Already, nearly 17% of American healthcare costs are linked to obesity (Bhasha, 2010). Under the new health care reform legislation of 2010, employers are not allowed to deny insurance based on a person's weight; however, there's a caveat in which employees in wellness programs can be charged up to 50% more if their weight exceeds specified levels based on age, gender, and height (Downey, 2010). Whether government should be involved in increasing premiums based on lifestyle choices and weight, or penalizing and restricting "junk" food consumption, is highly controversial; I would argue that this involvement is necessary to control obesity among Americans and control healthcare costs. Furthermore, corporations producing unhealthy foods should be taxed, and healthy foods should be made available at more affordable prices. The sad fact is that poor people often cannot afford healthier options (Osterweil, 2004).
While many Americans will complain and cry "socialism" if these types…...
mlaReferences
Bhasha, B. (2010, 11-09). Obesity Care Costs Double What Was Previously Estimated. Retrieved 11-24, 2010, from www.bharatbhasha.com: http://www.bharatbhasha.com/health.php/271594
Downey, M. (2010, 03-23). What Does Health Care Reform Mean for Obesity? Retrieved 11-24, 2010, from www.thedowneyobesityreport.com: http://www.downeyobesityreport.com/2010/03/what-does-health-care-reform-mean-for-obesity/
Fried, E., & Simon, M. (2007). The Competitive Food Conundrum: Can Government Regulations Improve School Food? Duke Law Journal, 1491.
Gordon, R. (2010, 11-13). Mayor Gavin Newsom vetoes fast-food toy ban. Retrieved 11-24, 2010, from articles.sfgate.com: http://articles.sfgate.com/2010-11-13/bay-area/24830064_1_toy-ban-toys-in-kids-meals-vetoes
As the Latino community is very family oriented there may be a need to focus the program on mother and daughter events and the like to help these young women transition into a more active lifestyle within the safety of family. There should also be a strong push to further the development of access to healthy foods through expansions, into Latino areas of the already fantastic farmers market programs in California and an emphasis on ethnic foods and cultural celebration should be directed at the appropriate areas, those markets that already provide services to these areas may need to have added support to increase hours of operation, or be moved to areas where access to public transportation is greater, to better meet the needs of a working population.
orks Cited
Day, Kristen. "Active Living and Social Justice: Planning for Physical Activity in Low-Income, Black, and Latino Communities." Journal of the American…...
mlaWorks Cited
Day, Kristen. "Active Living and Social Justice: Planning for Physical Activity in Low-Income, Black, and Latino Communities." Journal of the American Planning Association 72.1 (2006): 88.
Garcia, Robert, Erica S. Flores, and Sophia Mei-Ling Chang. "Healthy Children, Healthy Communities: Schools, Parks, Recreation, and Sustainable Regional Planning." Fordham Urban Law Journal 31.5 (2004): 1267.
Kumanyika, Shiriki, and Sonya Grier. "Targeting Interventions for Ethnic Minority and Low-Income Populations." The Future of Children 16.1 (2006): 187.
Lindsay, Ana C., Katarina M. Sussner, Juhee Kim, and Steven Gortmaker. "The Role of Parents in Preventing Childhood Obesity." The Future of Children 16.1 (2006): 169.
Obesity in Children
Obesity is a growing problem in America with more than 64% of the U.S. adult population identified to be clinically obese or overweight. It is estimated that there are more than 300,000 deaths every year which are directly attributed to obesity. [CDC]. It would not be far fetching to say that obesity has in fact assumed epidemic proportions and is one of the fastest growing healthcare problems of our nation. There is a positive association between obesity and cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and other life threatening conditions. A disturbing fact is the increasing rate of obesity among children in the age group of 4 to 16. Unhealthy eating habits and the modern sedentary life style have only aggravated the risk factors leading to a health care crisis. Nurses as community healthcare providers have an important role in increasing the awareness and initiating nutritional programs and exercise activities aimed…...
