Obesity Assignment Paper

, ,

Obesity Assignment Paper

Present a visual picture that reflects the state of obesity in our country. Consider: If a photo is worth a thousand words, then a photo on obesity must be worth a thousand pounds. So ask yourself, how do we drive home the need for change? How do we show the price our children are paying?
The written part of your discussion post should include:
•	A brief explanation, three to four sentences, of your visual submission.
•	Using statistical data, your home state’s data (Nevada) related to obesity and how your state fairs compared to national statistics.
•	The type of health disparities you see in your own community related to obesity.
•	Remember to provide at least three scholarly references to support your statements and provide validity to your work.

 

Figure 1. Energy dense foods that cause obesity

Energy dense diets and foods can be blamed for obesity incidences. They include sweetened soft drinks, desserts, sweets, snacks, fast foods, and large portion sizes of food, all lined to higher risks of obesity (see Figure 1). These foods and diets interact with human physiology to promote obesity through a range of metabolic mechanisms. There is a need to recognize the contributions that these foods make towards obesity incidences, and implement appropriate intervention strategies to reduce their intake (Romieu et al., 2017). Obesity Assignment Paper .

ORDER A PLAGIARISM -FREE PAPER NOW

The obesity incidence rates for the USA and Nevada States for the periods between 2016 and 2020 reveals that Nevada State outperformed the USA in 2018 and 2019 but was outperformed in 2016 and 2020. Overall, the performance has remained consistently high at more than 30% for both the state and the nation. Additional reviews of the data reveals that the possible causes of the reported high data and negative trend is low prevalence of well-child visits, low prevalence of physical activity among children, and low prevalence of female college graduates. Still, the state has been able to leverage some strengths in managing obesity among the population, to include low prevalence of tobacco use among adolescents, low residential segregation, and low percentage of housing with lead risk (United Health Foundation, 2021).

A review of the obesity incidence in Nevada reveals significant health disparities, specifically socioeconomic disparities. As a large economy with significant business investments and population, Nevada has experienced many dramatic social changes and economic developments. This has been matched by significant changes in the lifestyles and lives of adolescents in Nevada, including having increasingly sedentary lifestyles and consuming more energy dense foods. As a result, the prevalence of obesity among Nevada’s adolescent population has remained higher. On the other hand, the prevalence of undernutrition has dropped significantly within the population.  Obesity Assignment Paper .Still, the sedentary lifestyles and consumption of energy rich foods remains a concern as it creates opportunities for overweight and obesity outcomes. This is evidenced by the consistently high obesity rates among adolescents as approximately 30% of adolescents in the State are reported to be obese every year (Rose, 2018).

There are opportunities to address the existing health disparities to reduce obesity incidence among adolescents. This would involve encouraging healthy lifestyles that include proper physical activity and healthy eating, as well as empowering adolescents to develop lifelong healthy habits while maintaining a healthy body weight (Barr, 2014).

References

Barr, D. A. (2014). Health Disparities in the United States: Social Class, Race, Ethnicity, and Health (2nd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press.

Romieu, I., Dossus, L., Barquera, S., Blottiere, H. V., Franks, P. W., … & Willett, W. C. (2017). Energy balance and obesity: what are the main drivers?. Cancer Causes Control, 28, 247-258. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-017-0869-z

Rose, P. R. (2018). Health Disparities, Diversity, and Inclusion: Context, Controversies and Solutions. Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC.

United Health Foundation (2021). Overweight or Obesity – Youth in Nevada. https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/health-of-women-and-children/measure/youth_overweight/state/NV

Figure 1. USA and Nevada State obesity incidence rates for adolescents between 10 and 17 years of age for the periods between 2016 and 2020 (Source: United Health Foundation, 2021).

