Obesity Epidemic

The Obesity Epidemic Assignment

Obesity, a major risk factor for many chronic diseases, has reached epidemic proportions globally. The effects of obesity on health are equivalent to 20 years aging. They include increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, sleep apnea, gallbladder and liver disease. Overweight and obesity are both labels for ranges of weight that are greater than what is generally considered healthy for a given height. The terms also identify ranges of weight that have been shown to increase the likelihood of certain diseases and other health problems

For adults, overweight and obesity ranges are determined by using weight and height to calculate a number called the “body mass index” (BMI). BMI is used because, for most people, it correlates with their amount of body fat.

An adult who has a BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight.

An adult who has a BMI of30 or higher is considered obese

Use the following three graphs to explore the obesity epidemic and answer the questions below each graph.

Obesity Prevalence Trends in Texas Adults, 1990 to 2009

Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

1) Write a detailed description of what this graph is showing?

2) From 1990 – 2009 how did the percentage of obese adults in Texas change? (Be specific)

3) What lifestyle choices do you believe contributed to the increase from 1990-2009? (Be specific and elaborate)

4) What is the total percentage of Texans who were overweight and obese in 2009?

The incidence of obesity has increased across the board, but it is more pronounced among certain groups. Use the following graph to answer questions 5 and 6.

Share of Obese, Overweight and Normal-Weight Adults by Race/Ethnicity,

2009, Texas vs. the U.S.

Note: Percentages may not total to 100 percent due to rounding and unreported data for some states.

Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

5) Which race/ethnicity had the highest rate of obesity in Texas?

6) What was the percentage of overweight and obese Hispanics in the United States?

Socioeconomic factors such as lower educational attainment and income can be correlated to obesity in adults. Use the following graph to answer questions 7 and 8.

Share of Obese, Overweight and Normal-Weight Adults by Educational

Level, 2009, Texas vs. the U.S.

Note: Percentages may not total to 100 percent due to rounding and unreported data for some states.

Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

7) What is the relationship between obesity and education in the United States and Texas?

8) In your words, explain why you believe the relationship you discovered in question #7 exists. Be sure to site specific reasons for your position.

Cardiovascular Disease and Lifestyle Project

Cardiovascular disease is the #1 cause of death in the United States. One reason is the lack of commitment to heart healthy lifestyle. Your lifestyle is not only your best defense against heart disease, it’s also your responsibility.

Written Research Assignment:

Research and discuss the causes of cardiovascular disease and its relationship to diet and exercise. Compare and analyze your own personal wellness data (class assignments) to determine your risk of the disease and form a conclusion as to what changes you can make to decrease your risk.

Read Cardiovascular Disease and Lifestyle Project Supplemental Instructions for important details on assignment and instructions for submission.

Cardiovascular Disease Supplemental Instructions

Assignment Requirements:

-Written Paper with a minimum of 350 word in paragraph form.

-You must site at least 3 credible sources (Be sure to site the sources in your paper and at the end as well).

-Typed and submit paper on eCampus.

Assignment Topic

Research and discuss the causes of cardiovascular disease and its relationship to diet and exercise. Compare and analyze your own personal lifestyle choices (class assignments) to determine your risk of the disease and form a conclusion as to what changes you can make to decrease your risk.

The following information will help you with the type of information that should be included. You are not limited to this, it will just give you a general idea of what is expected in the assignment.

Part #1- Research and discuss the causes of cardiovascular disease.

(Use at least 2 credible sources for Part #1- be sure to site source)

What are the causes?

Why is it a health concern?

What is the incidence of the disease/how many are affected?

Is it preventable?

What is the cost of the disease to the US?

Part #2- What is the relationship between cardiovascular disease and diet and exercise?

(Use at least 1 credible source for Part #2- be sure to site source)

What types of foods contribute to our risk?

Does physical activity help in prevention?

How does inactivity increase our risk?

Part #3- Compare and analyze your own personal lifestyle choices that contribute to YOUR risk of cardiovascular disease.

• What are the lifestyle choices you are making that increase your risk?

• Look at data from the following topics:

BMI

How healthy is your Lifestyle

Fast Food nutrition

Nutritional Analysis

Food Color Chart

Sugar

Be sure to site the source of this information. (Example: According to my Nutritional

Analysis I do consume too much _______________________________________ )

Part #4- Form a conclusion as to what changes you can make in your own personal lifestyle choices in order to decrease risk.

• Specifically what can you do to decrease your risk now?

• How will those changes benefit your future health?

Part #5-Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility.

Hopefully your workouts have allowed you to experience the positive benefits of physical activity. It is now time to share that with others. Physically inactive individuals are at risk for cardiovascular disease. According to the Center for Disease Control, “if every physically inactive person became active, we would save 77 billion in health care costs every year. Only 1 in 5 adults and 1 in 3 children get the recommended amount of physical activity.

Invite at least 2 people (adult or child) to participate in a workout with you. It can be your regular workout or you can do something different (ride bikes, take a free class at a gym, try a new workout DVD, etc.)

Reflect on this experience and include the following information:

-Who did you invite to workout with you and why did you choose that person?

-What information did you share to encourage them to participate?

-Did you notice a difference in the individual’s attitudes towards physical activity with regards to their age, ethnic background, or socioeconomic background?

-Explain the possible implications on our nation if everyone who is physically active encouraged others to become active too.

-What other ways could you encourage physical activity in adults and children?