Problem Solving essay

Running Head : OBESITY

A Problem Solving Essay On Obesity

Abstract

This discusses obesity as a problem of our nation today . It also proposes several solutions to is problem

A Problem Solving Essay on Obesity

Obesity is defined as an increase in body weight beyond the limitation of skeletal and physical requirement , as the result of an excessive accumulation of fat in the body . The obesity rates have risen over the past few years . Surveys show that among adults aged 20-74 years , the prevalence of obesity increased from 15 .0 (in

the 1976-1980 survey ) to 32 .9 (in the 2003-2004 survey , while incidents of obesity increased from 5 .0 to 13 .9 in children aged 2-5 years 6 .5 to 18 .8 in children aged 6-11 years , and 5 .0 to 17 .4 for those aged 12-19 years (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , 2008 . These occurrences have risen rapidly among women , men and children of all racial and ethnic groups and this trend is projected to continue . Currently , a third of Americans are overweight , and another third are obese (BBC News , 2004 This poses a serious problem on America 's health

Obesity is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths in the United States . Obesity increases the potential of high blood cholesterol , high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes , which are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease and other serious health problems (American Heart Association , 2006 . Not only that , recent research also suggests that obesity shortens the average lifespan by at least four to nine months , and if childhood obesity continues to increase , it could cut two to five years from the average lifespan . That could cause our current generation of children to become the first in American history to live shorter lives than their parents (American Heart Association , 2006 . The implications of obesity in America 's health pose a problem because it weakens the country 's workforce physically . People who are obese are not as productive since they are hindered by the numerous medical concerns their condition brings about As a necessary consequence , the problem of obesity also puts a huge drain on the economy . The World Bank has estimated the cost of obesity at 12 percent of the nation 's healthcare budget (American Heart Association , 2006 . In fact , a study shows that in 2003 , obesity cost the United States 75 billion , nearly 40 billion of which came from public taxes . The country has shouldered the expenses of treating these medical conditions which could have been prevented . Therefore , obesity affects Americans not only in their personal capacities , but also as a nation . Obesity has the capacity to influence the economy of the country . Money paid for related healthcare could have been spent building better infrastructures , or alleviating poverty

Obesity is caused by an energy imbalance which results from consuming too many calories and not getting enough exercise . Behavior and the environment are the biggest causes of people being overweight today (Ezine Articles , 2006 . I propose the following...