Since the mid-1960sthe issue of obesity has become a problem not only among Americans but also a grave concern in many first world nations. Currently, many individuals live with the reality of obesity; while some continue to ignore the state of their health. Generally, many medical and healthcare professionals consider it a condition that is genetically predisposed. Acceptance of this claim, as well as the behavior of accepting persons of different sizes, has caused many to ignore the seriousness of this dilemma. Although opponents argue that obesity is a disease and should not be approached with a stigma, extreme statistical data gives proof of the increase of overweight and obese individuals because of the inaccessibility to nutritious food, genetic influences, lack of exercise, environmental restraints, and social accommodations by retail companies.
Currently, there is an increasing number of people who are either overweight or obese. The general population understands that this condition is dangerous to one’s health in many ways. In fact, according to the Local Government Association, there is a sudden increase in kids who leave primary school already obese (Coe 2018). Therefore, since obesity is becoming prevalent among younger individuals, other related conditions are most likely on the rise, as well. People are not necessarily becoming obese only in their adulthood. Due to the availability of new technology, such as electronic devices, which enable kids to play games and check their social media accounts, the rate of children becoming overweight has greatly increased. As a result of their easily accessible devices, kids often do not take the time to go outside and play games with neighborhood friends. Playing games and/or participating in social media activities, while being seated, instead of moving about outside, has caused many children to live sedentary lifestyles. Taking part in these activities may lead to a prolonged lack of exercise and poor diet choices. Subsequently, kids then tend to gain pounds and become overweight. For example, in London, England about forty percent of all children are either overweight or obese (Khan 2018). Amounting to almost half of all children in London, obesity creates a severe healthcare crisis; one that will lead to other medical conditions if no attention is given to its reduction. One of the highest obesity rates in all of Europe exists in this city. Surely some of this can be attributed to the increased amount of time children are using computers to access social media sites and/or video games. If this trend is not halted soon, the presence of obese children will produce obese adults. Furthermore, this potentially could open the door to other life-threatening illnesses, such as type two diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and stroke. Obesity being the gateway condition to these illnesses is therefore worth being avoided and or reversed.
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Immensely apparent are the statistics which give weight to the problem of obesity. According to the World Health Organization, a 2015 study was taken showing that seventeen percent of youth in the United States of America were obese, as well as 36% of adults (Bailey and Griswold 2017). It was discovered that obesity is the most common condition in established countries. Because the aforementioned study is about three years old, it is quite possible that these percentages most likely have increased quite a bit. Altogether these facts suggest that the baseline perspective of this healthcare problem is quite severe. Poor eating habits passed down from uneducated or irresponsible parents to their children, make this issue not only severe but perpetual. Additionally, a 2018 study taken by the Health Survey for England identified that there existed an increase, by about ten percent in both men and women, in the area of weight misperception, over about twenty years (Lydall 2018). In essence, individuals have unrealistic perceptions of their weight problem. Nevertheless, because businesses and society as a whole are becoming more accepting of persons of various sizes, and tend to ignore the statistics, obese people are also becoming quite dismissive of their states of poor health.
Though, some researchers label obesity as a disease, as opposed to a grave condition, caused by many influences. For example, the Royal College of Physicians President, Professor Andrew Goddard, argues that obesity is a disease and not a choice made by an individual (Dunne 2019). For this reason, opponents argue that obesity is a disease that is passed down genetically through generations. Because of this, these same opponents believe that there should not be a stigma associated with obesity, because it is not up to obese individuals, since they cannot do anything about it. Furthermore, the United States Centers for Disease Control surveyed in 2007, involving the amount of obese people based on their Body Mass Index (BMI). According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, roughly thirty-four percent of those who were 21 and older were classified as obese, with a BMI of thirty or higher. Additionally, 66% of the people were overweight with a BMI of 25% or higher (Lee and Carson-Dewitt 2017). Essentially, these studies demonstrate that those who are obese, generally find it more difficult to acquire jobs, and are hired at lower rates of pay. Therefore, many professionals argue that not only does obesity cause health problems, but it causes financial troubles as well, due to employment in low-wage earning jobs. In brief, low-earning individuals will generally not be able to afford nutritious foods, which perpetuates the cycle of generational obesity. Nevertheless, one could actively reduce their body mass index through intentional exercise and nutritious food sources, which would generally affect all other aspects of their life. Ultimately, through the backing of supportive city councils and retailers, which provide and offer a variety of food choices, the rate of obesity can be reduced.
