NURS-6050N22
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
Walden University *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
6050A
Subject
Health Science
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
docx
Pages
2
Uploaded by ologbosele
The obesity epidemic has affected many Americans in the past several decades. Many
social determinants are contributing to the obesity epidemic, mainly low socioeconomic
status and the sedentary lifestyle many Americans maintain. According to a recent
study, "obesity occurs when energy intake (food) is substantially higher than energy
expenditure (in particular physical activity) (Temple, 2022). Healthy, nutritious food is
costly, and Americans of low-income status cannot afford that luxury. They opt for the
unhealthy, cheap options that merely provide satisfaction. In addition, physical inactivity
exacerbates the issue, generating an imbalance of unhealthy food intake and a
sedentary lifestyle. Regulating the obesity epidemic is essential in maintaining the
health of Americans, as "obesity plays a critical role in many diseases, such as diabetes,
heart disease, and certain types of cancer" (Institute of Medicine, 2012). Therefore,
many presidents have launched various initiatives for several decades to combat the
obesity epidemic.
In 2002, the Bush administration instituted the HealthierUS initiative; its primary
goal was to promote healthier lifestyles and prevent chronic diseases in Americans. It
included four main objectives: increasing physical activity, promoting a nutritious diet,
providing preventive services, and empowering individuals to make healthy choices.
Bush's actions in increasing physical activity included free access to American national
parks and federal lands, creating HealthierUS.gov, a website that provides links to
government fitness resources, and encouraging the use of public lands and water.
Additionally, Bush promoted nutritional curriculum and education in schools, stressing
the importance of the National 5 a Day for Better Health Program (White House, 2002).
This is a national theory of a low-fat, high-fiber diet, which entails eating five or more
fruits and vegetables daily (Heimendinger et al., 1996). Furthermore, Bush increased
access to preventive health care services, such as screening and vaccinations, to detect
and address issues before they become serious (White House, 2002).
Although Bush's initiative primarily targeted the physical inactivity factor
associated with obesity, the Obama administration implemented initiatives addressing
physical inactivity and low-income families unable to afford nutritious meals. In 2010,
First Lady Michelle Obama launched the Let's Move campaign to target childhood
obesity. This movement contained four components: motivating parents to make healthy
family choices, providing nutritious food options in schools, expanding the availability of
healthy and economical foods, and increasing physical activity (Institute of Medicine,
2012).
Parents play a significant role in the family's nutritional needs; therefore, Michelle
Obama increased their awareness by placing nutritional facts and calorie counts on food
labels. Apart from children receiving their nutritional needs at home, "many
disadvantaged students consume 50 percent or more of their daily calories at school
through the National School Lunch Program and the National School Breakfast
Program" (Institute of Medicine, 2012). These programs implemented healthier food
options in school, and a part of this campaign was to increase the number of schools
participating in these programs. As mentioned, the Obama administration targeted low-
income families as part of the Let's Move Campaign by creating the Healthy Food
Financing Initiative. This collaboration was among the U.S. Departments of the Treasury,
Agriculture, and Health, which allocated $400 million annually to offer funding to
introduce grocery stores and farmers markets in regions lacking access to these
sources (Institute of Medicine, 2012). Lastly, to combat the sedentary lifestyle of
children, the Let's Move campaign integrated initiatives aimed at boosting opportunities
for children's physical activity by securing exercise spaces, especially in underprivileged
communities (Institute of Medicine, 2012).
Although a significant amount has been done to battle the obesity epidemic,
unfortunately, it is still an ongoing issue today. I commend both administrations for
exhausting their efforts to solve this obstacle. What I would have done differently is
increase physical activity during school hours by implementing a requirement for
increased physical education hours. When children are learning in classrooms, they sit
for most of the day; subsequently, on their return home from school, they maintain that
sedentary lifestyle by being hooked to the new innovative technology of TV and video
games. As evidence states, "increased times spent on viewing television and computer
usage were associated with increased prevalence of overweight (obesity inclusive)
among girls (Kautiainen, 2005).
References:
Institute of Medicine. (2012).
How Far Have We Come in Reducing Health Disparities?
Progress Since 2000 Workshop Summary
. National Academies Press
(US).
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK100492/
Links to an external site.
Fact Sheet: President Bush Launches HealthierUS Initiative
. (2002, June). The White
House. Retrieved August 29, 2023, from
https://georgewbush-
whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2002/06/20020620-6.html
Links to an external
site.
Heimendinger, J., Van Duyn, M. A., Chapelsky, D., Foerster, S., & Stables, G. (1996).
The national 5 A Day for Better Health Program: a large-scale nutrition
intervention.
Journal of public health management and practice : JPHMP
,
2
(2), 27–35.
Kautiainen, S., Koivusilta, L., Lintonen, T.
et al.
Use of information and communication
technology and prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents.
Int J
Obes
29
, 925–933 (2005).
https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0802994
Links to an external
site.
Temple N. J. (2022). The Origins of the Obesity Epidemic in the USA-Lessons for
Today.
Nutrients
,
14
(20), 4253.
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14204253
Links to an external
site.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help