Obesity Rates in the U.S

Introduction 

The issue of obesity has become a major health concern in the 21st century. Obesity is defined as the presence of excessive body fat, which can increase the risk of other diseases and health problems, including diabetes, fatty liver, osteoarthritis joint disease, and heart disease. Unfortunately, obesity has led to mortality and morbidity in children, adolescents, and adults. Based on data from the World Health Organization (WHO), over 300 million and one billion adults are obese and overweight respectively globally (Afzal, 2017). In America alone, 160 million people are estimated to be either overweight or obese. In detail, above 60% of women and almost three-quarters of American men are either obese or overweight (Murray, Ng, & Mokdad, 2015). This brings the issue of whether obesity rates in the U.S have reached epidemic proportions. Although many sources have indicated a continuous rise in obesity rates, an article by Schwarz and Hamburg (2016) indicates that obesity rates among kids and adults have begun leveling off with 31 states reporting a reduction on the number of reported obesity cases on children subgroups. The main channel that has led to the reduction of obesity rates is the teaming up of individuals to ensure that cases of childhood obesity are reversed as recorded in the federal WIC program. Parties that have been immensely vocal in the issue of obesity include WHO, federal WIC, and the Center for Disease Control & Prevention. Other parties that have been interested in the claim include learning institutions such as the University of California, Los Angeles under the US Department of Education, researchers (such as Schwarz & Hamburg), the government (local and federal governments), the Federal Trade Commission, and philanthropies ('The National Academies of Sciences', 2010). 

Information 

According to Hruby and Hu (2015), industrialization, urbanization, economic growth, increased lifestyle, mechanized transport, and change in nutrition have been the major contributors to obesity for the last 30 years. For instance, in the USA, it is estimated that more than 85% of adults will be either obese or overweight by 2030. The main challenge is the fact that obesity raises the risk of chronic disease morbidity (disability, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes type 2, depression) and mortality (Hruby & Hu, 2015). When there tends to be an increase in the number of cases and projections, it is evident that obesity rates have reached epidemic proportions. 

Secondly, based on an article published in the Yale News (2016), the rate of obesity on adults in the United States has hit epidemic proportions. Notably, for every 4 people, one person is deemed obese. A study done by Yale Global Health Leadership Institute (GHLI) researchers indicates that regional and community factors play a major role in fostering obesity. On the other hand, as of 2009, the annual cost that the U.S had to bear in relation to obesity amounted to an estimate of $ 300 billion. Therefore, researchers project that people should find other ways to assist them in offsetting personal health and medical costs in years to come since there is a great likelihood of individuals having less or no insurance. 

Based on Murray, Ng, and Mokdad (2015), the issue of obesity in the U.S is greatly problematic. For instance, currently, obese individuals in the United States are about 78 million, the greatest number recorded in the world. Additionally, in 2013, 13% of American children were obese. Murray (director of IHME) says that obesity is a serious issue owing to the fact that it affects individuals in every age bracket and income. Moreover, Murray says that in more than 30 years, no country has been successful in decreasing the rates of obesity, and more challenging, as the income of low and middle-class individuals increases, there is a possibility of obesity rates increasing. 

Personal Observation 

The claim on obesity rise does not conflict with my observation because some individuals engage in activities that exercise their bodies. Although people are now getting sensitized when it comes to foods, the issue of mechanized transport still surfaces. Kids normally love ice creams, pizzas, and cakes that are richly associated with fostering overweight and obesity cases. For obesity rates to decrease, individuals should showcase responsibility on their part as the government and health institutions play their part. 

Rhetoric and Fallacies 

According to Bombak (2014), there is a major fallacy in classifying obese individuals as a special population. Ideally, stigmatization and marginalization of the population is a main public health concern. There tends to be a bias in regard to weight where most people attribute the causes of obesity to factors of personal lifestyle. On the contrary, the perspectives on the quality of life and experiences of obese individuals may not represent the case as it is. Therefore, sociologists are tasked with developing a salutogenic and non-stigmatizing approach to reflect the priorities of health for every individual (Bombak, 2014). 

Based on Mitchell and McTigue (2007), the rhetoric on whether the term 'epidemic' should be used to refer to overweight and obese individuals surfaced following the US Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretary. The public in the U.S debated whether referring to obesity as an epidemic is fair. The issue of concern was whether excess body weight should have been technically defined as a disease outbreak. Therefore, it was not clear whether the term epidemic was used metaphorically, or rhetorically. The main reason for the debate was because the public viewed terming obesity as an epidemic was a way to victimize and stigmatize overweight and obese individuals. 

According to TOS Obesity as a Disease Writing Group et al. (2008), the issue of describing obesity as a disease is open to debate. However, after the experts examined arguments and evidence, they finally reached a consensus that obesity may be caused by factors that go beyond the control of individuals. Other than exposing the victims to the risk of chronic diseases, patients go through functional impairment, serious disease, ill health, and reduced quality of life. Although there is a great debate on whether obesity should be declared a disease, there is truth in the thoughtful arguments that declare obesity a disease, based on forensic, scientific, and utilitarian approaches. 

