Archive for the 'Obesity Epidemic' Category
Is Obesity Causing The Diabetes Epidemic?
Sunday, January 18th, 2009 by admin
Increasing numbers of people are developing type two diabetes here in the United States. Approximately sixteen million people in this country are diabetic, yet not all of them are aware of it. With type two diabetes the body either stops producing enough of the hormone insulin, or the cells of the body do not react to it. Diabetes is a disease that medical experts do not yet fully understand. Yet there is plenty of evidence to suggest a strong link between the prevalence of obesity and the diabetes epidemic.
A Brief Overview Of The Disease
In order to understand the link between obesity and the diabetes epidemic it is necessary to know what the disease entails. The hormone insulin is made by the pancreas. Its function is to help glucose reach the cells. With diabetes the pancreas does not produce sufficient insulin and/or the cells no longer react to the hormone. Instead the glucose stays in the bloodstream and the cells are starved. High blood sugar levels can cause hyperglycemia which can lead to seizures, coma and death. It can also cause damage to the nerves, kidneys, heart, eyes, skin and feet. If left untreated diabetes can kill and in fact it is the seventh biggest cause of death in the United States.
People who are born diabetic have type one diabetes. People who become diabetic later on have type two diabetes. Although medical experts are no exactly sure what causes type two diabetes they think that genetics, race and age play a role. African Americans, Hispanics and Native American Indians are more prone to type two diabetes than other races. People with a diabetic relative are also thought more susceptible, as are people over the age of forty-five.
Being Too Heavy Increases Your Risk
How are obesity and the diabetes epidemic linked? More research is needed in order to understand the correlation between obesity and the diabetes epidemic. However, according to statistics ninety percent of all people in the industrialized world who develop type two diabetes have high BMI. People with excess abdominal fat are especially prone to type two diabetes. A sedentary lifestyle is also thought to increase the risk of developing the disease. If statistics are anything to go by, there definitely is a correlation between obesity and the diabetes epidemic.
How To Avoid It
There is no known cure for diabetes, but it can be controlled and avoided. Since we know that there is a link between obesity and the diabetes epidemic, it is reasonable to assume that you will reduce your risk of getting it if you make smarter choices when it comes to food. If you don’t want to get type two diabetes stop eating junk and instead consume more fresh whole foods such as fruit, vegetables, lean fish and whole grains. You should also make the effort to include more physical activity in your daily routine.
With exercise and a calorie controlled diet you should be able to get down to a healthy BMI. However, if you need a little help you may wish to consider obesity treatment such as gastric bypass surgery or prescription weight loss medication. Treatment can augment your weight loss efforts so that you slim down faster than you would otherwise have done. One thing is for certain, as long as the developed world has a problem with obesity the diabetes epidemic will continue.
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General Obesity Epidemic
Sunday, January 18th, 2009 by admin
Here in the United States and the rest of the industrialized world we are raising a generation of children that probably won’t see the age of seventy. The general obesity epidemic in the developed world is having a serious impact on all ages, genders and ethnic groups. Here in the United States over 30 percent of adults and 15 percent of children have a BMI of thirty or more and two thirds of the population is overweight. It seems that we are all getting fatter at an alarming rate and this has serious implications for the future health of humanity.
The Cause
A person gains weight when they consume more calories than they can burn in energy. Simply put, the general obesity epidemic is the result of the fact that we eat too much and do too little. We work in offices where we sit down at a desk all day and then go home to watch television on the sofa at night. Our children play video games in the house instead of going outside to play. Instead of cooking healthy nutritious meals at home we eat out at fast food restaurants or order a pizza. We consume massive portions and do not stop eating once we are full. As a result we store more body fat than is healthy for us.
Related Health Conditions
The general obesity epidemic is having a devastating impact on the health of the people in this nation. There are actually thirty health complaints that are associated with obesity. The most worrying link to obesity is the diabetes epidemic. Approximately 16 million Americans have type two diabetes and more than half of them do not even know it. Diabetes is the 7th biggest killer in the United States. The general obesity epidemic is also causing a greater prevalence of cardiovascular disease and hypertension in the United States.
What We Can Do
If you are frightened by the implications of the general obesity epidemic you can at least ensure that you personally do something about it. If your BMI is more than twenty five you need to reduce it for the sake of your health. You can reduce your BMI by following a healthy calorie controlled diet plan, avoiding fast food and increasing the amount of exercise you do. If you have children you can also take measures to change their lifestyles for the better and educate them about food. If we all make the decision to eat better and exercise more we can stop the general obesity epidemic from becoming any worse than it is already.
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The Relation Between Fast Food And The Obesity Epidemic
Sunday, January 18th, 2009 by admin
One does not have to have an intelligence quotient comparable with that of Albert Einstein to work out that there is a definite link between fast food and the obesity epidemic. One would have to be a total fool not to realize that the serious worldwide general obesity epidemic is largely the result of the rapidly growing fast food industry.
Some Quick Facts
Around thirty-one percent of people here in the United States have a BMI of 30 or more and are considered obese. Approximately sixty percent of US citizens have a BMI of at least 25 and are therefore overweight. The rate of child hood obesity in the United States has tripled since 1970. In 2007 it is estimated that 368,000 Americans died of obesity related health conditions.
How does fast food impact the obesity epidemic? Every year the sale of fast food increases by several million dollars. Much of this money is spent on advertising campaigns designed to increase sales even more. Many fast food and soft drink commercials are aimed at children, who become hooked on junk food from an early age as a consequence.
Are you still not convinced that fast food and the obesity epidemic go hand in hand? Fast food is full of saturated fat and refined sugar and has a very low nutritional value. If you visit McDonalds and purchase a Big Mac, medium fries and a regular medium soft drink you will ingest 1,250 calories in a single meal. In that meal are 56 grams of fat and 1,380 milligrams of salt. The soft drink contains approximately 42 grams of sugar. If you put ketchup on your fries the calorie count increases even more. The fare at other popular fast food restaurants is equally unhealthy.
The Reasons
What is causing the increased consumption of fast food and the obesity epidemic? There are lots of factors that are contributing to the problem. Society has changed in recent decades and, on average, both parents in a family work more hours which leaves little time to cook nutritious meals at home. Fast food tastes good and often contains an addictive additive called MSG that makes people crave it. Furthermore when we ingest fat and sugar a mood-enhancing chemical called serotonin is released into the brain so we subconsciously associate eating it with pleasure. Of course the tempting commercials make it even more difficult to resist the lure of junk food.
There definitely is a correlation between fast food and the obesity epidemic. There is also a correlation between obesity, cardiovascular problems, hypertension and type two diabetes. If everybody in the United States and the rest of the world would only stop eating fast food the obesity epidemic would soon come to an end and society would be healthier for it.
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The Obesity Epidemic in the United States: The Causes and the Solutions
Sunday, January 18th, 2009 by admin
Thanks to the prevalence of sedentary lifestyles and the fast food culture, the obesity epidemic in the United States is infamous around the world. Unfortunately, other countries in the world are following the American example and incorporating these unhealthy lifestyle practices into their cultures.
The fast food obesity epidemic is only one facet of the obesity problem in the US however. Many factors stemming from economic growth, urbanization, and modernization contribute to the obesity epidemic in the United States.
Convenience Kills
If you take a walk down the aisles of a supermarket in the US, it’s clear to see why so many Americans are obese. If you handed some fresh vegetables, spices, and meat to your average American, he probably wouldn’t even be able to improvise a meal. Most Americans get their meals from packages. In fact, it’s actually more expensive to buy fresh ingredients than prepackaged convenience food in the US, which is unheard of in developing countries.
These processed, packaged foods are often in high in calories, preservatives, fat, and sugar, yet low in essential nutrients. It may be convenient to eat these foods but the health consequences are numerous. People of lower socio-economic status are more likely to bear the brunt of the obesity epidemic in the United States which isn’t surprising given that these processed foods are far more affordable than healthy, fresh foods.
Less people are actually sitting down to slowly savor and enjoy a meal these days. People prefer densely caloric convenience foods that they can scarf down in a matter of minutes in order to continue going about their productive day. Productivity is idealized in our society so the faster you can eat and the faster you can get from one place to another, the better.
Transportation is another aspect of the obesity epidemic in the United States. Some communities do not even have sidewalks! Everyone uses cars to get from place to place and anyone walking or riding a bicycle is considered an odd bird in some small towns. Outside of big cities, few people rely on public transportation, if a system even exists.
On the other hand, in Japan, which has a low obesity rate, there is a very good infrastructure for public transportation and you can get around with buses and trains even in remote areas of the country. In the United States, the system has been built so that people who don’t own cars are out of luck, to say the least.
In developing countries, more people walk and ride bikes to get from place to place so it’s easier to keep weight off and lead a healthier lifestyle. Americans have to take part in recreational activities or join the gym in order to incorporate physical activity into their lifestyles whereas in other countries, physical activity is just a normal part of the day.
In conclusion, the obesity epidemic in the United States is largely a problem that stems from the results of economic growth and modernization. Modern lifestyle brings convenience but it also brings health problems because it makes it more difficult to follow a healthy diet based on fresh fruits and vegetables and to get enough exercise each day.
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The Causes of the Obesity Epidemic
Sunday, January 18th, 2009 by admin
The obesity epidemic in the United States has received quite a bit of attention from the media but its impact on a global scale is far more reverberating. The causes of the global obesity epidemic on a more general level include modernization, economic growth, urbanization, and globalization.
The Far-Reaching Impact of the Fast Food Culture
The fast food culture, which was created and popularized in the US, is one of the main causes of the obesity epidemic on a global scale. More and more people are choosing convenience over nutrition and whole foods are being replaced by diets that are high in saturated fat and sugar. Work that is far less demanding physically such as sitting behind a computer is replacing the manual labor that occupied more people decades prior.
Other causes of the obesity epidemic include the use of automated transport, technology, and passive leisure. More people take trains, buses, and cars instead of ride bikes or walk. Developing countries strive to follow this modern model, which is increasing the rates of obesity worldwide.
Even in the most remote corners of the world, you will find fast food restaurants and American culture. Globalization has caused this phenomenon and even in cultures where the traditional diet is extremely healthy, such as in East Asia, obesity is becoming a growing problem especially among children.
As the income rises throughout the world, the changes outlined above are becoming more commonplace. Currently, more than 1 billion adults in the world are overweight and over 300 million of them are obese. Childhood obesity is also becoming epidemic in many parts of the world.
Education about the obesity epidemic and its treatment and prevention should be aimed at children primarily because they are our future leaders. Their habits and lifestyles will greatly affect the future of global societies.
The causes of the obesity epidemic worldwide must be alleviated in order to address this growing problem. Public health programs play a prominent role in educating children and adults about the importance of good nutrition and exercise as well as the causes of the obesity epidemic and how to address them effectively.
Do yourself a favor and learn more about the causes of the obesity epidemic worldwide and take an active role to eradicate it in your community and on a global level. Education and outreach are essential in getting rid of obesity. Think globally and act locally if you want to make a difference in combating the obesity epidemic.
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The Global Obesity Epidemic
Sunday, January 18th, 2009 by admin
Around the world, there are over 1 billion overweight adults and this number just keeps growing. At least 300 million of these adults are obese. The health risks associated with the obesity epidemic include diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Obesity is considered a public health problem because of its prevalence and the high costs of its treatment. Obesity contributes to a lot of the disability and disease our world faces today.
How did this Happen?
The causes of the obesity epidemic are a reflection of the changes in our world through economic growth, globalization, and modernization. Genetics play an important role but most of the obesity epidemic has to do with the fact that people are consuming far more calories than they expend.
In modern society, we use cars to get around and we eat pre-packaged, processed foods that are contributing to ill health and weight gain. We lead sedentary lifestyles that are full of technology like televisions and computers and we spend a lot less time working outside or even walking.
Globalization has contributed to the problem by spreading the influence of US culture throughout the world. There are now fast food chains in the most remote corners of the world. Obesity has only recently become a problem in Japan for example, where the traditional diet is extremely healthy. However, more and more Japanese people are consuming fast food and other processed foods and junk foods, which is causing a growth in the obesity epidemic.
What Can We Do About It?
In order to combat the obesity epidemic, we must work as a society to educate our children about weight management. Since obesity is a public health problem, there should be public policies implemented that promote the availability of health, low-fat foods, parks, and recreational facilities.
In order to lose weight and combat the obesity epidemic on a personal level, you must encourage your family and be a good example by engaging in at least 30 minutes of physical activity per day and eating well. Make physical activities like Frisbee, rollerblading, sports, and walking a part of your family’s weekend activities and encourage your children to join sports activities at school. Cut fatty and sugary foods out of your family’s diet and incorporate more fresh fruits and vegetables.
Make no mistake about it. The obesity epidemic is a costly and dangerous problem. We need to work as a society to eradicate it but we also need to make small changes to our lifestyles in order to lessen its impact on a personal level.
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