What is obesity and how does it affect the U.S.?

Felt Need
The Problem is that there are many children in Hawaii and the United
States that are obese. These children and parents neglect their health and diet, and
end up developing long-term health issues, which are caused by the effects of
obesity. Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years (D.J. 1), and
our society has become one that promotes unhealthy foods and portions.
Many kids are spending less time exercising and more time in front of the
television, computer, or video game-console. (S.A. 1) The fact that families are
generally very busy and have multiple activities in multiple places makes it even
harder and less likely that the family will prepare nutritious, home cooked meals.
It makes lives easier to go and eat fast food meals. (S.A.1) If we can stop the
children from being obese or begin to being overweight, we can decrease the
chance that they will be overweight when they are older.

The problem is important because…

Being aware of, and preventing, childhood obesity is important because

overweight children have a 70 percent chance of becoming overweight or obese
adults (D.J. 2). Taking steps to fix the epidemic of childhood obesity should be
considered a priority because of the health, psychological, and economic factors.
Because of the dramatic rise in obesity in children, this condition is recognized as
a serious public health concern (D.J. 3). If we don’t change their habits now, they
will be overweight when they get older and it is harder to lose the weight when
you get older. Children shouldn’t have to worry about being overweight and not
being able to do things because they are. We need to help them be their age
without being worried. We need to bring the statistics down in America and
Hawaii for having the amount of children that are obese.

Analysis
Definitions

1. BMI-Body Mass Index is a relationship between weight and height that is

associated with body fat and health risk (S.A. 2). The body mass index (BMI)
is a person's weight in kilograms (kg) divided by their height in meters (m)
squared (Y.G. 1).

2. Adolescent- A young person who has undergone puberty but who has not
reached full maturity; a teenager. (S.A. 3)

3. Obesity-The state of being well above one's normal weight. Obesity has
been more precisely defined by the National Institutes of Health (the NIH) as a
BMI of 30 and above. (A BMI of 30 is about 30 pounds overweight) (Y.G. 1).

4. Overweight-The term "overweight" is used in two different ways. In one

sense it is a way of saying imprecisely that someone is heavy. The other sense
of "overweight" is more precise and designates a state between normal weight
and obesity. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) now defines overweight in
terms of the BMI (the body mass index) which is a person's weight in
kilograms (kg) divided by their height in meters squared. Since the BMI
describes the body weight relative to height, it correlates strongly (in adults)
with the total body fat content.
Overweight is a BMI of 27.3 % or more for women and 27.8 % or more for
men, according to the NIH (Y.G. 1).

3. Corpulence- the property of excessive fatness (S.A. 3)

4. Vigorous- Strong, energetic, and active in mind or body (S.A. 3).

4. Diet-the customary amount and kind of food and drink taken by a person
from day to day; more narrowly, a diet planned to meet specific requirements
of the individual, including or excluding certain foods (S.A. 3).

5. The National Institutes of Health- The NIH is an important U.S. health

agency. It is devoted to medical research. Administratively under the
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the NIH consists of 20-
some separate Institutes and Centers. NIH’s program activities are represented
by these Institutes and Centers (Y.G. 1).

6. Diabetes- Type II is far more common than type 1. It makes up most of

diabetes cases. It usually occurs in adulthood, but young people are
increasingly being diagnosed with this disease. The pancreas does not
make enough insulin to keep blood glucose levels normal, often because
the body does not respond well to insulin. Many people with type 2
diabetes do not know they have it, although it is a serious condition. Type
2 diabetes is becoming more common due to increasing obesity and failure
to exercise (Y.G. 2).
Background:

Hawaii has had a child obesity problem for quite some

time, with rates increasing slowly but steadily. This was really
not a problem 30 years ago, back when there really weren’t that
many snacks and junk food available, compared to the influx of
unhealthy trash we now have as part of our average diet. It really
is harmful to us because now obesity is the number one
preventable killer in America. Over the past three decades, the childhood
obesity rate has more than doubled for preschool children aged 2-5 years and
adolescents aged 12-19 years, and it has more than tripled for children aged 6-11
years. Currently, approximately nine million children over 6 years of age are
considered obese (D.J. 2). In addition to the increase in how common obesity is,
the heaviest group of children is getting heavier whereas the leanest group of
children is staying lean.

