Nemesis2
New member
Alright guys, this is an essay I wrote a few weeks back about how weight loss is as easily attibutable to social factors as it is to physical ones. I don't know whether this belongs in this section or "Harsh Truth" because some harsh statements may be made once in awhile lol. If you are going to read it, lemme just give you a heads up that its a university level essay and it's quite a bit of reading haha, so only proceed if you are interested and have time. enjoy!
Can't paste it all! too long.
OBESITY: America’s Neglected Public Health Problem
HLTB02
Dr. Jason Ramsay
NAME:
STUDENT I.D:
DATE: March 5th, 2007
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as ‘a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’. The health of an individual is not simply their physical condition but also their psychosocial status. A person’s mental health and emotional condition are interwined and can be influenced by a myriad of factors. One of these factors is the social environment and interactions that people experience daily which contribute to the overall well being and general happiness of the individual. The social determinants of health framework expands one’s perspective from looking at an individual level to the broader community and society level. This perspective argues that socially distributed risk factors at the larger societal level are as important as individual risk factors. Hence, elements beside individual genetic makeup and behaviour, such as status in society, can determine how healthy a person is going to be. Modifiable factors present in an individual’s environment can exacerbate or protect against the effects of juvenile obesity on social-emotional development that can have far reaching consequences into adulthood. This essay will adopt the Social Determinants of Health framework to assess how personal aspects such as self esteem, diet and physical activity can impact the onset of obesity in adolescents residing in the United States. This will be followed by a discussion of how the family and the larger societal demographics can impact unhealthy behaviors.
Almost one quarter of adolescents in the U.S. are overweight (i.e. BMI of 25 or more). These individuals are not only more likely to develop obesity and added morbidity, but they are also at increased risk for negative psychosocial outcomes, such as social stigmatization, suicidal thoughts, and low self esteem (Fulkerson, Strauss, Neumark-Sztainer, Story, Boutelle, 2007). The rates of obesity (i.e. individuals with a BMI>30) have increased dramatically from 1995 to 2005 going from 15.6% to an astounding 23.9% in 2005. Obesity in young people is associated with a heightened risk for developing hypertension, dyslipidemia, type II diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, and endometrial cancers in adulthood (Friberg, Mantzoros, & Wolk, 2006). With the prevalence rates of obesity rising rapidly among children, numerous attempts have been made, by way of social research, to determine the pathways that lead to obesity in hopes to initiate preventative measures. Negative influences on emotional well-being and health behaviors are characteristic for the onset and maintenance of obesity. At present, obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. Thus, it is imperative for the US government and public health officials to recognize this often neglected health problem and work toward preventing the onset of obesity during the early years.
MODIFIABLE FACTORS AT THE INDIVIDUAL LEVEL
Overweight children are at greater risk for social stigmatization, adult obesity and chronic disease. Increasing prevalence of obesity in the US is due to an interaction of genes with an environment that encourages a sedentary lifestyle and consumption of energy-dense foods. Storage of fat within an individual’s body is a product of the interaction between genetic predispositions and an environment that fosters the expression of genetic tendencies. Thus, obesity is a complex phenotype that results due to the interaction of genes, development and environment. The interplay between environmental factors and genetic predispositions play a key role in affecting intake and expenditure of energy. Development plays an important role in establishing stages wherein aspects of the environment that are modifiable, specifically dietary intake and physical activity, are altered to prevent the expression of a tendency toward obesity.
As the prevalence of obese adults rises, so does the rate of marriage between obese spouses. This allows for the passage of genes that confer increased risk of developing obesity from obese parents to their children. It was found that the biological offspring of obese-obese couples had the highest BMI and obesity prevalence (Jacobson, Torgerson, Sjoestroem & Bouchard, 2007). In addition, the marriage between obese individuals can create an environment that promotes the development of disordered eating behaviors and obesity either directly, through support, or indirectly by modeling behaviors. It is important to note that although obesity runs in families, having a ‘gene for obesity’ does not mean that obesity is inevitable. Hence, even though children of obese parents are at greater risk of developing obesity than children of thin parents, an array of environmental factors may exacerbate or protect against onset of obesity.
An important risk factor for dietary intake is parenting styles where a high degree of parental control can impede a child’s ability to develop self-regulatory behavior. In contrast, parents who provide their child with a healthy assortment of food in a supportive and nurturing environment while placing the child responsible for deciding when and how much to eat can help develop self-regulatory behavior. For physical activity, which is important for energy expenditure, disabled people are at higher risk of developing obesity because of their physical inability to exercise. Here again, parents are a strong influence on physical activity behavior, either directly by providing support or indirectly by modeling. Although a significant genetic basis can predispose the child to increased levels of physical activity, the environment plays a key role in the expression of the underlying genes. Short-term outcomes of physical activity in children include weight loss and control. This can translate to improved self-confidence and motivation (i.e. self efficacy) in the long term. Maintenance of healthy physical activity behavior can further lead to higher self-regard as well as improvements in motor, strength and cardiovascular fitness. In turn, this can be protective against developing morbidity in adulthood.
