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Expository Essay on Obesity

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Introduction

Obesity is a chronic health condition when body fat reaches an abnormal level. Obesity occurs when we eat more food than our body needs each day. In other words, when a high-calorie diet exceeds the calories we burn, it causes obesity.

In the old days, obesity was limited to adults. However, obesity has become a global problem affecting children in modern times. Let’s have a look at the most common causes of obesity mentioned below:

Causes of Obesity

Obesity may be due to genes. If a person’s family has a history of obesity, they are more likely to be affected by obesity sooner or later in life. The second reason is poor health. Now, various factors fall into the category of bad habits. Overeating that is, eating more than you need, is a direct way to reach the stage of obesity. The extra calories are converted into fat and cause obesity.

Unhealthy foods, fried foods, high-fat refined foods and sugar are also responsible for causing obesity in adults and children. Lack of exercise prevents the burning of extra calories and, in turn, leads us all on the path to obesity.

But sometimes, there may be indirect causes of obesity. The second reason can be related to our mental and emotional health. Depression, anxiety, depression, and emotional problems are commonplace in obesity. Physical ailments such as hypothyroidism, ovarian cysts, and diabetes often exacerbate the condition and play a key role in gaining weight.

In addition, certain medications, such as steroids, antidepressants, and birth control pills have been shown to interfere with the body’s metabolic functions. As a result, long-term use of such drugs can lead to obesity. In addition, frequent drinking and smoking are also linked to obesity.

Dangerous Consequences of Obesity

At first glance, obesity may appear to be a single problem. But she is the mother of several health problems. Obesity means more fat that accumulates in our body, including arteries. The significant effect of such high cholesterol levels is seen in the form of heart attacks and other life-threatening heart problems. Fat deposits also interfere with the stretching of the arteries. That means obesity can cause damage to our bodies by changing our blood pressure to an abnormal range. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. Obesity is known for creating an endless list of problems.

The disease can lead to severe illnesses such as diabetes and cancer in extreme cases. Weight gain through obesity puts tremendous strain on the body’s bones, especially the legs. This weakens our bones and interferes with their smooth movement. A person with obesity is more likely to have fertility problems and sleep problems.

Many obese people appear to have trouble breathing as well. In an incurable condition, this condition can develop into asthma. The psychological consequences of obesity are another sensitive topic. Do not say that obesity and depression create a loop. The more obese a person is, the worse his depression becomes.

How to Control and Treat Obesity

First of all, the easiest and most effective way is to change our diet. There are two factors to consider in the diet. The first is what and what you do not eat. The second is how much food.

If you want to get rid of obesity, include plenty of raw vegetables in your diet. Spinach, beans, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, etc., have enough vitamins and minerals and meager calories. Other healthy options are mushrooms, pumpkin, beetroot, sweet potatoes, etc.

Choose fresh fruits, especially citrus fruits and berries. Oranges, grapes, pomegranates, pineapples, cherries, strawberries, lime, and cranberries are suitable for the body. They are low in sugar and ideal for strengthening the immune system. Eating whole fruits is a much better option compared to swallowing fruit juices. Fruits, when eaten whole, are high in fiber and low in sugar.

Eating a large salad bowl is also suitable for dealing with obesity. A salad that includes fiber-rich foods such as carrots, vegetables, lettuce, tomatoes works best in eliminating hunger without the risk of weight gain.

A high-protein diet of eggs, fish, lean meat, etc., is an excellent choice to lose weight. Take enough omega fatty acids. Remember to drink plenty of water. Keeping yourself clean is a wise way to avoid overeating. Water also helps to remove toxins and excess fat from the body.

As often as possible, avoid fat, sugar, refined flour, and fatty foods to keep your weight under control. Control the size of your part. Replace three heavy meals with small, regular meals throughout the day. Eating sugar-free smoothies, dried fruit, etc., is highly recommended.

Regular exercise plays a crucial role in coping with obesity. Whenever possible, go to the market take the stairs instead of the elevator. Physical activity can be any other way. It could be hobbies such as swimming, cycling, grass tennis, or light running. Meditation and yoga are potent exercises to ward off stress, depression and obesity. But in the worst cases, meeting with a doctor is the best solution. Sometimes, appropriate medications and surgical procedures are needed to control the health condition.

Obesity is spreading like a plague, affecting both adults and children. While genetic and other physical factors play a role, the problem is primarily the result of careless living.

By changing our lifestyle, we can indeed control our emotions. In other words, it would be possible to eradicate obesity from our lives by living a healthy lifestyle.

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Obesity: causes, consequences, treatments, and challenges

Obesity has become a global epidemic and is one of today’s most public health problems worldwide. Obesity poses a major risk for a variety of serious diseases including diabetes mellitus, non-alcoholic liver disease (NAFLD), cardiovascular disease, hypertension and stroke, and certain forms of cancer ( Bluher, 2019 ).

Obesity is mainly caused by imbalanced energy intake and expenditure due to a sedentary lifestyle coupled with overnutrition. Excess nutrients are stored in adipose tissue (AT) in the form of triglycerides, which will be utilized as nutrients by other tissues through lipolysis under nutrient deficit conditions. There are two major types of AT, white AT (WAT) and brown AT, the latter is a specialized form of fat depot that participates in non-shivering thermogenesis through lipid oxidation-mediated heat generation. While WAT has been historically considered merely an energy reservoir, this fat depot is now well known to function as an endocrine organ that produces and secretes various hormones, cytokines, and metabolites (termed as adipokines) to control systemic energy balance. Studies over the past decade also show that WAT, especially subcutaneous WAT, could undergo ‘beiging’ remodeling in response to environmental or hormonal perturbation. In the first paper of this special issue, Cheong and Xu (2021) systematically review the recent progress on the factors, pathways, and mechanisms that regulate the intercellular and inter-organ crosstalks in the beiging of WAT. A critical but still not fully addressed issue in the adipose research field is the origin of the beige cells. Although beige adipocytes are known to have distinct cellular origins from brown and while adipocytes, it remains unclear on whether the cells are from pre-existing mature white adipocytes through a transdifferentiation process or from de novo differentiation of precursor cells. AT is a heterogeneous tissue composed of not only adipocytes but also nonadipocyte cell populations, including fibroblasts, as well as endothelial, blood, stromal, and adipocyte precursor cells ( Ruan, 2020 ). The authors examined evidence to show that heterogeneity contributes to different browning capacities among fat depots and even within the same depot. The local microenvironment in WAT, which is dynamically and coordinately controlled by inputs from the heterogeneous cell types, plays a critical role in the beige adipogenesis process. The authors also examined key regulators of the AT microenvironment, including vascularization, the sympathetic nerve system, immune cells, peptide hormones, exosomes, and gut microbiota-derived metabolites. Given that increasing beige fat function enhances energy expenditure and consequently reduces body weight gain, identification and characterization of novel regulators and understanding their mechanisms of action in the beiging process has a therapeutic potential to combat obesity and its associated diseases. However, as noticed by the authors, most of the current pre-clinical research on ‘beiging’ are done in rodent models, which may not represent the exact phenomenon in humans ( Cheong and Xu, 2021 ). Thus, further investigations will be needed to translate the findings from bench to clinic.

While both social–environmental factors and genetic preposition have been recognized to play important roles in obesity epidemic, Gao et al. (2021) present evidence showing that epigenetic changes may be a key factor to explain interindividual differences in obesity. The authors examined data on the function of DNA methylation in regulating the expression of key genes involved in metabolism. They also summarize the roles of histone modifications as well as various RNAs such as microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, and circular RNAs in regulating metabolic gene expression in metabolic organs in response to environmental cues. Lastly, the authors discuss the effect of lifestyle modification and therapeutic agents on epigenetic regulation of energy homeostasis. Understanding the mechanisms by which lifestyles such as diet and exercise modulate the expression and function of epigenetic factors in metabolism should be essential for developing novel strategies for the prevention and treatment of obesity and its associated metabolic diseases.

A major consequence of obesity is type 2 diabetes, a chronic disease that occurs when body cannot use and produce insulin effectively. Diabetes profoundly and adversely affects the vasculature, leading to various cardiovascular-related diseases such as atherosclerosis, arteriosclerotic, and microvascular diseases, which have been recognized as the most common causes of death in people with diabetes ( Cho et al., 2018 ). Love et al. (2021) systematically review the roles and regulation of endothelial insulin resistance in diabetes complications, focusing mainly on vascular dysfunction. The authors review the vasoprotective functions and the mechanisms of action of endothelial insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 signaling pathways. They also examined the contribution and impart of endothelial insulin resistance to diabetes complications from both biochemical and physiological perspectives and evaluated the beneficial roles of many of the medications currently used for T2D treatment in vascular management, including metformin, thiazolidinediones, glucagon-like receptor agonists, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, sodium-glucose cotransporter inhibitors, as well as exercise. The authors present evidence to suggest that sex differences and racial/ethnic disparities contribute significantly to vascular dysfunction in the setting of diabetes. Lastly, the authors raise a number of very important questions with regard to the role and connection of endothelial insulin resistance to metabolic dysfunction in other major metabolic organs/tissues and suggest several insightful directions in this area for future investigation.

