Causes and Challenges of Obesity Essay Example

as the excess fat restricts their rib cage from expanding leaving a small void for the diaphragm to move up and down as required.

Moreover, the exchange of oxygen is also reduced as most of the fat in the obese is stored in the lungs. Another challenge faced by some obese people is bad body odor. This is because of perspiration as a result of decreased air flow in their body, an attribute of folds of their body (Haslam & Witterst, 2009). Obese people are at times prone not to bathe regularly since they have reduced energy levels which make them feel depressed.

Causes of obesity

Obesity may be caused by many factors apart from overeating like medical issues.

For instance, when little thyroid hormone is produced by the thyroid gland that is located in the neck it causes weight gain. This is because the thyroid hormone is responsible for regulating metabolic activities in the body. Therefore, its insufficiency results in obesity. The condition may also be caused when the steroid hormone, cortisol is produced in plenty by the adrenal glands.

The genetic makeup may also play a role on whether a person becomes obese. However, one still has the control when it comes to their weight although some genetic diseases make it hard to avoid obesity they are rare (Metcalf & Metcalf, 2008). Additionally, if a person was obese during their childhood it more likely they will be overweight when adults.Those living a sedentary lifestyle stand higher chances of being obese. This is attributed to by their eating habits and the type of food they eat.

Pregnancy can also contribute to obesity. Most ladies weigh more after they

have given birth. Some people overeat when depressed, and this can lead them to be obese. The progression of obesity is usually contributed by other conditions that are directly related to it.

One of these circumstances is a reduction in mobility which prevents the burning of some calories which would have been burned in the performance of activities (North American Association for the Study of Obesity, 2006). Being obese also causes emotional stress which produces hormonal changes that attribute to increased appetite. Weight gain reduces sleep duration and impairs sleep quality as they feel to urinate frequently.

Prevent obesity

To prevent obesity one should make living a healthy lifestyle his or her goal. This can be achieved by having a healthy eating plan- eating a balanced diet that has fewer calories. Also checking on the portion size of food may help in preventing overeating.

For instance, the food served in some restaurants is enough for three or four grownups. There this portion should be reduced when children visit such joints so as to help balance their energy and maintain the normal weight. Additionally to lessen the chance of overweight one should the time they spend on television, play stations and computers. This will, in turn, create time for them to participate in outdoor activities like biking, brisk walking and run.

These activities though are done for leisure they help in burning down calorie, preventing obesity. There has been a notable increase in the number of overweight children the recent years. This believed to be caused by lack of physical exercise, unhealthy food choices, and sedentary family eating habits. This increase in obese children is disturbing since it attributes

health disorders which can cause social problems (Whitacre & Institute of Medicine (U.S.), 2009). It obvious that are obese children are likely to be teased by their peers which smash their self-esteem.

Among the long term and short term risks to a child’s health are obesity this is because it increases the chances of them suffering from certain diseases in adulthood regardless of whether they will be obese in adulthood. Full responsibility should be taken by parents for their kids’ diet as a way of preventing all challenged possessed by obesity. As for those who are obese should be encouraged to participate in activities that will help in cutting their weight. However in cases whether they are comfortable as they are they should not be treated as that is an inability since it is not.

References

1. Dillon, E. (2007). Obesity. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press.
2. Haslam, D. W., & Witterst, G. (2009). Obesity. Abingdon: Health Press.
3. Metcalf, T., & Metcalf, G. (2008). Obesity.
4. North American Association for the Study of Obesity.

   (2006). Obesity. Silver Spring, MD: NAASO, The Obesity Society.

5. Whitacre, P., & Institute of Medicine (U.S.). (2009).

   Community perspectives on obesity prevention in children: Workshop summaries.

6. Washington, DC: National Academies Press.