In contrast, weight concerns and perceived overweight can lead to dieting and hazardous weight loss behavior. As rates of child obesity increase, the result is more dieting and weight loss attempts among young people. This can have adverse effects on physical and psychological wellbeing (O’Dea, 2004). This co-occurrence of increased eating disorders and child obesity are two current trends that are expected to increase unless preventive measures for both are taken. Adolescents who attempted extreme methods of weight loss such as laxatives, appetite suppressants, vomiting and fasting, in hopes to lose weight were the most likely to gain weight over time. Recent research confirms that young people who use extreme weight loss attempts only serve to perpetuate the unsuccessful cycle of dieting, purging, binge eating, and further weight gain. Thus, a greater risk of weight gain and obesity onset was present among those who dieted than non-dieters and those not involved in extreme weight loss attempts.
SOCIOEMOTIONAL EFFECTS AND SELF REGARD
A key risk factor correlated with chaotic eating patterns was poor self-esteem. Discrimination based on weight, negative stereotypes and pressures to conform to an unrealistic ‘ideal’ body shape are all possible risk factors that encourage overweight youth to practice unhealthy behaviors that can produce adverse psychological, social and economic outcomes (Mellin, Newmark-Sztainer, Story, Ireland, Resnick, 2002). The implications of being obese go well beyond that of simple health concerns. Despite the growing number of overweight youth, this group faces great stigmatization, discrimination and pressures to be thin from the media, their peers and even health care professionals (O’Dea, 2004). Weight based teasing can be perilous for overweight youth as it has been coupled with body dissatisfaction, low self-esteem, depressive symptoms, and suicidal thoughts in teens.
Western society as a whole plays a part in labeling obese individuals as being incompetent and overindulgent. Large groups such as government funded organizations help to reinforce this conception of obesity. The National Institutes of Health (NIH), the United States Public Health Service (USPHS), and even the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention alongside other healthcare providers constantly stress the health risks of obesity and links them to serious health concerns and risk of death (Ryden, Karlsson, Sullivan & Torgerson, 2003). In addition, they point out that these health concerns and disability risks can be prevented by personal effort. In doing this, these organizations have heralded the common misconception that the dangers of obesity can be prevented if and only when the obese person takes the initiative to change their lifestyle and eating habits. This spurs blame on the obese individual with no regard for the enabling environment they are in. In addition, there is little sympathy for the obese condition and even resentment and discrimination toward individuals because of the misconception that they ‘allowed themselves to become that way.’
IF YOU WANNA CONTINUE, GET THE ATTACHMENT.
Can't paste it all! too long.
OBESITY: America’s Neglected Public Health Problem
HLTB02
Dr. Jason Ramsay
NAME:
STUDENT I.D:
DATE: March 5th, 2007
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as ‘a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’. The health of an individual is not simply their physical condition but also their psychosocial status. A person’s mental health and emotional condition are interwined and can be influenced by a myriad of factors. One of these factors is the social environment and interactions that people experience daily which contribute to the overall well being and general happiness of the individual. The social determinants of health framework expands one’s perspective from looking at an individual level to the broader community and society level. This perspective argues that socially distributed risk factors at the larger societal level are as important as individual risk factors. Hence, elements beside individual genetic makeup and behaviour, such as status in society, can determine how healthy a person is going to be. Modifiable factors present in an individual’s environment can exacerbate or protect against the effects of juvenile obesity on social-emotional development that can have far reaching consequences into adulthood. This essay will adopt the Social Determinants of Health framework to assess how personal aspects such as self esteem, diet and physical activity can impact the onset of obesity in adolescents residing in the United States. This will be followed by a discussion of how the family and the larger societal demographics can impact unhealthy behaviors.
Almost one quarter of adolescents in the U.S. are overweight (i.e. BMI of 25 or more). These individuals are not only more likely to develop obesity and added morbidity, but they are also at increased risk for negative psychosocial outcomes, such as social stigmatization, suicidal thoughts, and low self esteem (Fulkerson, Strauss, Neumark-Sztainer, Story, Boutelle, 2007). The rates of obesity (i.e. individuals with a BMI>30) have increased dramatically from 1995 to 2005 going from 15.6% to an astounding 23.9% in 2005. Obesity in young people is associated with a heightened risk for developing hypertension, dyslipidemia, type II diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, and endometrial cancers in adulthood (Friberg, Mantzoros, & Wolk, 2006). With the prevalence rates of obesity rising rapidly among children, numerous attempts have been made, by way of social research, to determine the pathways that lead to obesity in hopes to initiate preventative measures. Negative influences on emotional well-being and health behaviors are characteristic for the onset and maintenance of obesity. At present, obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. Thus, it is imperative for the US government and public health officials to recognize this often neglected health problem and work toward preventing the onset of obesity during the early years.
MODIFIABLE FACTORS AT THE INDIVIDUAL LEVEL
Overweight children are at greater risk for social stigmatization, adult obesity and chronic disease. Increasing prevalence of obesity in the US is due to an interaction of genes with an environment that encourages a sedentary lifestyle and consumption of energy-dense foods. Storage of fat within an individual’s body is a product of the interaction between genetic predispositions and an environment that fosters the expression of genetic tendencies. Thus, obesity is a complex phenotype that results due to the interaction of genes, development and environment. The interplay between environmental factors and genetic predispositions play a key role in affecting intake and expenditure of energy. Development plays an important role in establishing stages wherein aspects of the environment that are modifiable, specifically dietary intake and physical activity, are altered to prevent the expression of a tendency toward obesity.
As the prevalence of obese adults rises, so does the rate of marriage between obese spouses. This allows for the passage of genes that confer increased risk of developing obesity from obese parents to their children. It was found that the biological offspring of obese-obese couples had the highest BMI and obesity prevalence (Jacobson, Torgerson, Sjoestroem & Bouchard, 2007). In addition, the marriage between obese individuals can create an environment that promotes the development of disordered eating behaviors and obesity either directly, through support, or indirectly by modeling behaviors. It is important to note that although obesity runs in families, having a ‘gene for obesity’ does not mean that obesity is inevitable. Hence, even though children of obese parents are at greater risk of developing obesity than children of thin parents, an array of environmental factors may exacerbate or protect against onset of obesity.
An important risk factor for dietary intake is parenting styles where a high degree of parental control can impede a child’s ability to develop self-regulatory behavior. In contrast, parents who provide their child with a healthy assortment of food in a supportive and nurturing environment while placing the child responsible for deciding when and how much to eat can help develop self-regulatory behavior. For physical activity, which is important for energy expenditure, disabled people are at higher risk of developing obesity because of their physical inability to exercise. Here again, parents are a strong influence on physical activity behavior, either directly by providing support or indirectly by modeling. Although a significant genetic basis can predispose the child to increased levels of physical activity, the environment plays a key role in the expression of the underlying genes. Short-term outcomes of physical activity in children include weight loss and control. This can translate to improved self-confidence and motivation (i.e. self efficacy) in the long term. Maintenance of healthy physical activity behavior can further lead to higher self-regard as well as improvements in motor, strength and cardiovascular fitness. In turn, this can be protective against developing morbidity in adulthood.
In contrast, weight concerns and perceived overweight can lead to dieting and hazardous weight loss behavior. As rates of child obesity increase, the result is more dieting and weight loss attempts among young people. This can have adverse effects on physical and psychological wellbeing (O’Dea, 2004). This co-occurrence of increased eating disorders and child obesity are two current trends that are expected to increase unless preventive measures for both are taken. Adolescents who attempted extreme methods of weight loss such as laxatives, appetite suppressants, vomiting and fasting, in hopes to lose weight were the most likely to gain weight over time. Recent research confirms that young people who use extreme weight loss attempts only serve to perpetuate the unsuccessful cycle of dieting, purging, binge eating, and further weight gain. Thus, a greater risk of weight gain and obesity onset was present among those who dieted than non-dieters and those not involved in extreme weight loss attempts.
SOCIOEMOTIONAL EFFECTS AND SELF REGARD
A key risk factor correlated with chaotic eating patterns was poor self-esteem. Discrimination based on weight, negative stereotypes and pressures to conform to an unrealistic ‘ideal’ body shape are all possible risk factors that encourage overweight youth to practice unhealthy behaviors that can produce adverse psychological, social and economic outcomes (Mellin, Newmark-Sztainer, Story, Ireland, Resnick, 2002). The implications of being obese go well beyond that of simple health concerns. Despite the growing number of overweight youth, this group faces great stigmatization, discrimination and pressures to be thin from the media, their peers and even health care professionals (O’Dea, 2004). Weight based teasing can be perilous for overweight youth as it has been coupled with body dissatisfaction, low self-esteem, depressive symptoms, and suicidal thoughts in teens.
Western society as a whole plays a part in labeling obese individuals as being incompetent and overindulgent. Large groups such as government funded organizations help to reinforce this conception of obesity. The National Institutes of Health (NIH), the United States Public Health Service (USPHS), and even the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention alongside other healthcare providers constantly stress the health risks of obesity and links them to serious health concerns and risk of death (Ryden, Karlsson, Sullivan & Torgerson, 2003). In addition, they point out that these health concerns and disability risks can be prevented by personal effort. In doing this, these organizations have heralded the common misconception that the dangers of obesity can be prevented if and only when the obese person takes the initiative to change their lifestyle and eating habits. This spurs blame on the obese individual with no regard for the enabling environment they are in. In addition, there is little sympathy for the obese condition and even resentment and discrimination toward individuals because of the misconception that they ‘allowed themselves to become that way.’
IF YOU WANNA CONTINUE, GET THE ATTACHMENT.
)
