Abstract
This essay will be focusing on Obesity as the current health issue; the essay aims to explore how obesity is of importance to public health. It will cover the definition of obesity; in relation to the health of a person. Common health risks and consequences associated with obesity as well as the importance of taking necessary steps to tackle the condition. How it can lead to potentially life-threatening conditions and how it can affect the quality of life of a person that may lead to psychological problems will also be discussed under this. Additionally, the causes of obesity will be discussed in details and the underlying health conditions that do not often contribute to the gain of weight. Finally, the essay will give an insight on ways to treat obesity and how the person suffering from obesity can benefit from p
...sychological support.
Introduction
Obesity refers to an excessive or abnormal accumulation of fats in the body that pose a risk to an individual’s health. Unlike overweight which means weighing too much, obesity is different. Obesity contributes to a number of chronic diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, and cancer (Ogden et al., 2006). The weight may come from fat, bone, muscle, and/or body water. The term “obesity” is used to mean that the weight of a person is greater than what is regarded as healthy for his or her height. Obesity does not occur overnight but is a condition that takes time to develop especially when a person takes more calories than required amount in the body. There are factors that might affect the body weight of an individual, some of which include
overeating, genetic makeup, eating high-fat foods, and not being physically active.
Obesity and overweight are usually measured using Body Mass Index (BMI) scale, BMI is a simple index that is often used in the classification of schoolchildren and adults if they are overweight or obese. It is determined by taking the weight (in kilograms) of person divided by their height (in meters). BMI is a useful tool that provides a measure in population-level of individuals that are overweight and obese as it cut across both sexes as well as for all ages of adults. According to World Health Organization (WHO), if a person has a BMI that is equal to or greater than 25, he or she is considered to be overweight. And if a person has a BMI that is equal to or greater than 30, he or she is considered to be obese (Monteiro et al., 2004).
Obesity was once believed to be a problem in only high-income countries but it is now on the rise in middle and low-income countries, more specifically in urban settings. It is arguable that low-income people have inadequate access to healthy foods and they are also unlikely to have access to fitness and recreational faculties thereby leading to obesity (Friel & Lichacz, 2010). Worldwide obesity is associated with more deaths of people than underweight. But individuals who are obese can employ the modest weight loss methods and this can prevent or improve the health problems that are linked to obesity. Increased physical activities, dietary changes, and change of behavior can help in losing weight. Moreover, weight-loss surgery and prescription of medications are also some of the additional options used
in obesity treatment.
References
- Friel, S., & Lichacz, W. (2010). Unequal food systems, unhealthy diets.Food security, nutrition and sustainability, 115-129.
- Monteiro, C. A., Moura, E. C., Conde, W. L., & Popkin, B. M. (2004). Socioeconomic status and obesity in adult populations of developing countries: a review. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 82(12), 940-946.
- Ogden, C. L., Carroll, M. D., Curtin, L. R., McDowell, M. A., Tabak, C. J., & Flegal, K. M. (2006). Prevalence of overweight and obesity in the United States, 1999- 2004. Jama, 295(13), 1549-1555.