mlaBibliography
1) Holcomb, Susan Simmons, "Obesity in Children and Adolescents: Guidelines for Prevention and Management," The Nurse Practitioner Vol 29, 8 08-01-2004
2) O'Brien SH, Holubkov R, Reis EC, "Identification, Evaluation, and Management of Obesity in an Academic Primary Care Center," Pediatrics. 2004; Vol 114 (2):
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/487898_6
3) Jennifer R. McCarthy, MPH, Mary AnnBurg, MSW, PhD, Kristen Smith, MPH, Cathy Burns, BSN, MA, "Pediatric Obesity in the Clinical Setting: Epidemiology of Childhood Obesity:Primary Care Interventions, and Needs Assessment for Future Prevention," Accessed on September 23rd 2004, Available online at http://www.priory.com/childobesity.htm
Overweight and Obesity -- Literature eview
A report by the World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that obesity is among the 10 preventable health risks across the globe. However, this health risk contributes to 300,000 annual deaths in the United States. Obesity is a health risk that is linked to various disorders such as diabetes, liver disease, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia (Wilborn et al., 2005, p.4). Generally, the condition is thought to be simply associated with an imbalance between a person's energy intake and expenditure. However, the findings of more researches demonstrate that behavioral, genetic, and physiological factors play a crucial role in the etiology of this health risk. Moreover, exercise and diet are considered as important components that play a crucial role in the prevention and treatment of this health risk as well as its associated disorders like diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension.
This article will begin with an evaluation or overall assessment…...
mlaReferences
Arciero et. al. (2008). Moderate Protein Intake Improves Total and Regional Body Composition
and Insulin Sensitivity in Overweight Adults. Metabolism Clinical and Experimental, 57, 757-765.
Layman et. al. (2005, May 7). Dietary Protein and Exercise Have Additive Effects on Body
Composition during Weight Loss in Adult Women. The Journal of Nutrition, 1903-1910.
overweight or obese simply means simply "carrying excess body fat," measured by a height to weight ratio known as a body mass index, or BMI ("Obesity and Overweight in Adults"). In addition to the physical health consequences of being overweight or obese, including lethargy, high blood pressure, and diabetes, there are known mental health concerns including depression, social anxiety, and low self-esteem. Research has consistently shown that being overweight or obese is "strongly correlated with low self-esteem," (Eddy 1). Low self-esteem can be considered as a cluster of cognitive and emotional variables ranging from perceived self-efficacy to more existential concerns such as "one's capacity to feel worthy of happiness," (Eddy 1). Given there are different types of self-esteem, it may be difficult to absolutely measure the relationship between overweight and self-esteem. Moreover, there will be certain cultural, individual, and contextual variables impacting self-perception regarding body image and body weight.…...
mlaWorks Cited
Boyington, Josephine.E.A. et al. "Cultural attitudes toward weight, diet, and physical activity among overweight African-American girls." Preventing Chronic Disease Vol 5, No 2, April 2008, pp. a36.
Eddy, Meaghan M. "Promoting Self-Esteem in Overweight and Obese Girls." Women's Healthcare. Retrieved online: http://npwomenshealthcare.com/promoting-self-esteem-in-overweight-and-obese-girls/
Israel, Allen C. and Ivanova, Masha Y. Global and dimensional self-esteem in preadolescent and early adolescent children who are overweight. International Journal of Eating Disorders Vol 31, No 4, 21 Mar 2001, pp. 424-429.
Klaczynski, Paul A, Goold, Kristen W. and Mudry, Jeffrey J. "Culture, Obesity Stereotypes, Self-Esteem, and the 'Thin Ideal': A Social Identity Perspective." Journal of Youth and Adolescence, Vol 33, No 4, Aug 2004, pp. 307-317.
Obesity and Discrimination
Bias against overweight and obese individuals is perhaps the last form of acceptable discrimination. Overweight people are subject to both subtle and blatant forms of discrimination, from childhood to adulthood. Discrimination occurs in family, social and professional situations as well.
This paper takes an interdisciplinary approach to the issue of weight-based discrimination and harassment, drawing on diverse literature from fields including psychology, law, pediatrics and economics. The extent of discrimination is explored through a critical survey and integration of current research on the social and professional effects of obesity.
The first part of this paper looks at the varying definitions of the terms "overweight," "obesity" and "discrimination."
It highlights the limitations of these definitions and how these terms can be misapplied.
The next part looks at statistics regarding the growing number of overweight and obese people in the United States. Recent studies show an alarming rise in obesity and overweight adults and…...
mlaWorks Cited
Bellizzi, J.A. And Hasty, R.W. (1998), "Territory assignment decisions and supervising unethical selling behavior: the effects of obesity and gender as moderated by job-related factors," Journal of Personal Selling and Sales Management, (18) 2: 35-49.
Berg, Frances M. (1997). Afraid to Eat: Children and Teens in Weight Crisis. Hettinger, ND: Healthy Weight Association.
Brown v. New York State Division of Human Rights, 1997 WL 773684 (Slip Copy, Ct. App., NY)
Brownell, Puhl R. (2001). "Bias, discrimination, and obesity." Obesity Research 9(12):788-805
Childhood Obesity
Overweight: Scaling Back on Childhood Obesity
Childhood obesity has become a growing source of concern in America. Before 1980, 6.5% of children between 6 and 11 years of age were overweight or obese and 5% of children between 12 and 19 years old, but, by 2004, those numbers increased to 18.8% and 17.4%, respectively (Lawrence, Hazlett, & Hightower, 2010). The tripled rate of obesity combined with the impact of being overweight or obese during childhood is a major public health issue.
