The Growing Concern of Obesity in the World - Essay Example

? OBESITY PROBLEMS IN THE UK AND OTHER COUNTRIES and Number: of the Introduction Selman (2010, p. 1-13) documented that a majority of the westernized countries were constituted by obese individuals. The United States of America was ranked the highest with an obesity prevalence of 74.1% followed by New Zealand with a prevalence of 68.4%. Australia followed suit with an obesity prevalence of 67.4% and the United Kingdom culminated with a prevalence of 61%. In England, it was reported that in 2008, 25% of women and 24% of men above the ages of 16 were obese as they had a BMI of 30kg/m2 and above. Sellman (2010, p. 1-13) also reported on the increasing prevalence of obesity in the developing countries, citing Asia, Africa and South America. With the realization of the growing concern as pertains to the problems of obesity in the United Kingdom and other countries, this essay will discuss the main factors involved and outline some of the possible solutions to this global epidemic. Main Problems Involved In the Growing Concern of Obesity in the United Kingdom and Other Countries The United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), defines an adult as being obese if he has a body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 and above. Childhood obesity is documented by Kuczmarksi et al., (2000, p. 1-27) as a BMI equal to or greater than 95th percentile. This concurs with the European Childhood obesity Group where obesity is defined by Flodmark et al., (2004, p. 1189-96) as being at or above the 95th percentile of the BMI. The current internationally acceptable cut off points for obesity are 25 kg/m2 and 30kg/m2 as documented by Cole et al., ( 2000, p. 1240-43), courtesy of the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF). From a global perspective, Catford and Caterson (2003, p. 577-9) documented that the escalation of obesity prevalence could be attributed to reduced physical activity and increased energy intake among people. Most children reported their pass time activity to include playing computer games (68.9%) and watching the television and videos (96.9%). Also the problem of obesity in developing countries could be caused by the recent technological advancement, coupled with economic transition hence adopting the western lifestyle. The problem of obesity could be viewed from the enormous cost encountered by obese people in the risk that obesity poses to their health. Kopleman (2007, p. 13-17) documented that obesity is associated with chronic conditions like: diabetes type 2; coronary heart diseases; cancers of the colon, breast and endometrium; orthopedic disorders and osteoarthritis. Psychological consequences such as anxiety, low self-esteem, emotional distress and depression coupled with economic consequences for the health sector and the economy are also consequences of obesity as reported by McCormick and Stone (2007, p. 161-4). Consequently, children that are obese are predisposed to stigma from other children because of their weight, hampering their psychological and social development. From a global perspective, a review of recent data has revealed an association of obesity with significant health problems in the pediatrics as documented by Sturm, Ringel and Andreyeva, (2004, p.199-205). Childhood obesity has been reported as an important early warning sign of increased adult morbidity and mortality rates. The prevalence, severity and the ethnic differences in childhood obesity have shown the increased prevalence of these children developing early morbidities. A recent study carried out in Australia revealed that of the obese children and adolescents, majority of them were found to manifest with metabolic complications. This evidently portrays the negative implication childhood obesity has on the developing generation. Possible Solutions to Obesity Rigby (2002, p. 1) in a provisional revision documented that IOFT outlined four main goals as it propagates towards preventing and managing obesity globally. The first objective is that it aims at enlightening the communities, health professional and the government on the health complications of obesity and the effect it has on medical costs. Secondly, the IOFT aims at providing guidance and evidence on effectiveness of better management and prevention strategies. Moreover, it aims at creating a network among the regional, national and international organizations aimed at supporting the action implementation against obesity. Sellman (2010, p. 1-13) affirmed by documenting that the solution to obesity should be versatile. It was emphasized that any solution proposed should encompass both individual and environmental factors in bid for long term solutions. The report also necessitated the relevance of joint policy making with all the involved stakeholders. Nestle and Jacobson (2000, p. 12-24) reported that public health policies were increasingly required so as to address the many behavioral, environmental and socio- cultural factors that promoted excess calorie intake. An obesity strategy was developed in January 2008 by the English government that was aimed at focusing on; promoting children’s health; providing incentives to promote health, building physical activity, supporting health at work and; providing effective support and treatment when individuals became obese. Noar (2006, p. 21-42) documented that mass media campaigns could be used to raise awareness, hence providing knowledge and changing attitudes, all aimed at contributing to potential behavior change. Mass media campaigns needed to be launched to raise awareness on the need to increase fruit and vegetable consumption. This also entailed realistic food edification for children, to limit the propagation of childhood obesity to adulthood. The campaign should be aimed at enhancing proper labeling of food for easy identification of healthy food. Benjamin et al., (2010, p.1-10) reported on policies and regulations adopted by various states, with an aim of reducing screen time in child care facilities, and also to provide healthy nutrition and physical activities for the children so as to reduce childhood obesity. Cradock et al., (2010, p. S106-119) argued that an improvement in the Childs’ care environment, would be the genesis step in preventing childhood obesity. He suggested strategies like evaluating standards set, assessment of tools used to update standards, and continually updating regulations. Conclusion Obesity has been elaborated to be on the rise, both in the developed and developing world. Of importance to note is that obesity is not a reserve for the adults, but has also been documented to be prevalent among children. This translates to an increase in the morbidity and mortality rates associated with obesity. Obesity being the main problem is attributed to reduced level of activity, consumption of high energy level drinks and foods, and living a sedentary lifestyle. Obesity has been documented as a multifaceted challenge that requires to be approached from an individual and societal level for effective solutions to be arrived at. Solutions elaborated in the essay include campaigns on importance of physical activity, healthy food consumption, creation of awareness on adverse effects of obesity, and teaming up with all stakeholders. It is of essence to acknowledge that prevention is far more effective than cure and that it is easier and cost effective to prevent obesity than to cure it. Bibliography Benjamin, S. E., Cradock, A., Walker, E. M., Slining, M., and Gillman, M 2008, “Obesity prevention in child care: A Review of U.S. State regulations.” BMC Public Health, vol. 8, no. 188, 1-10. Catford, J. 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