Obesity is described as a medical condition that is characterized by the accumulation of an excessive amount of fat in the body. This may result in other serious health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular diseases. Obesity has become a significant health concern across the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 500 million people across the globe are obese, and almost 1.5 billion others are overweight (Power, 2011). This means that nearly 2 billion people are vulnerable to high-risk diseases such as cancer and diabetes. The biopsychosocial model can help to explain some of the factors that contribute to this health condition.
First, biological factors such as hormonal imbalance and adipose cells that are formed during the early stages of an individual’s development can lead to obesity (Power, 2011). Excessive formation of the adipose tissues leads to excessive accumulation of fat in the body, which may result in obesity. Also, the low production of thyroxin hormone (hypothyroidism) leads to reduced metabolic rate, which may lead to obesity. Research also indicates that genetic predisposition may lead to obesity, where certain individuals are more likely to develop this health condition.
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The second aspect is the psychological factors such as stress or depression (Johnson, Gerstein, Evans, & Woodward-Lopez, 2006). This is because people react in different ways when faced with stressful situations. For instance, some individuals tend to overeat when they are under stress. Studies indicate that these individuals are more likely to consume an excessive amount of junk food that is high in cholesterol levels. The individuals have no regard for self-control in what they eat, which may eventually lead to the accumulation of excess fat in the body, and finally, they gain weight and become obese.
The third aspect is the social factors such as media advertisements and the influence of other people on an individual's eating habits (Power, 2011). For instance, the media bombards people with adverts for high-calorie foods and fast food diners that sell these foods. This has a significant influence on behavior and healthy choices that are made by most individuals. Most people end up consuming these high-calorie foods due to media influence. Also, family members and friends may influence the eating habits of individuals. These factors lead to consumption of unhealthy diets that lead to fat accumulation and eventual development of this health condition.
Understanding the influence of these factors on the prevalence of obesity can help mitigate it. For instance, health promotion to encourage people to maintain a healthy weight and practice healthy behaviors can have a significant impact on the reduction of obesity prevalence. Health practitioners can also use the media to sensitize people on the health risks of high-calorie consumption. This would help to curb the influence of social factors on individuals.
References
Johnson, D. B., Gerstein, D. E., Evans, A. E., & Woodward-Lopez, G. (2006). Preventing obesity: a life cycle perspective. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 106(1), 97-102.
Power, M. (2011). Biopsychosocial Model for Obesity and Health Promotion and Prevention - Applied Social Psychology. Retrieved 23 July 2019, from http://www.personal.psu.edu/bfr3/blogs/applied_social_psychology/2011/10/biopsychosocial-model-for-obesity-and-heath-promotion-and-prevention.html
