Obesity Essay

Overweight and obesity are the result of “caloric imbalance.” This occurs when too few calories finished for the amount of calories are consumed and affected by various genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors. Obesity is when a person consumes more calories than they can burn which is usually caused by eating too much and exercising too little. A person is considered obese when his or her weight is 20 percent or more above normal weight. Children over age 2 and teens equal to or greater than the 95th percentile are considered obese.

Factors that cause obesity include age, gender, illness, environmental factors, physical activity, medication, genetics, and psychological. As you get older, your body’s ability to metabolize food slows down and you do not require as many calories to maintain your weight. In addition, women tend to become more overweight than men because men have a higher resting metabolic rate, meaning men burn more calories at rest. Illnesses including hypothyroidism, depression, and some rare diseases of the brain can lead to overeating. Even a person’s environment plays a huge part in obesity. Environmental factors such as what a person eats or how active he or she is. Obesity and thinness tends to run in families. In fact, if your biological mother is obese as an adult, there is a 75 percent chance that you will be obese. Psychological factors influence eating habits and obesity. Many people eat in response to negative emotions such as boredom, sadness, or anger. In addition, people who have difficulty with weight management may be facing more emotional and psychological issues: about 30 percent of people who seek treatment have difficulties with binge eating. Binge eating is when people eat large amounts ...

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...y. An effective comprehensive program will focus on overall health and long term weight goals, focus on reduction of cardio metabolic risk, and come from an evidence base that is biological, behavioral, and psychological. Plan sponsors that are serious about reducing obesity in their populations need to look at obesity as a chronic condition like diabetes or heart disease, which requires intensive support by specialized health coaches and clinicians.

Obesity is a destructive health condition and must raise public awareness in our community. Obesity can be treated, recovered, and help others around us. The ending of obesity will help create a strong structure for a new, healthier society. We do not want to raise health risks to put our bodies and lives in danger, do we? So be active, speak with a doctor, and live a better life with family and friends by your side.