This problem has many harms:

The percentage of overweight children in the United States is

growing at an alarming rate, with 1 out of 3 kids are now considered
overweight or obese (S.A. 1). Obesity may also be linked to asthma.
“Reports have shown that nearly 75 percent of emergency room visits
for asthma have been among obese individuals and studies have shown
that obesity pre-dates asthma. The risk for developing asthma
increases with increasing obesity among individuals. Yet little is
known about how obesity influences asthma.” (Y.G. 3) Type 2
diabetes is a huge concern also.

Type 2 Diabetes is a disease in which the body's blood glucose, or

blood sugar, level is too high. Normally, the body breaks down food
into glucose and then carries it to cells throughout the body. The cells
use a hormone called insulin to turn the glucose into energy. In type 2
diabetes, the body's cells don't use insulin properly. At first, the body
reacts by making more insulin. Over time, however, the body can't
make enough insulin to control its blood sugar level. Diabetes is a
leading cause of early death, CHD, stroke, kidney disease, and
blindness. Most people who have type 2 diabetes are overweight (Y.G.
4.) The most common causes are genetic factors, lack of physical
activity, unhealthy eating patterns, or combination of these factors. In
rare cases, some children could be overweight or at risk because of
medical conditions, such as hormonal problems (S.A. 4). Obesity can
cause menstrual irregularity and infertility in women (Y.G. 4). High
estrogen levels associated with obesity can also cause pre-cancerous
spots in the uterus.

Obesity can cause sleep apnea and respiratory problems Apnea is a

Greek word that means "want of breath"(Y.G. 1). . Sleep apnea is “the
temporary stoppage of breathing during sleep, often resulting in
daytime sleepiness. I have an aunty who was diagnosed as morbidly
obese and had sleep apnea. This caused her to end up in the emergency
because her breathing stopped for so long that all her vital signs were
dropping. She ended up having to have a gastric bypass surgery to lose
the weight. Coronary heart disease is another major risk for people
who are overweight. It is a narrowing of the small blood vessels that
supply blood and oxygen to the heart. CHD is also called coronary
artery disease.

Coronary heart disease is a huge risk and is usually caused by a

condition called atherosclerosis, which occurs when fatty material and
other substances form a plaque build-up on the walls of your arteries.
This causes them to narrow. As the coronary arteries narrow, blood
flow to the heart can slow down or stop. This can cause chest pain,
shortness of breath, heart attack, and other symptoms, usually when
you are active (Y.G. 4).

Overweight children are at high risk of becoming overweight

adolescents and adults, placing them at risk of developing chronic
diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes later in life. They are also
more prone to develop stress, sadness, and low self-esteem (S.A. 4). If
the child’s BMI is below the 5th percentile, the child is underweight. If
the child’s BMI is at the 5th and less the 85th percentile, the child is at a
 normal weight. If the child’s BMI is at the 85th and below the 95th
percentiles the child is overweight. If the child’s BMI is at the 95th
percentile and above, the child is obese (S.A. 1).

Another major consideration having to do with our children’s diets

and activity levels have to do with the fact that many parents are
working too many jobs, and in turn don’t have enough time to cook
their child a healthy meal or prepare them a healthy snack for school
or after school. Often, health concerns are sacrificed for convenience
and speed, and that results in a child’s health slowly deteriorating (D.J.
1). An alarming 22 million children around the world under the age of
five are estimated to be overweight (S.A. 5).

2. Harms to society

“As more people are obese and require more health treatments,
insurance rates go up. These costs are all shouldered by consumers and
are felt in our monthly budgets. Insurance companies have to increase
premiums in order to cover the cost of caring for sick, when people are
obese they have a tendency towards more costly health
problems.”(Y.G. 5)

Although it may seem at this point that obesity is not a huge

problem, it is! Since people are getting bigger and they have to
accommodate them, obesity affects the everyday cost of everyone. For
example, with cars they increase the amount because they would have
to use more material. Car manufactures have had to increase the size
of the seats in cars to accommodate the populations growing size
(Y.G. 5)

Obesity can also cause risk during pregnancy. “In the new analysis,
women who were obese before pregnancy or in early pregnancy had a
significantly increased risk of having a baby with birth defects. The
risks differed for specific problems. If obesity keeps growing at the rate
that it is, our children could be born with more and more health issues,
and then pass on the cycle if they grown into obese adults.
 The risk of spina bifida was more than two times as high for obese
pregnant women, and the overall risk of neural tube defects was nearly
twice as high (S.A. 4).
*The risk of cardiovascular defects was 30% higher.
*The risk of cleft lip and cleft palate, either singly or together, was
about 20% higher.
*The risk of hydrocephaly (an abnormal buildup of fluid in the brain)
was 60% higher.
*Limb reduction abnormalities were 30% higher.

