Preview

Effects Of Obesity In America

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1984 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Effects Of Obesity In America
Health Effects of Obesity in America: A Review of the Literature

Abstract
Obesity is a growing problem nowadays in America and it is beginning to take its toll through all of the serious health effects it can cause. According to recent studies, about one third of the United States’ population today is obese. The health effects that obesity can lead to include heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and certain kinds of cancer, which are all causes of preventable death. Obesity also causes economic problems due to the higher amounts of medical costs for obese people than those with normal weight.

Introduction

Obesity
…show more content…
These problems can lead to serious illnesses including cancer, which may lead to death (“Weight Loss, Health Risks Associated With Obesity”, 2012). Weight Loss, Health Risks Associated With Obesity (2012) states, “Cancers of the colon, breast (postmenopausal), endometrium (the lining of the uterus), kidney, and esophagus are associated with obesity. Some studies have also reported links between obesity and cancers of the gallbladder, ovaries, and pancreas.” According to Weight Loss, Health Risks Associated With Obesity (2012):
“Gallbladder disease and gallstones are more common if you are overweight. Your risk of disease increases as your weight increases. It is not clear how being overweight may cause gallbladder disease. Ironically, weight loss itself, particularly rapid weight loss or loss of a large amount of weight, can actually increase your chances of developing gallstones. Modest, slow weight loss of about 1 pound a week is less likely to cause
…show more content…
There have been thousands of premature deaths in the United States because of obese-related diseases. The conditions related to obesity may include high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, joint problems, cancer, metabolic syndrome, psychosocial effects, sleep apnea and respiratory problems. Overall, obesity has become a dangerous issue that has affected many in the United States causing numerous diseases and conditions that affect the lives of Americans. According to Health Effects of Obesity (2013), “Each year obesity-related conditions cost over 150 billion dollars and cause an estimated 300,000 premature deaths in the US.” Every year obesity takes its toll on American’s lives through the number of people acquiring the diseases and conditions linked to obesity. All of these medical conditions have to be treated, which leads to more money spent on medicine and medical help. Even with all of this money going into trying to improve people’s health and curing their diseases, there are people who do not overcome these obstacles and have to face death prematurely. (“Health Effects of Obesity”,

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Case Study 2 Essay

    • 696 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Consequently, your weight has negative effects on your overall health. Obesity can lead to numerous diseases such as hypertension, cancer, impaired immune function, gallbladder and kidney disease, skin problems, impotence, sleep disorder, back pain, and arthritis. Additionally, the…

    • 696 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Obesity increases the risk of diabetes, hypertension, high blood cholesterol, coronary heart disease, stroke, arthritis and many more.…

    • 659 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    People who are obese have many health related issues such as: heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, breathing problems, and many other health related issues (“Health” Internet). “Extra weight…

    • 770 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Obesity is not just a cosmetic problem; it is highly hazardous to one’s health! Related obesity conditions include, but are not limited to heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, decreased energy, depression and certain types of cancer and kidney disease. Obesity is linked to high blood pressure. Since fat tissue requires oxygen and nutrients, meaning that the blood must circulate more through their vessels to accommodate the extra weight. New blood vessels are actually created to reach fat tissues too! Most times, a diet high in sodium leads to obesity, which also is a contributor to high blood pressure. High blood pressure is the leading cause for heart disease and stroke. Diabetes is developed when a person is obese because having extra fat cells causes a person’s body to build a resistance to insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar.…

    • 2502 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Obesity in the U.S.

    • 406 Words
    • 2 Pages

    As so often happens, many people in the world face obesity problems. Obesity is a…

    • 406 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    School Lunches Essay

    • 1032 Words
    • 5 Pages

    It goes without saying that many Americans struggle with excessive weight, most of which can be addressed early on in life. According to the Centers for Disease Control website, more than one third of adults in the U.S. were obese in 2010 (CDC.gov), which shows that obesity is one of the biggest healthcare problems the U.S. faces today. It creates a growth in healthcare costs because it causes so many other problems in individuals, most of which are life threatening. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website also states that obesity can lead to diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, cancer, high cholesterol, stroke, and respiratory problems (CDC.gov). At any age, being overweight or obese can also cause emotional problems as well, like low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety.…

    • 1032 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The leading cause of unnecessary deaths and to the increase in nutrition-related chronic diseases is due to one of the major health problems in the United States, which is obesity. Obesity has become a social issue in the United States where it has affected many families, communities, and health care systems. Being obese is not just a personal problem, it is a social issue that is presented to the public, in which the marketplace and media reacts to. In order to reduce the causes of obesity, Americans should be educated and assisted in learning about nutritional values, there should be an environmental changes to prevent obesity, and promoting obesity as a major public health concern to reduce the cause of obesity.…

    • 847 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Obesity in America

    • 1811 Words
    • 8 Pages

    There are multiple health related risks that go along with obesity; including heart disease, heart attack, respiratory problems, and death being the ultimate outcome. Children are even being affected by this disease and most will carry this problem into adulthood. This is also a problem on the financial side of the spectrum. Kentucky alone spends over 2 billion dollars a year on obesity related issues.…

