The problem of obesity in America is a grave one. The number of Americans who are suffering from obesity is on the rise. Obesity is defined by the Center for Disease Control as someone who has a body mass index of 30% or higher. The health problems associated with obesity are putting a strain on the health care profession. Societal concerns about obesity are also shaping people’s behavior towards obesity. Public policy has been changed and reshaped in reaction to those who are severely overweight. Are there solutions to this problem? Can the problem of obesity be eliminated?
According to the Food Research Action Center (FRAC), 34.9% of Americans are obese. Obesity is more prevalent in African Americans and Hispanics. The percentage of those with obesity is also higher in people who are at a low socioeconomic level. Geographically, populations in the south and Midwest also have higher prevalence of obesity. Shockingly, 25% preschoolers in to 2-5 year old range are considered overweight or obese. Rates of obesity have steadily risen in the United States for the past thirty years.
The health risks associated with obesity include: Type II diabetes; hypertension; coronary artery disease; strokes; cancer; sleep apnea; liver disease; gall bladder disease and infertility (Kopelman). In children and adolescents the risks of the listed health problems are much higher as the age. The risks of these health problems are generally eliminated with the loss of excess weight.
Government policy has already been developed and implemented to address the growing problem of obesity in America. In 2001, the Surgeon General's “Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity” identified obesity as a key public health priority for the United States (Novak & Brownell). Every administration since has declared obesity a growing problem and has pledged to deal with it. Strategies have included better labeling of food products, the introduction of healthy eating guidelines (the Food Pyramid, now Plate), and educational programs. It is apparent that with the steady growth of the incidence of obesity that these policies are not working.
People are products of their environment. They will continue to behave a certain way, despite being told otherwise. According to Novak and Brownell modifying people’s behavior and attitudes toward food is not enough. There needs to be fundamental change in how food is perceived. The example they gave was that instead of wearing masks to protect oneself from air pollution, the air pollution should be eliminated.
Simply informing the American public about the dangers of obesity is simply not working. Scenes of the First Lady demonstrating a healthy plate of food or the President jogging through the park with his Secret Service entourage are not effective. Americans are sitting on their sofas watching these scenes play out on their televisions while they consume a bag of chips and a soda. Schools post posters advertising the benefits of eating five servings of vegetables and fruits each day while serving up tater tots and the day’s vegetable selection. Television and other forms of mass media are full of commercials and images of people enjoying giant fast food burgers and heaping bowls of ice cream. A thirty second public service announcement is not going to have the impact that the policy makers would hope. Basic human behavior and attitudes towards food has got to be changed.
Early intervention and education about healthy food choices and the negative effects of obesity need to be taught at an early age. The core causes for obesity are cemented in children at a young age. Poor food choices and lack of exercise are am major problem facing youngsters today. Appreciation for fresh foods, healthy food choices and exercise need to be instilled at a young age. Physical education, health and nutrition classes need to be taught at a young age. Initiatives such as school gardens that children plant, maintain and enjoy the harvest of is seeing big success in the communities where they are being implemented. Physical education needs to incorporate a component in its curriculum that teaches the importance of exercise and its health benefits, such as cardiopulmonary exercise and weight training. Access to outside activities during recess and lunch is important. Many schools across the country are eliminating these practices.
Outside of the school system, children need to be encouraged to go to the park, to get outside and move and play. Municipalities need to develop and maintain parks that encourage physical activity. Walking trails, basketball courts, bike paths are all great ways to get people moving. Unfortunately it is too easy for kids to go home and sit in front of the television playing video games. Getting kids involved in sports, dance or martial arts is imperative. These classes should be offered by schools and other aftercare programs that are government sponsored or subsidized.
Unfortunately, big business advertises and markets their unhealthy food all of the time. The only way to combat this is through education, especially children. Big business will change if their consumers change. Take McDonalds for example. They have changed their menus to accommodate families that prefer healthy food choices. They offer apples and low-fat milk with their Happy Meal now. This change was a direct response to consumer demand.
Unfortunately we cannot expect change to occur or originate in the home. Many parents simply do not know how to make healthy food choices. Obesity has a higher rate among the poor. Many of the foods that the poor can afford contribute to their obesity, for example white rice, fatty cuts of meat and processed foods. Many immigrants to this country bring their unhealthy eating habits with them, this is why it is so important to teach the younger generation through the school system.
The healthcare system also needs to educate patients. A pamphlet in the doctor’s office is not going to change an overweight person’s life. However, a referral to a nutritionist might. Insurance companies need to cover these types of services if they want to cut costs.
Obesity in America is not a new problem, it did not appear overnight. It is a slowly growing issue facing this nation. Human behavior and perceptions are slow to change. The best way to fight obesity is to target children through education and resources. As children grow and become healthier consumers businesses will change to meet their demand. Health care needs to become more proactive to deal with patients who are obese. This is how the war on obesity can be won.
References
Center for Disease Control. http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/adult/defining.html
Kopelman, P.” Health risks associated with obesity.” Obesity Reviews, 19 Feb, 2007, 13-17.
Nestle, Marion. “Government Policy to Reduce Obesity: Suggestions for Action.” Food
Politics 14 Apr 2014.
Novac, Nicole & Brownell, Kelly. “Role of Policy and Government in the Obesity Epidemic”,
American Heart Association, http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/126/19/2345.full
“Overweight and obesity in America.” Food Research and Action Center
http://frac.org/initiatives/hunger-and-obesity/obesity-in-the-us/
Power, C., Lake, J.K., and Cole, T.J. “Measurement and long term health risks of child and
adolescent fatness). International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders, 1997,
507-512.
