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Introduction After evaluating six expert-written articles on obesity, it is evident that the most effective solution involves enhancing education regarding the impact of lifestyle choices on current and future health. The analyzed articles include David Freedman’s "How to Fix the Obesity Epidemic" from Scientific American in 2011, Green Gregory’s "Physical Activity and Childhood Obesity: Strategies and Solutions for Schools and Parents" from Education in 2012, Michael Wieting's "Cause and Effect of Childhood Obesity: Solutions for a National Epidemic" from The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association in 2008, George Blackburn’s "Science Based Solutions to Obesity: What are the Roles of Academia, Government, Industry, and Healthcare" from The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2005, as well as "Obesity Solutions: Report of a meeting" published in Nutrition Reviews back in 1997. Furthermore, Kate Dailey’s article titled "Can Laws fix the Obesity Crisis" was published in Newsweek in 2010.
The article by David Freedman, titled "How to Fix the Obesity Crisis," delves into various aspects concerning obesity in the US.
It explores how the country has inadvertently contributed to this issue and examines current research efforts to combat it.
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Additionally, the article emphasizes the financial impact of obesity, as it incurs significant medical expenses for the government annually without yielding substantial improvement.
One challenge in addressing obesity stems from conflicting research findings that propose contradictory solutions. Freedman specifically focuses on weight loss programs such as Weight Watchers, which have recently demonstrated success. The article scrutinizes these programs' ability to achieve positive outcomes and sheds light on their effectiveness.
However, uncertainties remain regarding whether these programs can maintain their success over time and when applied to larger populations.
David Freedman, a senior editor at Forbes ASAP and contributor to The Harvard Business Review, presents information and statistics supported by research scientists from renowned institutions such as John Hopkins University of School and Medicine and the Kennedy Krieger Institute. Additionally, Freedman references reputable journals such as the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. He employs a methodical approach to build his arguments, initially citing factual data or statistics from these credible sources and subsequently providing explanations for their relevance. This approach allows him to present a non-biased argument on the issue at hand. The article, written in 2011, includes recent statistics from 2010, ensuring the information remains pertinent to the current situation.
Some experts argue that the government shares responsibility for addressing obesity-related issues. In her article "Can Laws Fix the Obesity Crisis?", Kate Dailey investigates this matter. In certain major cities like San Francisco, there have been movements to impose restrictions on restaurants like McDonald's, requiring them to display nutritional information alongside advertisements for high-calorie food. Unfortunately, these initiatives are frequently opposed and rejected by government officials due to their potential negative financial impact on corporations. Additionally, even when the government funds efforts to combat obesity, these actions often rely on uncertain estimations since quantifying the results of such interventions is challenging.
Kate Dailey, a senior articles editor at Newsweek, examines the initiatives taken by American city governments to tackle obesity and explores the outcomes of these efforts. She references reputable publications like the LA Times and San Francisco Chronicle to offer firsthand insights into the effectiveness (or lack thereof) of these actions. By conducting a thorough evaluation of diverse articles covering various topics, she presents readers with an impartial perspective on the influence of government intervention in addressing obesity, enabling them to develop their own viewpoints.
In Gregory Green's article titled "Physical Activity and Childhood Obesity: Strategies and Solutions for Schools and Parents," the author explores the connection between childhood obesity and adult obesity. In today's society, children are dedicating more time to sedentary activities rather than participating in physical exercise. As a result, they not only lack physical activity but also face exposure to manipulative advertising from food conglomerates. It is crucial to acknowledge that obesity affects young individuals both physically and mentally. Once they develop a certain self-perception, altering their mindset becomes challenging. Both parents and schools play significant roles in assisting children in combating obesity by providing education and granting access to healthy food options.
Gregory Green, a Professor at Fort State Valley University, teaches in the Health and Physical Education department and serves as the university's Faculty Athletics Representative. He frequently references the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which is considered the primary authority on disease-related matters. Additionally, he incorporates numerous articles written by his colleagues to support his teachings. By relying on factual information, Green ensures that his work remains free from personal opinion or bias.
