Weight of the Nation, Essay Example

Include examples of experts who were quoted (give their names, credentials and publications if provided). What did they say?

Jack Shonkoff, the Director for the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University discusses the social and health related consequences of obesity and the difficulty that it entails for those who have to deal with it.  He indicates that extreme obesity results in a shorter lifespan despite the fact that it is preventable.  Thomas Frieden, who holds an MD and MPH and acts as the Director of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention discusses the need for everybody in the country to work together in order to combat obesity.  He demonstrates that the issue does not exist in a vacuum.  Shiriki Kumanyika, who holds a PhD and an MPH and works as a Professor of Epidemiology at the Perelman School of Medicine for the University of Pennsylvania discusses the underlying issue of the fact that a small portion of Americans are able to maintain a healthy weight.

• Include examples of research that was discussed. State two or three facts about the research and how it relates to the topic.

The article presents research on the Body Mass Index or BMI, which is used to determine the proportion of fat in an individual based on their height and weight.  This can help to determine if a specific weight can be considered healthy for an individual with a specific build or body type.  It provides a way to quantify the percentage of fat that an individual’s body contains in regards to their unique proportions.  According to a recent study by the CDC almost 70 percent of Americans can be considered obese or overweight.  The health problems that are caused by obesity are also discussed.  This includes an increased risk of cancer, heart disease, and other cardiovascular diseases.  Furthermore, the condition can cause a lasting discomfort or pain in joints and even effects important cognitive operations.

• Address the major points of the video and what conclusions and final thoughts the author provide.

The major points of the video include both statistics in regards to the number of people who suffer from the symptoms as well as an overview of the various conditions under which those who have obesity might suffer.  The video ultimately provides an overview of the conditions under which obesity might arise as well as the ways in which an individual might deal with the onset of obesity.

• Finally, what were your impressions of the video? Address what you learned, what was surprising to you, who would benefit from watching this video? Are you inclined to watch the rest of them? Did you like it?…why?

This video was informative and interesting.  I learned a lot about the overweight population of the United States.  This includes not only how people are considered to be overweight, through the application of the BMI but also ways in which those who are determined to be overweight are counseled in order to control their problem.  In presenting these ideas the video develops the idea of obesity in regards to a health concern.  I was surprised by the number of people who are considered overweight.  I would definitely watch the rest of the videos.  They are informative and interesting and I liked this one.