Top-Rated Free Essay
Preview

Causes of Obesity

Powerful Essays
1327 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Causes of Obesity
Americans' obesity has rapidly increased because of advanced technology and Americans' lack of self control. Obesity has been designated as a global epidemic by the World Health Organization since 1998 and is one of the most common chronic illnesses for both adults and children (WHO). The American Obesity Association states that currently 64.5% of adult Americans and 45.6% of American children are categorized as overweight or obese, which means they have too much body fat (AOA). What causes this increasingly detrimental problem?

First of all, the workplace has become increasingly automated. Back in the olden times, people had to do manual labor and actually exercise most of the day. Today, machines do the hard work so one does not have to do manual labor. Labor saving technology like washing machines which save one from the pain of scrubbing clothes against a washboard and computers which can send emails instantly to another person on the other side of the country have caused people to stop exercising and participate in leisure activities much more often. However, the biggest cause of labor saving technology in the workplace is computers (North Carolina A&T State University). Computers run machines which make cars, cook food, cut wood, and thousands of other tasks that used to require vigorous exercise. So without the computers, the machines could not run or perform any tasks effectively. Nearly all businesses rely on computers, and without their precious computers, their businesses would deteriorate in no time. Although obesity has grown because of the increasingly automated workplace, it is not the only cause.

A second cause of Americans' obesity comes from the home. Household chores are also assisted by labor-saving machinery. For example, before gas fireplaces were invented, a person had to chop down a tree by hand and chop that tree into smaller pieces. This process was very long and strenuous, exercising the legs, chest, and arms. Today, however, all you have to do to make a fire is light a match or turn a knob that lights the gas in the fireplace. Or if a person is too lazy to get up to turn the knob on the fireplace, all they have to do is press a button on a remote control to light the fire. Another chore that is much easier because of technology is preparing food. Obtaining food is simple, cheap, and easy to come by. Working on the farm used to be the only way a family could get food. It required extensive labor and patience to raise a good crop and effectively raise cattle. One could not just take a vacation when they got tired because the crops would die ("Hard Work"). Nowadays, all a person has to do is pop a meal into the microwave or drive to a fast food restaurant. This method is less healthy than raising crops and livestock because it requires no exercise at all. To make matters worse, the food obtained from the fridge or from a fast food restaurant is often loaded with fat, sugar, and calories. Plus, fattening foods are often less expensive to buy than nutritious, quality foods. Many companies will opt to use ingredients that are less expensive, such as lower quality palm oils and fatty cuts of meats or meat byproducts rather than lean and more nutritious ingredients (Sych). It is cheaper to make a sugar laden fruit beverage than to make a juice from real fruit. Instead of vitamins, we consume large amounts of sugar that within our bodies easily converts into fat. Still, these factors are not the only ones that contribute to an unhealthy lifestyle which causes obesity.

A third factor which causes obesity is the lack of exercise in transportation. Walking or bicycling has been replaced by automobile travel. Back a long time ago, children had to walk to school and adults had to walk to work. Today, children can ride the bus to school or their parents can drive them to school on their way to work. Sitting down in an automobile cannot be considered a healthy habit. Also, joyriding has replaced much healthier hobbies. Instead of participating in activities that require exercise, some people just drive around town for fun. Although this is a cause of obesity, is most certainly is not the most contributing factor.

Heredity and hormones play a large role in determining how susceptible people are to obesity. In a presentation before the students at Vanderbilt, Dr. Rudolph Leibel said, "Leptin may the key to understanding why most diets fail" (The Reporter). Leptin is a hormone released by fat tissue that helps the brain regulate appetite and body weight. Among other things, it is designed to ensure reproductive fitness and survival in often-hostile environments by preserving an adequate amount of body fat, said Dr. Rudolph Leibel, who co-discovered the hormone nearly a decade ago at Rockefeller University in New York. Fat cells shrink during dieting and so does the amount of leptin they secrete into the blood. "When leptin falls below a genetically and developmentally determined threshold, the hypothalamus in the brain is triggered to release other hormonal and neurological signals that increase food intake and reduce energy expenditure" (The Reporter). More study is needed to understand leptin's relationship to obesity; however, it is important to remember that a genetic disposition toward obesity does not mean one is destined to be overweight. It only means that you may have to work harder to avoid gaining weight. Another hormone that can be linked to obesity is dopamine. Dopamine is a chemical produced in the body that causes people to feel pleasure. "Dopamine deficiency has been linked to addictive behaviors, and some researchers speculate that it could be linked to addictive-type eating disorders. However, less than two percent of all cases of obesity are related to hormonal or metabolic disorders" (USA Today). For some lucky people, hormones and genetics perform in the opposite manner. For some, they cause high metabolism, which in turn causes a person to have an incredibly hard time becoming overweight. And so, the bottom line is that your lifestyle determines weight and health.