Research 

Scientific Findings 

Based on Djalalinia et al. (2015), due to inadequate insulin supply in industrialized countries such as the U.S, obesity-related illnesses also increase as a result of retinopathy, nephropathy, and arteriosclerosis. This indicates that obesity can be related to epidemics. According to NIH (2016), research on childhood obesity done by Pediatric Growth and Nutrition Branch indicates that there can be metabolic syndrome and diabetes, and body composition clinical pathophysiology. Besides, obesity can greatly affect pregnancy in particular ways such as maternal obesity which affects children health. NIH (2013) indicates that childhood obesity can contribute to numerous health problems. Moreover, in adults, obesity and overweight are attributed to the intensified risk of high blood sugar, specific cancers, and heart disease. Almost 13% of adults suffer from diabetes, although about 39% have not been diagnosed. 

Probabilities 

First, the best way to assess the probability of the claim is by considering changes in consumer lifestyles, industrialization, economic growth, and urbanization (Hruby & Hu, 2015). Ideally, these factors cut across every individual and it is upon the individual to embrace ways that can enable them to avoid being obese or overweight. When childhood obesity prevails, the burden of disease for people and health institutions become popular (Hruby & Hu, 2015). Therefore, it is evident that obesity in the U.S has reached epidemic proportions due to the increased rate of morbidity and mortality. 

Secondly, technology has minimized the physical activity that results from working. Moreover, dense foods that are greatly palatable increase the chances of individuals becoming obese and overweight in our contemporary environment (Afzal, 2017). Unfortunately, public health interventions and traditional treatment strategies have not yielded anticipated results, especially in minimizing obesity incidences. 

Thirdly, the location of where individuals live can be used in assessing how prone they are in regard to obesity and overweight parameters. Community initiatives in sensitizing individuals on healthy living play a major role in ensuring that the members change their lifestyles. Recreation facilities, grocery stores, and local restaurants are used in creating responsibility among residents. 

Conclusion 

In conclusion, the issue of obesity in the U.S has become prevalent to a point where it increases morbidity and mortality. Fundamentally, industrialization, urbanization, economic growth, increased lifestyle, mechanized transport, and change in nutrition have been the major contributors to obesity for the last 30 years. The main challenge is that obesity raises the risk of chronic disease morbidity (disability, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes type 2, depression) as well as mortality. Notably, for every 4 people, one person is deemed obese. Researcher indicates that regional and community factors also play a major role in fostering obesity. Therefore, appropriate action should be taken to increase the level of responsibility in individuals in regard to healthy living that involves regular exercises and natural food consumption. 

References 

Afzal, M. N. (2017). Obesity: A Worldwide Epidemic. Editorial Article. Retrieved from www.pulsus.com/scholarly-articles/obesity-a-worldwide-epidemic.pdf 

Bombak, A. E. (2014). The contribution of applied social sciences to obesity stigma-related public health approaches.  Journal of Obesity ,  Retrieved from www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3982417/ 

Djalalinia, S., Qorbani, M., Peykari, N., & Kelishadi, R. (2015). Health impacts of obesity.  Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences ,  31 (1), 239. 

Hruby, A., & Hu, F. B. (2015). The epidemiology of obesity: a big picture.  Pharmacoeconomics ,  33 (7), 673-689. 

Mitchell, G. R., & McTigue, K. M. (2007). The US obesity “epidemic”: metaphor, method, or madness?.  Social Epistemology ,  21 (4), 391-423. 

Murray, C. J. L., Ng, M. & Mokdad, A. (2015). The vast majority of American adults are overweight or obese, and weight is a growing problem among US children . Retrieved from www.healthdata.org/news-release/vast-majority-american-adults-are-overweight-or-obese-and-weight-growing-problem-among 

NIH. (2013). Why Obesity is a Health Problem . Retrieved from www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/wecan/healthy-weight-basics/obesity.htm 

NIH. (2016). Obesity and Overweight: Research Activities and Scientific Advances . Retrieved from www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/obesity/researchinfo/activities 

Schwarz, D. F. & Hamburg, R. (2016). Encouraging Progress on the State of Obesity in the United States. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Retrieved from www.rwjf.org/en/blog/2016/11/encouraging_progress.html 

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2010). Perspectives from United Kingdom and United States Policy Makers on Obesity Prevention: Workshop Summary. The National Academies Press. Retrieved from www.nap.edu/read/12861/chapter/5 

TOS Obesity as a Disease Writing Group et al. (2008). Obesity as a disease: a white paper on evidence and arguments commissioned by the Council of the Obesity Society.  Obesity ,  16 (6), 1161-1177. 

YaleNews. (2016). Does Where you Live Affect What You Weigh? . Retrieved from news.yale.edu/2016/11/18/does-where-you-live-affect-what-you-weigh