Effects of Overconsumption and Extreme Consumerism

1351 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Effects of sugar on the human body

In recent decades, overweight population in US has risen to unprecedented levels. According to 2010 census by Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 69.2% of adults age 20 and above are considered overweight or obese. This is two thirds of the population (CDC). Obesity is often linked to overconsumption. Many studies conclude that high rates of obesity in the modern society result from the behavioral model created by the food industry of eating cheapest, but most profitable foods. These foods are high in calorie count and most often are unhealthy, and, thus, are major contributors to the rising levels of overweight population (CDC). The initial management of overweight and obesity is lifestyle intervention, which is a combination of diet, exercise, and behavioral modification. The major goal of behavioral modification is to help patients make long-term changes in their eating habits by monitoring and modifying their food intake (amount and quality), as well as controlling the stimuli in the environment that trigger such eating behaviors (Bray).

Solutions must be researched and implemented before the problem of increasing rates of obesity becomes an epidemic. This research will try to convey the reader by including studies and similar methods used by the government to modify consumers’ habits through behavioral science. In order to fight obesity, overconsumption of unhealthy foods should be limited. One strategy to overcome overconsumption with the goal of reducing the risks of obesity is an implementation of high taxes on high calorie unhealthy foods such as snacks and sodas.

Price changes affect demand for various foods. According to the economic theory, consumption of a certain product falls as the price of that item rises...

... middle of paper ...

...on. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 10/26/2011. Web. 01/30/2014.

Boonn, Ann. “Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.” http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/research/factsheets/pdf/0146.pdf 10/11/2012. Web. 1/16/2014

Powell LM, Chaloupka FJ. Food prices and obesity: evidence and policy implications for taxes and subsidies. Milbank Q. March 2009. Web. 03/04/2014 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19298422/

Ogden, Cynthia. Lamb, Molly. Carroll, Margaret. Flegal, Katherine. Obesity and Socioeconomic Status in Children and Adolescents: United States, 2005-2008. NCHS Data Brief No.51. 12/2010. PDF. 01/16/2014 http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db51.pdf

Bray, George. Behavioral strategies in the treatment of obesity. UpToDate. 04/18/2013. Web. 03/03/2014

Kudin, Aleksandra. Personal Interview. Burlington, MA 01/16/2014

Show More
Related

  • A Proposal to Reverse Obesity Rates

    1830 Words  | 4 Pages

    Obesity is a rising problem in the United States. With obesity rates on the rise something must be done to prevent this massive issue. There are ways to help including educating at young ages, improving nutrition facts at restaurants, and providing more space for citizens to get physically active.

    Read More

  • Food Deserts

    866 Words  | 2 Pages

    Over 60 million people are obese in the world today. The socioeconomic statuses of the Americans play a major part in the obesity rates across the country. People with higher incomes are less likely to be obese than people with lower incomes. One in every seven preschool-aged children living in lower income areas are obese (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). A 2008 study showed that obesity is highest among American Indian and Alaska Native (21.2 percent) and Hispanic Americans (18.5 percent) children, and it is lowest among white (12.6 percent), Asian or Pacific Islander (12.3 percent), and black (11.8 percent) children (Get America Fit).

    Read More

  • Surgeon General Project: Childhoudd Obesity

    1725 Words  | 4 Pages

    "Prevalence of Childhood and Adult Obesity in the United States, 2011-2012." JAMA Network. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Apr. 2014.

    Read More

  • Overview of the Obesity Epidemic

    1810 Words  | 4 Pages

    There is no doubt that obesity has taken its seat as one of the top disease that strikes the world today. In America, obesity has now spread through the country leaving 2 out of 3 adults either overweight or obese, and worldwide 1.5 billion are overweight or obese (Overweight). The cause of this disease stems from multiple reasons such as the increase in modern food production, putting out ample amounts of food causing the prices for meat, groceries, and especially junk food to plummet. Subsequently, Americans especially were more inclined to purchase more food and showed an increase in the average American house hold food intake by 1,000 more calories a day (Dreifus).

    Read More

  • Childhood Obesity in African American Children

    1313 Words  | 3 Pages

    Childhood obesity has become a huge problem in the United States. Over twenty one percent of African American children are obese, not including the twenty percent who were just overweight. Studies show that the increase in Type II diabetes, which is caused by obesity has increased dramatically in children of African American culture. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) The hospital costs associated with childhood obesity were 127 million dollars from 1997-1999, increasing $92 million from 1979-1981. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) However, long term effects are also a concern for adolescent obesity. Overweight children have a 70 percent chance of being obese or overweight adults, which increases to 80 percen...