Following on from the theme of obesity-induced metabolic dysfunction, Xia et al. (2021) review the latest progresses on the role of membrane-type I matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP), a zinc-dependent endopeptidase that proteolytically cleaves extracellular matrix components and non-matrix proteins, in lipid metabolism. The authors examined data on the transcriptional and post-translational modification regulation of MT1-MMP gene expression and function. They also present evidence showing that the functions of MT1-MMP in lipid metabolism are cell specific as it may either promote or suppress inflammation and atherosclerosis depending on its presence in distinct cells. MT1-MMP appears to exert a complex role in obesity for that the molecule delays the progression of early obesity but exacerbates obesity at the advanced stage. Because inhibition of MT1-MMP can potentially lower the circulating low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of cancer metastasis and atherosclerosis, the protein has been viewed as a very promising therapeutic target. However, challenges remain in developing MT1-MMP-based therapies due to the tissue-specific roles of MT1-MMP and the lack of specific inhibitors for this molecule. Further investigations are needed to address these questions and to develop MT1-MMP-based therapeutic interventions.

Lastly, Huang et al. (2021) present new findings on a critical role of puromycin-sensitive aminopeptidase (PSA), an integral non-transmembrane enzyme that catalyzes the cleavage of amino acids near the N-terminus of polypeptides, in NAFLD. NAFLD, ranging from simple nonalcoholic fatty liver to the more aggressive subtype nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, has now become the leading chronic liver disease worldwide ( Loomba et al., 2021 ). At present, no effective drugs are available for NAFLD management in the clinic mainly due to the lack of a complete understanding of the mechanisms underlying the disease progress, reinforcing the urgent need to identify and validate novel targets and to elucidate their mechanisms of action in NAFLD development and pathogenesis. Huang et al. (2021) found that PSA expression levels were greatly reduced in the livers of obese mouse models and that the decreased PSA expression correlated with the progression of NAFLD in humans. They also found that PSA levels were negatively correlated with triglyceride accumulation in cultured hepatocytes and in the liver of ob/ob mice. Moreover, PSA suppresses steatosis by promoting lipogenesis and attenuating fatty acid β-oxidation in hepatocytes and protects oxidative stress and lipid overload in the liver by activating the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, the master regulator of antioxidant response. These studies identify PSA as a pivotal regulator of hepatic lipid metabolism and suggest that PSA may be a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for treating NAFLD.

In summary, papers in this issue review our current knowledge on the causes, consequences, and interventions of obesity and its associated diseases such as type 2 diabetes, NAFLD, and cardiovascular disease ( Cheong and Xu, 2021 ; Gao et al., 2021 ; Love et al., 2021 ). Potential targets for the treatment of dyslipidemia and NAFLD are also discussed, as exemplified by MT1-MMP and PSA ( Huang et al., 2021 ; Xia et al., 2021 ). It is noted that despite enormous effect, few pharmacological interventions are currently available in the clinic to effectively treat obesity. In addition, while enhancing energy expenditure by browning/beiging of WAT has been demonstrated as a promising alternative approach to alleviate obesity in rodent models, it remains to be determined on whether such WAT reprogramming is effective in combating obesity in humans ( Cheong and Xu, 2021 ). Better understanding the mechanisms by which obesity induces various medical consequences and identification and characterization of novel anti-obesity secreted factors/soluble molecules would be helpful for developing effective therapeutic treatments for obesity and its associated medical complications.

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  • Huang B., Xiong X., Zhang L., et al. (2021). PSA controls hepatic lipid metabolism by regulating the NRF2 signaling pathway . J. Mol. Cell Biol . 13 , 527–539. [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
  • Loomba R., Friedman S.L., Shulman G.I. (2021). Mechanisms and disease consequences of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease . Cell 184 , 2537–2564. [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
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  • Ruan H.-B. (2020). Developmental and functional heterogeneity of thermogenic adipose tissue . J. Mol. Cell Biol . 12 , 775–784. [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
  • Xia X.-D., Alabi A., Wang M., et al. (2021). Membrane-type I matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP), lipid metabolism, and therapeutic implications . J. Mol. Cell Biol . 13 , 513–526. [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
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Obesity can be argued to be genetically predisposed and there is little governments and NGOs can do about this fact. It is true that some people are born with a higher probability of being overweight and eventually obese than others (Porps 73). However, such predisposition cannot be considered a purely “American problem” since it is almost equally spread amongst different races and ethnicities. Statistically, around 20% of people in the world suffer from obesity. However, this number is significantly higher for the US population. Thus, we need to look at those factors that could explain why the problem of obesity is more serious in America than in, for example, Germany, Russia, or Brazil. One of such factors is the factor of eating habits.

Americans have a tendency towards substantial fast food and soft drink consumption. Eating french fries, pizza, cheeseburgers, and drinking Coca-Cola are the top metabolism inhibitors in modern American society. By consuming such foods and drinks regularly, American teenagers, adults, and children slow down their metabolism by up to 12 times, as research has proven (Henrix 122). This means the same amount of food will be digested and absorbed 12 times slower by an American teen than by a healthy-eating Russian or African child. Moreover, numerous health issues such as ulcers, dysbacteriosis, cholecystitis, and diabetes, which are also directly related to one’s eating habits, have a negative influence on a person’s weight and the amount of fat in a body. Hence, when working towards decreasing obesity rates, we need to start from completely changing our dietary habits and refraining from eating fast foods or drinking soft drinks.

Another point to consider when talking about American dieting habits is the lack of fresh fruits and vegetables in their everyday ration. We seem to think a glass of orange juice, watered down from concentrate and flavored with artificial sweeteners, or a few grapes on top of a cupcake for dessert, or a bowl of spinach salad for dinner, does the trick and provides the necessary amount of vitamins, microelements, and minerals for our body and mind. However, this is far from being true, as dietitians inform. Five different fruits and five different vegetables a day is the minimum requirement for healthy development (Parker 56). The key is to eat in variety and to eat fresh, garden-grown products. In the United States, there are few places where fresh, recently-picked, and naturally-grown fruits and vegetables are sold at local markets. In the majority of cases, it is the supermarket chains which distribute such products to Americans across the country. Fruit and vegetables from a supermarket, like Wallmart or Safeway, do not supply us with even half of the valuable nutrients compared to fruits and vegetables from one’s own garden, picked right before consumption and grown without using pesticides and fertilizers.

Unfortunately, keeping our own gardens and growing our own fruits and vegetables is not an act most Americans are able or willing to do. Then, is there a solution? Organic food, which many consider to be rather pricy, is in fact much healthier than what we are offered in the regular chain supermarkets. When it comes to health, prevention and precaution are less expensive than the treatment afterwards. The solution that is most suitable for an average American family is to shop organic, fresh, and healthy, choosing vegetables and fruits over unhealthy calorie-booster snacks like chips, pretzels, and donuts (Open 43).

One more important factor we often forget about when investigating the reasons for high obesity rates in the United States is the factor of portion size. Comparative studies have often proven the size of an average serving portion in America is many times higher than in the majority of other countries. For instance, one portion of pasta in an average American middle-class restaurant can be split into 3.6 Japanese portions, 3.2 Chinese portions, 3.1 French portions, 2.8 Russian portions, 2.3 Polish portions and 2.2 Italian portions (Kin 21). Do Americans need to eat this much? We are not the tallest or the most active nation in the world, but for some reason, we consume twice as much as the Dutch, who ride bicycles while we drive cars, or the Russians, who walk by foot an average of 2.9 miles a day while we barely do half a mile. Americans are getting used to eating more than their body needs since early childhood. Next time we go to a restaurant to order a full bowl of salad followed by a huge plate of spaghetti and a glass of ice tea, we need to remind ourselves how our stomachs are only the size of an average man’s fist normally, but not if you stuff it with loads of food.

Whether we like to admit it or not, obesity is a problem for Americans. The quality of life and the state of health of Americans is much lower than it should be. Some may argue they try to live an active life, doing sports and participate in community activities, but they still have weight problems. This is the case for many Americans who forget that along with changing their lifestyle, going to a gym and running in the mornings, they need to cardinally change their eating habits, consume more fresh and healthy natural foods, stop eating junk food, lessen their portions by half and start eating smart.

Porps, Brain. Genetic Basis of Obesity . Cambridge: Cambridge Press, 2011. Print.

