Archive for January, 2009
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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How To Find Out A Professional Obesity Surgery Specialist
Sunday, January 18th, 2009 by admin
When it comes to thinking about surgery to solve your weight loss issues you have to make sure that you are putting a lot of time and energy into finding just the right obesity surgery specialist. With so many people out there who qualify for such a surgery, it sort of seems as though we have an obesity epidemic in this country. Some people who do not have issues with their weight cannot seem to understand why it is that so many people gain as much weight as they do. Sometimes it is simply more about emotional eating then anything else. Some people turn to cigarettes to get through the day while others grab some food. Either way people are killing themselves with these terrible coping skills.
In order to make sure that you are making the best decision for you regarding whether or not you should get the surgery done you need to understand that you will be in for a major emotional roller coaster. It is already bad enough that so many people suffer from emotional problems as it is but there will be many more to deal with as the pounds start shedding off. Even though people think that there would be no reason to be upset or emotional over that you would be surprised. Talking with your obesity surgery specialist will help you understand all of the things that you should expect may happen to you.
Finding The Best Surgeon
When it comes to picking the one obesity surgery specialist that you want to use you must be careful. Just because a person went to school and has a degree hanging on their wall does not mean that they are the best to perform your surgery. You have probably heard all of the horror stories regarding people dieing and such during these surgeries over simple mistakes made by the obesity surgery specialist. Often times these surgeons have track records of making small and large mistakes. If patients would only look out for their health and research the different obesity surgery specialist then they probably would not have many issues.
When you are looking for someone to perform your surgery you are going to want to make sure that you really take a look at their medical schooling and how many years experience in the medical field they have. And beyond years of experience in being a surgeon, you want to make sure that you are double checking to see how much experience he or she has on that particular type of surgery. Check to see if the obesity surgery specialist has had any lawsuits or fines placed against them. Even though it is going to take some work this is your life on the line so it is certainly worth it.
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The Pros And Cons To Bariatric Surgery For Obesity
Sunday, January 18th, 2009 by admin
If you or someone you know is extremely over weight to the point that your health and possibly even your life is at risk then you may be looking at bariatric surgery for obesity as an option. While there are many benefits to having the surgery you will want to make sure that the obesity surgery specialist you speak to really explains all of the things you must take into consideration. The good thing about the bariatric surgery for obesity is that patients will quickly drop pounds, which means that some of the life threatening illnesses they could be dealing with could be brought to a halt.
It can also be a great way to finally drop a lot of the weight that you have been struggling with over a long period of time. There are many emotional benefits to using bariatric surgery for obesity as a tool but it is not the solution. Generally overeating has to deal with an emotional mind set and the surgery itself will not change a person’s mindset. Patients have to make sure that they are talking with counselors and such in order to make sure that they are mentally and emotionally ready to tackle the hard steps ahead of them.
The Downfalls
When it comes to the bariatric surgery for obesity it is important to understand that there are many things that could go wrong. There are many different complications that can occur along with possible death. Even though the percentages of this happening are low it is still a very real risk. After the bariatic surgery for obesity patients will often times need further surgery in order to take care of extra skin that does not snap back into place after the healing process from the surgery is complete.
Also there is the risk that the patient will continue their terrible eating habits which means that they run the risk of gaining the weight back. This means that a lot of money was spent and many risks were taken for nothing. All patients are urged to make sure that they really understand all of the dangers involved and that they have to make certain life changes in order to keep the weight off. In the end some people will find that they are certain that bariatric surgery for obesity is for them while others will decide to go a different route. It is up to each person to make sure that they are doing what is best for them in the long run.
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