Category: Obesity

Introduction

Research Background

In the last two decades, cases of obesity have significantly increased. This is a health disorder that is caused by the consumption of a high-fat diet. Obesity arises when the weight of an individual increase to the point above a body mass index of approximately 28 (Sweeting, 2007). When an individual consumes food that has a higher amount of fat, then he or she is likely to gain weight. Obesity does not arise from a higher percentage of calories consumed from fat but to an increase in total calories related to the high caloric content of fat when compared to the other micronutrients.

Obesity is considered the key cause of other health disorders such as heart diseases, cancers, and diabetes, among others. Specifically, recent statistics suggest that 5% of African American children are obese (Sweeting, 2007). This percentage is really worrying to the medical personnel since obesity is associated with cancer, diabetes, and heart diseases, among others. This paper will attempt to establish the actual effects of African American children.

Significance of the Study

It is important to establish the factors that have made obesity a health concern among African American children. The research will seek to address the effects of obesity among African American children and provide the actual data which health professionals may use to develop intervention strategies. The research is also extended to qualifying the effects of obesity among the African American students in order to provide data for the health policymakers in planning for different intervention programs targeting this group. Lastly, the need to rank the effects of obesity among African American children informed the need for this research project. Therefore, the establishment of the effects of obesity among the research subjects will go a long way in influencing the most appropriate remedies and approaches in tackling the health concern (Burns & Grove, 2009).

Purpose of the Study

The primary purpose of this research study is to establish the effects of obesity among the African American children. The objectives of the research study will be addressed through reviewing the independent variable of life style and dependent variables such as family income, healthcare awareness, age, and cultural factors. Therefore, the study will seek to relate the dependent and independent variables as catalyzing the occurrence of obesity among the African American children. This will give a leeway in investigating the effects of this health concern on children within the study group.

Statement of the Problem

From a number of studies that have been carried out by the American Medical Association, it was observed that high fat diet causes approximately 300,000 deaths annually. Specifically, obesity prevalence among the African American children has been on the rise in the last decade. For instance, the number of African American children reported to be obese grew from 3% to 5% in the last five years (Sweeting, 2007). Being a lifestyle related mechanism of causal element of diseases such as cancer, renal, pulmonary, and cardiovascular ailments, it is necessary to establish the effects of obesity among the African American children. Therefore, the goal of this research project is to establish the primary and secondary effects of obesity among the African American children. The results of the research project will be vital in planning and execution of intervention strategies within this group.

Research Hypothesis

The hypotheses of this study are summarized as:

Null hypothesis

Obesity as health concern has direct and indirect effects which are unique among African American children.

Alternative hypothesis

Obesity as health concern does not have direct and indirect effects which are unique among African American children.

Research Questions

Since the research project revolves around establishing the effect of obesity in African American children, the following are the research questions:

1. What are the direct effects of obesity in African American children?
2. What are the indirect effects of obesity in African American children?
3. Are the effects of obesity in African American children a private or community health concern?

Research Assumptions

The first assumption of this research project is that African American children are at a high risk of being obese and that this condition is currently a serious health concern. There is no past research which has scientifically quantified the above assumption as true or false. Therefore, this research project will establish correctness of this supposition. The second assumption is that the research project will be a magic bullet in addressing the effects of obesity in African American children. Thus, it will provide structures that must be combined with the values and goals in the possible intervention strategies. The research project will also prove if this assumption is true or false.

Theoretical Definitions

In relation to this study, obesity is a health concern which is characterized by excessive accumulation of body fat that negatively affects the health of a person. In the US, a body mass index exceeding 30 kg/m² is considered obese. Obesity is considered as the key cause of other health disorders such as heart diseases, cancers and diabetes among others (Sweeting, 2007). The term African American refers to an American of black African descent. Therefore, an African American child is a minor who is an American citizen but has black African descent. Obesity is described as a health concern. The effects of obesity in this study refer to consequences of being obese among the African American children (Alligood, 2013).

Operational Definitions

In the scope of this research project, the study will be limited to children who fall in the age of one year to twelve years only. Specifically, the study will be limited to children who belong to the African American ethnic group. The study will be based on random sampling of obesity cases reported among the children belonging to the above ethnic group. The study will be limited to one region which is predominantly occupied by families from the African America descent. The effects of obesity will be limited to what the research subjects identify and not prior knowledge in order to ensure that all the results are evidence based.

Summary

This chapter was concentrated in identifying the research problem, establishing it significance and the scope of the study. The research object discussed in this chapter is establishment of the effects of obesity in African American children. The significance of the research problem discussed in this chapter is provision of accurate data for correct intervention planning and execution. The research is limited to subjects belonging to the African American ethnic group from a single region within the U.S. The scope of research operation is establishment of effects of obesity as health concern among children within a single ethnic group.

References

Alligood, M. (2013). Nursing theory: Utilization and application (3^rd ed.). New York, NY: Elsevier Health Sciences.

Burns, N., & Grove, S. K. (2009). The practice of nursing research. St. Louis, MO: Saunders Elsevier.

Sweeting H. (2007). Measurement and definitions of obesity in childhood and adolescence: A field guide for the uninitiated. Nutrition Journal, 6(1): 32-41.

Introduction

Obesity is a health condition in which surplus body fats accumulate. Excess fats negatively impact the health of both adults and children across the world (Burns & Grove, 2010). It would be critical to underscore that the emotional and social well-being of an individual is as significant as physical health (Burns & Grove, 2010). Some of the direct effects of the condition are physical illness and death. Thus, there is a need to address the direct effects of obesity among children. In addition, it has indirect effects, for example, low self-esteem, the decline in performance as well as stigmatization.

These, in turn, make it necessary to investigate the indirect impacts. There have been problems in understanding whether obesity is a private or community concern in many countries. Costs spent in relation to obesity cases by both individuals and communities demonstrate that it is both a private and a community concern (Burns & Grove, 2010). Therefore, it is important to address sections on direct and indirect effects of childhood obesity, and whether it is a private or community concern. This paper aims at discussing the effects of obesity on African-American children. Answers to the following questions will be explored:

1. What are the direct effects of obesity on African-American children?
2. What are the indirect effects of obesity on Black-American children?
3. Are the effects of obesity on Black-American children a private or community health concern?

Current and recent literature review related to the research topic

A study was conducted in the US by Monasta and colleagues (2010) to investigate the effects of chubbiness among Black-American children. The researchers utilized empirical and theoretical sources of knowledge in the review of the literature. This is because the two sources are crucial in conducting research (Burns & Grove, 2010, p. 92).

The literature review employed both quantitative and qualitative investigations. A quantitative study was important in directing the preparation and implementation of the study, while the qualitative review was done after data were collected to prevent the information collected from influencing researchers honesty (Burns & Grove, 2010). The researchers found that obesity has various direct effects. Since most parents of obese children do not perceive it as a disease, they do not emphasize on reversing the condition (Monasta et al., 2010).

This implies that the condition is not reversed, making the children experience various impairments in domains of functioning. For example, they become sick frequently (Monasta et al., 2010). Despite the fact that childhood obesity does not have recognized medical symptoms, social and emotional factors have immediate implications on childrens lives. This is demonstrated in discrimination, stigmatization, and negative stereotyping the obese children are subjected to by other children (Hong & Espelage, 2012). Another effect of childhood obesity among Black American children is evident in physical health (Farhat et al., 2010).

Current statistics show that stoutness cases have doubled since 1980s. Findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that the condition is common in children and adolescents. In fact, about forty million children that are under five years are the most affected (Healy, 2012). According to a study conducted in the US, there are 40 million children who are obese worldwide (Healy, 2012). Overweight cases have indirect effects on both the individuals and the communities. First, it is expensive to revert and contain. A lot of money is spent to take care of chubby children (Withrow & Alter, 2011).

This is done individually, nationally, and globally. The funds that could be spent on development projects are used to purchase drugs and equipment that would be utilized by obese kids (Flegal et al., 2012). Thus, chubbiness denies them potential earnings, rendering them dependants (Withrow & Alter, 2011). Cases of obesity have continued to increase every year, especially in low and middle-income countries where African American children are the most affected (Healy, 2012). In a recent study carried out in the US by Daniels (2009), the researcher concentrated on evaluating whether obesity is a private or community concern.

The researcher noted it is a community concern as it is demonstrated in the costs that society incurs. According to Metcalf, Henley, and Wilkin (2012), a lot of money has been used to cater to their needs, instead of using it to develop the communities. The condition also affects the community because it becomes hard for the infected and the affected to relate with the ones who are not affected (Malik, Willett & Hu, 2012). The condition is viewed as a main public health problem in the 21^st century (Malik, et al., 2012).

Discussions presenting more than one viewpoint about obesity in African American Children

In a study conducted in Australia, researchers from the University of Sydney focused on investigating the severity of obesity among boys and girls. The study compared the number of obese African American boys with girls in America (Ding & Gebel, 2012). It was found that cases of the condition were increasing at an alarming rate among girls than among boys. The researchers attributed the disparities to individual responsibilities. This was for the reason that most Black American girls have influential roles in families and organizations.

The roles could lead to stress that could result in overfeeding that is correlated with obesity (Ding & Gebel, 2012). Another study conducted in the US concentrated on determining the effectiveness of the church-based organization in solving stoutness among females and males (Lutfiyya et al., 2008). The researchers showed that when church-based organizations are used, 70% of the people affected by obesity go for counseling, while when clinical methods are used, only 25% people go for counseling. They cited the different methods that were utilized by different organizations as a core factor that yield the variation in the results (Lutfiyya et al., 2008).

In a study, researchers concentrated on investigating the prevalence rate of obesity cases and its effects on economic growth between African-Americans and Caucasians (Farhat et al., 2010). They indicated that the prevalence rates among African-Americans were higher compared with Caucasians, and the economic growth in Africa-American households was lower. This was attributed to the difference in their economy (Farhat et al., 2010).

Information from government agencies

The American Heart Association (2014) states that about thirteen million children in the US are obese. CDC (2014) has recommended a number of approaches that could be used to prevent cases of obesity among young persons. These include maintenance of healthy weights, breastfeeding, physical activity, and good nutrition (Brown & Summerbell, 2009; CDC, 2014).

According to the National Institute of Health (2014), exercise and diet are significant in maintaining a persons body weight. In addition, a person would grow and develop normally, implying that he or she would be characterized by a strong immune system (Brown & Summerbell, 2009, National Institute of Health, 2014). The agency also states that body weight would be influenced by environmental factors that correlate with social and personal factors.

The American Cancer Association (2014) has found that obese people are at higher risks of developing breast, esophagus, pancreas, kidney, and rectum cancers than those who are not obese. The association cited that the percentage of cases attributed to obesity differed among different cancer types. The findings are supported by other studies (Siegel, Naishadham & Jemal, 2013).

A study conducted by the National Alliance for Nutrition and Activity (2014) from the American Association Colleges of Nursing advocates for healthy eating and physical activities to reduce illnesses that are associated with various diseases, obesity being among them. In addition, Briefel and colleagues (2009) suggest that education curriculum should incorporate physical activity and a feeding program to assist in curbing obesity cases among African-American children.

Summary

In conclusion, obesity can be a dangerous condition if it is not addressed in advance. Mostly, overweight people fail to engage in physical activities for fear of getting sick and worsening the condition. As aforementioned, it is associated with poor diet and high fat content in food. This is because excellent nutrition is important for growth and development of children as well as maintenance of the required body weight of an individual. They have also indicated that African-American children have relatively high risks of becoming obese than white children. This is attributed to socioeconomic factors as well individual factors. Racial discrimination plays a significant role vis-a-vis contributing to obesity due to the development of stress, which could result in taking a lot of food.

Therefore, it would be vital for individuals and governments to adopt some measures to reduce cases of obesity since they are increasing at an alarming rate. Governments should ensure that their national economies are good, and that their citizens are earning enough funds that can sustain them. With regard to physical activities, citizens should exercise regularly in order to keep fit. State authorities should design curricula and include physical education. It would be crucial to note that if the matter would not be handled effectively, mortality rates with regard to the health condition would continue to increase.

References

American Cancer Association. (2014). What is known about the relationship between obesity and cancer?. Web.

American Heart Association (2014). Obesity Information. Web.

Briefel, R. R., Crepinsek, M. K., Cabili, C., Wilson, A., & Gleason, P. M. (2009). School food environments and practices affect dietary behaviors of US public school children. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 109(2), S91-S107.

Brown, T., & Summerbell, C. (2009). Systematic review of schoolbased interventions that focus on changing dietary intake and physical activity levels to prevent childhood obesity: an update to the obesity guidance produced by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. Obesity reviews, 10(1), 110-141.

Burns, N., & Grove, S. K. (2010). Practical of nursing research: Building an evidence-based practice. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier Health Sciences.

CDC. (2014). Overweight and obesity. Web.

Daniels, S. R. (2009). Complications of obesity in children and adolescents. International Journal of Obesity, 33, S60-S65.

Ding, D., & Gebel, K. (2012). Built environment, physical activity, and obesity: what have we learned from reviewing the literature?. Health & place, 18(1), 100-105.

Farhat, T., Iannotti, R. J., & Simons-Morton, B. G. (2010). Overweight, obesity, youth, and health-risk behaviors. American journal of preventive medicine, 38(3), 258-267.

Flegal, K. M., Carroll, M. D., Kit, B. K., & Ogden, C. L. (2012). Prevalence of obesity and trends in the distribution of body mass index among US adults, 1999-2010. Jama, 07(5), 491-497.

Healy, M. (2012). Obesity in U.S projected to grow, though pace slows: CDC study. Web.

Hong, J. S., & Espelage, D. L. (2012). A review of research on bullying and peer victimization in school: An ecological system analysis. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 17(4), 311-322.

Lutfiyya, M. N., Garcia, R., Dankwa, C. M., Young, T., & Lipsky, M. S. (2008). Overweight and obese prevalence rates in African American and Hispanic children: an analysis of data from the 20032004 National Survey of Childrens Health. The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, 21(3), 191-199.

Malik, V. S., Willett, W. C., & Hu, F. B. (2012). Global obesity: trends, risk factors and policy implications. Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 9(1), 13-27.

Metcalf, B., Henley, W., & Wilkin, T. (2012). Effectiveness of intervention on physical activity of children: systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials with measured outcomes (EarlyBird 54). BMJ: British Medical Journal 12(3), 345- 350.

Monasta, L., Batty, G. D., Cattaneo, A., Lutje, V., Ronfani, L., Van Lenthe, F. J., & Brug, J. (2010). Earlylife determinants of overweight and obesity: a review of systematic reviews. Obesity Reviews, 11(10), 695-708.

National Alliance for Nutrition and Activity. (2014). Advocating for the Prevention of Childhood Obesity: A Call to Action for Nursing. Web.

National Institute of Health. (2014), Obesity and balanced diet. Web.

Siegel, R., Naishadham, D., & Jemal, A. (2013). Cancer statistics, 2013. CA: a cancer journal for clinicians, 63(1), 11-30.

Withrow, D., & Alter, D. A. (2011). The economic burden of obesity worldwide: a systematic review of the direct costs of obesity. Obesity reviews, 12(2), 131-141.

The article investigated childhood obesity and its causes, such as unhealthy eating habits. When the article was written, almost a third of the children in the United States were overweight and only one in ten met fruit and vegetable consumption recommendations [1]. At the same time, family farming was facing difficulties due to the unpopularity of the trade, particularly among younger generations.

The author proposed a farm-to-school food program, wherein the former would supply products to the latter directly, obtaining a market while providing children with healthy food. The children would benefit from additional educational opportunities afforded by regular contact with food producers and potentially further engagement. Besides, the nutrition lessons would be reinforced by the prevalence of healthy options in cafeterias, a scenario that contrasted the typical menu selections at the time [1]. The farmers, on the other hand, would sell more products while obtaining higher profit margins than they would by selling to retailers in bulk.

There were also potential environmental and economic benefits from savings in fuel, packaging, and refrigeration costs as well as the associated emissions and waste generation. However, organizational difficulties would be a significant detriment to the introduction of such enterprises. Most farm-to-school programs had to be proposed and supervised by a third party such as a nonprofit organization or a parent or community group [1].

While the existing programs had displayed a broad variety of traits, the examples gathered by the author led her to suggest a set of general guidelines. These included consulting the food service director, collaborating, starting slowly and expanding, assisting with the search for farmers, organizing the volume and supply, incorporating the program in education, and taking advantage of seasonality [1]. The author concludes that discovering that natural foods taste good would help children to adopt healthy eating habits naturally and pass them on.

Reference

1. Kalb M. Getting fresh with farm-to-school programs. Green Teach. 2006; 80: 22-27.

Who is to blame for the increase in obesity in U.S. children?

Living in the era of computer technologies, television, and video games, U.S. children spend all their lives in front of the monitors instead of going outside. Insufficient physical activities are even worsened by the situation with fast-food proliferation. Fast food restaurants are everywhere and, therefore, children often have easy access to junk food full of cholesterol and saturated fats. About this two-fold influence, it is hard to define the culprits in this situation.

On the one hand, obese children are often under the influence of their obese parents who bring down their bad habits to their children. Genetics also plays a significant role in overweight people. On the other hand, the digital space in which children live also contributes to the development of hyperdynamic that also causes serious problems with obesity.

Certainly, it is much easier to blame television, fast food companies, and schools for feeding children with unhealthy lunches, even if they still contribute to the percentage of overweight kids. However, parents as consumers should take serious measures to face the problem and accept some share of the blames. In particular, parents habits have a potent influence on how children behave and what they eat and it is not restaurants to blame for that. Parents should pay closer attention to childrens education and upbringing to make their kids understand what consequences fast food consumption can have.

Under current consumer-protection laws, is fast-food marketing aimed at children misleading?

In recent times, there is a growing tendency in advertising and marketing of unhealthy food to children, which is considered to be one of the causes of obesity increased rates. Fast food restaurant owners do not deny this fact, but they do not accept themselves as culprits, admitting that this food consumption is admissible in moderate portions. In my opinion, advertising unhealthy products to children should be abolished because younger generations are much more affected by television ads.

They often skip recommendations on a healthy way of life because they are engrossed by more popular commercials. In this regard, fast-food marketing should be oriented on an adult audience that is more aware of the threats of consuming unhealthy food. Furthermore, I believe there should be a balance between junk food and healthful product marketing.

Should fast-food restaurants be held legally liable for the health problems associated with their products?

While considering the question of product liability, there are two sides to the medal. From one point of view, fast-food restaurants should be partially liable for excessive advertising campaigns. In particular, there should be fewer commercials revealing the benefits of buying junk foods because many people and children, in particular, buy fast food because it is cheap and easier to get. Restaurant owners should also present the truth about consuming such products and the way they affect obesity problems, including heart diseases and other complications. From another point of view, fast food companies cannot be fully responsible for peoples bad eating habits.

Since there is no way to prove that restaurants make obese people consume unhealthy products, it would be unfair to make them liable for peoples habits. Concerning obese children, parents should also be responsible for what their kids consume and what life they lead.

Introduction

In the recent past, America has had an alarming increase in overweight and obesity cases. Today, out of every three Americans, two are obese. With the current trends in the consumption of foods, statistics show that, by the year 2015, a third of America will be obese. While obesity issues continue to increase, minorities would be severely affected. As argued by Rushing (1), while Hispanics have a 25 percent prevalence, African Americans are 50 percent higher compared to whites. In the video, Fault Lines: Fast food, Fat profits: Obesity in America, Josh Rushing discovers the world characterized for cheap foods for minorities in America Rushing (1).

He tries to discover opportunities through which people have to consume healthy foods as well as individuals responsible for the processed and desert foods within the American schools. Insights in the video are drawn from individuals who are constantly trying to address the current situation. In line with the various issues highlighted in the YouTube video, this paper will identify two frameworks through which the video filtered its materials. Secondly, utilizing radical doubts in rejecting messages communicated in the face of social reality.

Main body

Frame Analysis puts into focus the notion that people have no choice but to group their experience to grasp its importance and pass this information to others. In his article, Goffman (30) argues that defining social situations is built upon the primary frames of an individuals understanding. Such frames give us the perdition to derive sense from events through the experiences brought forward in an easily understandable manner. Basing on the fact that transformation is not a one-way concept, retransformation is possible. Since framing is not a perfect process, there is also a possibility of a frame disputatiously. Therefore, incorrect framing can be cleared by presenting the correct views.

In the video, Rushing (1) investigates the root course of obesity and related diseases. To prove his point, Goffman uses two frameworks in establishing the root course of Obesity. As established in the video, there are two forms of frameworks: social and natural frameworks. While the natural frameworks are undirected and physical, the social framework is characterized by not only aim and will but also controlling efforts.

The social framework provides a way through which events are applied by giving them social meanings. Focusing on the social frameworks, poverty, and poor governance have been used to describe the challenge of obesity in America. Since poor people luck money to spend on healthy foods, they resort to fast foods which intern result in cases such as obesity. As he reviews the current statistics of Obesity in America, Rushing (1) projects, while all factors remain constant, beliefs that the number of obese cases among the minority communities will double by the year 2020. The other framework through which Rushing depends to analyze the current obesity situation is poor governance.

In this documentary, it is confirmed through policymakers are at the helm of promoting the increased cases of obesity and related complications among minority communities. As they protect their interests, policymakers are reluctant to take part in initiatives that will promote healthy diets among the minority communities.

In utilizing radical doubt, Rushing has not been able to effectively defend his position on the main courses of Obesity and related complications in the minority communities. Instead of addressing real issues that promote obesity in America, Rushing has provided vies that are contrary to the main course of the issues discussed. Foremost, Rushing utilizes poverty as a framework to support his position. Contrary to this view, the stigma of obesity is the main reason behind the increasing cases of obesity among minorities. To discuss the different features of self, Goffman (36) came up with a nuanced of stigma. Goffman (37) argued that stigma plays a very important role in social life.

An argument brought forward with the importance of this assumption was that stigmatized traits make people appear unacceptable in other peoples eyes. Through his argument, three accounts in which individuals are classified as undesirable include the blemishes of individual character, the tribal stigmata, and the abomination of ones body (Goffman, 41). In most cases, stigmatized individuals are looked down upon. Basing on the low perception of these individuals, stigmatized individuals absorb discomfort and move away from social interactions towards their own self-comfort.

Conclusion

Frameworks of poor governance and poverty can be further disputed. Goffman further notes that obesity is closely attributed to embarrassment. In his study, Goffman (38) established that physical blight and corpulence controls people to a greater extent. As a result, obese people are considered gluttonous. The explanation is used to demonstrate how people are treated. Despite this stereotypical notion, it is important to consider if people with obesity consider they have been mistreated. Biased attribute to discrimination is the main course of stigmatization among obese individuals. These reasons explain the reason why minorities are constantly increasing in weight.

While policymakers have a greater responsibility of ensuring American citizens eat healthy foods, it is necessary to use stigma as the main course of obesity among the minorities. Although this video plays an important role in helping the public understand the effects of unhealthy foods, delivering the main course of obesity is important. Mitigating issues related to unhealthy feeding habits can only achieve by utilizing the appropriate framework in investigating the issue.

Works Cited

Goffman, Erving. Frame analysis: An essay on the organization of experience. Harvard University Press, 1974. Print.

Rushing, Josh. Fault Lines: Fast food, Fat profits: Obesity in America. YouTube. Web.

Empirical arguments have provided the social, cultural, economic, and health justifications that obesity is more than just an issue concerning additional weight solely. Obesity is a personal health care responsibility. This vested responsibility implies that individuals should participate proactively and beyond a reasonable doubt in safeguarding healthy living. Obesity complications are associated with the choice of food eaten, and the shaped body takes as a result. The consumers should remain protected as well as educated on dietary habits as a way of enhancing their responsibility. The variables (environmental, economic, social, and health bottom-lines) affecting dietary choices as well as physical stature are largely manipulated in public. This makes it difficult for the majority to maintain an individual balance (based on these variables), particularly when prone to obesity complications. Based on a cost-benefit perspective and wide-scale impact assessment, a personalized approach will instill individual dietary discipline, while cushioning a shock from health risks involved. The public responsibility approach may be prone to finger-pointing or shifting blame, unnecessarily.

This means that due diligence should apply to avoid infringing the right to choice (and diversity) for the non-obese as well as to deny manufacturers the right to competitive bidding for a larger market share. Even if weight is gained due to eating fast foods at fast food retailers, an individual has the responsibility to control weight gaining (through fitness programs, for example) as well as understand their hereditary background which is linked to obesity problems. Before claiming a public agent, such as fast food retailer, to be responsible for the cause of obesity, hereditary or lack of fitness activities should be taken into account, and a preventive paradigm should substitute a damage control one. This negates the precautionary principle held by the due diligence concept. Public responsibility makes the food producer or manufacturer vulnerable to court cases and judicial decisions. The concept of demand-supply proves that personal responsibility referred to the customer demand for fast foods is the main power that forces the supplier to meet customer needs and requirements.

From a social and cultural perspective, legal action should focus on the individual right to choose as well as public education. Manufactured foods and fast food have wide market access across the world. Food manufacturers should legally be obliged to product labeling and explanation (duty to warn) to enhance consumer safety and awareness of the health risks involved. Obesity thrives against the backdrop of disparities in health care access and affordability. Moreover, there is a trend of a wealthy consumer lifestyle, which includes aggressive advertising that entices fast food addiction and market flooding of processed foods. These factors aggravate the proneness to obesity within a global society.

Questions can be asked to fill information gaps or contradictions by the person directing them. Reasons for asking a question may vary depending on the relationship between the person asking and the person expected to answer. For example, a teacher may ask a question to extract information or assist the correspondents in connecting to an idea, referring, adding awareness, inducing creativity and imagination, and aiding them in critical thinking. A question, in general, can be asked for the respondent to compare different things, evaluate and assess, appraise, defend, estimate or judge. Question of judgment, preference question, factual question, evaluative question convergent and divergent question are among the many examples of types of questions (Cornelia, 1995).

What is the best way to address obesity in the United States? is a question of judgment. This is so because this type of question requires the person handling it to evaluate or judge among the various ways of addressing obesity in answering it. In addition, it requires intelligent levels of psychological and emotional judgment. This will be achieved through filtering among the alternatives. Based on personal judgment or evaluation, one merits the various ways and chooses one that has the highest weight. The ultimate choice will depend on a persons awareness or knowledge, and the information to be gathered through reading.

This question is different from a question of fact or question of preference. A question of fact or a factual question is generally inclined toward asking for simple and direct answers based on apparent facts or knowledge. Factual questions have few psychological features since their answers are either correct or wrong. The answers to such questions are answered with remarks to facts and grounds having logical relations emerging from those facts. Factual questions in many ways can be subjected to proof (Cornelia, 1995). The answers given to them may call for the fact to be proven. Proving beyond a reasonable doubt requires the provision of evidence and linking the evidence with the fact. The question of fact is thus different from the question of judgment since the latter does not have to be based on fact or facts.

What is the best way to address obesity in the United States? is not a preference question. A preference question is a question that requires its respondent to choose by selecting something over another or others. The things one chooses are usually provided within the question phrase. Preference questions can in turn be answered through granting precedence or attaching a prior right or advantage to one choice among two or more choices in the question. Preference question differs from judgment question by the fact that in a judgment question the respondent generates from his thinking the choice to chooser in answering the question (Roy, 2006).

The question does not qualify for a converging question in that the answer is not directed in a certain direction like diet, or exercise. The question also does not qualify to be a divergent question in that it does not allow the respondent to give all the explore-able alternatives of curbing obesity; its a question of judgment (Jeff, 2001).

Finally, the ability to identify the type of question will greatly play part in answering it correctly. This goes hand in hand in establishing what is expected by a particular question. Proper understanding of question types also aids in determining the required scope while answering them. The sole purpose of a question is to add knowledge and awareness since they are an inherent component of learning.

Reference List

Cornelia, Nelson. (1995) Grammar smart: building an educated grammar vocabulary. New York: Villard Books.

Jeff, Solloway. (2001) Grammar Smart: A Guide to Perfect Usage.: Madison: Demco Media.

Roy, Killen. (2006) Effective teaching strategies Scarborough: Nelson Education.

Introduction

Child obesity is a major health issue, which is becoming more prominent and severe. It is important to note that one of the most commonly accepted ideas is based on the environment and its related factors. However, the overall impact of ones genes should not be overlooked because it can create strong propensities and predispositions. On the basis of the given assessment, it is evident that a childs environment is a stronger influencer than his or her genetic makeup.

Nature

One should be aware of the fact that genetic factors and inherited predispositions can be major contributors to childhood obesity. A study suggests that at least 21% of BMI variations are due to the genetic makeup of a person, including a child (Locke et al., 2015). In other words, one cannot dismiss the nature element because a wide range of different genes can dictate the course of BMI alterations in a child. Ones nervous system can significantly contribute to the emergence of obesity, and the pathways and genes linked with genetic components are involved in energy metabolism, adipogenesis, insulin action, glutamate signaling, and synaptic function (Locke et al., 2015). In other words, nature can have a strong influence on a childs propensity to become obese.

With the understanding that obesity is accompanied by a significant number of various complications, interest in the causes of obesity is growing. In this regard, an active search is underway for biologically active substances and genes encoded at different stages of their synthesis. However, it is not possible to find anyone substance or one gene that would determine the development of obesity. Therefore, at present, among the main causes of obesity, both genetic, hormonal factors and diencephalic factors are considered, and, of course, all this against the background of improper diet and lifestyle.

Studying the genealogy of obese individuals often found that other family members were obese as well. This forced everyone to explore in more detail the genetic aspects of obesity. From the point of view of genetics, obesity can be monogenic and polygenic. Among the monogenic forms of obesity, mutations of the leptin gene, the leptin receptor gene, the convertase gene, the prohormone gene 1, and the 4B-melanocortin receptor gene are the most studied. Obesity is morbid and manifests itself from the first years of life (Locke et al., 2015). In addition, there are syndromes associated with obesity, but monogenic obesity is extremely rare.

Polygenic obesity is most often encountered by general practitioners, as well as specialized specialists such as endocrinologists and cardiologists. In general, the nature of most forms of obesity is, of course, multifactorial. In the development of such forms of obesity, both genetic factors, the contribution of which is at least 25%, and environmental factors, that is, lifestyle and diet, are important (Locke et al., 2015).

Of primary importance in the manifestation of this phenotype is insulin resistance in muscle tissue, accompanied by a decrease in glucose uptake. In accordance with this assumption, it is believed that insulin resistance of muscles will be a limiting glucose utilization by muscles, thus preventing the development of hypoglycemia during fasting (Locke et al., 2015). At the same time, during the period of an abundance of food, such a phenotype will contribute to the development of hyperglycemia and the conservation of energy in adipose tissue.

Nurture

Environmental factors and the environment itself can be major contributing factors, and it is evident that an excess amount of food is a necessary requirement for the development of obesity among both children and adults. A highly comprehensive study conducted on twins reveals that the nurture element is more predominant during early childhood and puberty, whereas the nature element takes over near adulthood (Silventoinen et al., 2016). It is explained by the fact that as children become older, they gain independence from their parents, which results in a complete separation when they become adults (Silventoinen et al., 2016).

In other words, genetically coded behavior cannot be expressed fully during the childhood years due to the strong influence of parents because they are the ones making dietary decisions. However, as soon as a child, teenager, or adult gains independence, such as during college years, the genes become the dictators of behavior. It means that childhood obesity is likely to be the result of environmental factors rather than genetic makeup since the genes cannot fully control the exhibited behavior.

One of the common nurture-based components involves social aspects, which might be the result of socioeconomic status (SES). Social determinants of childhood obesity include increased food portion sizes in foodservice establishments, advertising of high-calorie foods in the media, the prevalence of instant food, videogame fashion, and augmented television and computer time. A significant effect on the formation of excess body weight in children was revealed by the regularity and length of time spent playing video and computer games. The relationship between time spent watching TV and the development of childhood obesity has been confirmed in a study.

The impact of watching TV and online video platforms on the formation of obesity is not only a decrease in a childs physical activity. In childhood, advertising promotes the unconscious choice of a certain food brand. A child can watch a huge number of food commercials per year, most of which are high-calorie. The consequence of this influence of the media is an increase in the consumption of foods high in fat and carbohydrates by children. Children from families where one of the parents was obese may prefer more high-calorie meals, given a choice. Obese children of preschool and school-age can choose the most advertised brand of food.

The information presented above reflects the negative impact of the external environment on the formation of an overweight child by promoting unhealthy nutrition. Large portion sizes of food consumed are the leading cause of overweight (Silventoinen et al., 2016). It can be assumed that there is a clear relationship between the amount of food consumed during snacks and the formation of overweight in children. The use of vegetables as a snack in school meals can simultaneously reduce the volume of the main course in addition to increasing their daily consumption. The number of snacks outside of the main meals by school-age children is proportional to the development of overweight and obesity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, from the descriptions and information presented above, it is evident that although genes are strong determinants of the issue, the environment lies at its core. It is important to note that both studies do not dismiss the role of genes in the development of childhood obesity. However, genes expression cannot yield a high level of impact due to a lack of independence from parental guidance. Therefore, nature can be a major and even sole cause of obesity among adults, who are mostly independent and can freely exhibit genetic behavior, but children and adolescents are under the control of their environment.

References

Locke, A. E., Kahali, B., Berndt, S. I., Justice, A. E., Pers, T. H., & Buchkovich, M. L. (2015). Genetic studies of body mass index yield new insights into obesity biology. Nature, 518(7538), 197-206.

Silventoinen, K., Jelenkovic, A., Sund, R., Hur, Y.-M., Yokoyama, Y., Honda, C., & Aaltonen, S. (2016). Genetic and environmental effects on body mass index from infancy to the onset of adulthood: an individual-based pooled analysis of 45 twin cohorts participating in the COllaborative project of Development of Anthropometrical measures in Twins (CODATwins) study. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 104(2), 371-379.

Nowadays, there are numerous obstacles in the way of a healthy living of children in the United States. Together with other problems and sicknesses, obesity stands as one of the main difficulties in modern societies. Childhood obesity is rather severe, and it looks like as nobody accepts to take accountability for this problem. There has been a sufficient amount of debate over the question of who is responsible for the outburst of the disease among children. Whether it is the administration of the country, fast-food cafeterias, close relatives or even the youngsters themselves, none of these assemblies gives the impression of accounting for the dilemma. In 2002, it has been stated that parents have to be held responsible for their adolescents health problems, including obesity (Marcello, 2013).

The job for the closest relatives is to take care of their children and protect them any dangers regarding their wellbeing. The question is why the parents could be legally responsible for anything else that concerns their youngsters, yet not this matter? The insufficient amount of protecting regulations appears to be altering, as several congresspersons are creating acts to safeguard the healthiness of the youngsters (Cunningham, Kramer, & Narayan, 2014). For example, the government in correlation with the nursing community tried to implement the law that regulated the trade of the soda in the fast-food restaurants. The central inquiry that was elevated by the declaration of the Soda ban was whether the citys Board of Health (part of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene) had the legal authority to restrict the serving size of such drinks (Mariner & Annas, 2013, 1764). Nonetheless, on June 26, 2014, it was defined that by executing this regulation, the New York City Board of Health has outstripped its dominion.

To my opinion, the policy of elimination of the large syrupy and sugary snacks and beverages does not seem sensible in the outline of the public health defense. Not only the elimination of the large syrupy and sugary snacks and beverages would not reduce the ingesting of the fast food and harmful nourishments, such restrictions would influence the people with lower earnings due to the taxes and the incapacity to purchase a bottled drink or juice within their economic abilities. In addition, a number of ounces proscribed by the directive are inappropriate and there is not enough methodical indication in provision of the current announcements (Wang, 2013). On the other hand, the application of the Soda Ban obtained a broad endorsement, as it was seen as an authorized exertion of the government to advance the public health not only of the children but of every age group of the population, despite the wrong means of the approach (Bassett & Perl, 2004). This instance aims its attention to signifying that health strategies are frequently raced by the economy, not the development of public health of children.

The close relatives possess an admission to assessment schemes that provide them with an assistance of protecting their youngsters from unsuitable content in the mass media counting the use of alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, viciousness and sexual intercourse. According to the surveys, parents ranked unhealthy food marketing and unhealthy eating messages just as concerning as alcohol and tobacco use in the media (Ogden, 2014, p. 807). Nonetheless, there are no gears for helping them classify these damaging systems of mass media.

References

Bassett, M., & Perl, S. (2004). Obesity: The public health challenge of our time. American Public Health Association, 94(9), 1477-1478.

Cunningham, S., Kramer, M., & Narayan, V. (2014). Incidence of childhood obesity in the United States. The New England Journal of Medicine, 370(1), 403-411.

Marcello, K. (2013). The New York City sugar-sweetened beverage portion cap rule: Lawfully regulating public enemy number one in the obesity epidemic. Connecticut Law Review, 46(2), 807-808.

Mariner, W. K., & Annas, G. J. (2013). Limiting sugary drinks to reduce obesity  who decides? The New England Journal of Medicine, 368(1), 1763-1765.

Ogden, C. (2014). Prevalence of childhood and adult obesity in the United States, 2011-2012. The Journal of American Medical Association, 311(8), 806-814.

Wang, C. (2013). Caloric effect of a 16-ounce (473-mL) portion-size cap on sugar-sweetened beverages served in restaurants. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 92(8), 1-6.

Community Diagnosis

Numerous schoolchildren at Crutcho Public elementary school, Oklahoma City, are obese revealing how obesity is a threat to that community. Having carried a health assessment in the school, a community diagnosis identifies and quantifies the concerned health conditions. The community diagnosis will have four stages. The first one is the initiation stage where a committee consisting of government departments, health experts, and non-governmental corporations is established to conduct the study. The common areas for study in this project include health condition of these school children, lifestyles, living conditions, socioeconomic status, physical conditions, public health services, and available policies.

The group will formulate the project scope, prepare work schedule, and disseminate the report. Secondly, they will collect data both qualitative and quantitative on the health conditions of the concerned community with regard to obesity and other associated complications. The survey will occur through self-administered questionnaires, structured interviews, and use of focus groups among others. Consequently, the collected and compiled data will require analysis from experts.

The next step is diagnosis of the concerned community where the health status with regard to obesity is unveiled. Other variables include the determinants of the health condition, and probable remedies (Lobstein et al. 2004, p. 4). Consequently, the reports will be given to the relevant audiences for a remedial action. These include policy-makers, health experts, the public, and other health activists. Community diagnosis in this context will be a dynamic process mandated to enhance community health and alleviate obesity.

2 goals and at least 2 objectives for each goal

One of the goals that would apply in this chosen community is the alleviation of the obesity cases among children (and beyond) to attain the mandates of the Healthy People 2020. From this goal, one of the objectives is to ensure that children eat appropriately and at the right time. This objective ensures that the victimized children eat healthily to reduce their obese complications. Another objective in this phenomenon is to ensure that the affected children engage themselves in daily exercises/physical activities to help them in keeping fit and reducing some weight gradually. Evidently, these two major objectives will guarantee the attainment of the major goal (alleviating obesity among the schoolchildren).

Another goal is to stop new infections (new obese cases). Precisely, this goal ensures that after some period, no emergence of new cases will be witnessed. In this context, one objective is to educate the community on how to eliminate the occurrence of obesity in families (Oude et al. 18). This provision should be continuous to ensure its materialization. Another objective is to campaign against the consumption of junk foods and unhealthy eating habits. These goals and objectives conform to the stipulations of the Healthy People 2020.

Existing programs

USA has established numerous programs to address the issue of obesity among the schoolchildren, adults, and the elderly. One such program is the CDCs State-Based NPAP. The program was established years ago and endeavors to curb the incidences of obesity and other interconnected chronic ailments. In this context, there are resources available to curb the incidences of obesity. The program operates at local, state, and national level. CDCs State-Based NPAP has a vast prevention level indicated by its operations. Other programs include the nationwide Obesity Prevention Programs meant to alleviate the cases of obesity amidst the American people. Precisely, the programs strive to curb obesity at all cost. In its level of operation, the program campaigns for the weight reduction among the children, healthy eating, and regular exercises (Lobstein et al. 2004, p. 7).

References

Lobstein, T., Baur, L. and Uauy, R. (2004). Obesity in children and young people: a crisis in public health. Obesity Reviews. Vol. 5: 485.

Oude Luttikhuis H, Baur L, Jansen H, Shrewsbury VA, OMalley C, Stolk RP, Summerbell CD. (2009). Interventions for treating obesity in children. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews Issue 1. Art. No.: CD001872.