Henrix, William. Soft Drinks and Metabolism . Seattle: Rain City Press, 2010. Print.

Parker, Jones. The Five Secrets to Food . Connecticut: Bridge Publishing, 2009. Print.

Open, Rimpa. How to Shop Organic in a Non-Organic Society . London: Ioatolla Press, 2008. Print.

Kin, Richard. Portions of Mind and Stomach . New York: Boulevard Publishing, 2009. Print.

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Causes and Effects of Obesity Essay

Introduction, laziness as the main cause of obesity, social effects of obesity, effects of obesity: health complications.

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Maintaining good body weight is highly recommended by medical doctors as a way of promoting a healthy status of the body. This is to say that there is allowed body weight, which a person is supposed to maintain. Extreme deviations from this weight expose a person to several health complications.

While being underweight is not encouraged, cases of people who are overweight and increasing effects of this condition have raised concerns over the need of addressing the issue of obesity in the society today, where statistics are rising day and night. What is obesity? This refers to a medical condition in which a person’s body has high accumulation of body fat to the level of being fatal or a cause of serious health complications. Additionally, obesity is highly associated with one’s body mass index, abbreviated as BMI.

This denotes the value obtained when a person’s weight in kilograms is divided by the square of their height in meters (Burniat 3). According to medical experts, obesity occurs when the BMI exceeds 30kg/m 2 . While this is the case, people who have a BMI of between 25 and 29 and considered to be overweight. Obesity has a wide-range of negative effects, which may be a threat to the life of a person.

The fist effect of obesity is that it encourages laziness in the society. It is doubtless that obese people find it hard and strenuous to move from one point to the other because of accumulated fats. As a result, most of these people lead a sedentary lifestyle, which is usually characterized by minimal or no movement. In such scenarios, victims prefer being helped doing basic activities, including moving from one point to another.

Moreover, laziness makes one to be inactive and unproductive. For example, a student who is obese may find it hard to attend to his or her homework and class assignments, thus affecting performance. With regard to physical exercises, obese people perceive exercises as punishment, which is not meant for them (Korbonits 265). As a result, they do not accept simple activities like jogging because of their inability to move.

In line with this, obese people cannot participate in games like soccer, athletics, and rugby among others. Based on this sedentary lifestyle, obese people spend a lot of their time watching television, movies, and playing video games, which worsen the situation.

The main effect of obesity is health complications. Research indicates that most of the killer diseases like diabetes, heart diseases, and high blood pressure are largely associated with obesity. In the United States, obesity-related complications cost the nation approximately 150 billion USD and result into 0.3 million premature deaths annually.

When there is increase in body fat, it means that the body requires more nutrients and oxygen to support body tissues (Burniat 223). Since these elements can only be transported by the blood to various parts of the body, the workload of the heart is increased.

This increase in the workload of the heart exerts pressure on blood vessels, leading to high blood pressure. An increase in the heart rate may also be dangerous due to the inability of the body to supply required blood to various parts. Moreover, obesity causes diabetes, especially among adults as the body may become resistant to insulin. This resistance may lead to a high level of blood sugar, which is fatal.

Besides health complications, obesity causes an array of psychological effects, including inferiority complex among victims. Obese people suffer from depression, emanating from negative self-esteem and societal rejection. In some cases, people who become obese lose their friends and may get disapproval from teachers and other personalities (Korbonits 265). This is mainly based on the assumption that people become obese due to lack of self-discipline. In extreme cases, obese people may not be considered for promotion at workplaces, because of the negative perception held against them.

Due to inferiority complex, obese people avoid being in public and prefer being alone. This is because they imagine how the world sees them and may also find it hard being involved in public activities because of their sizes.

This further makes them to consider themselves unattractive based on their deviation from what is considered as the normal body size and shape. Regardless of how obese people are treated, they always believe that they are being undermined because of their body size.

In summary, obesity is a major cause of premature deaths in the United States and around the world. This health condition occurs when there is excess accumulation of body fat, caused by unhealthy lifestyles. Obesity is largely associated with several killer diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes, and diseases of the heart.

These diseases drain world economies since most of them are fatal and expensive to manage. Additionally, obesity promotes sedentary life where victims minimize movement by adopting an inactive lifestyle. Moreover, obese victims suffer psychologically because of societal rejection. In general, obesity has a wide-range of negative effects, which may be a threat to the life of a person.

Burniat, Walter. Child and Adolescent Obesity: Causes and Consequences, Prevention and Management . United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press, 2002. Print.

Korbonits, Márta. Obesity and Metabolism . Switzerland: Karger Publishers, 2008. Print.

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Obesity in America: Cause and Effect Essay Sample

It is clear that the American lifestyle has contributed to the increasing prevalence of obesity. With estimates from the Washington-based Centers for Disease Prevention in the Department of Health and Human Services indicating that one in three American adults is overweight, it is evident that the country is facing an obesity epidemic. To better understand the causes and effects of obesity, research is needed to further explore the issue. For those struggling with obesity, coursework assistance may be available to help them make the necessary lifestyle changes in order to live a healthier life.

Writing a thesis paper on the topic of obesity can be extremely challenging. It requires extensive research and time to adequately cover the subject. However, there are services available that can provide assistance with the writing process. Pay for a thesis allows for the benefit of having an experienced professional provide guidance and support throughout the entire process.

Causes of Obesity

Every phenomenon must have a reason. In order to write a cause and effect essay , you need to analyze the topic carefully to cover all aspects. Obesity is considered to be a complex illness, with a number of factors contributing to its development. These can be:

  • hereditary;

As you may have guessed, it is the latter category of causes and effects that we are interested in. At this point, we care about the five ones that have made the biggest contribution.

Product Range

The main cause of obesity is junk food and an unbalanced diet rich in simple carbohydrates, fats, and sugars, plus a bunch of additives. Manufactured, processed, refined, and packaged meals are the most popular. Thanks to advances in technology, Americans have come to mass-produce meals that keep fresh longer and taste better. It takes less time to prepare unhealthy, processed foods in the microwave than it does to cook them yourself.

Lack of a work-life balance, high-stress levels, insufficient sleeping hours contribute to body weight gain. Not only do these factors contribute to this, but failing to take the time to do your homework can also have a negative impact on your physical health. Without a healthy, balanced approach to work, rest, and play, you may find yourself increasingly dependent on a sedentary lifestyle that can lead to overweight consequences. Many Americans work 50, 60, or more hours a week and suffer from a deficit of leisure hours. Cooking processed foods saves them hours and money, even though they end up costing them a lot more – by causing cardiovascular disease. In addition, obese people feel stressed on a regular basis in the United States metropolitan areas. Many of them are simply binge eating under the influence of negative emotions. Chronic overeating leads to a disturbance in the appetite center in the brain, and the normal amount of food eaten can no longer suppress hunger as much as necessary, affecting the body mass.

Food Deserts

The term ‘ food desert ‘ refers to poor areas (urban, suburban and rural) with limited access to fresh fruit, grains, and vegetables – places where it is much easier to access junk food. A grocery shop in a food desert that sells healthy foods may be 10-15 miles away, while a mini-market or cheap shop that sells harmful snacks is close to the house. In such a world, it takes much more effort to eat healthier, form eating habits, and stay slim.

Everyone’s Passion for Sweets

Consuming sweets in large quantities is addictive: the more and easier we give the body energy, the more the brain uses serotonin and dopamine to encourage it – it will make obese people want sweets again and again during the day. Cakes and pastries are fast carbohydrates that easily satisfy hunger and increase body mass. Despite the harm of sweets, obese people experience the need for them to satiate. Sweetened carbonated drinks are one of the main sources of sugar in the American diet. Moreover, some individuals may be more adversely affected by such diets than others: patients with a genetic predisposition to obesity gain body mass faster from sugary drinks than those without it. This leads to childhood obesity.

The Harm of Tolerance

Every year, the body positive movement is becoming more and more popular all over the world. It would seem that this major trend should have freed us from the problems associated with the cult of thinness and society’s notorious standards. In many ways, a positive attitude towards the body has proved fruitful. For example, the notion of beauty has clearly broadened. Now on fashion shows and magazine covers, you can see not only a girl with perfectly retouched skin and without a single hint of body fat but also an ordinary person with its inherent features: overweight, wrinkles, hair, and individual skin features. In general, all the things that we are all so familiar with in real life.

Does it really make that much sense? Is this a positive thing in terms of the cause and effect topic regarding obesity? In short, opinions are divided. Extremes aren’t easy to overcome. Not everyone manages to do it. Researchers have concluded that due to plus size having become positioned as a variant of the norm, more persons have become obese. Many obese Americans have formed the opinion that it is really quite normal, and they have become oblivious to the damage it does to their health. This is what we are going to focus on next.

list of causes of obesity

Effects of Obesity

We all know that obesity is dangerous to health. However, medical studies show that most adults are unaware of the number of complications and diseases that obesity in America entails. So they are fairly comfortable with becoming gradually fatter. But indifference is replaced by concern when obesity related diseases begin to occur.