Being obese or overweight during childhood increases the risk for developing chronic diseases such as depression, hypertension, respiratory problems, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2005). Obese adolescents are more likely to become obese adults (DiMattia & Denney, 2008). Obesity expenditures were 8%, or $69 billion in 1990, grew to $92.6 billion, or 9%, by 2002, and are projected to reach 16%, or…...
mlaWorks Cited
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2010). Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance -- United States, 2009. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 59(SS-5), 1-136.
DeMattia, L. & Denney, L. (2008). Childhood obesity prevention: Successful community-based efforts. Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 615, 83-99.
Fisher, C., Hunt, P., Kann, L., Kolbe, L., Patterson, B., Wechsler, H. (2003). Promising Practices in Chronic Disease Prevention and Control. Atlanta: CDC.
Francis, L.A., Ventura, A.K., Marini, M., & Birch, L.L. (2007). Parent overweight predicts daughters' increase in BMI and disinhibited overeating from 5-13 years. Obesity, 15, 1544-1553.
Obesity
It is well established that obesity is a major public health epidemic and that its consequences impact all areas of the healthcare system. When discussing the issue of obesity, the focus is usually on the health impact of obesity on the patient and how that impacts not only the patient, but also others in society. Less frequently discussed, but of critical importance in healthcare planning, is the fact that obesity is taking a tremendous financial toll upon the American healthcare system. Obesity is linked to a number of diseases that are not only dangerous, but also costly. These diseases include, but are not limited to: hypertension, heart disease, Type II diabetes, and hormonal imbalances. Obesity-linked diseases can create significant financial hardships for their sufferers, but they can also take a tremendous financial toll on society.
From an individual perspective, the financial health costs of obesity can be so overwhelming that they…...
mlaReferences
Bowden, M. (2014). The effects of obesity on your pocketbook. Retrieved April 4, 2014 from Bankrate website: http://www.bankrate.com/finance/personal-finance/the-effects-of-obesity-on-your-pocketbook-1.aspx
Dykman, A. (2011, July 27). The financial cost of obesity. Retrieved April 4, 2014 from Forbes website: http://www.forbes.com/sites/moneybuilder/2011/07/27/the-financial-cost-of-obesity/
Finkelstein, E., Trogdon, J., Cohen, J., & Dietz, W. (2009). Annual medical spending attributable to obesity: Payer-and-service specific estimates. Health Affairs, 28(5): w822-w831.
Maciejewski, M. & Arterbum, D. (2013, August 21). Cost-effectiveness of bariatric surgery.
, 1991).
Implications and ecommendations
The implication of the collective weight of empirical research into factors affecting childhood obesity strongly support the approach of positively reinforcing healthier food choices and also of positively reinforcing the voluntary selection of active play activities instead of sedentary play activities in children who are either at risk of obesity or already obese. (Epstein, Paluch, Gordy, et al., 2000; Epstein, Paluch, Kilanowski, et al., 2004). Since highly obese children are less capable of being motivated in those directions than moderately obese and non-obese children (Epstein, Kilanowski, Consalvi, et al., 1999), it would also seem especially important to intervene before children reach the point of extreme obesity. Ultimately, both methods should be widely incorporated into contemporary childhood education and healthcare responses to overweight and obesity.
eferences
Epstein, Leonard H., Kilanowski, Colleen K., Consalvi, Angela ., and Paluch, occo a.
"einforcing value of physical activity as a determinant of child activity level."
Health…...
mlaReferences
Epstein, Leonard H., Kilanowski, Colleen K., Consalvi, Angela R., and Paluch, Rocco a.
"Reinforcing value of physical activity as a determinant of child activity level."
Health Psychology, Vol 18(6), Nov, 1999. pp. 599-603.
Epstein, Leonard H., Paluch, Rocco a., Gordy, Constance C., Saelens, Brian E., and Ernst, Michelle M. "Problem solving in the treatment of childhood obesity."
