Obesity: A Startling Statistic

Obesity: A Startling Statistic

Obesity is a serious problem currently threatening the United States. In the 1960's, 4 out of every ten people in America were overweight or obese. Today, that statistic has almost doubled. Now, obesity affects every 2 out of every 3 Americans. Sadly, 72.5 million Americans are obese, which is 26.7 percent of the population. Obesity rates surpass 30 percent in nine states. Tennessee is one of those nine states. Along with this overweight lifestyle comes a long list of health related problems and risks. Obesity is not just affecting adults, but is also affecting our children. The percentage of overweight U.S. children has more than tripled since the 1960's. America has been labeled the "fattest" country as our relentless overweight statistics seem to rise (Collier).

A study done in 2004 made a great effort in discovering the root of the problem. Americans are eating more than they ever have. Researchers reviewed the average calorie intake of Americans between 1971 and 2000. The average daily intake of calories for men increased from 2,450 to 2,618 calories. That is an increase of 168 calories a day. This may seem like a small number, but over the course of a year it can easily add 17 pounds to your body. Women, being affected much worse, added 335 calories a day to their diets. (Obesity in America).

Another factor contributing to obesity includes the greatest increase of portions and calories in fast-food restaurants. In 2001, Americans spent more than $110 billion on fast food. Advertising has made fast food look like the perfect alternative for the demanding schedule of many Americans. Not only is advertising aimed toward the fast moving lives of Americans today, it also made children a main target. A survey given out found that 96 percent of American children recognized Ronald McDonald, the McDonalds mascot, as a major fiction character. This put him just behind Santa Claus as the most recognized fictional characters (Obesity in America).

Another culprit is portion size. Portions everywhere in America have grown to much bigger sizes than they used to be. A regular McDonald's serving of fries contains three times more calories than when the franchise began years ago. 50 years ago, a regular size soda at Burger King contained 12 ounces. By 2002, a small size cup contained 16 ounces and a medium sized cup contains 21 ounces. So much money is spent a year on fast food advertising, only to suggest that we should ingest 50 percent more food than we need a day. In one year, an American adult devours 40 pounds of white bread, 41 pounds of potatoes, 30 pounds of cheese, 77 pounds of added fats, and 52 gallons of soda. In all, food intake has risen by 8% (Obesity in America). The mass reliance on large, inexpensive portions of food has put America in a terrible bind.

Another factor contributing to obesity is genetics. Different genes contribute to obesity in many ways such as, appetite, the feeling of fullness, metabolism, body-fat distribution, and stress related coping mechanisms such as eating. Your weight simply depends on the number of calories you consume, how many of those calories you store in your body, and how many calories you burn up. Each of these factors is influenced by a combination of genes and the surrounding environment. Other factors such as stress, lack of sleep, and even eating irregularly have all been linked to contributing to obesity (Kaplan).

To diagnose obesity, a body mass index (BMI) chart is used as a guideline. The BMI compares the ratio of body fat to total body mass by using height and weight. To calculate body mass index, weight in pounds is divided by height in inches squared, and then multiplied by 703. The calculated BMI is matched up to the statistical chart of BMI's for adults age 20-29. This comparison will determine if an individual is underweight, average, overweight, or obese (Being Overweight). This age group was chosen as the standard because adults at that point are fully developed and have the least amount of body fat. The ideal body fat percentage is about 15 percent for adult males and about 20-25 percent for adult females.

All adults aged 20 and older are evaluated on the same BMI scale as follows:

* underweight: BMI below 18.5

* normal weight: BMI 18.5-24.9

* overweight: BMI 25.0-29.9

* obese: BMI 30 and above. (Kaplan)

Research has proven that adults with normal weight range BMI's live the longest and enjoy the best health. Calculating children and adolescents BMI's is done the same way as adults, but the results are interpreted differently. A child's BMI is compared to those of other children of the same age and gender and assigned to a percentile that suits his or her weight to height ratio (Kaplan).

Obesity rates were different among Americans due to several factors including age and ethnicity. The highest percentage of obesity is in the 40-59 years old age group for woman. About 39 percent of white women, 51 percent of Hispanic women, 53 percent of black women of that age group are obese. More women than men are obese in all adult age groups, being 35.3 percent of women and 33.3 percent of men. Among women 60 years and older, 61 percent of black woman are obese, 32 percent of white women, and 37 percent of Hispanic women. These racial and ethnical differences in obesity rates are not seen between men. More than one fourth of men are overweight, with little difference by race (Carson-DeWitt).

The highest rate for obesity of all for gender was found in black women, being 41.9 percent of that particular ethnical group, and the second highest obesity rate over all was in black men, being 32.1 percent. Overall, black Americans had a rate of 36.8 percent, and Hispanics had a rate of 30.7 percent. Rates also varied according to different education levels. People with college educations were less likely to be obese (Collier).

Obesity in the United states sky-rocketed in the past 30 years, especially in children. It has been labeled the most common dietary disorder among American children and adolescents. Sadly, over the past three decades, childhood obesity rates have more than doubled for children aged 2 to 5 years and adolescents aged 12 to 19 years, and has more than tripled for children aged 6 to 11 years. For white boys and girls, 12 percent are obese, while 20 percent of black boys and 26 percent of black girls are obese. For Hispanic boys, 27 percent are obese and 19 percent for Hispanic girls are as well. Because of adult obesity rates, black and Hispanic children are more likely to be overweight than