Week 8 Assignment Sci
Obesity Epidemic and Eating Disorders
Stephanie D. Snyder-Wilson
SCI/241
Dr. Douglas Beaudette
January 3, 2013
Obesity and eating disorders have become an epidemic in the United States. With society focusing on the health of people, obesity seems to be the hot topic. Everywhere you look, there are more obese people. Many people blame their genetic makeup while others blame the abundance of convenience foods that are now available; but one thing is for certain, there are health risks associated with obesity and eating disorders. Risks associated with eating disorders include “stunted growth, delayed menstruation, damage to vital organs such as the heart and brain, nutritional deficiencies, including starvation, cardiac arrest, and emotional problems such as depression and anxiety” (At Health, 2010). Some of the health risks associated with obesity are “high blood pressure, stroke, cardiovascular disease, gallbladder disease, diabetes, respiratory problems, arthritis, cancer, and emotional problems such as depression and anxiety” (At Health, 2010). A person’s body composition is used to describe the health of a person based on the amount of fat in a person’s body. Body composition is defined as “the body’s relative amount of fat to fat-free mass” (Scott, 2008). There are essential fats that our body needs, but the excess of fat is when one is considered obese. When one has excess body fat, it causes health problems by putting one at risk for several diseases and can put strain on the body’s internal organs. There are factors which are associated with the obesity epidemic that some people may not be aware of. There are biological and environmental factors which contribute to the obesity epidemic today. A person’s genetic makeup can play a role in obesity because the genes are what instruct a person’s body to react to changes in one’s environment. Environmental factors also play a role in obesity. When people consume convenience foods rather
Stephanie D. Snyder-Wilson
SCI/241
Dr. Douglas Beaudette
January 3, 2013
Obesity and eating disorders have become an epidemic in the United States. With society focusing on the health of people, obesity seems to be the hot topic. Everywhere you look, there are more obese people. Many people blame their genetic makeup while others blame the abundance of convenience foods that are now available; but one thing is for certain, there are health risks associated with obesity and eating disorders. Risks associated with eating disorders include “stunted growth, delayed menstruation, damage to vital organs such as the heart and brain, nutritional deficiencies, including starvation, cardiac arrest, and emotional problems such as depression and anxiety” (At Health, 2010). Some of the health risks associated with obesity are “high blood pressure, stroke, cardiovascular disease, gallbladder disease, diabetes, respiratory problems, arthritis, cancer, and emotional problems such as depression and anxiety” (At Health, 2010). A person’s body composition is used to describe the health of a person based on the amount of fat in a person’s body. Body composition is defined as “the body’s relative amount of fat to fat-free mass” (Scott, 2008). There are essential fats that our body needs, but the excess of fat is when one is considered obese. When one has excess body fat, it causes health problems by putting one at risk for several diseases and can put strain on the body’s internal organs. There are factors which are associated with the obesity epidemic that some people may not be aware of. There are biological and environmental factors which contribute to the obesity epidemic today. A person’s genetic makeup can play a role in obesity because the genes are what instruct a person’s body to react to changes in one’s environment. Environmental factors also play a role in obesity. When people consume convenience foods rather
References: A.D.A.M. . (2012, February 13). PubMed Health. Retrieved January 3, 2013, from Anorexia nervosa: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001401/ At Health. (2010, September 9). Eating Disorders and Obesity. Retrieved January 3, 2013, from health: http://www.athealth.com/consumer/disorders/obesityeatingdis.html Scott, J. R. (2008, October 27). About.com. Retrieved January 3, 2013, from What is body composition?: http://weightloss.about.com/od/backtobasics/f/bodycomp.htm