Hca/240 Checkpoint 5

A Walk through Obesity

Marque Alford

1/30/2011

HCA/24

Christi Holland

A Walk through Obesity

    Obesity is a serious, chronic disease affecting more than 34 percent of American adults and 17 percent of American children (an increase of 75 percent throughout the last 20 years). Every day hundreds of people in the United States will die from obesity and its related health conditions. Obesity is a complex, disease that has been misunderstood by medical professionals, governmental agencies and the general public.

    The term "obesity" refers to an increase in body weight from an excess accumulation of stored body fat. Obesity is most commonly calculated using the technique body mass index (BMI). BMI is calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by his or her height in meters, BMI is not used to determine a person's actual percentage of body fat, but it is a good indicator to organize the weight in terms of what is considered to be healthy and unhealthy.

    Unfortunately, it is a common to misunderstand obesity and that an obese individual is the direct cause of their condition by overeating and/or a lack of willpower.   The negative stereotypes have contributed to the lack of adequate support, education, research and treatment for this disease. Obesity is a complex disease with many factors contributing including behavior, environment and genetics.

    People suffering from obesity are at an increased risk for a number of serious health conditions that alone, or in combination, significantly reduce life expectancy. For instance, Type 2 Diabetes, Heart Disease, Cancer, Osteoarthritis, Respiratory Problems and Depression play a tremendous party with in obesity.

    Type 2 Diabetes - Obesity is a major problem in the development of a resistance to insulin, which regulates the body's blood sugar levels. The resulting high level of sugar in the blood causes serious tissue, nervous system and circulatory system damage. Heart... [continues]

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