Michael Wieting discusses the reasons behind childhood obesity and its connection to later development of obesity. Obesity can be attributed to several factors such as insufficient education, genetic predisposition, and negative advertising by the food industry. Societal aspects also contribute to high rates of obesity among children, especially in urban areas with limited space for physical activity and a lack of availability of healthy food choices. By comprehending the multiple causes of obesity, it becomes feasible to develop possible solutions. Advocacy and regulation can have a major impact on preventing this issue, while physicians continue researching medical interventions for obese individuals.
Michael Wieting, the Dean of Clinical Medicine and a professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Lincoln Memorial University, often cites the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in his paper. Like Green, Wieting examines different factors that contribute to the problem and suggests possible solutions. He incorporates multiple scholarly papers written by colleagues to present a comprehensive perspective on the issue while remaining objective. The article was published in 2008 and includes current statistics from that year, ensuring its relevance.
In his article titled "Science Based Solutions to Obesity: What are the Roles of Academia, Government, Industry, and Healthcare," George Blackburn discusses the scientific aspects of the obesity epidemic. He emphasizes ongoing research conducted by scientists to comprehend the causes of obesity and create effective solutions that go beyond exercise alone. With a rise in obesity-related deaths, medical institutions are now prioritizing the investigation of underlying biochemical factors that contribute to this issue.
Blackburn, an expert in healthcare and nutrition at Harvard University's Division of Nutrition, possesses relevant knowledge regarding the issue of obesity and its effects on the country. Despite being written in 2005, all the information presented by Blackburn retains its validity and significance. The article provides proven facts without any personal opinions, effectively illustrating the detrimental impact of these facts on our well-being.
In 1997, St. Lukes-Roosevelt Hospital in New York City organized the "Obesity Solutions" workshop to tackle America's increasing issue of obesity. The workshop aimed to address factors contributing to obesity beyond overeating and lack of exercise, such as genes and their encoded proteins. Although nutrition and exercise played a significant role in combating obesity, these new findings opened up new possibilities for obese individuals. This report was groundbreaking and resulted in substantial funding for obesity research over the next decade.
Twelve medical professionals from respected institutions participated in the "obesity solutions" workshop. Despite being nearly fifteen years old, the research has paved the way for significant discoveries and remains as important as when it was first conducted. Science remains objective, as results are presented rather than interpreted, meaning scientists' thoughts and opinions have no influence on the paper.
There is a consensus among the scientific and nutritional community, as well as the government, that obesity requires immediate attention for the betterment of society. However, experts hold varying views on the most efficient strategies. These include advocating for government involvement and intervention, employing medical methods like drugs or surgery, or promoting behavior modification through healthy eating and exercise specifically targeted at obese individuals.
The government's role in the lives of American citizens is often underestimated, but it has a significant impact. It regulates television content, oversees the food industry, and shapes what American children learn on a daily basis. Addressing obesity, the leading cause of death in America, is an urgent priority for the government. Blackburn emphasizes the need to enhance and modernize school curricula as a vital approach to combating obesity. This is crucial due to the alarming lack of health knowledge currently present in America.
In most school districts nowadays, children are not taught about healthy eating until they reach tenth grade in their health class. This lack of nutritional knowledge is coupled with a lack of opportunities to combat obesity through physical activity. According to Wieting, the CDC reports a 30% decrease in participation in physical education over the past decade. Wieting believes that this decline is a direct result of government interference, as the pressure to improve performance on proficiency tests has led to a reduction or elimination of time for recess and physical education classes. This demonstrates that governments prioritize bringing in tax dollars over promoting a healthy lifestyle within their communities.
Some argue that the government's efforts to fight obesity are ineffective because they fail to consider the diverse nature of communities across the country. It is challenging to assess their success rates or determine whether strategies that work in one place will be effective in others (Dailey). Essentially, it is hard to implement identical plans in locations with significant climate psychographic variations. Therefore, experimentation and implementation of various solutions nationwide are necessary to identify the most successful approach.
