HTLH 644 Obesity Risk, Prevalence, and Prevention
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Liberty University *
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HLTH 640
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Health Science
Date
Jun 11, 2024
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docx
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An obesity epidemic has swept the nation and many Americans struggle with excess weight gain. Multiple factors have been proposed as causes of this epidemic, but few solutions have
proved effective in curbing rising obesity rates. As health professionals, it is important to understand what drives obesity and what can be done to prevent and manage it. Discuss 2-3 evidence-based factors that contribute to obesity. These could include environmental, lifestyle, and/or genetic factors. From a public health perspective, what solutions could help reduce or reverse each factor?
Compare and contrast current rates of obesity in the US to obesity rates in one other country. Is the other country experiencing a similar increase? Why or why not?
What can the church and faith-based organizations do to help address the problem of obesity? Use at least one Scripture reference to support your views.
Comparing Obesity Rates: US vs. Japan
The obesity epidemic in the United States is driven by a combination of environmental, lifestyle, and genetic factors, each contributing to the complex nature of this public health crisis. I think lifestyle factors also play a huge role in the obesity rates. There had been a widespread availability of high-calorie foods compared to low-nutrient foods that as altered eating patterns significantly. For instance, it is cheaper to purchase a value cheeseburger meal than a salad at most fast-food restaurants, hence , leading to increased calorie consumption. As the fast-food industry continues to increase both domestically and abroad, the scientific findings and corresponding public health implications of the association between fast food consumption and weight are critical.
1
Public health initiatives can address this by changing the narrative of finances and switch it to health issues. Most people are unaware of the damage that can be done from over consumption of unhealthy foods. I also think subsidizing healthy foods to make them more affordable can encourage better dietary choices.
Genetic factors can also to obesity by influencing how individuals respond to diet and exercise. Formal genetic data based on twin, adoption, and family studies lead to the conclusion that at least 50% of the interindividual variance of the body mass index is due to genetic factors.
2 Genetic factors can influence individuals to have unwanted weight gain and causing a difficulty to losing weight. Families can go to nutrition counseling or even increase their daily life activities to alleviate the genetic risk for the future generations. Obesity is less of a concern in Sub-Saharan Africa, China and South Asia.
3 When comparing the United States to China there is a huge difference.
The percentage of obese women
was 0.1% in South Asia, 2.5% in Sub-Saharan Africa, 9.6% in Latin America and the Caribbean,
15.4% in Central Eastern Europe/Commonwealth of Independent States (CEE/CIS), 17.2% in the
Middle East and North Africa, and 20.7% in the USA.
3 This high rate is attributed to poor diet, lack of physical activity, and environmental factors. On the other hand, the traditional Chinese diet, rich in vegetables, fish, and rice and low in processed foods, significantly contributes to these lower rates. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 emphasizes the importance of taking care of one's body as a form of worship and stewardship. Faith-based organizations can further mission this by hosting health fairs, nutrition workshops, or ever exercise events to promote holistic well-being.
1. Rosenheck R. Fast food consumption and increased caloric intake: a systematic review of a trajectory towards weight gain and obesity risk.
Obesity Reviews
. 2008;9(6):535-547. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-789x.2008.00477.x
2. Hebebrand J, Hinney A. Environmental and Genetic Risk Factors in Obesity.
Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America
. 2009;18(1):83-94. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chc.2008.07.006
3. Martorell R, Kettel Khan L, Hughes M, Grummer-Strawn L. Obesity in women from developing countries.
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
. 2000;54(3):247-252. doi:https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1600931
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