The Obesity Epidemic
The United States of America is facing what some consider an epidemic. Childhood obesity rates have over quadrupled since the late 1970’s and have peaked at over 20% of the population for certain age groups[1]. As of 2012, the rate of obesity for Americans between the ages of 2-19 is 18%[2]. Following current trends, obesity rates in America are projected to reach 50% by 2030[3]. This sharp increase is due to a variety of changes in people’s everyday lives including technology, food production, exercise, and diet. Increased levels of stress and lack of education also play a role in obesity rates.
Obesity leads to many different life threatening illnesses and can greatly impede ones quality of life. Aside from the personal health issues, having an obese and unhealthy population can have a great negative effect on those that are at a healthy weight, organizations, and society as a whole. At its core, obesity is generally controlled by the individual. A change cannot be made to a person’s unhealthy lifestyle unless they have the desire to make that change. The problems that come about due to obesity can only be fixed when the population is persuaded to move towards healthier lifestyles and to make changes to all the factors that cause obesity through the help and information provided by obesity prevention campaigns.
Personal Health and Obesity
Heart disease is the number one cause of death in America killing 611,000 people annually. Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and diabetes being the 7th leading cause of death. These 3 illness account for roughly 31% percent of all deaths in American. Obesity is a leading cause for these 3 diseases[4]. It is no surprise that obese individuals have a greater risks of illness and shorter lifespan, but studies suggest that now 1 in every 5 deaths in America is result of obesity[5]. Aside from the life threatening illnesses, obesity can cause issues that leave individuals with pains and a decreased quality of life. Obesity can lead to a variety of other diseases including cancer, joint pain, skin infections and ulcers[6]. Joint and tendon health is greatly compromised simply by the increased weight that they must support leading to Osteoarthritis, Arthritis, and general joint pain. Having constant joint issues can prevent individuals from participating in activities like sports and even hinder their mobility in day to day tasks. Fibromyalgia is another such disease that correlates strongly with obesity with 80% of those affected being overweight or obese. This disease is associated with muscle pain and tender point on the body, as well as fatigue, sleep problems, and cognitive issues[7]. Physical ailments are prevalent amongst obese individuals but these are not the only shortcomings that come with the condition.
Psychological and Social Effects of Obesity
The link between obesity and mental illness isn’t concrete. There is much debate whether one causes the other or that they may have a common factor. However, it is undisputed that there exists an increase rate of mental illness in obese patients, 55% increased risk to studies have shown[8]. There are many different factors that play into depression and mental illness that obesity can exacerbate. Poor physical health and the perception of one’s own poor health have been connected with depression and mental illness. Beyond an individual’s own perception and actions, socials stigmas and prejudice against obese individuals is prevalent in today’s society. While there has been a lot of recent support against so called “fat shaming” it still very well exists and negatively effects many overweight and obese individuals. Weight stigma can unconsciously effect people as well. In the work place, overweight and obese employees are less likely to see wage increases, promotions, job offerings, and acceptances into organizations as healthy weight people[9]. Research conducted for the Journal of Obesity has shown a 66% increase in weight bias in U.S. workplaces in the past 10 years[10].
Valerie H. Taylor, MD, PhD states, “We… need to be aware that the only illness perhaps more stigmatizing than mental illness is obesity. So when you have a population that has both, realize that that’s a group that is going to be really vulnerable and at risk”. Aside from the physical limitations that obesity puts on people, the mental health issues that are strongly connected to the weight can be just as, if not more debilitating for some.
Obesity in the Economy
Obesity is expensive on a macroeconomic level. Because the increased health risks associated with obesity, worker absenteeism is much more common than non-obese workers. A 2007 study found that these absentees have led to up to $4.3 billion in combined losses to US companies[11]. Direct costs of obesity such as medical bills and hospital visits for obesity related diseases also contribute to multibillions of dollars spent on this issue. Estimate of the combine direct and indirect costs are estimated to be anywhere from $90 billion to up to $147 billion per year in the US[12].
Societal Effects of Obesity
Having an obese population can bring about some unexpected issues. While medical costs and company costs can be impacted, specific industries and government entities can also be effected. One example is in the transportation industry. Heavier passages has a nontrivial impact on the fuel efficiency of both personal and public vehicles. Comparing fuel consumption costs of airlines between 1990 and 2000, it has been found that the increased average weight of passengers has resulted in up to $275 million more spent on fuel each year. For automobiles, it has been estimated that $2.7 billion more is spent on fuel across the US annually compared to a hypothetically perfectly healthy population[13]. Because of how common obesity is in America, many public locations and services are being forced to make costly changes and accommodations for obese individuals. These include amenities like public transportation seats, hospital wheel chairs and gurney, and public toilets.
