Hi, need to submit a 750 words essay on the topic Obesity in America.Download file to see previous pages This essay "Obesity in America" describes the consequences of obesity on the health of the USA'

Hi, need to submit a 750 words essay on the topic Obesity in America.

This essay "Obesity in America" describes the consequences of obesity on the health of the USA's citizens, on the economy of the country and the society overall. In 1995 obesity cost taxpayers almost $100 billion. “The direct costs associated with obesity represent 5.7 percent of the national health expenditure within the United States. The indirect costs attributable to obesity are $47.6 billion and are comparable to the economic costs of cigarette smoking” (Wolf, 1998: 97). According to a study by the Veterans Administration, a morbidly obese person aged 25 to 34 is twelve times more likely to die during that time of their life than an average weight person (Drenick, 1980: 444). If a person’s parents are overweight and they live in economically deprived conditions, then they are likely to at least be overweight and at risk of being obese as an adult. Recognizing obesity as a significant health risk to the American public, a number of approaches have been developed to address the issue including surgery and behavior modification targeted at children.

The general consensus for successful treatment of obesity is tilting steadily toward surgery as the best option. “Surgical treatment is more effective than non-surgical treatment for weight loss”. Less than 10 percent of the morbidly obese find relief from their condition through a combination of medications, exercise and dieting. “Surgery is the only proven method to allow the severely and morbidly obese person to reach normal weight and maintain it” (“Health Effects”, 2002).