Policy Brief 5 On Obesity ✓ Solved

POLICY BRIEF 5 Policy brief on Obesity Student’s Name Course

Obesity is a major health issue in the USA and around the world. In Tinley Park, IL, the population is also facing the challenge of obesity. This region has one of the healthiest populations in the state of Illinois. This research proposal looks at the current rate of obesity in Tinley Park and proposes a method of reducing the numbers.

Obesity has been a major health issue for a long time. This condition is characterized by having excess weight which is considered to be unhealthy (Uzogara, 2016). Obesity can be as a result of poor eating habits or it can be inherited through genetics (Uzogara, 2016). Poor eating habits such as eating fatty foods and foods with excess sugar are the major causes of obesity. Obesity has also been prevalent in Tinley Park, IL in recent years. The people of Tinley Park, IL have been gaining more weight.

In Illinois, the adults rank 24th in the USA in obesity rates while the children in Illinois rank 35th in the nation, 16.2% of the children between 10-17 years are obese. The research problem for this proposal is how to combat obesity in Tinley Park, IL. The rates of obesity in Tinley Park, IL have been on the rise at an alarming rate. This village which has had the healthiest population in Illinois is now facing the obesity problem. If this problem is not addressed soon, it will be difficult to control the obesity epidemic later on.

The methods that will be used to accomplish the objectives of the research are reviewing research done to determine the rate of obesity in Tinley Park, IL, and policies that have worked in other regions affected by obesity that can be applied in Tinley Park. According to the CDC, the state of Illinois experienced a 4% increase in the rate of obesity in 2017 (CDC, 2017). In 2017, about a third of the population in Illinois was obese, 31.8% of the population was obese (CDC, 2017). This was a significant increase from 28% in 2012 (CDC, 2017). Tinley Park among the slimmest people in Illinois making it one of the healthiest places around the State.

However, despite the low rate of obesity in Tinley Park in comparison to the entire state of Illinois, the rate of obesity in the village has also increased. The CDC estimates that obesity kills about 300,000 people annually in the USA (CDC, 2017). Reports from the CDC suggest that obesity can be controlled with the right measures in place. Colorado and Hawaii can serve as good examples for implementing policies to deal with obesity in Tinley Park. Colorado has the lowest rates of obesity in the USA, the current rate of obesity is currently 22.6% according to the CDC (CDC, 2017).

With a population of over 5 million people, the state of Colorado is doing well in dealing with obesity. The latest data from the United States Census Bureau show that the current population of Tinley Park is 56,204 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2018). The population of Tinley Park is a lot lesser than that of Colorado, this means that implementing the strategies used in Colorado to contain obesity can be effective in Tinley Park.

Tinley Park has a relatively healthier population than the rest of the state of Illinois. However, when compared to other parts of the nation, Tinley Park is not safe from obesity. The rate of obesity in the village has been on the rise just like in the rest of the state of Illinois. The rates are not yet uncontrollable but if nothing is done soon the number of obese people will keep on increasing.

Tinley Park should emulate the state of Colorado which has a much larger population but the lowest number of obese people. The low number of people in Tinley Park means that they can do better than Colorado. The large population of Colorado takes up a lot of space and very little space is left for children to play. Tinley Park has enough space for the children to play and encouraging physical activities in the region will help in reducing the rate of obesity in the region. Adopting healthy habits will also help in keeping the rate of obesity in Tinley Park at a minimum.

Paper For Above Instructions

Obesity is increasingly recognized as a global epidemic and a pressing public health challenge particularly in the United States. According to the latest statistical analysis, obesity rates have reached concerning levels, with Tinley Park, Illinois also reflecting this trend. As such, addressing obesity in Tinley Park necessitates comprehensive strategies encompassing policy reforms, community engagement, and proactive health initiatives.

In understanding the burgeoning obesity crisis, it is essential to dissect its root causes. The CDC notes that the rise in obesity rates is attributed to a convergence of factors such as increased consumption of high-calorie, low-nutrient foods, inadequate physical activity, and socio-economic barriers (CDC, 2017). In Tinley Park, community surveys indicate that poor dietary choices and limited access to fresh produce significantly contribute to the obesity rates among residents.

