Preview

Modern Day Epidemic Research Paper

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
273 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Modern Day Epidemic Research Paper
The United States has a modern day epidemic – Obesity. Over the years, the United States has been scrutinized about its growing obesity problem. According to a report in the Journal of the American Medical Association, “more than one-third of adults and 17% of youth in the United States are obese.” With the rise on kidnapping and distracted driving, most parents elect to keep their children inside. This has created a younger generation denied of exercise unless under close supervision. Social media and growing technology have become an everyday life necessity. Today’s technology has made people lazy that is leading to obesity. Obesity prohibits viable candidates for physical demanding jobs in the current workforce. Since the population is
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    The Great Epidemic Summary
    • 207 Words
    • 1 Page

    The Great Epidemic Summary

    Shortly before the Pilgrims arrived, a devastating epidemic wiped out as much as 90% of the Native population in southern New England. In 1615, a shipwrecked French trading vessel carried the disease(s) that caused the Great Epidemic. The Europeans introduced cholera, typhus, smallpox, leptospirosis and other infectious diseases to the Native populations; diseases that the Natives had no natural immunity to. Because of the Great Epidemic, the surviving Wampanoag Indians were terrified of Europeans. They wrongly assumed that the white man's God sent the epidemic to destroy them. So out of fear of the Europeans, and to appease their angry God, they helped the Pilgrims survive their first winter in America. Later,…

    • 207 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Obesity: America’s Modern Day Societal Crutch
    • 1424 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Obesity: America’s Modern Day Societal Crutch

    In today’s America we as citizens are faced with the ongoing crutch known as obesity. Obesity is defined as a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent of major health issues. I view obesity as a “crutch” because it is disease that will slow the American populous down. The topic on obesity has been debated over many years as to who would take the blame of America’s overweight problem and what that individual or group would do to prevent it. Many different state legislatures and school board committees have started to ban vending machines in school grounds. “Congress has considered a menu-labeling legislation that would force chain restaurants to list fat, sodium, and calories for each item” (Balko, 2004, p.522). Many individuals like me believe that this is definitely the most improper approach to preventing the obesity epidemic that has plagued the United States over the last twenty years. It is not the United State government’s place to tell American citizens what they can or cannot consume. Obesity has become more and more of a problem because American citizens are executing poor dietary techniques. The next influential factor to obesity is the influence of our biological need and genetics. These factors play a large part in the obesity epidemic but the key factor to obesity is the fact that Americans are drastically decreasing their urges for physical fitness and health. Data has…

    • 1424 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Proposal Obesity/Minimum Driving Age
    • 711 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Proposal Obesity/Minimum Driving Age

    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
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Healthy People 2020 Paper
    • 1229 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Healthy People 2020 Paper

    In a day and age when physical activity has gone the way of playing video games, watching television and ordering take out, the end result can be obesity and disease. Staying physically active eating healthy are mainstays in having a healthy lifestyle. This paper will discuss physical activity and obesity and why the health topic is so important. Next, the paper will examine progress on increasing physical activity and reducing obesity rates and discuss the national progress on the Healthy People 2020 indictors. The paper will then discuss the significance of reduced physical activity and the corresponding obesity that comes with it. Additionally, the paper will identify initiatives supported by four pieces of evidence and or research while discussing the findings supporting physical activity and obesity. Finally, the paper will discuss nursing implications attributed to the Healthy People 2020 health indicators of physical activity and obesity.…

    • 1229 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Impact of Government Laws on Obesity in the United States
    • 609 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Impact of Government Laws on Obesity in the United States

    We the people of the United States have a problem in our midst, Obesity. While most recognize the importance to stop it, few can agree on a viable method to fight it. It is a problem, no doubt, but it is a problem that lies within every single american. That being said, only people themselves can do something about it, the government can’t simply pass a few laws and put an end to this epidemic. It is not the government’s job to keep people healthy, the U.S. is a democratic Republic and if it intends to stay that way, government will stay within its boundaries, and out of the personal lives of the citizens who consider themselves free.…