For interesting examples of students writing that also reveal the causes and effects of other phenomena, consult the custom essay service offering essays by professionals. In this way, you will realize the importance of highlighting the effects right after the causes.

Is obesity an aesthetic disadvantage, an inconvenience, a limitation in physical activity or is it an illness after all? How does it affect health, and what are the consequences? The visible signs of obesity are by no means the only complication associated with this condition. Obesity creates a high risk of life-threatening diseases such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, heart attack, myocardial infarction, and kidney and liver problems. Moreover, it can also lead to disability.

Cardiovascular Disease

This is the most serious and damaging impact on the body and blood vessels in particular. Every extra kilo is a huge additional load on the heart. Obesity increases the risk of heart attacks. Experts from the American Heart Association have developed a paper on the relationship between obesity and cardiovascular disease, which discusses the impact of obesity on the diagnosis and outcomes of patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, heart failure, and arrhythmias. Childhood obesity aggravates the course of cardiovascular disease from a very early age. The fact that even kids and adolescents are obese is associated with high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia.

The result is excessive insulin production in the body. This, in turn, leads to an overabundance of insulin in the blood, which makes the peripheral tissues more resistant to it. As a consequence of the above, sodium metabolism is disturbed, and blood pressure rises. It is important to remember that excessive carbohydrate food intake leads to increased production of insulin by the pancreas. Excess insulin in the human body easily converts glucose into fat. And obesity reduces tissue sensitivity to insulin itself. This kind of vicious circle leads to type 2 diabetes.

Effects on Joints

Obesity increases the load on joints to a great extent, especially if one undergoes little or no physical activity. For instance, if one lives in a megalopolis, where all physical activity consists of getting off the sofa, walking to the car, and plumping up in an office chair at work. All this leads to a reduction in muscle mass, which is already weak, and all the load falls on the joints and ligaments.

The result is arthritis, arthrosis, and osteochondrosis. Consequently, a seemingly illogical situation is formed – there is practically no exercise, but joints are worn out harder than in the case of powerlifters. In turn, according to a study by the University of California, reducing body weight reduces the risk of osteoarthritis.

Infertility

In most cases, being obese leads to endocrine infertility, as it causes an irregular menstrual cycle. Women experience thyroid disease, polycystic ovarian syndrome, problems with conception, and decreased progesterone hormone. Obese men are faced with erectile dysfunction, reduced testosterone levels, and infertility. It should be noted that the mother’s obesity affects not only her health but also the one of her unborn child. These children are at higher risk of congenital malformations.

Corresponding Inconveniences

Public consciousness is still far from the notion that obese people are sick individuals. The social significance of the issue is that people who are severely obese find it difficult to get a job. They experience discriminatory restrictions on promotion, daily living disadvantages, restrictions on mobility, clothing choices, discomfort with adequate hygiene, and sexual dysfunction. Some of these individuals not only suffer from illness and limited mobility but also have low self-esteem, depression, and other psychological problems due to involuntary isolation by watching television or playing video games. Therefore, the public has to recognize the need to establish and implement national and childhood obesity epidemic prevention programs.

Society today provokes unintentional adult and childhood obesity among its members by encouraging the consumption of high-fat, high-calorie foods and, at the same time, by technological advances, promoting sedentary lifestyles like spending time watching television or playing video games. These social and technological factors have contributed to the rise in obesity in recent decades. Developing a responsible attitude towards health will only have a full impact if people are given the opportunity to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. At the level of the community as a whole, it is therefore important to support people in adhering to dieting recommendations through the continued implementation of evidence-based and demographic-based policies to make regular physical activity and good nutrition both affordable and feasible for all. It is recommended to cut down on the food consumed.

an expository essay on causes of obesity

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an expository essay on causes of obesity

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Essay on obesity.

an expository essay on causes of obesity

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Read this essay to learn about the meaning, causes, types, treatment, principles of dietary management and complications of overweight/ obesity.

Meaning of Obesity:

Obesity is a big problem of health. Obesity is a condition in which there is excessive weight gain in the body, an increase of 10% over the ideal weight is termed as obesity. Excessive weight gain is generally due to large intake of food.

When excessive amount of energy is consumed and less quantity of it is used up the excess energy gets converted into fat which is deposited as adipose tissue. Excessive weight would predispose a person to cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, gout, arthritis, disease of the liver and gall bladder, etc. Common complaints from an obese person would be fatigue, backaches and foot-aches after a little bit of excretion.

Causes of Obesity:

Genetic Factors:

A genetic base regulates species, difference in body fat and sexual difference within a species. So genetic inheritance to certain extend influences a person’s chance of becoming fat.

Eating Habits:

Certain eating habits of an individual can lead to obesity which are:

1. Snacking in between the meals, common among adole­scents and housewives.

2. Eating faster, taking less time for chewing thereby consuming more.

3. The appearance of food or the smell of food turns their appetite on, though internally they would not be hungry.

4. Individuals who frequently attend luncheons hosted by their officials generally lead to consumption of heavy food.

5. Irregular timings, when one would get the time the person would rather.

6. People overeat to suppress their emotions.

Physical Activity:

Persons leading sedentary lives are more prone to be obese. There is hardly any attention given to physical activity.

Endocrine Factors:

Obesity is found in hypothyroidism, hypogonadism and Cushing’s syndrome. Obesity is also common during puberty, pregnancy and menopause, suggesting endocrine glands might be a factor.

An injury to hypothalamus after a head injury may lead to obesity as the hypothalamus cannot regulate appetite or satiety center.

Types of Obesity:

Grade I- These people have Body mass index (BMI) less than 29.9. The excess weight does not affect their health. They generally reduce on their own.

Grade II- The body mass index is between 30-39.9. Though they maintain good health but on little exertion they are fatigued. For reasons unknown they are more at risk for developing diabetes, atherosclerosis, hypertension, fatty liver, gall bladder diseases, hernias, etc.

Grade III- The body mass index is above 40. They have very limited physical activity due to enormous weight. They are more susceptible to all the diseases of grade II.

Body mass Index

(BMI) = Weight [kg]/Height [m]

Grading of obesity can be base on BMI

Grade III >40

Grade II 30-40

Grade I 25-29.9

Not obese <25

Treatment of Obesity:

Reducing Weight:

Losing weight requires careful planning in diet. Reduced intake and regular loss of fat from body in the form of physical activity play a major role as a person grows old. A slight change in ideal weight is normal.

Generally obese persons lead sedentary lives. A low calorie diet with moderate exercise such as walking would be the best in which the time-span can be gradually increased. The grade I type of obese patient can also take part in outdoor games like tennis, badminton, swimming, cycling, etc. Among housewives, household activities like mopping, sweep­ing the floor, gardening, etc. also forms a pad of good exercise.

Drugs usually act as appetite suppressors which have their own side effects and are no substitute to low calorie diets.

Liposuction:

This is a surgical procedure of removal of excess of fat but is associated with recurrence and a few complications.

Gastric Plication:

By placing surgical staples, across the upper portion of stomach due to which intake capacity of food is reduced.

Principles of Dietary Management:

A low calorie, moderate protein, restricted fat and carbo­hydrates and liberal fluid and high fibre diets are well preferred.

About 20 kcal per kg body is prescribed for a sedentary person and about 25 kcal per kg body weight for a moderately active person.

The normal protein requirement of 1 gm./kg body is the best suitable.

Fats being concentrated source of energy it has to be restricted. Vegetable oils are permitted [except coconut and palm] to provide the required essential fatty acids.

Carbohydrates:

High Carbohydrate foods like potatoes, refined cereal products are to be avoided. To give satiety feeling and regular bowel movements, green leafy vegetables, fresh fruits and vegetables are preferred.

Fluids should be taken in liberal amounts as they give a filling sensation. A glass of water consumed before a meal reduces the intake.

Complications:

Physical Disability:

As the feet have to bear the load of the whole body they tend to develop problems associated with the joints, knees, spine and the hips.

Metabolic Disorder:

Obesity is closely associated with diabetes. Generally in simple obesity, a patient develops insulin resistance.

Plasma cholesterol levels are high predisposing them to develop gall stones. It can also lead to Gout.

Cardiovascular Disorders:

Apart from atherosclerosis these individuals are prove to develop high blood pressure and varicose veins.

Obstetrical Risk:

Obese ladies when pregnant are greater obstetrical risk due to hypertension, diabetes or postpartum infections.

Psychologic Disturbances:

Obese adolescents have been found to have personality characteristics which are self-created among which the greatest is an inferiority feeling.

Prone to Accidents:

These people are more prone to accidents due to slipping and falling down.

Nursing Diagnosis:

Altered Nutrition-more than Body Requirements:

The patient is at risk of actually consuming more than what is necessary for metabolic needs.

May be related to:

Excessive intake, sedentary life, Cultural preferences, Psychological preferences

Possibly Evidenced by:

10-12% over ideal body weight

Clinical Conditions:

Obesity, Hypothyroidism, Patient on corticosteroids, Prolonged immobility, Cushing’s syndrome.

Expected Outcome:

1. Identifies healthy patterns of nutrition and weight control

2. Plans for future control of weight

3. Weight loss towards desired goal established

Related Articles:

  • Nutrition Transition: Extent, Causes, Implications (310 Words)
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The Causes and Effects of Obesity

Introduction.

Today, obesity is one of the most common diseases in many countries. Obesity is not so dangerous but leads to several complications and causes many life-threatening diseases. Currently, many ways to treat and prevent obesity often do not require medication intervention but only a human lifestyle change. Nevertheless, more and more research is needed to encourage more people to make these necessary changes for their health. Hence, the study, diagnosis, and prevention of obesity are one of the highest priorities in modern medicine.

Causes of obesity

There are two large groups of causes of obesity. Blucher (2019) writes that most of the cases of obesity worldwide are related to improper lifestyle, and only a minor one has a connection with a person’s hormonal background or genetic predisposition. Starting with the first and more prominent group of causes of the development of this disease, it is worth noting improper diet and lack of sufficient physical activity. It is also worth noting that in the study of the causes of obesity, prevention means the ways to avoid the reasons that create this illness.

Improper nutrition

Even in the scientific community, there is a great deal of debate about the definition of good nutrition. Still, several universal tips can serve as a prevention of obesity. Safaei (2021), for example, highlights eating the optimal daily caloric intake for one’s body type, avoiding junk foods, which often include convenience foods and fast food, eating small meals frequently during the day, etc. All these recommendations are directly related to the causes of obesity, which in its essence is related to the receipt of the body more calories than it has time to use up. Despite their caloric content, fast food, sugary drinks, and other unhealthy foods cause the body to feel poorly satiated with food, are poorly digested, and lead to a person consuming more calories than they need.

A passive lifestyle

It’s no secret that modern man is spending more and more of his time at the computer or in front of the phone screen. The availability of cars, the development of electronics, and other global trends have made the lifestyle of the modern man more passive, which hurts his figure. In addition to learning how to get the right calories, the body needs to consume them correctly. Otherwise, the muscle tissue begins to participate poorly in processing fat. Low physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle, which can be due to his professional duties and a way of spending ordinary leisure time, lead to the fact that a person’s body begins to deposit fatty accumulations, which leads to obesity. Unfortunately, modern man is often forced to spend most of his life in a sedentary position, and the lack of time and ideas of careerism lead to the fact that people eat fast and affordable food instead of healthy, forgetting about their health.

Internal factors of obesity

Meldrum (2017) writes about another critical group of reasons why people can be obese a set of failures in the internal organs and systems of the person. It includes various endocrine diseases, brain tumors, the influence of hormonal drugs, or genetic heredity associated with a lack of enzymes responsible for the breakdown of fats. All of these causes are less common and require medical attention to address the cause of the problem. In this case, obesity is instead a symptom of other diseases, which in any case can lead to the development of other pathologies in the body. Incidentally, there are also psychological reasons for the development of obesity associated with stress, long-term depression, insomnia, and other psychological diseases that affect the hormonal background of the person, and consequently on the work of his digestion, feelings of satisfaction with food, etc.

Effects of obesity

Obesity is a factor that increases the risk of many other internal human diseases. The World Health Organization, in a 2020 report, warns that obesity causes respiratory and heart failure, coronary heart disease, hypertension, and arthritis and can lead to the development of diabetes and some cancers. Blucher (2019) also wrote that obesity is a multifactorial disease, the essence of which refers not only to excess weight but also to changes in the functioning of all internal organs of a person. It is also noted that excess weight has a detrimental effect on the bones and joints, forced to be overloaded constantly, which can lead to diseases characteristic of the older part of society.

Causes of atherosclerosis development

In addition to the problem of obesity itself and the consequences it causes, several comorbidities also lead to severe complications. For example, obesity is almost always accompanied by high cholesterol levels in a person’s blood, significant accumulations that block blood circulation, narrowing, and sometimes even clogging an artery. It is just one of the principles obesity influences the development of other diseases, often leading to a patient’s premature death.

The relationship between obesity and diabetes

Diabetes is another example of the development of a chronic disease caused by excess weight. Of course, not all overweight people get diabetes, but the disease is several times more common in those who are obese. It is because obese people have increased insulin secretion, leading to higher blood glucose levels. Thus, obesity can lead to the development of a chronic disease that requires a change in a person’s entire lifestyle.

Difficulties arising from obesity

Finally, being overweight creates difficulties in a person’s life. People who are obese are susceptible to more rapid exhaustion and have difficulty performing physical activities. Increased shortness of breath, fatigue, and many other symptoms of obesity also make the person uncomfortable in everyday life. The exact consequences of obesity can include problems with sexual activity in men because excess weight interferes with the average production of the male hormone testosterone. Thus, in addition to increasing the chance of developing other diseases, obesity can interfere with a person’s daily life and negatively affect their reproductive function and hormonal background.

Thus, poor diet and inactivity are the main, but not the only, causes of obesity in humans. Several genetic, hormonal, and psychological diseases can cause this, but the underlying cause must be treated first. Obesity is a considerable danger to human civilization, as it leads to several severe diseases of many human internal organs, which significantly reduces the average life expectancy of a person due to the accumulation of problems with age and their increasing danger. A wealth of literature on avoiding obesity often boils down to maintaining an active lifestyle and eating a proper diet. It could reduce the burden on the already ecologically weakened human body, reduce the risk of many serious diseases, and prolong life.

Blucher, M. (2019). Obesity: global epidemiology and pathogenesis. Nature Reviews Endocrinology , 15 (5), 288-298.

Meldrum, D. R., Morris, M. A., & Gambone, J. C. (2017). Obesity pandemic: causes, consequences, and solutions—but do we have the will?. Fertility and sterility , 107 (4), 833-839

Safaei, M., Sundararajan, E. A., Driss, M., Boulila, W., & Shapi’i, A. (2021). A systematic literature review on obesity: Understanding the causes & consequences of obesity and reviewing various machine learning approaches used to predict obesity. Computers in biology and medicine , 136 , 104754.

World Health Organization. (2020). Overweight and obesity.

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Sample expository essay on obesity in the united states.

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There are many causes for the growing rise of obesity in America. Too much food, too little exercise, and genetics top the list of reasons as to why the United States of America is the unhealthiest country compared to the rest of the world. Regardless of the exact cause of this phenomenon, obesity in the United States has become an epidemic. In fact, it has grown in such vast proportions that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention , or CDC, has begun to compile data and statistics on the disease. There are many factors that are present when researching this growing problem. Some of those factors include age, socioeconomic status, gender, and ethnicity. If you find yourself struggling with converting all this research into a final draft, you may benefit from ordering a sample expository essay from Ultius to use as a point of reference.  

It’s hard to be optimistic when your fat-pants are too tight: Obesity in the United States

Obesity is the cause of many health issues, psychological problems, and societal deficits. It is becoming more of problem that we are facing as a society, instead of the individual issue that it was once known to be. Obesity is a highly researched topic, as well as topic of debate among healthcare, government, and business professionals alike. This epidemic will not be remedied until a more informed outlook is brought upon the American people. It is important that Americans understand the nature of every facet of this problem so that it can one day be remedied.

Statistics on obesity

An individual’s Body Mass Index , or BMI generally measures obesity. An individual’s BMI is calculated by considering such factors as weight, height, and waist size. Normal BMIs usually fall below 25%. “Adults with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 are considered overweight, while individuals with a BMI of 30 or more are considered obese” (The State of Obesity). In children, obesity is measured a little differently. The causes of childhood obesity are vast and consider a plethora of various aspects of a child's life. If a child’s weight is between 85% and 95% they are considered overweight. Anything above the 95th percentile is considered obese (The State of Obesity). 

A few things that the CDC tells us about obesity include the facts that:

  • More than one-third (34.9% or 78.6 million) of U.S. adults are obese.
  • Obesity is higher among middle age adults, 40-59 years old (39.5%) than among younger adults, age 20-39 (30.3%) or adults over 60 or above (35.4%) adults.
  • Higher income women are less likely to have obesity than low-income women.
  • The estimated annual medical cost of obesity in the U.S. was $147 billion in 2008 U.S. dollars; the medical costs for people who are obese were $1,429 higher than those of normal weight. (CDC)

An examination of obesity percentages state-by-state reveals that Arkansas, West Virginia, and Mississippi have the highest incidences of obesity in the entire country. Their rates are all over 35% (The State of Obesity). Hawaii, the District of Columbia, and Colorado have the lowest rates at around 21% to 22% (The State of Obesity). It is a shocking realization that the entire country is at least 21% obese. In regard to gender and ethnicity, women have a tendency to have the highest prevalence of obesity. Data from the NHANES, BRFSS, and the Add Health study reveal that in 1999 to 2002:

  • The combined prevalence and the prevalence of obesity among non-Hispanic Black women was 20 percentage points higher than among White women.
  • The prevalence of extreme obesity among African-American women was more than twice that among White and Mexican-American women.
  • Among non-Hispanic Black women aged 40 years or older, more than 80 percent were overweight or obese, and more than 50 percent were obese. (Wang, Beydoun)

Interestingly, closely related to linking gender and ethnicity to obesity is the connection between obesity and low density living in the US . 

Obesity: US versus other countries

Though obesity rates in the United States, as well as around the globe are slowing down slightly, America remains one of the most obese countries in the world. Females in Mexico have a slight edge over American females, but we are still the most obese nation in the world. Countries with the smallest rates of obesity include Korea, Japan, China, Indonesia, and India (OECD). Those countries with rates the closet to American rates include Mexico, New Zealand, Hungary, and Australia (OECD). In regards to child obesity, America tops the charts again, yet Greece, Italy, New Zealand, and Slovenia have significantly higher rates (OECD). The lowest rates of obesity in other parts of the world include Indonesia, South Africa, Turkey, and Norway (OECD).

There have been correlations made to obesity and economic crisis. It has been found that households that suffer from economic hardships, no matter where in the world, also see a change in obesity rates. This is often due to a lack of financial resources families are not able to afford fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as other healthier foods. This is substantiated by statements such as:

In 2008, the world economy entered one of the most severe crises ever. Many families, especially in the hardest hit countries, have been forced to cut their food expenditures, and tighter food budgets have provided incentives for consumers to switch to lower priced and less healthy foods. (OECD)

In addition to a lack of nutrition education to prevent obesity , a lack of finances is more often to blame:

An Australian study found that people who experienced financial distress in 2008-09 had a 20% higher risk of becoming obese than those who did not. Financial hardship affects all household members. American children in families experiencing food insecurity are 22% more likely to become obese than children growing in other families. (OECD)

Health ramifications of obesity

The health ramifications involved with obesity are countless. In addition to obesity as a disease, there are multiple comorbidities that present themselves in individuals who are deemed obese. Those comorbidities include:

  • High blood pressure (Hypertension) 
  • High LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, or high levels of triglycerides (Dyslipidemia) 
  • Type 2 diabetes 
  • Coronary heart disease 
  • Stroke 
  • Sleep apnea and breathing problems 
  • Some cancers (endometrial, breast, colon, kidney, gallbladder, and liver) 
  • Gall Bladder issues, such as gall stones (CDC)

Trimming down even slightly can cause these risks to also decrease. WebMD tells that losing even 5% to 10% of your total body weight, if your obese, decreases the risk for heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and those certain types of cancer (DerSarkissian). Harvard’s School of Public Health has provided some useful information on the topic of these risks and how they are affecting those who live with obesity. According to them, individuals who have a BMI of 30 or higher have a:

  • 12-fold higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes
  • 32% higher risk of developing coronary artery disease
  • 64% higher risk of having a stroke
  • 55% higher risk of developing depression 
  • 50% higher risk of developing asthma (The President and Fellows of Harvard College)

Because most of our body’s physiological systems are intertwined, once obesity related issues take hold many aspects of our health are compromised. Ultimately, obesity is one of the number one causes of premature death as a result of all the comorbidities that accompany obesity.

Combating obesity in the U.S.

There are many ways that we can fight obesity epidemic. America has more control over obesity than ever before, largely due to a nationwide recognition of the health risks associated with eating fast food, as more specifically pointed out in this sample research paper on the topic. The first step would be to know what your Body Mass Index is and keep watch over it. Because obesity is such a complicated epidemic, many state and local agencies, healthcare professionals, and the everyday individual can play unique roles in fighting obesity.

Policy makers, state and local organizations, business and community leaders, school, childcare and healthcare professionals, and individuals must work together to create an environment that supports a healthy lifestyle. There are several ways state and local organizations can create a supportive environment to promote healthy living behaviors that prevent obesity. (CDC)

The federal government has even become involved in regards to childhood obesity. The implementation of federal nutrition programs in schools was a much-needed step in that direction. Their guidelines try to help students, especially those from low-income families, to eat healthier.

Guidelines for students:

  • Incorporating more fresh fruits, vegetables, and milk into breakfast and lunch programs.
  • Offering free and reduced-priced meals to those eligible.
  • Stepping into daycares and head start programs to address the nutritional needs of children sooner rather than later (FRAC).

Guidelines for adults, especially pregnant women and senior citizens:

  • Programs like WIC and food assistance programs are offered to those in need of healthier foods. (Despite ongoing debates on who pays for this welfare .)
  • Stricter guidelines on what can be purchased with those benefits.
  • Access to healthcare to monitor potential issues (FRAC).

Conclusion to obesity in the United States essay

What we know is that there is an epidemic occurring in America. It is complex, not easily remedied, and is accompanied by serious ramifications. Obesity rates in America are higher than anywhere else in the world. No one is immune to it. It affects adults and children, young and old, as well as each and every ethnicity. The health problems that accompany obesity are severe, numerous, and life taking. This essay from Ultius highlights that is not only the responsibility of individuals, but communities, societies, and governments on all levels to treat, combat, and cure this ever-growing problem. It is a tough disease to deal with because there is no magic or simple cure. If we, as Americans, push our chairs back from the table, get some exercise, and utilize the plethora of resources available, we can alleviate this problem.

Hopefully reading this article may not only raise awareness of obesity, but maybe it could possibly help you become a better writer as well . We live in the land of plenty where we do not have to go far to satisfy our needs and wants. Somehow our health has managed to slip behind us like the road in our rearview mirrors. It is time to turn the car around and take back our health, the health of our children, and the health of our society. There is not any excuse to do otherwise. This is going to be a hard fight to battle, and it’s hard to be optimistic when your fat pants are too tight, but we can do it.

Works Cited

CDC. "Adult Obesity Facts." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , 21 Sept. 2015. Web. 05 June 2016. 

CDC. "The Health Effects of Overweight and Obesity." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , 2015. Web. 05 June 2016. 

CDC. "Strategies to Prevent Obesity." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , 2015. Web. 05 June 2016. 

DerSarkissian, Carol. "Obesity and Diseases: Weighing Your Risks." WebMD. WebMD , 28 Apr. 2016. Web. 05 June 2016.

FRAC. "Role of the Federal Nutrition Programs in Combating Obesity « Food Research & Action Center." Food Research Action Center Role of the Federal Nutrition Programs in Combating Obesity Comments . 2015. Web. 05 June 2016. 

OECD. "Obesity Update." OECD. June 2014. Web. 5 June 2016.

The President and Fellows of Harvard College. "Health Risks." Obesity Prevention Source . 2012. Web. 05 June 2016.

The State of Obesity. "Adult Obesity in the United States" The State of Obesity . 2016. Web. 05 June 2016. 

The State of Obesity. "Methodology” The State of Obesity . 2016. Web. 05 June 2016. 

Wang, Y., and M. A. Beydoun. "The Obesity Epidemic in the United States Gender, Age, Socioeconomic, Racial/Ethnic, and Geographic Characteristics: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression Analysis." Epidemiologic Reviews 29.1 (2007): 6-28. Web. 5 June 2016.  

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How to Write an Expository Essay | Structure, Tips & Examples

Published on July 14, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

“Expository” means “intended to explain or describe something.” An expository essay provides a clear, focused explanation of a particular topic, process, or set of ideas. It doesn’t set out to prove a point, just to give a balanced view of its subject matter.

Expository essays are usually short assignments intended to test your composition skills or your understanding of a subject. They tend to involve less research and original arguments than argumentative essays .

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Table of contents

When should you write an expository essay, how to approach an expository essay, introducing your essay, writing the body paragraphs, concluding your essay, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about expository essays.

In school and university, you might have to write expository essays as in-class exercises, exam questions, or coursework assignments.

Sometimes it won’t be directly stated that the assignment is an expository essay, but there are certain keywords that imply expository writing is required. Consider the prompts below.

The word “explain” here is the clue: An essay responding to this prompt should provide an explanation of this historical process—not necessarily an original argument about it.

Sometimes you’ll be asked to define a particular term or concept. This means more than just copying down the dictionary definition; you’ll be expected to explore different ideas surrounding the term, as this prompt emphasizes.

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an expository essay on causes of obesity

An expository essay should take an objective approach: It isn’t about your personal opinions or experiences. Instead, your goal is to provide an informative and balanced explanation of your topic. Avoid using the first or second person (“I” or “you”).

The structure of your expository essay will vary according to the scope of your assignment and the demands of your topic. It’s worthwhile to plan out your structure before you start, using an essay outline .

A common structure for a short expository essay consists of five paragraphs: An introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Like all essays, an expository essay begins with an introduction . This serves to hook the reader’s interest, briefly introduce your topic, and provide a thesis statement summarizing what you’re going to say about it.

Hover over different parts of the example below to see how a typical introduction works.

In many ways, the invention of the printing press marked the end of the Middle Ages. The medieval period in Europe is often remembered as a time of intellectual and political stagnation. Prior to the Renaissance, the average person had very limited access to books and was unlikely to be literate. The invention of the printing press in the 15th century allowed for much less restricted circulation of information in Europe, paving the way for the Reformation.

The body of your essay is where you cover your topic in depth. It often consists of three paragraphs, but may be more for a longer essay. This is where you present the details of the process, idea or topic you’re explaining.

It’s important to make sure each paragraph covers its own clearly defined topic, introduced with a topic sentence . Different topics (all related to the overall subject matter of the essay) should be presented in a logical order, with clear transitions between paragraphs.

Hover over different parts of the example paragraph below to see how a body paragraph is constructed.

The invention of the printing press in 1440 changed this situation dramatically. Johannes Gutenberg, who had worked as a goldsmith, used his knowledge of metals in the design of the press. He made his type from an alloy of lead, tin, and antimony, whose durability allowed for the reliable production of high-quality books. This new technology allowed texts to be reproduced and disseminated on a much larger scale than was previously possible. The Gutenberg Bible appeared in the 1450s, and a large number of printing presses sprang up across the continent in the following decades. Gutenberg’s invention rapidly transformed cultural production in Europe; among other things, it would lead to the Protestant Reformation.

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The conclusion of an expository essay serves to summarize the topic under discussion. It should not present any new information or evidence, but should instead focus on reinforcing the points made so far. Essentially, your conclusion is there to round off the essay in an engaging way.

Hover over different parts of the example below to see how a conclusion works.

The invention of the printing press was important not only in terms of its immediate cultural and economic effects, but also in terms of its major impact on politics and religion across Europe. In the century following the invention of the printing press, the relatively stationary intellectual atmosphere of the Middle Ages gave way to the social upheavals of the Reformation and the Renaissance. A single technological innovation had contributed to the total reshaping of the continent.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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An expository essay is a broad form that varies in length according to the scope of the assignment.

Expository essays are often assigned as a writing exercise or as part of an exam, in which case a five-paragraph essay of around 800 words may be appropriate.

You’ll usually be given guidelines regarding length; if you’re not sure, ask.

An expository essay is a common assignment in high-school and university composition classes. It might be assigned as coursework, in class, or as part of an exam.

Sometimes you might not be told explicitly to write an expository essay. Look out for prompts containing keywords like “explain” and “define.” An expository essay is usually the right response to these prompts.

An argumentative essay tends to be a longer essay involving independent research, and aims to make an original argument about a topic. Its thesis statement makes a contentious claim that must be supported in an objective, evidence-based way.

An expository essay also aims to be objective, but it doesn’t have to make an original argument. Rather, it aims to explain something (e.g., a process or idea) in a clear, concise way. Expository essays are often shorter assignments and rely less on research.

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Home — Essay Samples — Nursing & Health — Obesity — Essay On Obesity In America

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Essay on Obesity in America

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Tips for an Effective Obesity Essay Intro

Table of Contents

If you’ve been tasked to write an essay around the broad topic of obesity, you probably have many questions. How should it be formatted? What approach should it take? How can I make it interesting? These are valid questions to ask as you draft your  obesity essay intro . And we’re here to help find the answer to them.

Obesity essays are no different than other essays. They need to be written with the same conventions you would use in other essays. This article will discuss key information you need to know when writing about obesity. We’ve also included some writing tips and examples to help you get started.

What is Obesity?

It’s essential to understand what obesity is before you start writing your essay. So, what is obesity?

Body fat and BMI (body mass index) are both measures that physicians use to determine body fat according to age, height, and gender. If a person has a higher than overweight body fat and BMI range, they are considered obese.

Obesity raises the risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. It can also significantly put someone at risk for other medical conditions like metabolic syndrome, arthritis, and even some types of cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity is a national epidemic. The disease has become a major contributor to some of the leading causes of death in the U.S.

Causes of obesity

There are several causes that have been driving up the cases of obesity all over the world. Here are just some of the primary causes of obesity:

  • Excessive consumption of processed food
  • Lack of exercise
  • Health conditions
  • Lack of sleep
  • Stress eating

Obesity affects all age groups. This includes children and elderly people. Writing your essay will be easier now that you’ve understood its definition and its causes.

Writing Tips for a Great Obesity Essay Intro

The introduction of your essay is where you can talk about the main points your essay will cover . It needs to be attention-grabbing as well as informative. Here are some tips to help you make an effective introduction.

Start with an attention-grabbing hook.

The first few sentences of your introduction are critical for getting a reader interested in your work. You can open with a powerful piece of information about obesity to stress the importance of the topic. Or you can pose an interesting question that will get your readers thinking.

Provide relevant background information

This section of your introduction needs to provide readers with relevant data supporting your essay’s main points . It will also serve as an outline of the information you will cover throughout your essay. Background information can include:

  • Historical, geographical, or social context
  • Summary of the relevant research regarding the topic
  • Statistical data about the topic
  • Key terms and their definitions
  • An outline of the topic of your essay

Write a strong thesis statement.

The thesis statement of your obesity essay is the main point that you want your reader to understand. Your thesis statement should be concise and summarize your argument. It must also be specific and directed at the person reading.

Obesity Essay Intro Examples

Writing an intro for an obesity essay doesn’t need to be complicated. Here are some examples you can refer to.

Obesity is a health condition that happens when a person puts on excess fat. When a person is obese, body fat increases suddenly and abnormally. It can lead to heart diseases, blood pressure, hypertension, and cholesterol, among other health issues. Excessive eating is the main cause of obesity. Obesity can become more prevalent when you consume junk food and avoid physical activities. Around the world, every one in five children experiences obesity.

Today, the world faces a variety of complex diseases. One of them is obesity. Obesity is a condition that is characterized by a person gaining unnecessary body fat in enormous amounts. The obese population is more at risk for health issues like heart problems, blood pressure, hypertension, and many other medical problems. Some people think obesity is just a cosmetic and physical issue, but that is not the case.

The problem of obesity is a serious concern today. Though many may not think of obesity as a disease, obesity can lead to many health problems. A constant increase in body weight characterizes obesity. This increase is usually not normal and is, therefore, a concern. In addition to blood pressure, heart problems, hypertension, and diabetes, obesity is linked to various diseases. Many factors can cause obesity. Food habits are the most common cause of obesity. An increase in junk food consumption and eating in between meals leads to obesity.

Obesity entails excessive fat accumulation. Someone is considered to be obese if their BMI reaches 30 and beyond. This means that they have a body fat rate disproportionate to their body mass.

The obesity problem has become a huge concern among the youth of today’s generation. Obesity is a medical condition where an individual gains excess body fat. When a person’s Body Mass Index (BMI) is above 30, they are considered obese.

Obesity can be defined as the condition where excess fat accumulates in the adipose tissue and worsens the health condition. It’s usually deposited around the trunk and also around the waist of the body. It can even be found around the periphery.

When writing an obesity essay, it’s essential to do your research and understand this health condition thoroughly. It’s also important to consider, as an author, how to make the matter of obesity accessible and understandable for your audience. 

Tips for an Effective Obesity Essay Intro

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Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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A photograph of Oprah Winfrey, in a shiny body-hugging purple dress.

To the Editor:

Re “ Oprah, Ozempic and Us ,” by Tressie McMillan Cottom (column, March 23):

I’ve always been a big Oprah Winfrey fan and understand her reasons for going all out in the hopes of shedding light on obesity as a disease and on the cost of drugs. But it is important to remember these three points:

1. A person must stay on these drugs for life or it is highly likely he or she will put the weight back on (a nice bonus for Big Pharma).

2. Where are the long-term studies of the safety/health of the body for lifelong use? There are none, since no one has taken these drugs for that long.

