There are many reports nowadays from government institutions, private organizations and mass media regarding the sharp increase in the number of people who have fallen prey to chronic obesity. This is a legitimate concern for most people, because chronic obesity is known to cause many health conditions and diseases that could affect a person’s life (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). There is a need for the adoption of steps to reverse this trend, particularly in the rural communities where information and medical assistance are scarce.
It is believed that funding for a special project that aims to research and publish materials regarding the dangers of chronic obesity is a big step in the right direction. Moreover, funding could open the people’s eyes to the many different possibilities open for them in the direction of reversing chronic obesity. Any person or organization could help in the fight against the obesity epidemic. For business organizations, special funding for this cause could even provide goodwill among its employees and clients.
The proposed special funding program below is centered on educating the target population on the risks and options concerning obesity. It shall be called “Learning the Way towards Physical Fitness. ” II. Background of the Problem The problem involving the increase in the population of people who are obese or overweight is well documented. The sharp increase of this population is observed from the mid-seventies to 2004, registering up to 32. 9% increase in both adults and children (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008).
Obesity is basically determined through the calculation of the Body Mass Index (BMI), which refers to the relationship between a person’s body weight and body height. Given this standard, there is an increased prevalence in the number of obese people in the United States. Based on statistics, 20. 9% of American adults are considered obese. This figure amounts to more than thirty eight million Americans who are considered obese (Scorsone, Hudoyo, Burke, Tietyen & Adams). Shown below is a figure illustrating obesity tends among adults in the United States (Scorsone, Hudoyo, Burke, Tietyen & Adams).
The figures are staggering. They show that an average American woman weighs 163 pounds, while an average American man weighs around 400 pounds (American Sports Data Inc. , 2006). Below is a chart of the average weight of the male and female population of the Untied States over the years (The Consumer). III. Target Population The target population of the proposed special funding project is adults between thirty to forty-five years of age and living in rural southern communities, would be very helpful in solving the problem. Obesity causes, not only health problems, but economic burden as well.
Obesity has reportedly cost the United States 117 billion dollars. More specifically, this burden is apparently more felt in the South and rural areas. People who live below the poverty line are the ones who bear the heavy burden of chronic obesity (Scorsone, Hudoyo, Burke, Tietyen & Adams). Considering that this population needs assistance in dealing with the economic burden associated with chronic obesity, the special funding project could really make a difference in the quality of life of people belonging in this population. IV. Role of Funding
Funding could help in information dissemination through various media such as symposia and open forums where speakers could explain the risks involved in chronic obesity at an advanced age. Moreover, funding could be helpful in the research and publication of materials such as pamphlets and information ads that could help in the drive for a healthier lifestyle. Materials and activities that would be part of the program sponsored by the fund shall discuss different options for people suffering from chronic obesity. Funding could help with the publication of brochures for distribution to households.
Such brochures and posters could be posted at conspicuous places within the homes and communities to serve as constant reminders of the dangers that chronic obesity could bring. People who have no access to medical information may be more prone to committing mistakes and fall into harmful habits because they did not know any better. In this respect, one of the primary areas that should be given attention is the harmful effect of obesity on the health of people. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2008) enumerates various diseases and health conditions that could be caused by chronic obesity.
This list includes: “Hypertension (high blood pressure) Osteoarthritis (a degeneration of cartilage and its underlying bone within a joint) Dyslipidemia (for example, high total cholesterol or high levels of triglycerides) Type 2 diabetes Coronary heart disease Stroke Gallbladder disease Sleep apnea and respiratory problems Some cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon). ” Aside from targeting the prone population directly, funding could be used to specifically target health care officers who could help address the problem.
Among these are weight management experts, physical therapists, psychologists, nutritionists, dietitians and other health professionals. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). Studies could be funded and conducted in order to educate these health professionals about the latest and most effective means of managing a person’s weight. The seminars and brochures to be given to concerned stakeholders should contain relevant information, such as the root causes of chronic obesity. These include genetics, lifestyles, population trends, diets, modern workplaces and social class (American Sports Data Inc.
, 2006). While genetics is not considered a strong influence in the obesity epidemic, it is a factor nonetheless that should be considered and brought to the knowledge of the population. On the other hand, the lifestyles of the workers of today appear to be a huge factor for the obesity epidemic, since most workers are always in a hurry that fastfood is almost always the best food option for them. The traditional dinner table has become obsolete, and this has taken a toll on the health and weight of the American population.
Thus, the pamphlets and posters to be given away to the target population should contain a computation of the calories and fat content of common fastfood meals in order to discourage people from overly consuming such kinds of food. Moreover, the materials should contain a fact sheet of alternative healthy food that is affordable and accessible to the target population. Another one of the perceived root causes of the obesity epidemic is change in lifestyle. Most people now have significantly less physical activity.
Physical activity had been observed since the aftermath of the Second World War because of the widespread cardiovascular diseases affecting people in the West (Erlichman, Kerbey & James, 2002). At the time, most physicians instructed their patients to engage in regular physical activities in order to improve their cardiovascular health, and their patients heeded such calls (Erlichman, Kerbey & James, 2002). Unfortunately, the modern age with all its developments and technological advancements has made people forget the value of physical activity, such as manual labor (Erlichman, Kerbey & James, 2002).
Thus, weight gain or worse, chronic obesity, is observed in a majority of the world’s population, especially in rural southern communities. In this respect, one of the suggested management options for chronic obesity is increased physical activity. Engagement in vigorous physical activities such as cycling, swimming, and hill-climbing, as opposed to being sedentary, reduces risks associated with obesity by two-thirds. Thus, people who are physically active face a significantly lower risk of coronary heart disease (Erlichman, Kerbey & James, 2002; Saakslahti, et al. , 2004).
The reason for the reduced risk among physically active people is the stimulation of acute physiological and long-term adaptive responses in the body, caused by physical activity (Saakslahti, et al. , 2004). A physically active lifestyle causes a host of long-term benefits such as “changes in plasma lipoprotein levels, circulatory functions, blood pressure and body composition (Saakslahti, et al. , 2004). ” This protects adults from coronary heart disease (Saakslahti, et al. , 2004). Moreover, habitual physical activity allows people to maintain lower body mass indeces (BMI) and a lower serum total cholesterol concentration.
These two effects help children and adults alike from becoming obese and therefore at risk of various diseases (Saakslahti, et al. , 2004). All of these facts should be included in the informational materials to be given to target populations in order to encourage to them to engage in more physical activities. In addition, and in order to entice more people to become physically active, group activities and exercise classes could be provided for free by concerned institutions or sponsored by private organizations where people from the rural communities could participate and have fun.
IV. Conclusion. Funding for a special project that aims to find solutions to chronic obesity, as well as reach out to people living in rural areas, could be the best answer to reversing the trend of skyrocketing obese population in the United States. Funding could lead to intensive research and a wide-reaching campaign against chronic obesity. This would increase awareness among people and force them to be proactive on the issue. As in most issues, information is the key towards achieving solutions.
References
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