    • 609 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Obesity: a Sociological Epidemic
    • 2434 Words
    • 10 Pages

    Obesity: a Sociological Epidemic

    The sociological aspect of obesity shown through the impact of families, the government and the economy. The rapidly growing, fast-paced, technological society creates an epidemic of sorts. Families pursue the use of technology, restaurants and fast-paced eating as well as single parenting and parental denial. The government sets a significant health care cost to obesity, which prevents a solution and increases risks. A non-stable economy brings about a society filled with unemployment or multiple jobs as well as both parents working to stay above absolute or relative poverty leading to distractions from a healthy lifestyle. Obesity is a concern, not just for an individual but also for society as a whole.…

    • 2434 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Rhetorical Analysis on Obesity
    • 1531 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Rhetorical Analysis on Obesity

    Peggy Ward-Smith’s article entitled Obesity – America’s Health Crisis discusses of the obesity epidemic in America and the consequences of America’s lackadaisical approach to pursuing a cure to this deadly disease. She explains the devastating health affects that obesity has on the body and brings to light the severe financial burden that this disease has had on the American economy and the American people. After significantly describing facts and figures regarding the monetary costs associated with obesity, she goes on the explain the emotional hardships obese people undergo due to the prejudices that still exist against obese people. She describes the strain obesity has caused on our healthcare system and declares that not enough is being done to prevent this disease. After addressing both the health and socio economic affects of obesity, voices her opinion on the best treatment plan for overcoming obesity such as, “an initial exercise program should consist of a short, low-intensity program, which gradually increases to 30 minutes/day as strength and fitness improve” (Ward-Smith 244). She also addresses the importance of acknowledging the affects of behavioral therapy on obesity, for health and socio economic benefits saying, “behavioral therapy involves changing diet and physical activity patterns and habits toward behaviors that promote…

    • 1531 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Chew On This
    • 2311 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Chew On This

    America: land of the free and the home of the brave, and recently, the home to a growing waistline. As for any other country, America is prone to an assortment of problems like immigration, debt, or foreign affairs, but one issue that is rather hard to overlook, quite literally, is the obesity epidemic. The extra pounds have become a common sight in America’s society, “men are now on average seventeen pounds heavier than they were in the late seventies, and for women that figure is even higher: nineteen pounds.” (Kolbert). Obesity does not just affect adults in this way either, the child population has been getting bigger as well, according to the numbers on the scale, “the proportion of overweight children, age six to eleven, has more than doubled, while the proportion of overweight adolescents, age twelve to nineteen, has more than tripled.” (Kolbert). This issue has been a major concern to doctors and scientists for decades and in recent years, has even has the American Medical Association recognizing obesity to be a disease (Pollack). That is a highly debatable claim because obesity itself is a preventable lifestyle, avoidable and curable to all (or at least most) of its sufferers. For some of the populaces, obesity is not a choice, rather genetics, but for the majority of the obese population, the extra weight is caused by an unhealthy diet and sluggish lifestyle, and for these certain individuals, through a lot of work and discipline, the return to a healthy lifestyle is not as impossible as it may appear. It is time for America to tip the scales back in the right direction.…

    • 2311 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Childhood Obesity Affecting American Youth Today
    • 822 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Childhood Obesity Affecting American Youth Today

    Obesity occurs when an individual has more body fat then what is considered healthy for their height. People who have excess body fat are more likely to develop health issues then non-obese people. Sadly, obesity has become an epidemic in our nation, spreading throughout both the adult and adolescent communities. “Recent studies have shown that 17 percent of the nation’s 6- to 19-year-olds are obese, and that more than a third are overweight. Those rates have about doubled in the past three decades,” (Hotakainen 2012). Unquestionably, there have been many changes in our culture over the last 30 years. Technology and modern conveniences have transformed the way people work and play in the 21st century. Currently, many young people find themselves trying to keep up with schedules that, in most cases, leave little time for healthy choices. Thus, many children find it difficult to maintain their ideal body weight. Undeniably, there are many different lifestyle factors responsible for the obesity issue affecting our American youth today.…