    Read More

  • The Obesity Epidemic in America

    1077 Words  | 3 Pages

    Obesity among Americans has been a growing issue in the United States predominantly over the past decade. Many may argue American’s are obese because of poor food choices, over-eating, genetic disposition, lack of exercise, or the environment which one lives, while others blame it all on fast-food chains and restaurants. Throughout my research I have come to find a lot of facts and statistics about fast food consumption causing obesity. Statistics show that without a doubt the United States is the most obese country in the world.

    Read More

  • America's Obesity Epidemic

    729 Words  | 2 Pages

    Because obesity has many causes, people do not think the government implementing regulations on food will influence healthy decisions. In Charles Baum's article, “In Fight With Obesity, a Bigger Government is the Wrong Weapon,” he tells reasons why the government would not help obesity rates go down by making regulations on food. In the article, he states, “Obesity is the result of overconsumption of calories. And as our research demonstrated, people find a variety of ways to do this” (Baum). Baum says that other causes of obesity like people quitting smoking and lacking regular exercise will keep obesity rates high even if the government puts regulations on food. However, having easier, healthy food and exercise choices could increase people’s healthy behaviors. In the article, “The Experts: What Role Should Government Play in Combating Obesity?” many experts discuss their thoughts on how much involvement the government should have in fighting obesity. Cassella states that the government sho...

    Read More

  • Changes in the American Consumer's Food Consumption Pattern

    2894 Words  | 6 Pages

    Obesity in the United State has increasingly been cited as major health issue. Findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey show that the proportion of adults who are obese has more than doubled from 15% in 1971–1974 to 34% In 2003–2006 for adults 20-74 years.In 1990, obese adults made up less than 15 percent of the population in most US states however by the year 2010 , 36 states had obesity rates of 25 percent or higher and 12 of those states had obesity of 30 percent or higher (CDCP 2012).

    Read More

  • Child Obesity

    1329 Words  | 3 Pages

    Singh, G., Siahpush, M., & Kogan, M. (2010). Rising social inequalities in US childhood obesity, 2003-2007. Annals of Epidemiology, 20(1), 40-52. doi:10.1016/j.annepidem.2009.09.008

    Read More

  • Obesity and Poverty

    1107 Words  | 3 Pages

    Levine, James. "Poverty and Obesity in the U.S." Diabetes 60.11 (2011): 2667-2668. Web. 21 Oct. 2013.

    Read More

  • Obesity Epidemic

    1077 Words  | 3 Pages

    The rise and success of the fast food industry has a positive correlation with the rising levels of obesity. Although correlation does not necessarily mean causation, it is hard to believe the fast food industry is not a source of the problem. With its affordable meals and cunning advertisements, the fast food industry appeals to all ages, saving mom and dad money...

    Read More

  • The Obesity Epidemic

    1899 Words  | 4 Pages

    Ogden, C.L., M.D. Carroll, B.K. Kit, and K.M. Flegal. "Overweight and Obesity in the U.S."

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Young Adulthood

    1001 Words  | 3 Pages

    It goes without saying that the United States is among the leading countries when it comes to obesity. People who are overweight tend to develop health complications such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, etc. (Roth, 2014, p. 275). Consequently, it is important that they improve their nutrients intake by controlling it.

    Read More

  • Essay On Junk Food

    863 Words  | 2 Pages

    America is one of the many countries with high obesity rates. Obesity is something that this country has been dealing with for many decades. Within the past few years, there has been an attempt by the government to regulate and control a few of the factors contributing to this problem, which are junk food and fast food. It is believed that these unhealthy choices are not only affecting Americans, but people all over the world. There is a debate on whether or not the government should place stronger regulatory rules on fast food, junk food, and beverage industries.

    Read More

  • The Economic Impacts Of Junk Food And Junk Food

    1424 Words  | 3 Pages

    In America over 300,000 people are obese and that number continues to grow because the about of junk food that is being consumed. This cost the economy one hundred billion dollars. That more damage done than smoking or drinking. (Crowley, Michael 5) There are other health problems, such as heart diseases, chronic diseases, and type-two diabetes that occur because of junk food. Increasing the price of junk food, by adding tax, researchers hope that this will prod people to reject unhealthy foods. Taxes will also encourage a healthier lifestyle, even in low-income families (Franck, Caroline 2).

    Read More

More about Effects of Overconsumption and Extreme Consumerism

Open Document