The presented data reveals the obesity incidence rates for the USA and Nevada States for the periods between 2016 and 2020. A review of the data reveals that Nevada State outperformed the USA in 2018 and 2019 but was outperformed in 2016 and 2020. Overall, the performance has remained consistently high at more than 30% for both the state and the nation (see Figure 1). Obesity Assignment Paper .Additional reviews of the data reveals that the possible causes of the reported high data and negative trend is low prevalence of well-child visits, low prevalence of physical activity among children, and low prevalence of female college graduates. Still, the state has been able to leverage some strengths in managing obesity among the population, to include low prevalence of tobacco use among adolescents, low residential segregation, and low percentage of housing with lead risk (United Health Foundation, 2021).

A review of the obesity incidence in Nevada reveals significant health disparities, specifically socioeconomic disparities. As a large economy with significant business investments and population, Nevada has experienced many dramatic social changes and economic developments. This has been matched by significant changes in the lifestyles and lives of adolescents in Nevada, including having increasingly sedentary lifestyles and consuming more energy dense foods. As a result, the prevalence of obesity among Nevada’s adolescent population has remained higher. On the other hand, the prevalence of undernutrition has dropped significantly within the population. Still, the sedentary lifestyles and consumption of energy rich foods remains a concern as it creates opportunities for overweight and obesity outcomes. This is evidenced by the consistently high obesity rates among adolescents as approximately 30% of adolescents in the State are reported to be obese every year (Rose, 2018). Obesity Assignment Paper .

There are opportunities to address the existing health disparities to reduce obesity incidence among adolescents. This would involve encouraging healthy lifestyles that include proper physical activity and healthy eating, as well as empowering adolescents to develop lifelong healthy habits while maintaining a healthy body weight (Barr, 2014)

References

Barr, D. A. (2014). Health Disparities in the United States: Social Class, Race, Ethnicity, and Health (2nd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press.

Rose, P. R. (2018). Health Disparities, Diversity, and Inclusion: Context, Controversies and Solutions. Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC.

United Health Foundation (2021). Overweight or Obesity – Youth in Nevada. https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/health-of-women-and-children/measure/youth_overweight/state/NV

Obesity in the United States occurs at a greater prevalence than in other developed nations. Why is this? As part of Healthy People Initiatives, obesity has been highlighted in hundreds of articles and webinars. Many preventive guidelines address obesity and nutritional status, and the USPSTF (United States Preventive Services Task Force) guidelines specifically recommend a multidisciplinary approach and a plea to save our children.

Additional resources to enhance your knowledge about obesity in the United States are available in this week’s Learning Materials section but pay close attention to Jamie Oliver’s TED Talk: Teach Every Child about Food.

ORDER A PLAGIARISM -FREE PAPER NOW

In 2018, the United States Federal government spent nearly  $1.1 trillion dollars on healthcare, and 10% of this money ($110 billion) was utilized to combat obesity driven concerns. Obesity Assignment Paper .Children cannot recognize vegetables or fruits but are quick to tell you what’s in a Happy Meal and can pick the different french fries from various fast food restaurants….. American parents since the Great Depression, and before, have wanted to provide for their children – giving them more than what they had and now we have given our children a shorter life span – 10 years less.

As APRNs, we must be aware of what is happening in society and how this affects our health as a country. For this week’s discussion, develop a powerful message that can be given to your community. NO sounds, NO words; just a strong visual message that addresses our need to combat obesity.

Initial Post

For your initial post, present a visual picture that reflects the state of obesity in our country. Consider: If a photo is worth a thousand words, then a photo on obesity must be worth a thousand pounds. So ask yourself, how do we drive home the need for change? How do we show the price our children are paying?

The written part of your discussion post should include:

  • A brief explanation, three to four sentences, of your visual submission.
  • Using statistical data, your home state’s data (Nevada) related to obesity and how your state fairs compared to national statistics.
  • The type of health disparities you see in your own community related to obesity.
  • Remember to provide at least three scholarly references to support your statements and provide validity to your work. Obesity Assignment Paper.