Weight and Obesity
The Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in Immigrant Women from Sub-Saharan Africa Living in Grande Prairie, Alberta
In spite of the increased prevalence of overweight and obesity in the general population, little attention has been paid to immigrant communities, which are at a greater risk of weight gain compared to the majority. This is quite disturbing given the increased rate of migration from low-income countries. Lack of epidemiological data relating to overweight and obesity is particularly true for women of sub-Saharan African origin living in Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada. This study will involve a cross-sectional survey, to fill this gap in literature. A sample of 100 subjects is deemed to be representative of the target population. Knowledge of the prevalence of overweight and obesity in this population will be important for designing weight management interventions for this group, thereby reducing the risk of overweight and obesity as well as…...
mlaReferences
Adhikari, A., (2014). Prevalence of obesity among immigrants living in Canada. American Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 2(1): 35-39.
Choi, J. (2012). Prevalence of overweight and obesity among US immigrants: results of the 2003 New Immigrant Survey. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 14(6), 1112-1118.
City of Grande Prairie (2015). Census population. Retrieved from: http://www.cityofgp.com/index.aspx?page=2507
Gele, A., & Mbalilaki, A. (2013). Overweight and obesity among African immigrants in Oslo. BMC Research Notes, 6: 119.
The problem is however that results appear less promising in the long-term. The most effective period for weight loss occurs during the first six months, whereas weight gain once again appears after this time.
hile it is a good idea to implement school and work-based programs, commercial giants such as KFC and Macdonald's make it very difficult to sustain healthy nutrition and weight loss. Advertising that tends to focus on the pleasure of eating unhealthy foods is one of the great culprits promoting obesity in the United States. Perhaps food addictions could be fought more effectively by similar means. The media could be used to promote healthy habits and curb unhealthy ones in terms of fast foods. This technique has shown promising results in smoking and could also prove useful in the food industry.
Source
Guide to Community Preventive Services (2003, January 3). Overweight/Obesity. www.thecommunityguide.org/obesity...
mlaWhile it is a good idea to implement school and work-based programs, commercial giants such as KFC and Macdonald's make it very difficult to sustain healthy nutrition and weight loss. Advertising that tends to focus on the pleasure of eating unhealthy foods is one of the great culprits promoting obesity in the United States. Perhaps food addictions could be fought more effectively by similar means. The media could be used to promote healthy habits and curb unhealthy ones in terms of fast foods. This technique has shown promising results in smoking and could also prove useful in the food industry.
Source
Guide to Community Preventive Services (2003, January 3). Overweight/Obesity. www.thecommunityguide.org/obesity
She is trying to alter the perception of the surrounding society that fat people are lazy slobs, However, she has to be careful not to excuse medically dangerous obesity ("Fat and proud, part 3" 2010). In part 4 of the video, Mandy tries to use the kiss-a-gram to change the master status (successfully) of her aunt Elsa as a fat person by bringing her along to a job. This is also the case with women who are fat going on a skating night. This attacks the idea successfully that fat people can be fit ("Fat and proud, part 4" 2010). The fat calendar memorializes that change in master status permanently with a calendar shoot, so it does so successfully in a permanent fashion ("Fat and proud, part 5" 2010.
The approach of the Biggest Looser is not successful because it is begin imposed from the outside. So often, people who…...
mlaReferences
Adler, P., & Adler, P. (2012). Constructions of deviance: Social power, context, and interaction. (7th
ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
The biggest loser - season 6 supertease (2008, August 15). The Biggest Loser. [Audio podcast].
Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwvW_yeOBqs ,
In addition, the Marines have a much smaller force than the army.
On the other hand, the army cannot be as selective as the marines because it needs to maintain a much higher number of troops. The article explains that the army "needs 80,000 new soldiers this year and must find them in a populace that is in many ways less willing and less able to serve than earlier generations were (Mockenhaupt, 2007, pg.86)." The article explains that teenagers and young adults are overweight and less fit than any previous generation. In addition, this generation of young Americans eats more unhealthy foods, watches more television, and engages in less physical activity than previous generations. The article further asserts that this generation is "more individualistic and less inclined to join the military. And with the unemployment rate hovering near historic lows, they have other choices (Mockenhaupt, 2007, pg.86)."
Overall it is apparent…...
mlaReferences
Anderson, P.M., & Butcher, K.F. (2006). Childhood Obesity: Trends and Potential Causes. The Future of Children, 16(1), 19+.
Body Mass Index. http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/
Belkin D. (February 20, 2006) Struggling for recruits, Army relaxes its rules: Fitness, education, age criteria change. The Boston Globe Retrieved March 16, 2008 from; http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2006/02/20/struggling_for_recruits_army_relaxes_its_rules/?page=1
Daniels, S.R. (2006). The Consequences of Childhood Overweight and Obesity. The Future of Children, 16(1), 47+.
