Response Critique
Obesity and overweight remain some of the most common chronic diseases not only in Australia but also in the whole world. According to World Health Organization (WHO) (2015, Key facts, para. 1), 600 million people aged 18 years and older were obese in 2014 in the whole world. I agree with you that the prevalence of obesity and overweight continues to increase globally. Indeed, it is reported that it has doubled since 1980 (WHO, 2015, Key facts, para. 1). I also agree with you that the prevalence of obesity and overweight in Australia is high. According to Australian Bureau of Statistics (2013, para. 3), the prevalence of obesity and overweight was 61.2% in 2007-2008.
Obesity is associated with increased risk of many health problems. As you have stated, obesity increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Obesity is also responsible for diabetes and a compromised pulmonary system. The condition compromises the body’s ability to responds to various threats to the human health. This explains why people with obesity and overweight are likely to be hospitalized. Besides, people suffering from the condition are more likely than people with normal weight to develop other chronic conditions.
As you have stated, obesity poses a serious threat among people suffering from trauma. Indeed, many studies point out that it is one of the most common causes of mortality among patients suffering from trauma. For example, in a study conducted by Bochicchio and colleagues (2006) to evaluate the influence of obesity on trauma patients who are critically ill, it was established that obesity leads to a significant increase in mortality and morbidity among critically ill trauma patients. It is important to consider that obese people required more respiratory support during traumatic events than their counterparts with normal weight.
Critique for Response 2
I agree with the writer of response 1 that excess intake of calorie contributes significantly to obesity. Indeed, people who consume a high amount of calories but have low-calorie expenditure are likely to develop obesity. Therefore, intake of high amounts of calories is one of the most significant factors leading to the development of obesity. Obesity is also one of the factors contributing to the development of diabetes type 2 as you have stated. In this case, obesity leads to insulin resistance. Insulin resistance, in turn, leads to the loss of the ability to regulate blood sugar level.
I also agree with you that obesity alters the structure and function of the cardiovascular system. For example, obesity leads to the narrowing of the arteries and veins. Narrow arteries cannot supply the heart with an adequate amount of blood. This poses a serious risk to the affected individuals especially in moments of stress. As you have pointed out, obesity causes an increase in pressure in the abdomen (Norton, 2008, p. 614). This pressure alters the position of the diaphragm. As a result, more energy is required to support breathing. Considering the many implications posed by obesity on the structural and functional aspect of the various human systems, obese people tend to develop many complications during trauma and injuries.
You are right in stating that obesity affects the way the assessment and management of trauma are conducted. One of the main factors to consider while dealing with obese patients during trauma is to ensure that they are breathing easily. In other words, the paramedic should emphasize on the patency of the respiratory system. Putting the patient in an appropriate position, as you have stated, is one of the measures that should be taken to prevent an adverse occurrence attributed to poor respiration. Performing procedures such as intubations and difficult as you have pointed out.
Regarding the transportation of patients, various factors play a role. For instance, age, severity of an individual’s condition, the management history of the patient, and previous treatment and medications used. People whose conditions are severe, for instance, are more delicate than their counterparts with less severe conditions. Therefore, I agree with you that these factors should be considered in prioritizing transport in tertiary care.
References
Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2013. Obesity and overweight. [Online] Available at < http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/by%20Subject/4338.0~2011-13~Main%20Features~Overweight%20and%20obesity~10007 > [Accessed 24 May 2016]
Bochicchio, G.V., Joshi, M., Bochicchio, K., Nehman, S., Tracy, J.K. and Scalea, T.M., 2006. Impact of obesity in the critically ill trauma patient: a prospective study. Journal of the American College of Surgeons, 203(4), pp.533-538.
Norton, 2008. Surgery: basic science and clinical evidence. New York, NY, Springer.Bottom of Form
World Health Organization, 2015. Obesity and overweight. [Online] Available at <http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs311/en/ > [Accessed 24 May 2016]
