Obesity
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Obesity
Obesity is an epidemic in the whole of United States of America. It has been an issue for many other countries; however, U.S.A is very largely affected by obesity and obesity-related health issues. Obesity starts from childhood and moves on to adult hood. "Currently, around 31% of the American population is obese and about 65% are either obese or over weight" (Intelihealth). Obesity or over-weight increases the chances of heart diseases, diabetes, and "liver failure" (Super Size Me). The current death rate in many countries is rising because of a growing obesity rate; but what exactly is obesity?
Obesity is gaining weight to a level where it could become a health issue or lead to diseases. Obesity is defined as an excessive accumulation of body fat. Obesity is present when total body weight is more than 25 percent fat in boys and more than 32 percent fat in girls (Lohman, 1987). Obesity is caused by many different sources but all of it comes under one category: unhealthy diet. "Unhealthy diet is one of the leading causes of cardiovascular diseases. This unhealthy lifestyle is more and more adopted at early ages" (World Heart Federation). Studies have proved that children are largely affected by the unhealthy food, and their eating habits have been spoilt since they were young between ages 5 to 7. "Studies have shown that a child who is obese between the ages of 10 and 13 has an 80 percent chance of becoming an obese adult" (Facts for Families)
There are many different assumptions made about a person who is obese, however not all of them are accurate. When a fat person is seen on the road, people assume he eats a lot and does not work out, but that is not always true. Obesity can be caused by many different factors. The most basic ones tend to be: poor eating habits, over-eating or lack of exercise. These are common and many people think this is the only cause of obesity. But there are other factors like: "family history of obesity, medical illness,...
- Submitted by: rthakwani
- Date Submitted: 11/17/2006 11:28 PM
- Category: Social Issues
- Words: 1118
- Pages: 5
- Views: 865
- Rank: 49468