Apparently, to some, the incidence of obesity cannot be attributed entirely to the lack of
exercise and poor food choices. According to an article entitled, The Genetics of Obesity, many scientists and medical professionals are concluding that obesity is indeed a disease and does not usually evolve from lack of exercise and malnourishment (Hunter 2005). Therefore, since more people are living as obese individuals, doctors and medical professionals may feel pressured to justify the increased numbers with a scientific explanation. As a result, people may begin to allow this explanation to dismiss them from being responsible for their current health status. Although this point appears valid, individuals cannot separate their physical health status from their mental health, as well as all other aspects of their lives. Active people physically tend to have healthy mental and emotional responses to the events in their lives. However, according to many medical researchers, most overweight people almost always have a genetic predisposition to being obese and science is discovering the factors that contribute to its development (Hunter 2005). In contrast to this claim are the many true stories of persons who have begun to exercise and as a result, lose weight. In addition, many of these exercising individuals have reduced their blood pressure, and their status from being prediabetic or diabetic, as well as improving their mental state. Thus, one who is raised in a household where junk foods are loosely consumed tends to gravitate to similar foods upon reaching adulthood. Ultimately, choices such as these will result in habitually consuming non-nutritious food, widening the gap of those unaccustomed to living a healthy lifestyle.
Gaining access to nutritious foods may be difficult, however, it can be achieved. Most cities and towns feature a weekly farmers market, where a variety of vegetables and fruits from local farms are sold. These alternatives to mainstream supermarkets offer a wide array of fresh produce, which is key to healthy nutrition. Although, since most people today have a television of some kind in their homes, they are all vulnerable to the advertisements shown in between shows. For example, with the number of obese children steadily increasing, researchers have found that advertisements conducted on television are now influencing them to purchase their food items (Bailey and Griswold 2017). As a result, this may hinder people from making healthy food choices. Usually, this is done since susceptible children often gravitate towards junk food to fill a craving or because it is cheaper than the healthier options. Based upon the Local Government Association, a report conducted in 2018 stated that children who generally come from deprived neighborhoods often have poor diets, due to the inexpensive costs of junk foods (Coe 2018). Because it may be difficult to make healthy food choices, considering these foods can be pricey and expensive, most of the time there is at least one option at restaurants that is slightly better for one’s health. Even little decisions, when there are difficulties in accessing healthy foods, help to monitor a person's overall weight and health status. In addition, the genetic influences of one’s family, such as parents or siblings with heart disease, diabetes, etc. may serve to discourage overweight individuals. According to a study, over recent years officials have noticed a sudden decline in the amount of physical activity present in a person’s life from day to day (Hunter 2005). As a result, the general population is beginning to see a sudden increase in size among aamongthe average humans. Furthermore, this trend is not to be considered irreversible, dbecausethere are many other factors that are present in the act of trying to reverse obesity. For example, a change in diet, consistent and intentional exercise, as well as implementing new information and educating oneself about the correct way to live a healthy lifestyle. Despite their prevalence, genetic influences are not a life sentence.
While it may be true that many scientists and medical professionals consider obesity to be a disease, it is possible that the previous generations' poor health choices have not created genetic predispositions to obesity, but environmental predispositions. In the United Kingdom, obesity is present in one out of fou ul nd is present in one out of five kids that are aged from ten to eleven (Dunne 2019). With such a high rate of obesity, it is evident that the person in this poor condition is not entirely at fault for their current health status. Yet he or she has the opportunity to make a change. Depending on what an individual's environment is like, his eating habits will generally correspond to the kinds of foods that are available in that environment. Since less fortunate people struggle with paying the prices of healthy foods, they may often purchase inexpensive less nutritious foods to help release financial tension. Currently, childhood obesity is a huge challenge, and obesity from a young age may bring health issues in the future that may prevent one from doing various things (Khan 2018). Since obesity is a gateway to many different kinds of diseases, it is evident that for one who is obese from a young age, the tendency is that he or she may develop life-threatening diseases before they even reach adulthood. As a result, opportunities or desires may be stripped away because of the choices that one has made in their adolescence.