3. Harms to the economy

a. Although it seems that obesity is not a huge problem, it is! Since

people are getting bigger and they have to accommodate them, obesity
tickles the everyday cost of everyone. Like the car example they
increase the amount because they would have to use more material.
http://www.weightofobesity.info/obesity/the-effects-of-obesity-on-
society-as-a-whole-17/

b. This also includes the health insurance rates. As more people are
obese and require more health treatments, insurance rates increase.
They have to increase premiums in order to cover the cost of caring for
sick, when people are obese they have a tendency towards more costly
health problems. http://www.weightofobesity.info/obesity/the-
effects-of-obesity-on-society-as-a-whole-17/

c. They are constantly increasing the prices and taxes because they
have to give out more material, which means companies have to buy
more supplies too.

d. About $45 billion a year is spent on treating the diseases associated

with obesity.
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/obesity/article_em.htm
This cause of this is:

Easy access to unhealthy foods, a cultural lifestyle

very slanted in foods, and especially family lifestyles
geared towards eating and the unity that comes through
family meals. The elimination of mandatory PE in schools
undoubtedly adds to the growing problem, genetics (not
always), excessive snacking, and over-priced health items
are also reasons why child obesity is such an issue. (T.I. 1).

The cause of a lot of this is because there are so many people that
don’t think about all unhealthy foods that are out there, and a lot of
parents are too busy or unhealthy themselves to help their children with
eating habits. They think that as long as they are eating they are getting
their nutrition. Yes, they are being fed, but that doesn’t necessarily mean
that their body is being nourished.

Studies also find that the less people sleep, the more likely they are to
be overweight or obese. People who report sleeping 5 hours a night, for
example, are much more likely to become obese compared with people
who sleep 7–8 hours a night. People who sleep less also seem to prefer
eating foods that are higher in calories and carbohydrates, which can lead
to overeating, weight gain, and obesity over time. Hormones that are
released during sleep control appetite and the body's use of energy. For
example, insulin controls the rise and fall of blood sugar levels during
sleep. People who don't get enough sleep have insulin and blood sugar
levels that are similar to those in people who are likely to have diabetes.
Also, people who don't get enough sleep regularly seem to have high
levels of a hormone called ghrelin (which causes hunger) and low levels of
a hormone called leptin (which normally helps curb hunger) (Y.G. 4).

A lack of energy balance most often causes overweight and obesity.

Energy balance means that your energy IN equals your energy OUT.
Energy IN is the amount of energy or calories you get from food and
drinks. Energy OUT is the amount of energy your body uses for things
like breathing, digesting, and being active. This balance needs to be
created and maintained over time.
 Our environment doesn't support healthy lifestyle habits; in fact, it
encourages obesity. Some reasons are a lack of neighborhood sidewalks
and safe places for recreation, restrictive work schedules, oversized food
portions, lack of access to healthy foods, and relentless food advertising.
Americans are surrounded by ads from food companies. Often children are
the targets of advertising for high-calorie, high-fat snacks and sugary
drinks. The goal of these ads is to sway people to buy these items, and it
often works (Y.G. 4).