    • 1811 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Obesity in America

    • 977 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Obesity, a medical condition in which excess body fat can grow to have a negative effect on the human body and cause long term health problems, affects more than 35 percent of adults along with 17 percent of adolescents (“How many people are affected by/at risk for obesity & overweight”). America is one of many obese countries all over the world. It is an enfeeble health condition that can lead to respiratory problems, Type two diabetes, Gallbladder disease, Stroke/heart attack, Osteoarthritis, and can even result in some forms of cancer ("Obesity - Health Risks of Obesity"). According to National Center for Health Statistics, obesity has grown significantly among adults in the United States over the past twenty years. For many reasons, it is bad enough to have to live with this disorder, but the fact that it is life threatening only makes matters worse. Obesity is affecting a significant amount of people and it has just now became an issue in 2013, little was known about the idea of being extremely overweight but as America becomes more and more advanced everything starts to change.…

    • 977 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Obesity in America

    • 2583 Words
    • 11 Pages

    In the United States today, obesity has become an enormous problem. In the last 3decades, the number of people overweight has increased dramatically. A study done by theCenters of Disease Control showed that since 1980, one third of our adult population has becomeoverweight. America is the richest but also the fattest nation in the world, and our obese backsides are the butt of jokes in every other country (Klein 28). The 1980s were a time whenAmericans suddenly started going crazy over dieting, jumping onto the treadmills, and buying prepackaged non-fat foods. However, while all of that was going on, the number of obeseAmericans began to increase. According to a report in the Journal of the American MedicalAssociation, 58 million people in our country weigh over 20 percent of their body’s ideal weight.The article “Fat Times” states, “If this were about tuberculosis, it would be called an epidemic”(Elmer-Dewit 58). The eating habits of society have steadily become more harmful and havestarted to produce gluttonous children, over-indulgent adults, and a food industry set too muchon satisfying our appetites.Obesity can begin at a very young age. Many children in our society are overweight,setting themselves up for serious health problems later in life. Type 2 diabetes, high bloodcholesterol, high blood pressure, and heart problems are just some of the risks. Children who areoverweight also tend to feel less secure, less happy, and be stressed more than normal weight…

    • 2583 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the United States, obesity has become one of the most prevalent and prominent issues. Currently, various organizations had classified obesity as a major public health concern, affecting a large number of the American populace. As such, it has been considered a national epidemic. Estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as the National Institutes of Health suggest that two-thirds of adults are considered overweight/obese while one-third of adults are considered obese. In addition, obesity has been shown to have numerous effects on one's health as well as a significant effect the economy. In the U.S., $190.2 billion is spent on obesity-related illnesses (Cawley, 2012), annually. This number will continue to rise in later years, as well as the number of Americans with obesity.…

    • 222 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Obesity In North America

    • 524 Words
    • 3 Pages

    In 1999, an estimated 61% of adults in the United States were obese. One in seven children was also obese. Obesity is the biggest public health problem in North America. It can cause serious disease such as diabetes. In economic term, the cost of obesity in the United States was about $117 billion in 2000. Therefore, North American Society needs to be aware that modern life can cause obesity. This modern life includes fast food, transportation and new technology.…

    • 524 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good 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 In America

    • 860 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Every year hundreds of thousands of people die due to obesity and its complications in America; this is a huge problem in America today. One out of every three American adults are obese; there needs to be a change in America and the way we think. In order to stop this epidemic we must first discover what is responsible for America’s obesity. The three biggest causes for the obesity epidemic are Americans lack of knowledge on cooking, a lack of responsibility for our own well-being, and our health care is giving us a pardon, these being why Americans are at fault for this epidemic.…

    • 860 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Being overweight or obese is nonetheless a health issue (Gibbons). The world’s oldest metabolic disorder is impacting an even younger age group than ever before. Studies reveal that obese children run a high risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) which can be fatal. Researchers at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota identified obesity as the number one cause of Chronic Liver disease in the United States. America’s population is getting less and less healthy at younger ages, they will eventually face risks of chronic diseases. This problem is not going to be resolved by changing our way of life, America is going to end up replacing people's organs with artificial ones. Dr. Ariel Feldstein, principal investigator, quoted “As a pediatrician, I feel we are dealing with a big epidemic- NAFLD is certainly surpassing hepatitis C, in terms of potential damage to the liver.” Researchers have identified over 250 obesity-related genes (Wasowicz). Body Mass Index (BMI) is a way to determine obesity. As someone's BMI increases, so does their risk for Coronary Heart Disease (CHD). CHD can cause build up in the arteries and leads to a deficiency in oxygen-rich blood traveling to your heart. There are a great deal of health issues as a direct result of obesity. One of those issues is heart failure, where your heart cannot pump enough blood to supply for your body. High blood pressure is when the force of blood pushing on your…

    • 1513 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics