Write 7 page essay on the topic Obesity in the United States.Download file to see previous pages... Numerous studies have shown that incidence of obesity has been increasing around the world in recent

Write 7 page essay on the topic Obesity in the United States.

Numerous studies have shown that incidence of obesity has been increasing around the world in recent years. The World Health Organization (WHO) has termed Obesity as a worldwide epidemic and cautions that the prevalence of diseases is on the rise because of obesity. According to WHO (2008), obesity is defined as the excessive accumulation of fat in the body of a person that may lead or result in health impairment. WHO points out that the facts about obesity are worrying and its consequences pose the serious health threat to a large proportion of the world’s population. the organization notes that from 1980, the incidence of obesity in the world has more than doubled. Its findings indicate that by the year 2008, close to 300 million women and more than 200 million men over the age of twenty years were obese. Studies suggest that obesity prevalence in the United States has been going up by nearly 50 percent each decade since 1980 (Ford et al., 2011). It is estimated that obesity leads to over 300,000 deaths in the United States every year. This situation is attributed to the diseases associated with obesity such as various strains of cancer, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes, which not only decrease lifespan but may cause deaths. Obesity poses a serious threat to human health and overall well-being of the United States’ population. This paper will argue and show how obesity poses health threats to the people of the United States and why it is necessary to address this challenge.

The fact that obesity is becoming an increasing public health concern in the United States and consequently posing serious threat of poor health among the United States population is incontestable. Before looking at the threats posed by obesity in the United States, it is critical to look at the main causes of obesity in the country. Centre for Disease Control (CDC) (2012) explains that increase in the obesity prevalence in the United States can be attributed to a number of factors. It cites dietary as one of the main causes of obesity. In many households in the United States, food is not considered just as a source of nourishment but as a source of pleasure as well (Mermin and Graff, 2009). As such, majority of the American citizens tend to consume large quantity of food. In addition, the situation is attributed to majority of the American people consuming carbonated drinks, dairy products, and highly caloric food (NIH, 2005).

Sedentary habits and lack of exercise among Americans has also been cited as a major factor contributing to the rising obesity prevalence in the country.