Obesity: A Worldwide Epidemic
Ashley Caillier
Obesity has become a world wide epidemic.
People everywhere are consuming more food than they are burning off, partially
due to lack of physical activity and lifestyle changes. Cultures have
changed because of imported foods. Also, because of the technology and
urbanization around the world, people are choosing fast foods rather than
preparing meals at home. Nutritional programs are being implemented in
nations across the world to change and help promote healthier lifestyles that
will hopefully prevent future generations from extending this epidemic.
Whom Obesity Affects
Hawks (2001) reported that “It is now believed that
there are as many over nourished individuals on the planet (1.1 billion) as
there are under nourished (1.1 billion)” (p. 85). The obesity rate is
continually rising. Between 1980 and 1994 the prevalence of obesity rose
by 55% (Hawks 2001). Those to be concerned about becoming obese are people
with a BMI (Body Mass Index) over twenty-five. Having a BMI of
twenty-five, a person is at risk for being overweight. European nations
should be the most concerned about this because they “now have one of the
highest average BMI of all World Health Organization regions-nearly 26.5”
(Copenhagen, 2005, p. 1). Children are of great concern also. In
Europe and North America, about 11% of the teens, age thirteen to fifteen years
old, were overweight in 2003 (Copenhagen, 2005).
While obesity is its own disease, it is a major
contributing factor for many chronic diseases. “Obesity related disorders
include diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some forms of cancers” (National
Office of Public Health Genomics, 2007, p. 2). These chronic diseases can
be genetically traced. Consulting family histories can determine a
person’s susceptibility for such diseases. Looking back through family
histories can prove too that as obesity rates have risen, so has the rate of
chronic diseases. Genetics have not changed over time, but environments
have. The change in environment and lifestyle are what has increased the
obesity rates, thus increasing obesity related disorders.
Differences in Lifestyles Overtime
During earlier times, in most cultures, people in
rural areas lived off the land, grew what foods were obtainable with the
specific climates, and ate the foods that they had grown themselves. These
foods were prepared within the home. Food intake rarely exceeded that
burned off since, as a culture and lifestyle, hard labor had to be done each day
to put food on the table. In the Pacific Cook Island, Maori, for example, a
survey was done by Fry (1957) that showed, “Over 64% of the fat for families was
provided by coconut cream.” (Hughes, 2003, p. 9). When compared to
Americans, “the Cook Island Maori men and women exceeded US men and women by
10lbs and 12 lbs, respectively” (Hughes, 2003, p. 9). This is because
coconut cream has natural fats. The additional pounds are muscle built
from the hard work put into cropping. As the world has become more
technologically advanced, people have moved away from these home grown foods and
begun consuming imported foods which are more easily obtained.
On the same island, only 5 years later, another
survey was done showing “86% of fat intake came from animal sources” (Hughes,
2003, p. 10). Before importing began, the islanders did not have strong
access to animal fats because of the land and climate. Changing reliance
from a vegetable based diet to animal meant consuming more salt and sugar used
to preserve meats being imported rather than vitamins and fiber naturally found
in coconut cream. “In 1987, imported foods represented 60% of total daily
food intake” (Hughes, 2003, p. 10). Going to local markets instead of
spending time working in the fields, obviously reduced the amount of energy
expended after eating unhealthier foods. Holding true that obesity is
caused by consuming more energy than is expended, studies show that calorie
levels on the island rose, and by 2002, 80%, of 3600 people surveyed, were
overweight or obese (Hughes, 2003, p. 10). This consumption of imported
foods not only affected the health of individuals, but also put a great loss on
production of locally grown foods.
Affects of Fast Food
Because of urbanization and more industrialized
suburbia areas, food consumption has veered away from fresh food at farmer’s
markets to fast food on the go. Marketing is one of the many reasons
people choose fast food. People sit in front of the television, listen to
the radio, read billboards along the road and are constantly reminded of the new
specials, how convenient, delicious, and close the next food stops are.
The one thing usually never advertised is nutrition facts on such products.
Fast food restaurants, food, and beverages are usually classified under the “eat
least” category in the Dietary Guidelines (World Heath Organization, p. 65).
This is because fast food restaurants provide high energy dense foods that are
poor in micronutrients. McDonald’s for example can be found in 61
countries in the world. Consuming one Big Mac at 7.5 oz would be 540
calories, 29 g of fat, 1040 mg of sodium, and only 6 ug of Vitamin A, 2 ug of
Vitamin C, and 3 g of fiber (McDonalds, 2008). Consumers are usually
unaware of these facts and uninterested because they need something quick and
easy. This is why marketing “super sized” portions works so well. It
is just another way that consumers can get more for their money and potentially
eat less, later, if they eat more now. Most people do not consider the
extra calories when choosing larger portion sizes, though.
The same idea can be used when choosing beverages.
At a fast food restaurant, “super size” is not limited to food choices.
Marketers obviously have to advertise larger drink portions to wash down the
larger portions of food. The comparison is that, “The physiological
effects of energy intake on satiation and satiety appear to be quite different
for energy in solid foods as opposed to energy in fluids” (World Health
Organization, p. 65). Liquids tend to flow through the body a lot quicker
than solid foods, so most people don’t take into account just how much added
sugar and calories they are consuming along with a meal. “It has been
estimated that each additional can or glass of sugar-sweetened drink they
consume every day increases the risk of becoming obese by 60%” (World Health
Organization, p. 66). These risks and obesity rates are not decreasing
because eating out and drinking high energy drinks is becoming a trend and
lifestyle. This lifestyle and the lack of physical activity are part of
the contributing factors that have made obesity a world wide epidemic.
Possible Solutions
There are quite a few ways for individuals to
maintain a healthy lifestyle without changing their entire routine. The
first recommendation is “at least thirty minutes of moderate-intensity physical
activity on most days” (World Health Organization, p. 62). Obesity is
caused by consuming more energy than is expended, so incorporating physical
activity on top of daily routines at work and school can promote better energy
expenditure. Limiting television, computer, and game use cuts out on
advertisements about unhealthy choices and promotes better choices about regular
physical activity.
To promote healthier food habits, snacking and eating
out should be kept to a minimum. Choosing healthy snacks like raw fruits
and vegetables is preferable. “It appears that access and exposure to a
range of fruits and vegetables in the home is important for the development of
preferences for these foods and that parental knowledge, attitudes, and
behaviors related to healthy diet and physical activity are important in
creating role models” (World Health Organization, p. 65). Eating food at
home would greatly reduce the risk of obesity and would educate those involved
about healthier ways to prepare meals. Food eaten in restaurants is higher
in fat because of it’s packaging for delivery, the method of cooking, and the
serving size given. When eating at home, choosing not to cook with oils
would reduce fat intake. Studies show, “A surge in global vegetable oil
production over the past four decades has added 30 g of fat to the average diet
on the planet” (Hawks, 2001, p. 86). Also, one should prevent adding salts
and sugars to foods cooked in the home or eaten out. Adding these changes
to a diet may be difficult, but maintenance, perseverance, and education will
reduce risk of obesity.
Global Programs
There are global programs being implemented to
promote healthier lifestyles also. “In May 2004, the Fifty-seventh World
Health Assembly adopted the Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity, and
Health” (Copenhagen, 2005, p. 4). It discusses the health system,
agriculture, consumer education, food labeling, health claims, and marketing
(Copenhagen, 2005, p. 4). Choices about where to look when trying to educate
individuals about health and physical activity are schools, transports, and
urban policies (Copenhagen, 2005, p. 4).
“The World Health Organization Committee for Europe
endorsed in 2000 the First Action Plan for Food and Nutrition Policy”
(Copenhagen, 2005, p. 4). The plan combines nutrition, food safety, food
security, and sustainable development. The plan is offered to governments
to evaluate and hopefully implement the policies. “Under the leadership of
the European Commission, the Platform for Action on Diet, Physical Activity, and
Health brings together industrial associations, consumer groups, nongovernmental
organizations in the field of health and political leaders to take voluntary
action to halt and hopefully reverse the rise in obesity, particularly among
children” (Copenhagen, 2005, p. 5). Many countries have decided on their
own policies and implemented them thus far. The countries include: France,
Netherlands, United Kingdom, Spain, and Sweden.
In developing countries, programs are being assessed
to provide information on how to avoid over feeding stunted populations.
“Nutrition programs designed to control or prevent under nutrition need to
assess stature in combination with weight to prevent providing excess energy to
children of low weight-for-age but normal weight-for-height” (World Health
Organization, p. 68). In this transition period for developing countries,
maintaining a healthy life style and not accessing high energy dense foods is of
most importance to prevent obesity. Education for mothers and low income
societies is needed to help them understand that overweight and obesity do not
represent good health.
Conclusion
While obesity may be a world wide epidemic evidenced
by statistics, it is certainly one that can be prevented, if the right steps of
action are taken. Educating children is the best place to start.
Marketers seek out children who are their future consumers. If prevention
can be done now from allowing children to be exposed to unhealthy decisions,
then changes can be made for the future. National and worldwide programs
will educate older and younger people on the long term effects that obesity has
and ways to improve lifestyles. I certainly believe that if people can
accept that there has to be limit to choosing unhealthy foods, then that is one
very large step further in decreasing the amount of obesity worldwide.
While the economy and technology grow, so does the pace of individuals lives,
but staying educated about healthy habits to choose will improve lives across
the world.
References
Copenhagen, B (2005, September 12). The Challenge of
Obesity in the WHO European Region. Retrieved March 3, 2008, from World Health
Organization Web site:
http://www.euro.who.int/document/mediacentre/fs1305e.pdf
Hawks, S (2001).Human Culture and the Global Epidemic
of Obesity. Healthy Weight Journal. November/December,
[85-88].
Hughes, R (2003). Diet, Food Supply, and Obesity in the Pacific. Retrieved March 3, 2008, from World Health Organization Web site: http://www.wpro.who.int/NR/rdonlyres/9FEF63D8-B0EA-47D4-A394-
7F7E171427EB/0/diet_food_supply_obesity.pdf
McDonald's. (2007-2008). Retrieved April 8, 2008,
from McDonald’s Web site: http://www.mcdonalds.com/usa.html
National Office of Public Health Genomics, (2007,
November 27). Obesity Genetics: Public Health Perspective. Retrieved January 23,
2008, from Center for Disease Control and Prevention Web site:
http://www.cdc.gov/genomics/training/perspectives/files/obesedit.htm
World Health Organizatiin (N.D), Recommendations for
Preventing Excess Weight Gain and Obesity. January 30, 2008.
http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/publications/trs916/en/gsfao_obesity.pdf
