Analysis of Obesity as a Public Health Concern

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Definition
Epidemiological Transition and Evidence-Based Public Health
Problem
Etiology
Recommendation
Implementation
Evaluation
Conclusion
Reference

Introduction

The problem of obesity is recognized by the modern medical community as an epidemic in American society. The goal of public health should be to effectively combat this phenomenon by understanding and addressing its causes. A proposed initiative to change the situation is to raise awareness of the problem among children and adolescents. An integrated approach aimed at changing the behavioral habits of the population from an early age will achieve a long-term effect of reducing the morbidity of obesity.

Definition

Obesity is a common health problem caused by genetic factors and a person’s lifestyle. Excessive caloric intake in Americans and a decrease in exercise have led to about 35% of the adult population being obese (Kirkwood, 2018). Obesity is diagnosed with a body mass index greater than 30 (Kirkwood, 2018). The morbidity of obesity is high, but mortality is mainly associated with the occurrence of associated health problems: cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Morbidity and mortality ratings are used to determine the severity of the health issue; in the case of obesity, the increasing morbidity of the disease should be the main concern.

Epidemiological Transition and Evidence-Based Public Health

The mission of public health is to provide an environment in which people can be healthy. Public health has three main functions: monitoring the health of the population and identifying problems and priorities, developing policies to address identified problems, and ensuring access to healthcare (Kirkwood, 2018). Evidence-based public health focuses on reasonable decision-making and data evaluation. In the case of the fight against obesity, this approach is characterized by the search and application of new effective medicinal, surgical, and social methods. The epidemiological transition involves a change in the nature of the disease and the causes of death under the influence of a complex of factors. Since economic and social factors have provoked a sharp increase in morbidity, obesity can be called a disease with a sharp epidemiological transition. Taking this factor into account, it is necessary to develop a strategy that can be quickly put into action. Evidence-based public health allows the development of a detailed plan, as many of the solutions to improve the well-being of the population in relation to the obesity epidemic have already been taken. By taking into account the effectiveness of the actions taken, a better plan can be developed to address the problem.

Problem

The main problem is not obesity per se, but the resulting comorbidities and the prevalence of this health problem. The obesity epidemic in the United States is a public health concern (Kirkwood, 2018). Over the past 50 years, the incidence of obesity in the US has increased by 250% (Kirkwood, 2018). Childhood obesity is also becoming a serious problem, in which children suffer from stigmatization and similar social problems. Obesity in most patients is caused by a combination of factors favored by lifestyle changes and genetic predisposition. Obesity can reduce the quality and length of life, and provoke the development of cancer and diabetes (Kirkwood, 2018). Addressing this public health problem is complicated by the peculiarities of obesity treatment, which is associated with the need to eliminate the factors of overeating and drastically change lifestyle.

Etiology

Obesity is caused by a combination of factors that leads to the formation and maintenance of an excessive amount of body fat. Obesity is a problem that can be caused by genetic factors, but socioeconomic causes play a much more significant role in the occurrence of this condition. Obesity is associated with low socioeconomic status, which encourages people to choose cheaper and higher-calorie foods (Kirkwood, 2018). Modern technology often uses concentrated sugars in production, and trans fats exacerbate this trend (Kirkwood, 2018). Another factor that influences the increase in the incidence of obesity among the population is stress, which provokes overeating. Thus, obesity is a complex problem caused by social, economic, behavioral, and genetic factors.

Recommendation

The problem of obesity in the medical community has long been recognized. Measures to combat the obesity epidemic include a combination of addressing the causative factors of the disease. Over the past decades, more drugs with proven effectiveness for the treatment of obesity have appeared (Kirkwood, 2018). The surgical approach of fat removal and gastric bypass is also spreading, which has the prospect of long-term preservation of the result (Kirkwood, 2018). New dietary approaches are being developed that are often aimed at short-term results. Modern health policy is exploring the possibility of reducing sales of high-calorie meals and reducing portions in restaurants (Kirkwood, 2018). However, all these measures are not complete without focusing on long-term results and changing people’s behavioral attitudes.

An effective recommendation for the fight against obesity is the additional education of people and society as a whole. The level of awareness about the problems of obesity is high, but still not enough for a significant number of people to change their lifestyle. It is proposed to focus on the medical rather than the aesthetic side of the issue, despite the fact that obese people are still stigmatized. It is necessary to focus on children and adolescents who are beginning to form their eating habits. Additional classes in schools and colleges aimed at increasing the popularity of a healthy lifestyle can significantly affect the situation with obesity. Significant results can bring screening procedures to identify a predisposition to obesity. In newborn children, this may be the correlation of the body mass index with the body mass indices of the biological parents. By raising awareness of the possibility of a problem, parents and medical staff will be able to organize a set of preventive measures.

Implementation

The implementation of the recommendation to combat obesity should be based on an integrated approach. Firstly, it is necessary to address the need for change to the stakeholders and assess the resources to carry out the initiative. Health professionals may be given special time to provide lectures in schools and colleges. It is necessary to develop a detailed program that can inspire children and adolescents the desire to follow the principles of a healthy lifestyle. The educational program should encourage interest, not cause fear and rejection. It is necessary to empirically determine the number of lectures needed to indicate all topics and answers to questions. Screening techniques should be introduced in every medical organization and become a common practice.

Evaluation

A full-scale assessment of the effectiveness of the recommendation can be achieved in a few years by measuring incidence rates. Mortality is not a reliable criterion, since in the case of obesity it is achieved by a combination of factors and is not always measurable. The best indicator of effectiveness can be surveys of schoolchildren and students. Questionnaires may include questions about awareness of the need to maintain a healthy lifestyle and reduce the intake of high-calorie foods. A timely evaluation of the effectiveness will help adapt the initiative to the understanding of the audience.

Conclusion

The problem of obesity is widespread in American society and requires close public health attention. The proposed initiative aims to address the behavioral causes of obesity. Raising awareness at a younger age will lead to healthy eating habits and reduce the risk of obesity in adulthood. Screening for predisposition to obesity will allow preventive measures to be taken. A comprehensive approach to the problem of obesity is expected to reduce the incidence and improve the quality of life of Americans.

Reference

Kirkwood, B. (2018). Public Health 101, 3^rd edition. Jones & Bartlett Learning.

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