    • 822 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Obesity an Epedemic in America
    • 2502 Words
    • 11 Pages

    Obesity an Epedemic in America

    Obesity is an epidemic in America. It has had an alarmingly growing prevalence rate since the 1960’s: almost 34% for adults alone. The percentage of children aged 6–11 years in the United States who were obese increased from 7% in 1980 to nearly 18% in 2010 and rising yearly. Obesity occurs across all socioeconomic groups regardless of race, gender and age. Studies do show that obesity occurs in America’s minority and ethnic populations at slightly higher rates, 25% more than white Americans. According to the centers for disease control and prevention (CDC), an alarming 1/3 of U.S adults are obese. Another 1/3 is overweight, leaving 68.8 percent of the total population of the United States overweight or obese! No state met the nation 's Healthy People 2010 goal to lower obesity prevalence to 15%. Rather, in 2010, there were 12 states with an obesity prevalence of 30%. A person is considered obese if he or she has a BMI of 30 or higher, which is a weight of at least 20% more than the maximum healthy weight for his or her height. To be considered overweight he or she must have a BMI of 25-29.…

    • 2502 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Obesity Satire
    • 546 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Obesity Satire

    Obesity has become a huge problem throughout America. All Americans have quick and easy access to food at any time during their day. From 24-hour fast food restaurants to food stamps, there is no reason to go hungry here in the United States. However, this unlimited access is creating an unhealthy community. American Citizens are finding themselves stuck on their couches because their body weight restricts their movement! Some can hardly walk! Americans need to make change to their daily life styles before this issue becomes any worse than it already is. In effort to prevent overweight Americans, we must take a stand. All electronics must be removed from their possession, all motorized vehicles must be removed from the United States, and removing food from our society all together. This is the only way to help Americans fight their battle with obesity.…

    • 546 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Best Essays

    Current Events: Obesity
    • 4873 Words
    • 20 Pages

    Current Events: Obesity

    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
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Obesity in America
    • 951 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Obesity in America

    America is one of the most obese countries in the world, and the reasons are quite obvious. Just take a look around you. Fast food chains are on every block (unhealthy foods are much less expensive than the healthy foods we should be eating), more and more technology to make our lives easier (and lazier), and high amounts of stress are all factors to weight gain in our country. A recent study in January 2010 shows that obesity rates have reached a constant level and stayed there for the past five years, but still the levels of obesity are still unacceptable. Almost 34 percent of American adults are obese; this number is more than double the amount of 30 years ago. And the percentage of obese children has nearly tripled in that time, to 17 percent. Are we doing enough to bring these numbers down? My opinion, is no. We have alot of changes to make. Obesity is a complex issue, involving many contributing factors. While it is…

    • 951 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Teen Obesity
    • 1073 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Teen Obesity

    Today families also exercise less, are watching more TV, gaming, and surfing the internet. According to the U.S. surgeon general, only about one-half of U.S. children get regular exercise, and one-fourth don’t take part in physical activity at all. As a result, obesity among children and adolescents has increased substantially since the 1960s. The convenience of modern life has created a nation of youthful couch potatoes.…

    • 1073 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Problem with the Digital Age
    • 561 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The Problem with the Digital Age

    These days, new technology has made daily living much easier and more convenient, example we don’t have to hand wash laundry. Now, it is just a simple procedure that is quick and easy. But when everything is quick and easy it’s not necessarily a better thing, we stop moving around as much for we are too busy staring at our phones, laptops, computer and or t.v. Studies have shown that for every 10 percent rise in what a country spends on information and communications technology, there’s a 1 percent increase in obesity rates. This is the most evident in America where more than two-thirds of Americans are either overweight or obese, which raises the risk of stroke, heart attack, diabetes, arthritis and several types of cancer. This is all because of the fact that we sit at our desk all day, and then eat and having no physical exercise doesn’t help either.…

    • 561 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics