The myths of the contributions of the chronic increasing rate of Obesity epidemic within American Culture.

The Myths of the chronic increasing rate of Obesity Epidemic within American Culture.

🤘 Obesity in America. Why are Americans Obese?

What considers a person obese?

To understand what considers a person obese in America, we need to understand what establishes a person to be “overweight” versus “healthy weight”. This is constructed by a person’s body mass index (BMI). A person’s BMI is the measurement of your body fat, based on your height. America is an industrialized country and is only becoming more advanced with technology and its culture has had a negative effect on the health of its people. How can we take control of our own bodies and manage our health with a busy routine? There are myths that contribute to false impressions on causes of obesity within American culture.

These are some comorbidities associated with Obesity:

  • Heart disease 
  • Stroke
  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes
  • Cancer
  • Gallbladder disease
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Gout
  • Sleep Apnea and Asthma

Myth 1: Healthcare Systems and Nutrition programs are beneficial to decreasing the rate of Obesity in America.

According to the article, Understanding Obesity Perceptions in America: An Exploratory Study of Public Perceptions of the Problem and Possible Actions for Health Product Marketers. Hospital Topics, the research examines the rate of obesity within the United States (US). The study conducted examines society’s perception of the epidemic of obesity. The study analyzes society’s perception on obesity and the implications on health product marketers as an attribution for financial gain based on obese consumers. The vast majority agreed that obesity is in association to consumers using the epidemic to create financial gain on health products. Furthermore, the conclusion of the study confirms that there are not enough preventative measures to decrease the high rising cases of obesity within the US, rather financial gain based on demographics and socioeconomic status of these individuals (2015, Emmett, Chandra). Many marketing industries and even healthcare benefit off the obesity epidemic in America. There is a large market on selling diet pills, supplements, and medical procedures as solutions. Weight gain is easily gained due to lifestyle and environment.

Myth 2: Americans are lazy!

Sedentary lifestyle has become one of the norms in American culture. It has become routine for Americans to be inactive due to industrialization, context, and environmental factors. Many Americans must drive from one place to another due to far distance or unsafe environmental conditions that inhibit walking or bicycling to get to a destination. Unhealthy foods with high calories are easily accessed and promoted within our culture. Americans are also eating out more or have access to less nutritional options based on their socioeconomic status.

This video sheds light on American culture contributing to the Obesity Epidemic:  

Americans are not lazy. Many Americans have false information in regards to weight management. We have little access and resources on creating an active lifestyle. As technology advances, we are becoming more inactive. Obesity is a major chronic issue in America and is continuing to advance. Obesity has created new opportunities for financial greed within healthcare systems and marketing companies targeting vulnerability of this population.  Incorporating and advocating for an active lifestyle and healthier nutrition options need to be implemented within American culture in order decrease the obesity epidemic.  

 

Bassett, D. R., Pucher., J., & Buehler,R. (2011). Active Transportation in Europe, Northern America, and Austraila. ITE Journal, (81 (8), 5-1-5-5.

CDCStreamingHealth. (2011, July 15). The Obesity Epidemic. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCORDl4bqDE.

Dr. Robert H.Lustig: The Obesity Epidemic in America: Nahmad Speaker Series. YouTube. (2016, October 7). https://youtu.be/EnnZp1Z9C1I.

Emmett, D., & Chandra, A. (2015). Understanding Obesity Perceptions in America: An Exploratory Study of Public Perceptions of the Problem and Possible Actions for Health Product Marketers. Hospital Topics, 93(4), 92–98. https://doi.org/10.1080/00185868.2015.1120100

Gemmill, E., & Cotugna, N. (2005). Vending Machine Policies and Practices in Delaware. Journal of School Nursing, 21(2), 94–99.

 

2 thoughts on “The myths of the contributions of the chronic increasing rate of Obesity epidemic within American Culture.”

  1. 008010986

    Kristina,

    I felt you had great information in your blog post that was factual and back up by research. I liked your visual and your videos that were informational. First you defined what being over weight meant and what really causes obesity, as there are many myths. I liked how you stated that Americans aren’t lazy, they just do no have a lot of the information on healthy eating and do not realize they are even eating unhealthy half of the time. I felt your content was organized and up to date. This blog would inform people about these myths about obesity.

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