Prevalence Of Obesity A Psychological Factors example essay topic

Outline Thesis: Obesity in America appears to be of epidemic proportions. I. Social factors that lead to the incidence of obesity A. Understanding obesity B. Effects of obesity II. A sedentary lifestyle's effect on obesity A. Sedentary lifestyle B. The harmful effects of a sedentary lifestyle. The psychological factors that contribute to the prevalence of obesity A. Psychological factors that affect obesity B. How these factors affect the overall health of a person IV. How to avoid obesity In countries like the United States, there is an overall abundance of palatable, food high in fat. In addition, aggressive and sophisticated food marketing in the mass media, supermarkets, restaurants, and the large portions of food served outside the home, promote high calorie consumption. Obesity can develop when a person consumes more calories than he or she expends.

Obese people are often stereotyped with a myriad of idiosyncrasies, such as being lazy or gluttonous. However, since obesity and its multiple causes are better understood today, people struggling with obesity have more choices to lose weight and live healthier lives. Numerous side effects of obesity are shortness of breath on minor exertion, tiredness, depression, difficulty sleeping, low back pain, hip and knee pain. Furthermore, obesity in America appears to be of epidemic proportions. Morbidly obese persons suffer inability to qualify for many types of employment. As a result discrimination in employment opportunities is evident.

Many obese individuals often have higher rates of unemployment, combined with a lower socioeconomic status. Ignorant people make rude and disparaging comments about their body size. There is a general societal belief that obesity is a consequence of poor self-discipline, or moral weakness. Many severely obese persons find it preferable to avoid social interaction, or public places, choosing to limit their own freedom, rather than suffer embarrassment and ridicule. Poignant psychological factors may also influence eating habits. Responding to emotions such as boredom, sadness, and anger can influence eating habits.

Indeed, some eating disorders can be traced to behavioral or psychological abnormalities. Even a lack of confidence can lead to social withdrawal, an inactive lifestyle that promotes weight gain, and ultimately obesity. During over eating episodes, people consume large amounts of food, and feel that they cannot control how much they are eating, as the intake of food is "comforting". Those with these severe eating disorders are also likely to have symptoms of depression, and low self-esteem. Some will need special treatments, such as counseling and / or medication, to control their binge eating before they can successfully manage their weight. Critically, overweight people face constant challenges with their emotions, repeated failures with dieting, disapproval from family and friends, sneers and remarks from strangers.

This segment of the population often experiences harassment at work, cannot enjoy theatre seats, or a simple bus ride or other forms of transportation. The psychological effects of eating disorders are nearly as devastating as the physical ones. Ostracism, coupled with poor nutrition, can exacerbate pre-existing depression and anxiety often leading to suicidal attempts A sedentary lifestyle, in which people eat high fat, and high sugar snacks as a part of their diets, and engage in little exercise, causes multiple problems with excess weight and obesity, than a comparable lifestyle where people eat low fat diets and get regular exercise. Many of our cultural traditions revolve around food related celebrations, which promote overeating and the preferential consumption of high-calorie and high fat foods. In this technological age, a service oriented society gives way to many conveniences that promote inactivity. Many people are entrenched with inactive daily routines consisting of sitting at work, sitting in traffic, and sitting in front of a television or a computer monitor for most of their waking hours.

Countless people do not get sufficient exercise, and that is a prime environmental cause of obesity. Prevention of obesity is just as important as treatment. The primary deterrence of obesity should include socially and environmentally based solutions. Preventative methods such as childhood education on health and nutrition specific to dietary habits could deter the rising rate of obesity. By adopting a keep fit and stay healthy mentality people will be able to reduce the risk of obesity. In essence this addiction can be eliminated resulting in a decline in obesity.