Obesity can also be a detriment to national security. 20% of all male and 40% of all female military recruits are do not meet the minimum standards in both the height/weight measurement and physical fitness tests[14]. This prevents many of these recruits from advancing further in their military careers. Looking at the entire population, just under third of young adults are unable to enlist due to weight and weight related issues. While in peacetime and with the current rate of obesity, we have enough service men and women, however if America was to declare war in the future and obesity rates continue to increase with their current trend, majors issues can arise due to an unhealthy military and lack of viable soldiers[15]. Obesity has the potential to be a major threat to our nation’s security.
Examples of Current Solutions
The consequences of an obese society are very apparent, for both the individual and the nation as a whole. Since ones health is generally in their own hands, it is a difficult problem to fix. The government can’t force people to eat a certain way or exercise a certain amount each day. Because of this obesity prevention campaigns are believed to be an effective solution. They encourage people to live healthier lifestyles to help prevent obesity, which if effective on a large scale, can reduce many of the issues previously stated.
There are many different organizations and campaigns that set out to fight obesity. One such example is NFL PLAY 60, which is a childhood obesity prevention campaign targeted at children. Their mission statement is “To make the next generation of youth the most active and healthy” by encouraging kids to participate in physical activity for at least 60 minutes a day[16]. The idea behind this campaign is simply that by creating a healthy generation of children, they will grow up to become healthy adults and extend their lifestyle on to future generations. This is a long-term solution to many of the problems that obesity brings about and can be very effective if it is able to successfully push children towards a healthier lifestyle. NFL PLAY 60 focused on getting kids outside and playing sports and participating in outdoor activities. Programs were implemented in various schools and as afterschool activities giving children opportunities to play outside rather than stay indoors. Contests that had cash prizes and trips to meet NFL players were used to greater incentivize children to participate in the activities. Tactics labeled “nudges” were also used to simply remind child to play outdoors. These could be anything from a NFL PLAY 60 logo on a bus to online certificates that children could print and display. This helps to extend the campaigns reach beyond sponsored activities and contest and help communicate with children that cannot directly participate in the campaign activities.
Since the start of the campaign in 2007 the goal was to reduce childhood obesity rates to 17% and reduce them to 5% by 2030[17]. The campaign, while successful in getting children to exercise more, failed to reduce obesity rates as they have slightly increased since the start of the campaign. The reason that it failed, along with many other childhood obesity prevention campaigns, such as the Michelle Obama’s Lets Move campaign, is that they only focus on one aspect of the causes of obesity; lack of exercise. Even if the campaign is successful in create a cultural trend of playing outside and exercising, there are many different factors that affect rates of obesity, most of which relate to an individual’s diet. In the past 30 years, there have been many changes in the way people eat and the food available to us. There are a greater quantity of calorie dense and sugary foods on the market[18]. Studies have shown that people’s portion sizes have increased over the years. For some people, depending on location and economic status, healthier foods are simply more difficult to acquire. There is even simply a lack of understanding between healthy and unhealthy food for many people. These changes are a result aggressive marketing by food manufacturers, changes in lifestyle, and simple ignorance by individuals. Cultural changes that effect the way people eat would be a much more effective campaign in obesity prevention.
Proposed Solution
So many different factors play into obesity. Everything from location to socioeconomic status to family history effect rates of obesity. However, it all comes down to calories in vs calories out. Current obesity prevention campaigns are a step in the right direction to help fix the obesity epidemic in America, however they fail on the front of calories in. The solution to the issues that arise from obesity is a grander scale campaign that focus not only on exercise but also heavily on diet and healthy eating.
Many of the tactics used on the NFL PLAY 60 campaign can be repeated to help get children to exercise. The focus on making outdoor play better than many of the indoor alternative such as TV and videogames is a good way of helping kids exercise. One way to improve the current tactic is rather than giving children random activities to do, instead introduce them to specific practices and sports in hopes of creating long-lasting ties to that activity. From there, try and grow and foster that interest to get the children to, for example, becoming basketball players, rather than just play basketball. This is will make the child more likely to continue the sport as they grow older.