The past actions taken by other groups to solve this problem include

“Fat camp” is a slang term for a type of program where overweight

and obese children and teenagers are sent during the summer to lose
weight. Adults now also go and stay away from home to eat nutritious
foods, exercise and lose weight. The purpose of these camps is for
overweight individuals to be around people who can sympathize, and
works towards the same goals together (Y.G. 6). This idea seems like
an expensive, and extreme option.
Certain groups have also tried limiting access to “unhealthy” food
chains. They wanted to restrict fast food establishments near school
grounds and public playgrounds, and replace them with healthy
options in the same locations. If kids have no other option than
healthy food, they will be forced to opt for that.
Schools have also tried to make their lunches healthier.
Currently, nineteen states now have school lunch nutrition standards
that are stricter than the USDA requirements. Hawaii does not have
these raised standards. Five years ago, only four states had legislation
requiring stricter standards (T.I. 2).
Because of the health benefits of breastfeeding, and the correlation
between a person’s weight later in life and whether they were
breastfed, many groups around America work towards promoting
breastfeeding-friendly communities (S.A. 6).
Possible Solutions
Although there are many ideas and approaches to slowing down
the rate of child obesity in the U.S., the most effective one would be to
give children no other option than nutritionally valuable food. Schools
need to continue to adjust their lunch and snack options, and work on still
making them appealing at the same time as making them less unhealthy.
Our children are constantly following by example, so it is our duty to
teach them what is right and valuable. We need to be aware of nutritional
guidelines, and attempt to implement them in the things we do and
consume every day. Making family goals, and working towards them as a
team will help the kids see that everybody is taking part, and it is not
totally horrible. Caretakers need to be sure to limit the family’s time
around the television, computer, and video games. People should avoid
eating snacks while watching television. It’s easy to get stuck doing any
of these things, and there should be timers for them.
Making more time for physical activity, and doing active family
things rather than watching movies or playing games will encourage the
kids to have fun with you. Anything that increases metabolism will aid in
keeping the body fit, and parents should encourage kids to join leagues or
play sports (S.A. 5). Starting a non-profit program and traveling around
parks or beaches to encourage group-activity is also a great idea to work
towards unifying people and making the fight against obesity a group
effort.
Since a lot of families don’t actually see that much of each other,
and a large number of parents aren’t incredibly involved in their children’s
lives, it is also highly important that schools and teachers encourage health
and healthy eating. We have no control over what happens in the family
household, but at least we would know that the child was getting a set
amount of exercise and nutritional food five days out of the week.
For infants, breastfeeding is best and delaying introduction of solid
foods may help prevent obesity. In early childhood, children should be
given healthful, low fat snacks and take part in vigorous physical activity
everyday. Their television should be limited to no more than 7 hours per
week, which includes video games and internet. Older children can be
taught to select healthy, nutritious foods and to develop good exercise
habits.
Criteria (using the list above discuss at least 5 of the possible solutions in relationship
to the criteria below).
The most important solution to slowing the epedemic of childhood
obesity is to continue to adjust portion sizes and food options. Children are
children, and if they are given the option of unhealthy and yummy, or healthy
and less yummy, they will choose the unhealthy one every time. While our
children are young, we need to instill in them the value of a good diet and
exercise. If we feed our kids things that are healthy from the start, they will
be more likely to be comfortable with those options later in life. Of course,
outside influences will play a role in a child’s decision of what to eat, but if
they are given healthy foods from the beginning of their life, they are far more
likely to be aware of the benefits of those later. Also, we need to
acknowledge that our kids are intelligent, and educate them on the severity of
bad health choices. We need to make an initial impact.
Another good solution would be a program. It could be a way to teach
people more about eating healthy and provide exercise workouts. Food health
and exercise is the two most effective ways to reduce obesity. It would be cost
effective because parks or beaches are free and volunteers are free. It may take
a few months to organize because it will take time to find these volunteers
who are knowledgeable in health care and healthy living. A plan would need
to be made on how many times a moth they would meet and what they will be
teaching. Exercise workouts would need to be planned out as well. Also, they
would need to find a way to make the public fully aware of this program.
I believe it could really happen because economy is slow right now
and cost for fitness is high. People may want to get help and learn about
obesity but have no way to do so that won’t cost them. Wilcox Memorial
Hospital should start this because they have the employees that are most
knowledgeable in this matter. I’m sure there are workers out there who would
love to give a hand to the community. They also could provide free weigh in
and measurements, even blood pressures checks. If I was aware of something
like this I would be likely to look into it.
As a community, we could build a gym/sports complex that would be
available to the entire community at no cost. Initially, it would cost a lot of
money to put everything together, but in the long run, the benefits would
absolutely outweigh everything else. We drop so much of our tax money on
road improvements and such, there should be no reason to even second guess
the importance of something that would encourage community health.
Awareness is the ultimate important factor in the epidemic of child
obesity. We need to keep parents aware of what needs to be done to keep their
child in good health, and we also need to make sure that they know how
severe and difficult to reverse the effects of obesity are. Instead of letting
major companies and food chains brainwash our children and communities,
we need to encourage health and discourage bad options.