pictorial instructions, the community intervention programs have placed body weighing machines in strategic location to encourage people to measure their weights. The weighing machines are placed outside every fast food restaurant to discourage the community from consuming fast food.

Health Belief Model (HBM) is one of the most effective interventions concepts for creating health awareness that focusses on positive personal behavioural change. HBM works on the preventive aspect of eradicating obesity by encouraging positive health behaviour (Porcari, Bryant & Comana, 2015). Personal motivation is categorized into: – individual perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, personal action taken, and self-efficiency towards the healthy behaviour (Williams & Frühbeck, 2009).  The inetrevention is targeted at young adults.

Conclusion

Obesity has become a standout issue among American adults. Statistics show that almost half of American adults are obese. This figure shows the prevalence of the disease and that it is becoming a burden to society. Obesity leads to life-threatening conditions like heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and stroke. Therefore, measures should be taken to reduce obesity levels. The Health Belief Model (HBM) enables a positive change in behaviour so that one can reduce his/her body mass index (BMI). Evidence based interventions like HBM will help to reduce the obesity crisis in America.