Body Fat And Eating Disorders Paper
Body Fat and Eating Disorders
Carla Baker
SCI-241
February 1, 2015
University of Phoenix
Body Fat and Eating Disorders
“Body composition is the term used to describe the different components that, when taken together, make up a person’s body weight. The human body is composed of a variety of different tissue types, including lean tissues (muscles, bones, and organs) that are metabolically active, and fat (adipose) tissues that are not” (www.about.com, 2015). Excess, or too much, body fat is more than a cosmetic problem, it is also a health problem. There are many risks associated with excess body fat, including the nation’s leading causes of death-heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and certain cancers, as well as less common ailments, including gout and gallstones. If a person is overweight, they also have a higher risk of developing depression. Obesity is not associated with or caused by a single variable. The research on obesity provides convincing evidence that it results from a complex of interacting traits, acquired conditions and lifestyle variables that implicate various environmental, behavioral, psychological, physiological, social and genetic factors. Factors that influence the obesity epidemic are increased consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, increased snacking, larger portion sizes, higher calorie-density of foods, more meals purchased and consumed away from home, more exposure to advertising that encourages food consumption and promotes unhealthy foods, value-sizing of less nutritious foods, increased technology use, limited access to safe and convenient recreation facilities and limited time for daily physical activities.
“Anorexia nervosa-often simply called anorexia-is an eating disorder characterized by an abnormally low body weight, intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted perception of body weight” (www.mayoclinic.org, 2015). Anorexia nervosa can have many health problems, including anemia, heart problems, such as mitral valve
Carla Baker
SCI-241
February 1, 2015
University of Phoenix
Body Fat and Eating Disorders
“Body composition is the term used to describe the different components that, when taken together, make up a person’s body weight. The human body is composed of a variety of different tissue types, including lean tissues (muscles, bones, and organs) that are metabolically active, and fat (adipose) tissues that are not” (www.about.com, 2015). Excess, or too much, body fat is more than a cosmetic problem, it is also a health problem. There are many risks associated with excess body fat, including the nation’s leading causes of death-heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and certain cancers, as well as less common ailments, including gout and gallstones. If a person is overweight, they also have a higher risk of developing depression. Obesity is not associated with or caused by a single variable. The research on obesity provides convincing evidence that it results from a complex of interacting traits, acquired conditions and lifestyle variables that implicate various environmental, behavioral, psychological, physiological, social and genetic factors. Factors that influence the obesity epidemic are increased consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, increased snacking, larger portion sizes, higher calorie-density of foods, more meals purchased and consumed away from home, more exposure to advertising that encourages food consumption and promotes unhealthy foods, value-sizing of less nutritious foods, increased technology use, limited access to safe and convenient recreation facilities and limited time for daily physical activities.
“Anorexia nervosa-often simply called anorexia-is an eating disorder characterized by an abnormally low body weight, intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted perception of body weight” (www.mayoclinic.org, 2015). Anorexia nervosa can have many health problems, including anemia, heart problems, such as mitral valve
References: http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/fitnessevalandassessment/a/Body_Fat_Comp.htm http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anorexia/basics/definition/com-20033002 http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bulimia/basics/definition/com-20033050 http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/binge-eating- disorder/basics/definition/com-20033155