The scientific community can contribute not only to the investigation of the causes of obesity but also to finding scientific solutions. Scientists have the ability to identify the nutrients that can assist the body in losing fat. At the "obesity meeting" in New York in 1997, it was found that "high protein diets yield the most favorable short term outcomes, although their long term effects are comparable, if not equivalent, to those of most diets" (Albu). This is significant for individuals who are starting a diet since it demonstrates that promoting positive beginnings to weight loss is associated with successful behavior modification.
Scientists have found disparities in the genotypes of healthy individuals and those who are obese. Genes are responsible for coding various proteins in the body that have specific functions in maintaining overall well-being. One such protein called Leptin serves to regulate the amount of food the body consumes and signals fullness. The meeting in New York unveiled that "obese individuals experience a decrease in circulating leptin when consuming fewer calories" (Albu). The reason obese individuals keep overeating is not because their brains fail to recognize satiety, but rather they persist in consuming an excessive amount of food.
Behavior modification and lifestyle changes are considered to be the primary solution to the obesity epidemic. According to a study funded by weight watchers and conducted by an impartial third party, programs based on behavioral principles are more effective in helping individuals lose weight and maintain it compared to other methods. The study suggests that consistent tracking of calorie intake, maintaining an exercise journal, and weekly recording of weight values are crucial lifestyle changes in combating obesity. It is important to note that weight loss is a slow process, and sustained long-term change is essential.
Today, children are raised in lifestyles that lead to obesity, and they have no control over it. Obese children are usually unaware of healthy meal choices and the benefits of exercise. According to Green, modern children engage in sedentary activities for hours and consume more fast food and vending machine food than previous generations did. Green believes that the way Generation Y is being brought up, along with the accepted social norms, promote obesity.
Commentary It is evident that obesity stems from various causes, including medical conditions that individuals cannot control and lifestyle choices that obese individuals are encouraged to proactively address. Ongoing scientific research enables the community to gain a better understanding of the specific causes of obesity. Furthermore, research may ultimately yield a comprehensive solution to obesity, potentially saving the lives of millions. It is also apparent that actively participating in lifestyle changes can significantly enhance the future health of the nation. Actively educating individuals about the harmful consequences of their choices could prevent the misinformation and lack of knowledge that many people currently face.
The evidence suggests that the most effective solution is to educate people about the impact of their behavioral lifestyle choices on their current and future health. Implementing an education system that prioritizes healthy living by promoting improved eating habits and placing importance on physical education could address the behavioral issues observed in numerous obese individuals.
Work Cited Albu, J., Allison, D., Boozer, C. N., Heymsfield, S., Kissileff, H., Kretser, A., Krumhar, K., Leibel, R., Nonas, C., Pi-Sunyer, X., Vanltallie, T. and Wedral, E. (1997), Obesity Solutions: Report of a Meeting. Nutrition Reviews, 55: 150–156. Web. 2 Mar. 2014 Blackburn, George L., and Allan Walker. "Science-based Solutions to Obesity: What Are the Roles of Academia, Government, Industry, and Health Care?" The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 82.1 (2005): 2075-105. Web. 2 Mar. 2014. Dailey, Kate. "Can Laws Fix The Obesity Crisis?" Newsweek.com 16 Nov. 2010. Academic OneFile. Web. 2 Mar. 2014. Freedman, David H. “How To Fix The Obesity Crisis.” Scientific American 304.2 (2011): 40-47. Military and Government Collection. Web. 2 Mar. 2014 Green, Gregory, Brenda Hargrove, and Clarence Riley. "Physical activity and childhood obesity: strategies and solutions for schools and parents." Education 132.4 (2012): 915+. Academic OneFile. Web. 2 Mar. 2014 Wieting, Micheal J. "Cause and Effect of Childhood Obesity: Solutions for a National Epidemic." The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association 108.10 (2008): 545-52. Web. 2 Mar. 2014.
Enhancing Education to Combat Obesity. (2016, Mar 12). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/data-commentary-on-obesity-essay
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