Obesity as a Health Problem - Essay Example

Before obesity can be tackled, it is important to know how people become obese. People believe that obesity can only be caused by overeating. Overeating is one of the main causes, but it is not the only one. When a person has an unhealthy diet and does not exercise often, or at all, the fat in their body builds up. The longer they remain inactive and do not watch their eating habits, the fewer calories they burn and the more obese they become. People can also become obese due to a lack of sleep, which “can cause changes in hormones that increase one’s appetite” Certain medications, such as antidepressants and steroids, can also lead to obesity, especially if the person does not exercise.

Finally, medical conditions can contribute to obesity. For example, if a person has arthritis, they will not be as active, which can lead to weight gain. Though there are many ways to develop obesity, there are only two types of obesity: childhood andadulthoodt. Childhood obesity is obesity that affects young children and teenagers. Until the past few years, childhood obesity was not an issue. Before the time of televisions, video games, and computers, children were active and got more exercise.

Now children have many activities to keep them occupied, but none of them allow children to be physically active. Due to increased inactivity and diets that are getting to be more unhealthy, children are weighing more than ever (Glied 1). Adult obesity can come as a result of untreated childhood obesity, but it can also happen later in one’s life. Obesity in adults has always been a problem, but, just as the number of obese children rises, so do the numbers surrounding the adults who are obese.

A common misconception about obesity is that many people believe that the only problem with having excessive excess fat only affects the person’s appearance. The harsh truth that people are unwilling to face is that obesity can lead to a bunch of other health and medical issues. . If people who suffer from obesity do not find treatment promptly, they can develop high cholesterol or high blood pressure. Likewise, the more fat that is on a person, the harder it becomes for their organs to function, which drastically alters the overall health of their body. As such, obesity can also lead to the development of type 2 diabetes, which comes with its medical problems. People with obesity find that their heart and gallbladder do not work properly, increasing their chances of heart and gallbladder disease (Walker 9).