Assignment 3 Obesity In America Due Week 9 And Worth 65 Poin
Assignment 3 Obesity In Americadue Week 9 And Worth 65 Pointsobesity
Obesity in America is considered an epidemic. There are many contributing factors to obesity (both childhood and adult), such as biological, environmental, social, or economic factors. Review the information on obesity on pages 383 to 385 in the textbook. You may also use the Internet or Strayer Library to research obesity and its causes. Suggested Reading: “What Are the Health Risks of Overweight and Obesity?”
Write a one to two page (1-2) page essay in which you: Describe the effect that obesity (childhood and/or adult) has had on you personally or your community.
Select one (1) contributing factor to childhood or adult obesity. Recommend two (2) preventative measures related to the selected factor that people can take in order to reduce their chance of becoming obese. Discuss one (1) sociological theory that relates to the selected contributing factor to obesity.
Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements: Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
To keep this essay short and manageable, your only sources for the essay should be the article from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the sections noted in your text. For this reason, APA citations or references are not required for this assignment. Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required assignment page length.
Paper For Above instruction
Obesity has become a significant public health challenge in the United States, affecting individuals across all age groups, but with particularly profound impacts during childhood and adulthood. As an epidemic, obesity increases the risk of numerous health complications, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and certain forms of cancer. Reflecting on the personal and community level, the effects of obesity can be seen in increased healthcare costs, reduced quality of life, and emotional or psychological impacts such as stigma and low self-esteem. In my community, the rising prevalence of obesity has strained local health services and prompted initiatives aimed at promoting healthier lifestyles, emphasizing nutrition and physical activity.
Among the various factors contributing to obesity, one significant contributor is the widespread availability and marketing of high-calorie, low-nutrient foods. This environmental factor influences eating behaviors and food choices, especially among children and underserved populations who may lack access to healthier options. To mitigate this, individuals can adopt preventative strategies such as educating themselves about nutritious foods and reading nutrition labels before purchasing or consuming food products. Another measure involves increasing access to healthy foods through community programs like farmers' markets or subsidies for fruits and vegetables, ensuring that financial barriers do not impede healthy choices.
The sociological theory that best relates to this contributing factor is the Social Ecological Model. This theory emphasizes the interplay between individual, interpersonal, community, and societal factors in shaping behaviors and health outcomes. In the context of food choices, it suggests that individual behaviors are influenced by broader social and environmental factors such as food marketing, community resources, and policies. For example, marketing campaigns for unhealthy foods target children, and neighborhoods lacking supermarkets with healthy options contribute to poor dietary habits. Addressing obesity effectively requires a comprehensive approach that considers all levels of the social ecology, promoting policy changes, community interventions, and individual education to foster healthier environments and behaviors.
References
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (n.d.). Overweight & Obesity. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/obesity.htm
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Childhood Obesity Causes & Consequences. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/causes.html
- Swinburn, B. A., et al. (2019). The Global Syndemic of Obesity, Undernutrition, and Climate Change. The Lancet, 393(10173), 791-846.
- Evans, W. D., et al. (2014). The Socioeconomic Determinants of Obesity. Social Science & Medicine, 102, 10-17.
- Story, M., Kaphingst, K. M., & French, S. (2006). The Role of Schools in Promoting Healthy Eating and Physical Activity. The Journal of Nutrition, 136(3), 112S-118S.