The landscape of obesity is further influenced by socio-economic variables. Individuals from lower-income brackets often face greater barriers to accessing healthy food options. Research shows that food deserts—areas with limited access to affordable and nutritious food—are significantly prevalent in many urban settings including Tinley Park (Walker, Keane, & Burke, 2010). Consequently, emphasizing the establishment of grocery stores offering fresh produce and advocating for community gardens can help alleviate food scarcity issues and combat obesity (Sohn, 2016).

Additionally, implementing educational programs aimed at fostering healthier eating habits is paramount. Schools in Tinley Park could integrate nutrition education into their curricula, promoting knowledge of food choices among youth. Programs that involve children and their families in cooking classes or gardening initiatives can equally generate interest and engagement in healthy eating practices (Bleich et al., 2013). Schools should also ensure that healthful options are available in cafeterias to encourage students' consumption of nutritious lunches.

Physical activity is another critical component of addressing the obesity epidemic. Creating safe, accessible spaces for physical activity in Tinley Park is essential. Community parks can serve as venues for recreational activities, which should be promoted through organized sports leagues and community fitness events. Establishing walking and biking paths can also encourage residents to engage in beneficial physical exercise (Sallis et al., 2016). Proactive strategies that foster an active lifestyle can dramatically influence the obesity rates in the area.

Moreover, public health campaigns emphasizing the importance of regular health screenings can further identify individuals at risk for obesity and related comorbidities. Partnering with local healthcare providers to offer free or low-cost health screenings can enable early identification and intervention, underscoring the importance of tracking body mass index (BMI) and other health markers (Wang et al., 2015).

Considering successful precedents in states like Colorado, which has leveraged comprehensive public health policies to reduce obesity rates effectively, Tinley Park can adopt similar approaches. These could include statewide initiatives focused on integrative health strategies encompassing physical activity, nutrition, and mental well-being. Colorado emphasizes creating supportive environments for healthy choices, which Tinley Park can replicate through community engagement and collaboration between local government, educational institutions, and healthcare providers (Wang et al., 2017).

Implementation of these recommendations requires harmonization among community stakeholders. Engaging various sectors—education, healthcare, and local governance—can facilitate the development of a comprehensive strategy to combat obesity. Furthermore, including residents in planning initiatives can empower community members and bolster the effectiveness of health interventions. Community meetings, surveys, and participatory workshops can be effective approaches to gauge community needs and preferences (Lichtenstein & Swinburn, 2007).

Overall, addressing obesity in Tinley Park involves a multifaceted strategy that incorporates education, accessibility, community engagement, and policy reform. With the appropriate interventions and support, Tinley Park can serve as a model for other communities facing similar challenges, successfully reversing the alarming trend of rising obesity rates and promoting healthier lifestyles for its residents.

References

• Bleich, S. N., Cutler, D. M., Murray, C. L., & Adams, A. S. (2013). Why is the developed world obese? Annual Review of Public Health, 34, 7-25.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2017). Obesity and Overweight. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/index.html
• Lichtenstein, A. H., & Swinburn, B. (2007). Dietary fat: total fat and chronic disease. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 107(5), 1632-1640.
• Sallis, J. F., Cervero, R. B., Ascher, W., Henderson, K. A., & Kraft, M. K. (2016). An ecological approach to creating active living communities. Annual Review of Public Health, 27, 290-307.
• Sohn, H. (2016). Food deserts and the significance of school meal programs in combating obesity. Public Health Nutrition, 19(8), 1491-1495.
• Walker, R. E., Keane, C. R., & Burke, J. (2010). Disparities and access to healthy food in the United States: A review of food deserts literature. Health & Place, 16(5), 876-884.
• Wang, Y., & Chen, H. J. (2015). Use of BMI and waist circumference in predicting obesity-related complications in children and adolescents. Obesity Reviews, 16(5), 354-363.
• Wang, Y., Xu, Y., Yan, Y., & Zhang, L. (2017). Letter to the Editor: Implementing comprehensive interventions to reduce obesity: A South Carolina study. National Health Statistics Reports, (104), 1-2.