Prevention, Treatment, and Effect of Obesity, Essay Example 

Overview

Obesity is a significant public health crisis both in the U.S. and in the whole of the developed economies. Its prevalence is ever increasing in a number of the developing states worldwide. This growth rate points out to a pandemic which calls for an urgent attention so as to avoid its potential mortality, economic tolls and morbidity. United States alone spends an approximate of $100 billion annually in the management of obesity of which $52 billion are express costs of healthcare. These direct costs accounts for around 5.7% of the entire healthcare expenditure in the U.S. Obesity leads to low productivity exerting a cost to the U.S. economy of around$3.9 billion, plus additional $33 billion which is spent on weight-loss services and products annually (Woodhouse, 2008).

Definition

The term obesity refers to a medical condition involving excess accumulation of body fats to such an extent that it might have a negative effect on body health, thus leading to augmented health problems and/or reduced life expectancy. A statistical measurement known as Body Mass Index (BMI), which compares personal height and weight terms people as pre-obese (overweight) when their Body Mass Index ranges between 25-30 kg/m²,  and defines them as obese when their BMI exceeds 30kg/m². Obesity is thought about as a long term (chronic) disease, like diabetes or high blood pressure. Obesity has a number of grave long-term consequences on the health of an individual and comes in as the 2^nd leading cause of avertable deaths in the U.S. after tobacco (Campos, 2004).

Prevention

Any person who  is currently at a healthy weight, obese or at the risk of becoming an obese, can undertake several measures to avert unhealthy weight gain plus the related health problems. These measures are similar to those of losing weight: a healthy diet, daily exercise, and a long-term commitment towards watching what one drinks or eats.

• Eating Healthy Snacks and Meals. Focus on nutrient-dense, low-calorie foods, which include whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. Limit alcohol and sweets, and keep off saturated fats. It is worth to note that there is no single food that offers each and every nutrient required by the body. It is advisable to opt for such foods that support a healthy weight plus good health oftenly than when one opts for the foods that don’t.
• Exercise regularly. This is one of the most significant measures to avert weight gain. One is recommended to get 150-250 minutes of average-intensity activity/ exercise per week to avoid weight gain. These moderate-intensity exercises include swimming and fast walking.
• Regularly Monitoring One’s Weight. Individuals who take their weight at least once weekly are more victorious in averting excess pounds (). Monitoring one’s weight informs a person whether his/her efforts are effective and can assist him/her detect minute weight gains before they develop to big problems.
• Being consistent. One should stick to his/her healthy –weight plan all through the week, over weekends, and amidst holidays and vacations in so far as possible augments one’s probability of long-term success.

To actually avert weight gain, one should pay attention to an active lifestyle including an eating plan which low in calories and healthy, yet enjoyable (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, 2006).

Treatment

Treatment of obesity aims at achieving and maintaining a healthier weight so as to enhance ones quality of life and to minimize ones risk of grave heath problems (Pool, 2001). One may require working with health professionals i.e. an obesity specialist, nutritionists, therapists and dieticians, to assist him/her understand and initiate changes to his/her activity and eating habits. There are several treatment methods which vary depending on one’s level of obesity, willingness to participate in a weight-loss plan and ones overall health.

• Dietary changes- minimizing daily calorie intake plus eating healthier are imperative to beating obesity. One should adopt a healthy eating plan and follow a low calorie liquid diet in case it is medically recommended.
• Activity and exercise- engaging in regular exercise or activity helps in the treatment of obesity by burning more calories. The number of calories one burns depends on the intensity, duration and the frequency of his/her activity.
• Weight-loss surgery- this approach inhibits the absorption of calories and food, or both, and restricts the amount of food that one can comfortably eat.
• Prescription weight-loss medications (sibutramine and orlistat )- Prescription is only recommended following a failure other methods  or when one’s BMI is greater than 27 and still has obesity related medical complications e.g. sleep apnea and diabetes.
• Behavior change- this involves changing once attitudes and behavior towards exercise and food i.e. examining one’s current habits to come up with those situations and factors that might have contributed to one’s obesity.

Effects of Obesity

Obesity augments the likelihood of numerous diseases; especially breathing difficulties while sleeping, type 2 diabetes, heart diseases, osteoarthritis and certain forms of cancer. Thus obesity reduces life expectancy (Kopelman, 2001).

References

Campos, P.F. (2004). The obesity myth: why America’s obsession with weight is hazardous to your health. New York: Gotham.

Kopelman, P.G. (2001). The management of obesity and related disorders. New York: InformaHealth Care.

National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) (2006). Obesity: guidance on the prevention, identification, assessment and management of overweight and obesity in adults and children. Retrieved April 08, 2009 from, http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/pdf/CG43NICEGuideline.pdf

Pool, R. (2001). Fat: Fighting the Obesity Epidemic. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.

Woodhouse, R. (2008). Obesity in art: A brief overview. Front Horm Res 36: 271–86.