Obesity and the effect on Health

This paper will explore my personal interest in obesity, using my research on it and  how

I applied  that research in my daily life. My research focuses on the causes and preventative

measure of obesity, and examines why we North America have the largest construction of

obese people compared to everywhere else in the world.

At the beginning of this class I was classified as obese, so I had a major health problem

and had to attack this problem in order to prevent major health issues, such as diabetes and heart

disease, that could arise from obesity. It had also an impact on my social life, since I was unable

to do activities that I once enjoyed. Attending the lecture by Paul Amieux, PhD, Director of UW

microarray Center, wasn’t only part of my SCI298 class, but it was also important to my

wellbeing, since it taught me how to make an informed decision on my part. He was well

informed on the issue, but unfortunately he used a lot of medical terminology, which made part

of his lecture hard to follow and understand. But because I had such a personal interest in this

subject, I started doing my own research after the lecture.

Amieux`s, outlines the social factors, that contribute to obesity and that obese people face

in daily life. Based on their weight, one billion people who are obese make wrong choices, in

terms of their lifestyles. He addressed the issue of  acceptance of obesity in society and how it

transfers from generation to generation. He also mentioned that we burn less energy, since

advancements in technology  have enhanced our lives. We tend to spend more time being

inactive, rather than doing  tasks that once required physical activity.  As a result, we don’t burn

enough calories, which causes  us to gain weight. What can we do to fight obesity?

I started  my research using the Encyclopedia of Medicine and found journal articles,

books and health institute websites.  At what BMI will you be considered to obese? What are the

major symptoms and several secondary conditions related to obesity? The Gale Encyclopedia of

Medicine   volume 4, pages 2655-2661. Had a good overview on obesity. The BMI (body

mass index) is a height and weight goal chart. It also clearly indicates the major symptoms and

several secondary conditions of obesity. The major symptoms of obesity are excessive weight

gain and the presence of large amounts of fatty tissue. Obesity can also give rise to several

secondary conditions, including arthritis and other orthopedic problems, such as lower back

pain, hernias, heartburn, adult-onset asthma, gum disease, high cholesterol levels, gallstones,

high blood pressure, menstrual irregularities or cessation of menstruation (amenorrhea),

decreased fertility, and pregnancy complications, shortness of breath that can be incapacitating,

sleep apnea and sleeping disorders, skin disorders arising from the bacterial breakdown of sweat,

and cellular material in thick folds of skin or from increased friction between folds; it also has a

major impact on emotional and social wellbeing, which leads to other problems.
    
While I was doing  basic research on BMI and major symptoms and several secondary

conditions of obesity, I noticed that the majority of people who are classified as obese are located

in North America. I asked why that was and found a great journal discussing how obesity had

become a problem over many years in Canada and the United States and what we can learn from

special period in Cuba. According to the article by Manuel Franco, Pedro Ordonez, Benjamin

Caballero and Richard, “Obesity reduction and its possible consequences: what can we learn

from Cuba`s special period?”CMAJ: 178.9 (April 8, 2008): p1032(3). More than 23% of

Canadians and 32% of U.S. population is obese. In addition, 36% of Canadians and 34% of the

U.S. population are overweight.  In contrast the obesity rate in Cuba decreased 14% to  7%

during the early 1990s. A  large portion of  Cubans  lost weight, and  as a result fatalities

decreased. During the first couple years of this change in diet, people had major side effects as

result vitamin imbalances and neuropathic outbreaks were observed. As time went by, the  

population adapted a defense  system against these imbalances. Due to economic hardship, when

energy consumption declined from 2899kcal (12180KJ) to 1863 kcal (7820KJ),  the country saw

people forced to commute by foot and on bicycle which increased the overall adult activity rate

from 30 to 67%. This led to a 7% obesity decrease and the rate of population at a normal weight

grew from 60 to 66% and death rates declined.  Diseases related to obesity such as diabetes ,

coronary artery hardening , strokes and all other related causes of death also decreased by 18%.  

Weight loss thus improved the general health of the population.

To get the same results in Canada and United States , people need to change their

behavior and food consumption. North Americans should consume more vegetables and fruits,

and do more physical activity. In order to create such dramatic change, the public needs to be

involved in every aspect of their daily lives. Additionally, there must be government actions

forcing academic institutions, employers, and even cafeterias and restaurants, to reduce portion

sizes and offer better alternatives like fruits and vegetables. Education should be offered, healthy

eating encouraged, and low-cost healthy food offered as an alternative, especially among poor

and minority groups.
  
          I know first hand of being of obese; at the beginning of this class, I was classified as obese.

I weighed 227 pounds and I currently weigh 135pounds. I want to lose 10 more to get to my

goal. Amieux`s, lecture was a wake–up call to me. After two and a half months, I lost 92 pounds.

Now , I follow healthy eating habit and have an extreme exercise schedule. I exercise for two full

hours four days per week including a lot of cardio and strength workouts. I also enjoy fun

exercise like playing soccer. I also just changed my daily calories intake and my personal views

on food. Now, I choose a healthy alternatives.

Being a fulltime student, working 40 hours a week and volunteering 6 hours a week at the

local hospital took a large toll on my health. Instead cooking and preparing healthy food, I would

eat junk food and seek comfort food for the loneliness of my busy life. First, it takes patience to

take the time to make small changes. I followed my plan that I called The Tebebu Healthy Diet. I

began eating delicious fruits and drinking a lot of fluids, usually fruit juice and a lot of water. My

diet suppresses my appetite and removes toxins from my body. This kind of diet flushes you out

and helps to stave off hunger. In this way, it's possible to lose pounds fast. In a few months, it

can be done. I avoid food that contains fat, fast food, pizza cheeses and large portions. I cannot

believe the portion I once consumed. Before I used to order the all veggie special from an

Ethiopian restaurant and eat all of it for lunch or dinner. Now I can eat that same size order for 3

days. I also have a buddy who helps motivate me and does not undermine my efforts. It is great

to run for a few miles without thinking I am going to get heart attack.