A person's lifestyle is the most important factor in causing obesity and lies mainly with his character. Some people may just not have enough self-discipline to stop themselves from overeating or not exercising enough even though they know what they are doing is wrong. Families today constantly seem to feel time-pressured and therefore look to fast food and eating out to deal with this pressure. When someone walks into a grocery store, there is the option to choose between carrots or a candy bar. People just lack self control and decide to buy the junk food because it tastes good. The do not think twice about what the effects of eating junk are. Plus, many adults do not have time or the discipline to go to a gym or use home exercise equipment on an ongoing basis. Children look up to their parents as role models, so if one or both parents are overweight because of their personal lifestyle choices, the child's likelihood of developing obesity later in life is increased. Children often choose to watch television or play computer and video games over physical activities. Inactivity among adults and children combined with constant snacking and consuming foods that are high in sugar, carbohydrates, and fat has caused North American's obesity epidemic. And so, the main cause of obesity lies within a person's character and how good he is at controlling himself.

Obesity is a major problem in American and continues to get worse and worse as time goes on. Because America is a free nation, its people have the opportunity to invent and come up with great technologies that make life easier. This technology, along with people's genetics and lack of self control, causes the obesity problem to increase each and every year. It is imperative that people realize these problems and their causes so they can more effectively fight the battle against obesity.

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Powerful Essays

    Today’s society has been faced with the never ending problem of obesity. Many would blame this problem of obesity in America to poor genetics, unhealthy eating habits, and even lack of physical fitness. After viewing this paper and reviewing these credible sources the reader will have a better understanding as to why individuals become obese. All sources in this paper have been written, reviewed, and critiqued by credible individuals.…

    • 1424 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    With more than 60% of the U.S. adult population overweight and 25% of those considered obese, it is important to understand the obesity epidemic and the serious effects it has on health.…

    • 799 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Obesity is a condition of having excess body weight. Today in the USA, 97 million adults are overweight, meaning that 1 out of 3 people we come across in our everyday lives may be obese. However, it is also important to understand that being overweight does not mean one is obese. Many people throw around the word ‘obese’ and are ignorant to the difference of being obese or just simply being overweight. Obesity is having too much body weight, as where people may be overweight due to high levels of muscles or water in their body. In recent times, obesity among Americans has almost doubled, causing the USA to have the highest obesity rate. There are many variables that have contributed to this rapid growth such as fast food restaurants becoming increasingly more available and less expensive, automobiles becoming the number one form of transportation rather than walking or riding a bike, and other factors that promote inactivity such as the use of cell phones, email, etc. We ignore this problem and often look beyond these factors because we consider them “standard” in our lives. Although, before obesity rates spiked, fast food was not as unhealthy or cheap, driving an automobile was only possible for a select few, and technology did not exist like it does now. In order to eliminate such high obesity rates in America I believe we must raise awareness on the damages obesity can have on our well-being. In order to so, there should be a higher emphasis put on healthy living rather than promoting fast food and other habits that are harmful to our health. There are many more solutions to this problem such as raising the price of fast food or making it healthier, but many companies are not willing to make these changes. This is why I believe that it is very important that we make Americans aware of this problem. I would like to research this topic because I find it interesting how in a world as efficient as ours today, we are seeing new issues emerge such as obesity…

    • 711 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Best Essays

    Current Events: Obesity

    • 4873 Words
    • 20 Pages

    Americans are well aware of the fact that the United States has one of the world’s highest rates of obesity and that the country has gained the worldwide stereotype of being overweight. This all pertains to the term that has been a coined phrase within American society for the past few years—the American obesity epidemic. Despite the widespread knowledge that being obese or overweight can negatively affect one’s health, America’s rates of obesity continue to climb. In addition, there are many Americans who claim that obesity is simply a controllable factor and that there is reason to refer to the obese population as an epidemic. They claim, in fact, that there is no such thing as an obesity epidemic; and that America’s large percentage of people who are overweight is nothing to panic over or to consider as a dangerous plague. The fact is, however, obesity is quite a serious issue. Most recently in current events, it was stated that obesity has now surpassed smoking as the leading cause of preventable death in the United States of America. The smoking epidemic gained a great deal of publicity, leading to protest groups and awareness groups that all aimed to educate Americans about the health hazards associated with smoking; but now that obesity kills more people annually than smoking, it is clear that there is absolutely an obesity epidemic taking place within the United States and that is must be addressed, taken seriously, and combated through further education about health, fitness, and nutrition.…

