Abstract
Obesity is defined as having a body mass index of 30 or above. Obesity hasbecome a global epidemic. According to the World Health Organization global obesity
has doubled since 1980. Approximately 35% of adults, age 20 years or more, were
overweight in 2008 and 20% were obese. Almost 65% of the world's populations live in
countries were overweight and obesity kills more people than underweight disparities
("Obesity and overweight," 2013). "Between 1999-2000 and 2009-2010, the prevalence
of obesity increased among men but not among women. In 1999-2000, 27 .5% of men
were obese, and by 2009-2010 the prevalence had increased to 35.5%. Among women,
33.4% were obese in 1999-2000 with no significant change in 2009-2010 (35.8%). In
1999-2000, the prevalence of obesity was higher in women than in men. Between 1999-
2000 and 2009-2010, the difference in the prevalence of obesity between men and
women decreased so that in 2009-2010, the prevalence of obesity in men was virtually
equal to that in women (Ogden, 2012)." Ford, Li, Zhao and Tsai also found these same
results, using 1999-2008 NHANES data revealing that" both obesity and abdominal
obesity increased in men, and abdominal obesity increased in women"(Ford, Li, Zhao &
Tsai, 2011)."The obesity crisis in the United States has reached epidemic proportions.
Not only does this epidemic affect the health of the nation, but it also has economic and
financial ramifications. An obese and overweight population impacts medical costs, the
cost of health insurance that businesses provide for their employees and the productivity
of firms. However, this epidemic is not only having an impact on adults, but also on
children and young adults which will affect the United States in the future in terms of its
competitiveness in the global markets. Obesity has caused cases of diabetes, heart
problems, hypertension and cancer to increase at a higher rate" (Guarino, 2013).Chang, Pollack and Colditz using the data from the National Health Interview Survey found that
obesity-attributable comorbidities are associated with a decrease in life years and increase
in mortality rates" (Chang, Pollack &Colditz, 2013). Obesity is also a barrier to physical
activity. "Arthritis is a common comorbidity of adults with obesity, and arthritis-related
joint pain and functional limitation might contribute substantially to low rates of physical
activity among adults with obesity" (Hootman, Murphy &Helmick, 2011). "Soft drink
consumption is significantly linked to overweight, obesity, and diabetes worldwide,
including low and middle income countries" (Basu, McKee, Galea&Stuckler, 2013, p.
el).
| Date of Award | 2013 |
|---|---|
| Original language | American English |
| Awarding Institution |
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