As high cuts in education seem to become normal, few opportunities exist for children to engage in sports and physical education. Presently, by the time a kid is ten, he has eaten more sugar than what is recommended for an eighteen-year-old (Dunne 2019). Although sugar consumption is not great for the body, because too much of it can cause diabetes, it can be combated with exercise to help one’s blood maintain a healthy state. Since there is such a lack of exercise in the population of kids, would it be unreasonable to create after-school programs to benefit their health? An article taken by the Westminster Council, described a Sunday when a bunch of people (primarily kids) ran a short one-mile fun-run, to bring awareness to the need for exercise (Coe 2018). Events like fun runs and marathons may bring enjoyment and excitement to those who are generally overweight because it is new and exciting. Many sports, such as soccer, volleyball, baseball, basketball, football, swimming, water polo, lacrosse, etc. provide ample opportunities for physical movement among young children and adolescents. ISeveralof these same sports are offered for adults in many communities, as well. Actively motivating someone to keep up a daily exercise routine, as well as monitoring their food consumption, will highlight weight loss and potential health as the earned rewards.
Additionally, neighborhoods with lower income rates tend to gravitate towards junk food consumption due to the easy accessibility itoconvenience stores in the area. Many argue that obesity is a lifestyle choice based on poor eating and exercise habits. With all of these poor choices comes the cost of health insurance, and hospital bills (Bailey and Griswold 2017). Undoubtedly, is it worth it to ake the chance of spending thousands of dollars on hospital bills, later in life, because one is sick of disease as a result of being overweight? Although healthy foods may be a bit more expensive than food produced with possible genetically modified organisms, etc., there are ways to maneuver and avoid becoming unhealthy and overweight. Because ultimately, a healthy lifestyle is much more productive in every way than an unhealthy one. Nevertheless, multiple accounts of evidence demonstrate that wealthier neighborhoods are generally comprised of people who are healthier than those who come from low-income neighborhoods (Khan 2019). Although this is a proven fact, there exists a personal story of individuals who have had success losing weight by changing their eating habits, as well as participating in some type of exercise regimen; while demonstrating that weight loss and eventual health are not impossibilities. The opportunity to live a healthy lifestyle is up for anyone to grab. Despite being difficult, and possibly frustrating to achieve, most critics agree that anything worthwhile to have is not necessarily easily acquired.
Concurrently, the mislabeling of clothing, size-wise, has become a practice to promote social acceptance of people of large sizes. According to sources in the United Kingdom, the relationship between obesity and the range of clothing sizes is often thought to hinder the reality of obesity (Lydall 2018). Since there is such a large range in sizes amongst differing clothing brands, it is evident that some people are not willing to admit they are overweight. They still fit into clothes, (which may be labeled as smaller than they are), as well as find clothing with ease. Clothing brands often size clothes smaller than what they
are, in hopes of removing the stigma that surrounds being obese. With the number of obese people increasing, there is a demand in the market for clothes that will fit people who are currently overweight. As a result, people are buying mislabeled clothes without fully accepting their increasing body sizes.
All in all, there are numerous accounts of statistical evidence that prove that obesity can be combated, despite the many opponents who view it as a disease. Children are becoming obese before adulthood and in London, England one of the highest obesity rates in all of Europe exists. While over one-third of North American adults are obese, more than 23,000 people in London, England alone are either overweight or obese. Facts such as these are very important because if changes or efforts toward reducing obesity rates are not purposel it will end up hurting the world population indefinitely, and with cancer being the most fatal disease, cancer will be the new norm in one's body. According to Tancer Research UK, by 2043 Obesity could be the biggest leading cause of cancer in women (Dunne 2019). Essentially if there is no true desire for change on the people's behalf, then our community will begin to see a drastic change in the size of people. Certainly, there is only so much that people like doctors, medical professionals, and scientists can do until the problem of obesity is beyond their control.
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