Solutions to obesity in the education system

Obesity in general , is a medical chronic condition , wherein a patient suffers an excessive amount of body fat . There is a limit in the amount of body fat for both men and women , and if it goes beyond the limit , it is called obesity . The body fat limit expressed in percentage of body fat for men is from eighteen percent to twenty-three percent , and twenty-five percent to thirty percent for women . The widespread incidences of obesity in the United States alone are expressed in statistical data wherein one in three Americans is experiencing

this kind of condition (Mathur 1

Obesity is not a singular epidemic otherwise , it comes with other health risks that are allied to it . Other medical conditions that might arise with being obese will be discussed in the following text . Insulin Resistance or IR is another medical chronic condition wherein the insulin within the body is not capable of reproducing cells from glucose or sugar . If this continues , the patient will develop diabetes (type two . Hypertension , also called as high blood pressure , might also arise from obesity . Hypertension is caused by high cholesterol , and this continuing condition will eventually lead to a stroke and heart attacks or heart failure . Cancer , especially cancer of the colon , rectum and prostate , is also a hazardous medical condition that occurs when a person is obese . The presence of gallstones , arthritis , and sleep apnea are only some of the medical conditions coupled with obesity (Mathur 1

Medical studies have shown numerous possible factors contributing to the state of being obese . Primarily , the cause of obesity is when a person has a high calorie intake . A high intake of calorie and no exercise will cause an increase in the person 's weight . Therefore excessive eating and a sedentary lifestyle , meaning no exercise or activity , is the major cause of being obese . A person 's genetic makeup also causes obesity . Parents who are both obese are likely to have children who are also obese because defective fat-regulating hormones are passed on from the parents to the children . Unbalanced diet , such as high carbohydrate intake , is also a leading cause of obesity . Foods that are high in carbohydrate content , such as soft drinks , cakes , ice creams , beer , and the likes , lead to a quick absorption of the blood stream . Aside from eating conditions , such as overeating discussed initially , the frequency or rate of eating is also related to obesity Medical studies have found out that people who eat frequently tend to gain more weight and have high levels of cholesterol that people who eat only small amounts each day . The psychological states of a person also play a part in obesity . Certain emotions such as sadness or depression stress and anger might lead to an excessive intake of food . Having a slow metabolism , physical inactivity , medications , and hypothyroidism are also some of the contributing factors leading to obesity (Mathur 2

To be able to identify and implement programs and activities suited for people who are obese , there is a need to measure their body fat percentage . There are devices and techniques that aid in measuring the percentage of body fat , such as Hydrostatic Weighing or measuring weight underwater . BOD POD , on the other hand , is a more advanced way of measuring body fat percentage because it utilizes a chamber that is similar to the shape of an egg and adapts computerized mechanisms Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry , also known as DEXA , not only measures the percentage of body fat , but also bone density and identifies the parts of the body where great masses of body fat are concentrated . Skin calipers is a simpler way of measuring the amount of fat in the body because it only measures the thickness of fat located under the skin all throughout the body . Bioelectric Impedance Analysis , also known as BIA is also a simple way of measuring body fat percentage because it only uses a scale and an electric current that travels through the body . The percentage of body fat is not the only thing that is measured regarding obesity (Mathur 3 ) The Body Mass Index or BMI is also necessary because it does not only measure the weight of a person in terms of the amount of body fat , but it is measured in relation to the height of the person (Mathur 4

There are various solutions to counter obesity . In the following texts solutions to obesity suggested by medical practitioners and most importantly , those supported by the educational system would be discussed . The primary goal of solving obesity is to achieve a body weight that is within the limits of the required amount of body fat This is also known as the ideal body weight . The patients accomplishment of having the ideal body weight will have beneficial effects to one 's health , such as a decrease in blood pressure , lowered cholesterol count , a reduced risk in the acquisition of diabetes , and lowered incidences of stroke , heart attacks , heart failures , and even death (Mathur 5

Primarily , medical practitioners advise their patients who are suffering from obesity to change their lifestyle and their eating habits . Much exercise and continuous engagement to other physical activities would help the obese in losing weight as it results to calorie burn . The exercise depend on the type of exercise , the time that exercise is being done , and the force exerted or the intensity during exercise . Aside from that , the patient 's weight must also be taken into consideration . The heavier the patient , the harder it is for him to lose weight . Therefore a highly specialized exercise program is advised for him (Mathur 6 Exercise alone will not ensure weight loss . It should be coupled with a healthy diet . A healthy diet is a balanced meal plan of nutritious foods that would provide a complete dose of vitamins . Healthy diets should also contain fewer calories (Mathur 7

The education system is also supporting the campaign against obesity because of the onset of high population rates of obese children within the educational institution . They have programs and activities for their students , elementary students in particular , that would affect the high rate of obesity in children . However , the schools have reiterated that there might be long-term effects of their involvement in solving obesity therefore , the solution should not be dependent on the educational institution alone (Parcel , Green , Bettes 154

There are guidelines or policies that are implemented in their intrusion to solving obesity in schools . Their limit is within the range of the following set of principles . School intervention should only support the eating habits of obese children , such as their food intake , and exercise . Parents should also be involved in activities that promote the health of their children . The school 's exercise program , termed as energy expenditure , should be a continuous set of dynamic and forceful exercises and not just simple activities that are common in other schools such as sports competitions , etc . Schools should take a step further in providing solutions to obesity , with their control in food preparations and production in cafeterias that is geared toward obesity control within the school premises . Aside from efforts coming from the school , the member of the educational institution should be able to encourage their students in their involvement of monitoring their own progress in weight loss due to exercise and their meal plans as part of their healthy diet . To ensure that the students are highly motivated in involving themselves in the school 's program to fight obesity , the social group or the peer group should also be involved in the process to provide for a supportive and motivating atmosphere (Parcel , Green Bettes 154

However , it is not enough to provide for solutions to obesity itself within the grounds of the educational institution , but also there should be efforts coming from the community and the stakeholders in the inhibition and prevention of obesity . Early intervention is necessary in the prevention process to avoid obesity . This would entail the support and contribution not only of the educational system , but also the medical institution , the family , and the community as well (Parcel Green , Bettes 155

Works Cited

Mathur , Ruchi . Obesity ' Health and Living : Obesity (Weight Loss Article . 2003 . MedicineNet

Inc . 11 Dec . 2007 HYPERLINK "http /www .medicinenet .com /obesity_weight_loss /article .htm http /www .medicinenet .com /obesity_weight_loss /article .htm

Parcel , Guy , Green , Lawrence Bettes , Barbara . Childhood Obesity : A Biobehavioral

Perspective ' Chapter V . Summary of Current Knowledge . 1988 Google Books , Google . 11

Dec . 2007 . HYPERLINK "http /books .google .com /books ?id UWHTshfBbmQC pg PA154 lpg PA154 dq 22 educational system 22 and solutions to obesity source web ots _8XnzXFqVV sig V7_N0LYb5yc1LV30D8huEypbc8s http /books .google .com /books ?id UWHTshfBbmQC pg PA154 lpg PA154 dq 22e ducational system 22 and solutions to obesity source web ots _8XnzXFqVV sig V7_N0LYb5yc1LV30D8huEypbc8s

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