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History and Political Science

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Obesity in the modern society

Issue

Currently, this topic has greatly revolved in the world of media to very dense levels and in response the society has debated on it from varying angles. In the research taken by the World Health Action (WHA), it emerged that a smart number of people have adequate knowledge on this issue; acquired from own experiences and the general understanding on the same. There have been controversies on the cause of this health matter with the victims taking the center of the wind. Many tend to attribute it diet whereas others takes it as a form of dysfunction associated with the body.

The question is, “should society switch off from feeding on some foods or they should feed healthily and wisely?”

The main focus of this study is to identify and echo some of the personal lifestyles adopted by the obese people, the humiliation they receive from the society and the manner in which they handle this condition.

Understanding obese, obesity and overweight

It is unfortunate that 21% of the inhabitants of the UK are obese and this figure is really setting a lot of jitters to the current growth rate of the population here. The government in collaboration with other non-governmental organizations is putting any appropriate measures in creating awareness about this condition.

Obese: this is the medical condition whereby the body accumulates a lot of fats to an adverse state that triggers health problems (Harmon 8).

Obesity: this is the outcome after one develops full obese condition. The condition is so vivid and the victim has a very high chance of developing other health complications.

Overweight: this is a common condition in that body has more fat which could be as a result of reliable food supply and sedentary lifestyle (Stern, S 4).

Research methods

The study aimed in gaining insights of health and social barrier encountered by the subjects. It also entailed in the need of eating healthily and the roles to play in the undertaking of the daily physical activities. Qualitative methods were opted in order to allow the research team to acquire adequate information from the participants. The methods were mutual inclusive since they assimilated participants from all age groups in airing their views. Primary method allowed the facilitators to consolidate views within the scope of the time allocated.

One on one interview: this method focused on acquiring firsthand information and provided the research team with the opportunity of gauging the responses given. Same structural mode was applied to the participants and thing made it possible in weighing the relevant of the information given.

Questionnaires: modular questions were structured in a very systematic manner and maintained a flow. This promoted excavating and to probe on the information acquired where need demanded. There was limitation of “yes or no” question so as to create rich research work.

Findings: Obesity arises due to combination of excessive intake of food. The study indicated that large number of those whom are obese take fatty food often and have little to do with veggies, fruits and fibred food stuffs (Hermon 28).

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It still emerged that they have to take their meals thrice a day and more than the ratio that can be utilized by the body. After consulting the nutritional expert, he asserted “metabolism rate tends to become slower in cases it is subjected to fatty meals and even after the digestion is through, the product are stored within the body tissues (Harmon 122). If they remain in this condition without being utilized in the healthy manner such as taking part in physical activities; they remain to pile up them leading to this humiliating condition.” Slow metabolic rates can also trigger obesity even after feeding on small quantities of food and the solution is to conform our bodies to some physical activities such as playing.

The chart below show the classifications of body weight in relation to BMI

BMI Classification

< 18.5 underweight

18.5–24.9 normal weight

25.0–29.9 overweight

30.0–34.9 class I obesity

35.0–39.9 class II obesity

≥ 40.0   class III obesity  

In addition, anti-obesity drugs are taken are scientific studies shows that they are effective in reducing appetite and at the same time lowering the rate of the absorption of the fat by the body. Research in Harvard medical school has revealed great achievements in using gastric balloon in controlling the rate of metabolism. In fact this method is preferred to general surgery in reducing the stomach volume and ability of absorbing nutrients.

Other contributive causes of obesity are: insufficient sleep, decreased smoking (smoking helps in reducing appetite), and adopting sedentary lifestyle, medical drugs that increases chances of putting on weight and endocrine disruptors that disrupts the metabolism of lipids (Stern, S 214).

Conclusion: Great concern needs to be taken in order to raise a healthy society and this responsibility has a lot to do with our own behaviors and the lifestyle that we desire to live. Adequate awareness should be campaigned for as the tool to promote unity in controlling this hectic matter.

References

Stern, Judith S, and Alexandra Kazaks. Obesity: A Reference Handbook. Santa Barbara, Calif: ABC-CLIO, 2009. Print

Harmon, Daniel E. Obesity. New York: Rosen, 2007. Print.