    • 4873 Words
    • 20 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Obesity Epidemic in America

    • 3259 Words
    • 14 Pages

    Obesity in society today is a serious issue with many health issues and social consequences that don 't look to be fixed anytime soon. Is it any wonder? Take a look around; obesity is a disease that is on the rise affecting more and more people each year. In the USA 58 million Americans are overweight, 40 million are obese and three million are morbidly obese. These numbers are insane as eight out of ten Americans over the age of twenty-five are overweight. In 2001 a survey conducted by the National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) of…

    • 3259 Words
    • 14 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Obesity Satire

    • 774 Words
    • 4 Pages

    According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity in adults has increased by 50% within the past several decades and in children it has tripled. More than 72 million people and 17% of children are obese. Obesity is a contributing cause of many other health problems such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, some types of cancer, sleep apnea, breathing problems and make activity more difficult. America is home to the most obese people in the world and even though we are one of the most industrialized nations with great economic power and amazing technology, we are also living in a country with the smallest nutritional…

    • 774 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    According to Mayo Clinic, obesity is defined as having an excessive amount of body fat. (Mayo Clinic, 2013) Obesity is a disease that has become an epidemic in the United States. In the last two decades, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of people who are obese. “More than one-third of U.S. adults (35.7%) and approximately 17% (or 12.5 million) of children and adolescents aged 2—19 years are obese.” (CDC, 2013) There are many factors of obesity that can be controlled and some factors that can not be controlled. Obesity has gotten so out-of-hand that even the government has stepped in to help lower the…

    • 1611 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    12 Sources on Obesity

    • 1769 Words
    • 8 Pages

    This article talks about how obesity rate has risen in the U.S.“Worldwide, a billion people are now overweight or obese, including 22 million children under the age of 5. Obesity and ills linked to it, including heart disease and high blood pressure, have joined the World Health Organization’s list of the Top 10 global health risks. Rates of obesity are going up in developing countries as well as industrialized ones, with the greatest increases taking place in the last 10 years. In the United States, 64.5 percent of adults and 15 percent of children ages 6 to 19 are overweight.”…

    • 1769 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Obesity In America

    • 611 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Obesity in America is a subject of concern that is getting as big as peoples waste-lines. It affects many Americans on a daily basis, and also affects the way people interact with others. It is an unhealthy trend with a rapid growth rate, quickly consuming many lives. The problem must be fixed for a more happy and healthy life. In order to fix it, the issue of obesity must first be understood, and then controlled at the state it's at, and finally it must be prevented from continually occurring.…

    • 611 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Another reason obesity has increased recently may be because of how easy it is to be lazy. Technological advances have created laziness in America. When faced with the decision to take the stairs or the elevator, the average person would pick the elevator – another factor of the national weight gain.…

    • 692 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Greed In America

    • 1106 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Nearly 36% of Americans were considered clinically obese in September of 2016. Three out of every four American men are diagnosed as overweight. Americans spend the most per student's education compared to any other country, and a majority of those find themselves unemployed. As decades flash by noticeable changes have evolved; leaving Americans to be lazy and rely on technology, controlled by their status of wealth and oblivious to real world problems.…

    • 1106 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Obesity is a medical condition in which excess fats have grown and accumulated to the point of harm, and a shortened life expectancy. Obesity is a problem that has been more prominent in the 20th and 21st century and is now a main concern for both society and the government. It is the citizen’s duty to resolve this epidemic known as obesity in the United States.…

    • 635 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    For the most part it is due to the amount of calories that are eaten in our…

    • 353 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    America now, compared to many years ago, has had a significant increase in obesity. “Overall, 38 percent of U.S. adults are obese and 17 percent of teenagers are” (Fox, 2016, para. 3). Obesity is when an individual’s body mass index (BMI),…

    • 1736 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Obesity Epidemic Analysis

    • 1572 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Obesity is a worldwide epidemic recognized to the highest extent by the World Health Organization. Countries like the United States, Great Britain and other European and First world countries have started to take steps to try and reduce the colossus that is obesity. With obesity being such a problem in the United States, people are doing what they can to help. The economy, fast food restaurants, stigmatization and discrimination towards the disease, and advances in technology, people are fighting a problem that's fighting back, and it seems to be winning.…

    • 1572 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics