Obesity, Speech Example

Obesity Speech Outline

Thesis Statement: Obesity is a major issue of health concern within the United States that can be best dealt with by information and prevention.

Introduction

• One in every three Americans is obese.
• Statistical records show that roughly 300,000 American deaths per year are directly related to obesity.
• The present day is perfectly described as a product of Mcdonaldization. Fast food restaurants are present everywhere we look. This is a fact which greatly affects the health conditions of citizens, particularly in the teen years.
• We know obesity is a problem within the United States, and we have a good idea of why: poor eating habits and lack of physical exercise. The solution to combating obesity easily follows: it is simply a program of prevention.

Body

• Significance
• Obesity is defined as having a body weight more than 20 percent greater than recommended for a person’s individual height. This condition puts the obese person at risk for several serious illnesses, including diabetes and heart disease.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, reports that 33.8% of the United States population is obese, and that there are no signs of the increasing trend reversing.
• Research shows that during a one-week period, only 34% of female and 12% of male adolescents participate in leisure physical activity, such as exercising and out-of-school sports.
• Moreover, present leisure time among teenagers and youngsters are more often focused on accessing computers, the internet, and videogames, leaving little time or worse, no time at all, for any physical activity.

Inherency

• Obesity is a health dilemma that has been linked to various chronic diseases, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cancer, diabetes and osteoarthritis to name a few. Those with obesity are also at higher risk for strokes and heart attacks.
• Just as troubling, obesity decreases life expectancy, as a result of the previous mentioned health problems and the greater wear and tear obesity causes to the body. Of the mechanisms responsible for this is the increased production of acylated glycation end products [AGEs] and toxic oxygen and nitrogen radicals.
• Behavior, environmental, and genetic factors can all have a role in causing obesity. The U.S. Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity, 2001, uses what is called The Caloric Balance Equation to explain causes of obesity. This states that genes, metabolism, behavior, environment, culture, and socioeconomic status together determine body weight.
• Pediatric experts James Hill and Frederick Trowbridge have said, “Despite obesity having strong genetic determinants, the genetic composition of the population does not change rapidly. Therefore, the large increase in . . . [obesity] must reflect major changes in non-genetic factors.”
• Non-genetic factors in our environment that promote obesity can include a lack of sidewalks in the community, promotion of television watching and internet surfing, the time convenience of fast food, and jobs that require an employee to sit for long periods of the day.

Solvency

• While little can be done about a person’s inherited genetic factors, an individual can do a lot regarding their attitudes, behavior, and environment.
• Increasing the dissemination of information about healthy eating habits and needed levels of physical activity will help children and adolescents to acquire a proactive lifestyle concerning their own health. Healthy skills acquired in the child and teen years stick throughout adulthood. Examples of making information available include programs that teach the food pyramid in school and literature in the lunchrooms that illustrate how to choose food in accordance with a healthy meal plan.
• Preventing obesity requires the promotion of physical activity. Emphasizing physical education within the school curriculum is a simple and basic strategy. Some schools have actively developed programs to combat obesity. The Heritage Elementary School in San Diego initiated the Walking School Bus project. Participating students meet at designated spots where they are “picked-up” by a walking train of their fellow students. In this way, physical activity is promoted as fun and social at an early age.
• Information about what constitutes healthy eating and adequate physical activity are what is missing from our lives. Walking and physical exercise of 30 minutes a day, for three days a week can lose up to a quarter-pound of fat a week. Take note, this is a healthy permanent solution to obesity, as opposed to drastic measures like fad diets and surgery.

Conclusion

• We have established that obesity is a major health issue within the United
• States today, with one in every three Americans being obese. We know those with obesity are more likely to suffer from chronic health diseases, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and osteoarthritis, to recap a few. Obese individuals are more likely to suffer a stroke or heart attack. The causes of obesity are influenced by behavior, environment, and genetic factors. The first two of factors can be combated with simple strategies meant to inform and to promote healthy lifestyles and physical activity.

Innoculate

• There are some that might say using school resources to promote physical education and teach healthy eating habits would take away from money meant  for academic learning.
• However, healthier students would benefit more from academic instruction.
• Research suggests that students’ health and learning are inextricably linked, and  studies have shown that school health programs can boost students’ academic performance and improve behavior and attendance. Qualitative studies also cited the relationship between healthy eating and better student behavior. In a longitudinal child health study, teachers consistently cited the link between students’ eating habits and their behaviors.
• If these studies are true, and the methodology is sound, then school resources should be used to promote healthy eating and physical activity hand in hand with traditional academic programs.
• After all, what is the purpose of education? It is to create educated, capable individuals who can positively function in society at large and within the family unit. It is not to create an obese, sedentary population with a shortened life span.

Bibliography

Balentine, Jerry R. DO. FACEP. “Obesity.” 2003. MedicineNet. 11/07/2010. http://www.medicinenet.com/obesity_weight_loss/page6.htm

“Facts – Obesity vs. Overweight.” 2007. Nature’s Intentions Naturopathic Clinic. 11/07/2010. http://www.naturesintentionsnaturopathy.com/weight-loss/facts.htm

Nichols, Myriam. “Topic: Essay.” 22/11/2008. MightyStudents. 11/07/2010.
http://www.mightystudents.com/essay/outline.essay.81450

“Obesity.” 09/07/2010. Wikipedia. 11/07/2010. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity#Environmental_factors

“Overweight vs. Obese.” Annecollins.com. 11/07/2010. http://www.annecollins.com/lose_weight/overweight.htm

“Social Influences on Fitness Behavior.” 23/05/2010. Wikipedia. 11/07/2010.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_influences_on_fitness_behavior