In terms of diet, educating children to eat healthy is a tricky task. Children generally want whatever tastes best, usually foods high in sugar and fat. Instead of outright telling children to never eat candy and other unhealthy foods, teach them about balance. Use simple learning styles to inform children that they should eat healthy food most of the time, and enjoy treats every once in a while. The other aspect to the diet factor of a new campaign is educating parents and guardians. Providing parents with a better understanding of nutrition and the benefits of healthy eating will allow them to prepare healthy meals for their children. Many different types of foods must be taken into consideration to accommodate people of all cultures and all financial situations. This information can be distributed in a variety of ways. Campaign holder can work with schools, churches, and community centers, as well as through television and online sources. Large organizations that have an interest in keeping a healthy population, such as the NFL or even the government, could implement this plan.
Since the government and healthcare providers are large stakeholders in the obesity epidemic, they can also encourage people live healthier lifestyles. Financial incentives could be implemented more heavily into current health care plans. One example is free gym memberships could help encourage some to exercise more.
It is impossible to force people into a healthy lifestyle, but by informing the population on the benefits of healthy living, alternatives to their current diet and activities, and plans that accommodate specific situations, obesity, and all the problems that go along with it, can be reduced for generations to come.
[1] “Childhood Obesity Facts.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 19 June 2015. Web. 08 Apr. 2016. <http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/childhood.html>.
[2] Ibid
[3] Moisse, Katie. “Obesity Rates Projected to Soar.” ABC News. ABC News Network, 25 Aug. 2011. Web. 08 Apr. 2016. <http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/obesity-rates-projected-soar-report/story?id=14381466>.
[4] Nichols, Hannah. “The Top 10 Leading Causes of Death in the US.”Medical News Today. MediLexicon International, 21 Sept. 2015. Web. 08 Apr. 2016. <http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/282929.php>.
[5] “1 in 5 American Deaths Now Associated with Obesity.” Mercola.com. N.p., 21 Dec. 2013. Web. 08 Apr. 2016. <http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/12/21/obesity-death-risk.aspx>.
[6] Karriem-Norwood, Varnada. “Health Risks Linked to Obesity.” WebMD. N.p., Jan. 2014. Web. <http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fdiet%2Fobesity%2Fobesity-health-risks>.
[7] Kane, Andrea. “How Fat Affects Arthritis.” Obesity and Arthritis. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Apr. 2016. <http://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/comorbidities/obesity-arthritis/fat-and-arthritis.php>.
[8] “Obesity and Mental Health.” PsycEXTRA Dataset (n.d.): n. pag. Public Health England. Mar. 2011. Web. 8 Apr. 2016. <http://www.noo.org.uk/uploads/doc/vid_10266_Obesity%20and%20mental%20health_FINAL_070311_MG.pdf>.
[9] “Obesity, Bias, and Stigmatization.” The Obesity Society. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Apr. 2016. <http://www.obesity.org/obesity/resources/facts-about-obesity/bias-stigmatization>.
[10] Sanburn, Josh. “Why Being Overweight Could Earn You a Lower Salary.” Business Money Why Being Overweight Could Earn You a Lower Salary Comments. N.p., 02 May 2012. Web. 11 Apr. 2016. <http://business.time.com/2012/05/02/why-being-overweight-could-earn-you-a-lower-salary/>.
[11] Cawley, John. “The Economics of Obesity: New Tools for Examining a National Epidemic.” Policy Analysis & Management (n.d.): n. pag.Cornell Online. Web. 8 Apr. 2016. <http://www.human.cornell.edu/outreach/upload/CHE_PAM_EconomicsofObesity.pdf>.
[12] “Adult Obesity Causes & Consequences.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 16 June 2015. Web. 08 Apr. 2016. <http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/adult/causes.html>.
[13] Hammond, Ross A., and Ruth Levine. “The Economic Impact of Obesity in the United States.” Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity : Targets and Therapy. Dove Medical Press, 30 Aug. 2010. Web. 08 Apr. 2016. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3047996/>.
[14] Smith, Stew. “U.S. Troops Too Fat to Fight?” Military.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Apr. 2016. <http://www.military.com/military-fitness/weight-loss/troops-too-fat-to-fight>.
[15] Hegema, Roxana. “Report: Nearly 1 in 3 Young Adults Too Fat for Military.” MilitaryTimes. N.p., 15 July 2015. Web. 08 Apr. 2016. <http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/2015/07/15/report-nearly-1-in-3-young-adults-too-fat-for-military/30178023/>.
[16] Dalakas, Vassilis. Analysis of NFL PLAY60 Campaign (n.d.): n. pag.Middlebury Institute Site Network. Web. 8 Apr. 2016. <http://sites.miis.edu/chunhuitan/files/2013/06/Analysis-of-NFL-Play-60-Campaign.pdf>.
[17] Ibid
[18] “Childhood Obesity Causes & Consequences.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 19 June 2015. Web. 08 Apr. 2016. <http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/causes.html>.