Obesity: Major Health Problem in the U.S.

In the U.S. Obesity is a major health problem of children, teens, and adults, as well as in other countries. Obesity is defined as the point at which an adults BMIs >30.0, and/or WC> 40 inches for men, 35 inches for women, and/or WHR is > 1.0; and for children, weigh falls in the > 97percentile.(Hutchinson, 2007, p342)

Many people are obese because of their lack or inability to eat nutritious meals, frequent exercise, or even take nutrition supplement or vitamins. Many individuals rather, get on their computers, play video games, watch movies and tv than go outside like the modern times and enjoy taking a brief walk, or jog or play like we did when we were kids. Today in the U.S., 1 out of 3 people are obese, which is a rising trend that extends well beyond the U.S. border. In most newspaper and magazine articles there are topics, subjects and interventions on obesity. This is also for developing countries which high rates in this modern time (Mizuno, Shu, Makimura, & Mobbs, 2004)

The percentage of obese children in the U.S. has doubled within the last 20years (Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics, 2003 National Library of Medicine [NLM], 2005)

Health disparities abound for those who are obese. In the U.S. especially people of the lower SES are more likely to experience or be obese. Facotors of Obese people is that they are less likely to have the economic means to do something about which could include paying for gym memberships, or going to a weight loss clinic, as well as education of learning the important things needed to change their health and food habits that leads to obesity to meet this challenge. (Hutchinson, 2007, p226)

Underdeveloped countries are reporting obesity and have an alarming increasing rate. Malnutrition is the growing evidence that play an important role in obesity especially for the poor people that are living in urban neighbor hoods with concentrated poverty, energy-dense diets are more affordable than diets with high in fruits and vegetables. Obesity among adult in the U.S. has doubled in the past 20 years, from a prevalence of 20% to 32% between 1976- 1980. (North American Association for the Study of Obesity, 2006)The Biological, Psychological, Social, and Spiritual Risk and Protective Factors currently identify and explain in the literature of obesity.

The theories of causation suggests that there are several theoretical approaches to obesity, such as the anthropological, discusses the human physicology and say humans consume more energy-dense processed foods. (Schmidt, 2003)

The biological theory state that obesity occurs from calories which exceeds energy output, and human genes, markers and chromosomes, proteins, hormones, and other chemical contribute to obesity. (Bray & Brouchard, 2003b) The biosocial factors describes is caused by undernutrition, in utero and early childhood.(Barker, 2004)

The psychological factors say low self-esteem and depression puts a person at risk.(Carpenter,Hasin, Allinson, Fava, 2000)

The social factors state obesity is caused by social modeling, reinforcements, changing lifestyles, food insecurity and food high in fat and sugar.(Benton, 2004)

The ecological theory explains obesity is caused by biological factors and is inherited, psychotrophic medications, selected and rare illness, alchohol, food substitues and smoking.

The American mindset of obesity is that there are quick cures to the epidemic and that with the diet pills trends, weight loss drinks, weight loss surgeries, many people can overcome this. But this is not true many individual have to be educated and committed to changing their poor eating habits and work hard at by working out and exercising which take time. Many people want quick results but it the weigh come off fast it will be regained quickly or even double what they loss so many will continue to struggle with obesity.

Many Americans are “fat bias” which is pervasive in the U.S. society, and this is shared by helping professionals whose services are needed by obese individuals. Researchers have found that a quarter of teachers say obesity is the worst thing that can happen to someone while, healthcare providers also have negative views against them also. (Neumark,-Sztainer, Story, & Harris, 1999)

A quarter of nurses say that they are repulsed by obese people. (Bangley, Conklin, Isherwood, Pechiulis, & Watson, 1989)

Results show that respondents implicitly endorsed negative stereotypes against obese individuals calling them lazy, stupid, and worthless. Families and friends and older males of obese individualss tends to be sympathetic and hold a more positive, emotional outlook on life and tends to understand those that are living with obesity. (Puhl & Brownell, 2001) Schwartz et al., 2003)
Employers tends to discriminate against obese individuals and say that they are lacking in self-discipline and tend to have low supervisory potential(Rothblum, Miller, & Garbutt, 1988)

Obese individuals tends to be stereotyped and are discriminated against more frequently, many Americans shy away and rather not deal with them at all, because of their negative views but tends to just stare at them when in public and feels that many of them have eaten their way there.

Social workers must help clients who are obese to obtain medical assistance to rule out other health issues and assist them in in accessing services while playing advocacy roles. (Devlin, Yanovski, & Wilson, 2000)

Social workers can provide information and referrals to clients and obtain knowledge and skills in this sensitive topic. They can work with other community professionals to develop culturally sensitive public awareness programs about health behaviors to prevent obesity and illness (Hutchinson, 2007)

The Center for Disesase Control and Prevention offers tips, solutions and information on resources to help fight obesity.(CDC)

References

Hutchison, E. D., Matto, H. C., Harrigan, M. P, Charlesworth, L. W., Viggiani, P. A. (2007). Challenges of living: A Multidimensional Working Model for Social Workers. Sage Publications Center for Disease Control and Prevention CDC 24/7 Saiving Lives, Protecting People, Saving Money through Prevention

References: Hutchison, E. D., Matto, H. C., Harrigan, M. P, Charlesworth, L. W., Viggiani, P. A. (2007). Challenges of living: A Multidimensional Working Model for Social Workers. Sage Publications Center for Disease Control and Prevention CDC 24/7 Saiving Lives, Protecting People, Saving Money through Prevention