There are remedies (albeit not easy ones for the individuals involved), as suggested by the research. However, and this is very important, the current public health approaches that the Saudi government has taken, as Mabrey et al. (2010) note, have focused fairly narrowly on medical approaches. This focus includes research that has been conducted on metabolic syndrome (which is caused primarily by being overweight). This is caused by clear-cut factors and has a number of possible poor consequences.
Mabrey et al. (2010) note that metabolic syndrome is on average 10 to 15% higher in the GCC states than in the rest of world and that females are disproportionately affected by metabolic syndrome. These researchers are among those who note that a strictly medical approach to such medical problems is far from sufficient. For while metabolic syndrome itself can be identified and described in purely medical terms, such an approach does nothing…...
mlaReferences
Abraham, S. & Nordsieck, M. (1960). Relationship of excess weight in children and adults. Public Health 75: 263-273.
Alghamdi, K.M. (2010). The use of topical bleaching agents among women: A cross-sectional study of knowledge, attitude and practices. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 24(10): 1214-1219.
Al-Qahtani, D.A., Imtiaz, M.L., Saad, O.S., & Hussein, N.M. (2006). A comparison of the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Saudi adult females using two definitions. Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders, 4(3): 204-214.
Al Qauhiz, N.M. (2010). Obesity among Saudi Female University Students: Dietary Habits and Health Behaviors. Journal of the Egyptian Public Health Association 85(1-2):45-59.
e. fat storage. These physiological concerns are significant in that programming that was designed to maintain a nurturing position for young children the physiological environment interprets crisis as anything that creates a stressful physical demeanor. The stress and psychology of abandonment is a constant, once the abandonment by the father has occurred. The body does not distinguish between a fasting period associated with unavailable food, or drought and psychological long-term emotional stress. The human body also does not distinguish between a self imposed diet and a period of famine. It reduces its basal metabolic rate, or the rate of metabolism needed to perform its base functions, and then the recovery period would seem to be longer than expected. This is the diet conundrum, though it has also been proven that prolonged periods of psychological stress and/or depression that could be associated with abandonment by the father will also cause a…...
mlaReferences
Anderson, P.M., & Butcher, K.F. (2006). Childhood Obesity: Trends and Potential Causes. The Future of Children, 16(1), 19.
Anderson, P.M., Butcher, K.F., & Levine, P.B. (2003). Economic Perspectives on Childhood Obesity. Economic Perspectives, 27(3), 30.
Bifulco, a. (1998). Wednesday's Child: Research into Women's Experience of Neglect and Abuse in Childhood and Adult Depression. London: Routledge.
Caprio, Sonia. (2006) "Treating Child Obesity and Associated Medical Conditions." The Future of Children 16 (1), 209.
Yes, lifestyle changes and proper nutrition can have a significant impact on managing infertility. In fact, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and following a balanced diet can improve overall fertility health and increase the chances of conceiving.
Some lifestyle and nutrition changes that can positively impact infertility management include:
1. Maintaining a healthy weight: Being either underweight or overweight can affect fertility. Maintaining a healthy weight through proper diet and regular exercise can improve hormone balance and increase the chances of conceiving.
2. Eating a balanced diet: Consuming a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats can provide essential....
Here is a brief outline of the main contributing factors to childhood obesity in developed countries:
1. Sedentary lifestyle: Lack of physical activity and excessive screen time can lead to weight gain and obesity in children.
2. Poor diet: Consumption of high-calorie, low-nutrient foods such as fast food, sugary drinks, and processed snacks can contribute to weight gain and obesity.
3. Genetics: Genetic factors can also play a role in childhood obesity, as children with obese parents are more likely to be overweight themselves.
4. Environment: Factors such as access to unhealthy food options, lack of safe places to play and exercise, and socioeconomic....
How to Lose Weight: A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction
Weight loss is a common goal for many people, but it can be challenging to achieve and maintain. There are numerous factors that can contribute to weight gain, including genetics, lifestyle choices, and medical conditions. However, there are also a number of effective strategies that can help you lose weight and improve your overall health. This presentation will provide a comprehensive guide to weight loss, covering topics such as:
The causes of weight gain
The different types of weight loss diets
The importance of exercise
The role of behavior modification
The challenges of weight....
Some of the most common risk factors that contribute to the development of community-acquired pneumonia include:
1. Advanced age: Elderly individuals, especially those above 65 years old, are at higher risk due to weakened immune systems and underlying health conditions.
2. Smoking: Cigarette smoking damages the lungs and makes individuals more susceptible to respiratory infections.
3. Chronic medical conditions: Conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and asthma increase the risk of developing pneumonia.
4. Weakened immune system: People with compromised immune systems due to conditions like HIV/AIDS, cancer, or organ transplantation are at higher risk.
5. Recent respiratory infections: Having....
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