Healthy living is great not only for diet but for your mental and emotional well being. I

used to be sleepy and tired and now I am awake and happy and feel free and alive for the first

time in long time.

  (((I am not medical doctor and don’t recommend this diet to anyone please council with your physician, before going to any diet.)))

     My take on Levine Journal

   Levine James. “ Obesity: Mission Possible”. Diabetes 178.8 (4/8/2008) : 1032(3). Though the

author used language that was easy to understand, he failed to clearly state the  causes of obesity

and methods to prevent obesity.

    The language in the article is very understandable.  He doesn’t use complex medical

terminology or vocabulary, which makes his journal article understandable for the greater

audience.  

    Levine mentions that one of the major causes of obesity is how we burn less energy, since

advancements in technology have enhanced our lives. We tend to spend more time on being

inactive, rather than doing  tasks that once required physical activity.  This leads us to burn less

energy. As a result we  don’t burn enough calories which causes  us to be obese.  

     I do agree with his generalization on the  cause of  obesity. However, a lot of people who

also have the same lifestyle and eat as much as others, do not put on weight because they do not

digest the food as well as the obese and their systems do not store the fat as much as the obese.

The main cause of obesity is not the lack of exercise  nor even the lifestyle but the individuals

innate ability to become obese. The  cause of obesity could come from so many different causes

such as genetic psychological or neurological factors. The genetic  part is how families pass,

from generation to generation, unhealthy lifestyle and large consumption of food. The

psychological factors could be depression which leads to find comfort on food, instead of

tackling our personal problems. There is also a neurological problem which causes overeating.

So Levine when assumes that obesity is caused  only by of exercise he is incomplete. Obesity has

several factors.

    Levine suggests on preventative measurements on obesity including such as taking the stairs

instead of  the elevators, or walking to the grocery store and such.  We need to change our

patterns of life. He also lets us know  that change is possible as time passes. That is not  any

different for obese people in terms of acceptance in society. How we can adapt  healthy life

choices by exercising and eating less. That can revise their condition.

   I again agree to certain point, such as adapting healthy choices but than he clearly fails to

tell us on how we reach those goals, to reach a realistic solution regarding obesity.  The whole

medical community and the  government must be involved  in planning and promoting  health.

The government should prompt healthy eating and offer education to  the public. By advertizing

in mass media and targeting risk population and advising them and offer them a better

alternative.  More action should be taking by the producer of food, including a warning sign  and

should be written in clear and understandable  way so that we understand what we are

consuming.

   My overall view of this article is that Levin gave out details to the  problem, but

doesn’t offer a good solution, instead  referring to the possibility of a solution.

    Obesity on gale encyclopedia of medicine

   The gale encyclopedia of medicine had a good overview on obesity. BMI (body mass index). I

height and weight goal chart-which discriminate between man and women. Based on height,

frame size from small frame, medium frame to large frame.

    It also clearly indicate, the major symptoms and several secondary condition. The major

symptoms of obesity are excessive weight gain and the presence of large amount of fatty tissue.

Obesity can also give rise to several secondary conditions, including,*arthritis and other

orthopedic problems, such as lower back pain.*Hernias,*heartburn,*adult-onset asthma,*gum

disease,*high cholesterol levels,*gallstones,*high blood pressure.*Menstrual irregularities or

cessation of menstruation(amenorrhea).*Decreased fertility, and pregnancy complications.

*Shortness of breath that can be incapacitating. *Sleep apnea and sleeping disorders.*Skin

disorder arising from the bacterial breakdown of sweat, and cellular material in thick folds of

skin or from increased friction between folds.*It also has a major impact on emotional and social

wellbeing, which led to other problems.

   The cause of obesity, more calories are consumed than the body burns.

                                             Obesity and its effect on Health

   Obesity  became a problem over many years in the Canada and United States . According to

the journal Manuel Franco, Pedro Ordunez, Benjamin Caballero and Richard s. “Obesity

reduction and its possible consequences: what can we learn from Cuba`s special period?”

CMAJ: Canadian Medical Association Journal 178.9 (April 8, 2008): p1032(3).More than 23%

of Canadians  and 32% of  U.S.  population is obese. In addition, 36% Canadians

and 34% of U.S. population are overweight.

   In contrast the obesity rate in Cuba decreased 14 to  7% during the early 1990s. A  large

portion of  Cubans  lost weight, as a result fatalities decreased. During the first couple years of

this change in diet, major side affects, such as vitamin imbalances and neuropathic  outbreaks

were observed. As time went by, the  population adapted a defense  system against these

imbalances. Due to economic hardship, when energy consumption declined from 2899kcal

(12180KJ) to 1863 kcal (7820KJ).  The country saw people forced to commute by foot

and on bicycle that increase the overall adult activity rate from 30 to 67%. This lead to 7%

obesity decrease and the rate of population at a normal weight grew from  60 to 66% and death

rates declined.  Diseases related to obesity: diabetes , coronary artery hardening , strokes

and all other related causes of death decreased by 18%.  Weight loss improved, the general

health of the population.

    To get the same results in Canada and United States , people need to change their behavior and

food consumption. They should consume more vegetables and fruits, and do more physical

activity. In order to create such  dramatic change , the public needs to be involved in every aspect  

of they daily life. Including action by government, academic institutions, employers, even

choices by cafeterias and restaurants , such as portion sizes  and offering a better alternative of

fruits and vegetables. Especially among poor and minority  groups, education should be offered

healthy eating encouraged and low cost healthy food as an alternative