3. The side effects to achieving weight loss with these drugs sometimes make the dieter feel miserable enough to come off them. Then what? Go back on again? We already know yo-yo dieting is harmful to the body.

Andrea Candee South Salem, N.Y.

Tressie McMillan Cottom’s column about our nation’s chief dieter, Oprah Winfrey, raised some compelling points.

As a registered dietitian and licensed mental health counselor who has treated food addiction for years, I’ve also heard my clients speak of Oprah as though she possessed more credentials than I do to address their health and emotional issues related to food.

Growing up in Milwaukee during the ’60s and ’70s, I don’t recall seeing obese individuals. We saw “big-boned” girls, as muscle weighs more than fat. In 1996, I learned about body composition, which considers the weight of muscle, bone, organs and fat, rather than just scale weight.

My clients were overjoyed to discover body composition! At last, they felt at ease in a larger body not defined by B.M.I.

Oprah has disclosed everything except the truth. She apparently has an eating disorder; there’s no shame in that. Her dieting has fulfilled a role throughout her life, but necessary work is lacking. Deeper work is needed, not the lack of “food noise” in her mind since starting a weight-loss medication. While these drugs are helpful, they come with side effects and don’t address the underlying cause of disordered eating.

Oprah should cease promoting diets and giving health advice. I often ask my clients: “Would you consult an unlicensed doctor? Or even an unlicensed nail technician? Then why heed advice from someone without a nutrition license about what to ingest?” Oprah falls into that category.

Chrisanna Wright Punta Gorde, Fla.

Oprah Winfrey’s weight rises and falls like the tides. Each time it crests, she discards her most recent attempt at loss, finds a new possibility, sheds some weight and tells the world (of women mostly) that here is my latest and greatest way to the promised land of svelte. And in the process, makes another fortune.

Oprah is highly skilled — as an actress, a writer, an interviewer and a huckster. There is another possibility that her followers should consider as they evaluate her newest ideas for drugs and weight loss: She may not know what she is talking about.

Andrew Workum Perrysburg, Ohio

Re “ School Year Far Apart Brings a Family Closer Together ,” by Damien Cave (news article, March 27):

Amelia Cave, 13, and her family are learning some valuable life lessons while she is away at school in the Australian bush, without any digital devices.

I had a similar experience when as a college student I had a grant to do anthropological research among descendants of the Incas in the Peruvian Andes. It was a mind-bending and life-altering event, living there without electricity.

But the most important lessons to be learned will be when Amelia returns to her natural habitat in the wired world of the 21st century. We cannot pretend that smartphones and social media are aberrations to be shunned. After all, her father, who wrote the article, is on his iPhone about six hours a day.

These devices are part of who we have become in the course of human evolution. We need to use them, but better and smarter.

Steve Nelson Williamstown, Mass. The author is writing a book about how electricity is driving human evolution.

“School Year Far Apart Brings a Family Closer Together” could hardly be more in line with the current vogue for romanticizing nature and disparaging the digital world.

Why can’t we ever hear from someone who would rather enjoy the internet’s great wealth of music, literature and just plain fun than commune or struggle with nature?

And isn’t it time to stop contrasting the digital world with “real-life interaction,” as if smartphone interactions were somehow unreal?

Felicia Nimue Ackerman Providence, R.I.

Re “ Are Glue Traps Too Cruel to Use in the Fight Against Mice and Rats? ” (news article, nytimes.com, March 28):

I was disturbed by one interviewee’s assertion that glue boards are popular because they’re cheap, and New Yorkers don’t care if rats and mice die.

While no one wants to share their home with uninvited rodent “guests,” many people shun the use of cruel glue boards in favor of more humane and effective solutions.

One example that has gained traction with many households and businesses is having spayed and neutered, microchipped, well-cared-for “working cats” patrol the premises and, by their very presence, eliminate the appearance of rats and mice. Although a cat will kill rodents, its greatest contribution as deterrent is its scent. People who have cats as pets have known this for years.

More to the point, however, is that humans attract rodents by leaving out garbage. The most effective and humane solution for ridding an area of mice and rats is to eliminate their source of food. Keeping a clean environment by disposing of food scraps and garbage in metal garbage cans will go a long way toward eliminating these unwanted visitors.

Steve Gruber New York The writer is director of communications for the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals, a private nonprofit.

Re “ The Best Way to Welcome Spring? Give Your Foyer a Makeover ” (Real Estate, nytimes.com, March 27):

Doors and entryways bridge the outside world and the interior home. Their significance transcends time. The ancient Roman god Janus looked after doors, transitions and temporality; the Roman poet Lucretius used images of a light and a doorway to describe perception, depicting eyes as portals of transport and questioning the traditional anatomical model of vision.

I agree that our entrance halls deserve an April reset: hiding clutter, lightening the colors, bringing in seasonal objects. But aside from function and aesthetics, these spaces and boundaries carry philosophical meaning. As the passage between two locations, entryways separate domestic comfort from outer bothers, while also facilitating access and allowing daylight to enter unimpeded.

A place of both ingress and egress, a portal ends at the same point it begins. We sweep winter out and open our rooms, and our minds, to spring.

Rachel Brooks Princeton, N.J.

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    Obesity has become a global epidemic and is one of today's most public health problems worldwide. Obesity poses a major risk for a variety of serious diseases including diabetes mellitus, non-alcoholic liver disease (NAFLD), cardiovascular disease, hypertension and stroke, and certain forms of cancer (Bluher, 2019).Obesity is mainly caused by imbalanced energy intake and expenditure due to a ...

  8. Obesity and Overweight: Probing Causes, Consequences, and Novel

    Despite public health efforts, these disorders are on the rise, and their consequences are burgeoning. 1 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that during 2017 to 2018, the prevalence of obesity in the United States was 42.4%, which was increased from the prevalence of 30.5% during 1999 to 2002. 2 Among those afflicted with ...

  9. Obesity in America: Free Expository Essay Samples and Examples

    However, this number is significantly higher for the US population. Thus, we need to look at those factors that could explain why the problem of obesity is more serious in America than in, for example, Germany, Russia, or Brazil. One of such factors is the factor of eating habits. Americans have a tendency towards substantial fast food and soft ...

  10. Causes and Effects of Obesity

    Moreover, obesity causes diabetes, especially among adults as the body may become resistant to insulin. This resistance may lead to a high level of blood sugar, which is fatal. Besides health complications, obesity causes an array of psychological effects, including inferiority complex among victims. Obese people suffer from depression ...

  11. Exercise and Obesity: Expository Essay

    On average, 2.8 million people die from the obesity epidemic every year. For most, obesity can be caused by eating too much and exercising too little. If the energy consumed from food is not burned off, it will transform into fat. Body mass index, an indicator for weight, is 18.5 to 24.9 for a healthy adult, but for an obese adult, it is 30 and ...

  12. Obesity in America: Cause and Effect Essay Sample

    The main cause of obesity is junk food and an unbalanced diet rich in simple carbohydrates, fats, and sugars, plus a bunch of additives. Manufactured, processed, refined, and packaged meals are the most popular. Thanks to advances in technology, Americans have come to mass-produce meals that keep fresh longer and taste better.

  13. Essay on Obesity: Meaning, Causes, Types and Treatment

    Read this essay to learn about the meaning, causes, types, treatment, principles of dietary management and complications of overweight/ obesity. Meaning of Obesity: Obesity is a big problem of health. Obesity is a condition in which there is excessive weight gain in the body, an increase of 10% over the ideal weight is termed as obesity.

  14. Obesity: Causes, Effects, and Prevention

    Causes of obesity. Obesity can be caused by genetic factors that predispose individuals to gain weight. For example, some people have genetic disorders such as Prader-Willi syndrome, Bardet-Biedl syndrome, and leptin deficiency, which contribute to obesity.

  15. The Causes and Effects of Obesity

    On-time delivery! Obesity is a factor that increases the risk of many other internal human diseases. The World Health Organization, in a 2020 report, warns that obesity causes respiratory and heart failure, coronary heart disease, hypertension, and arthritis and can lead to the development of diabetes and some cancers.

  16. Sample Expository Essay on Obesity in the United States

    A few things that the CDC tells us about obesity include the facts that: More than one-third (34.9% or 78.6 million) of U.S. adults are obese. Obesity is higher among middle age adults, 40-59 years old (39.5%) than among younger adults, age 20-39 (30.3%) or adults over 60 or above (35.4%) adults.

  17. The Causes And Effects Of Obesity: Free Essay Example, 502 words

    Being obese can lead to other serious health problems such as type 2 diabetes, asthma, liver and kidney disease, high blood pressure, heart diseases, different types of cancers such as breast and bowel cancer and it can even lead to a stroke. Obesity can affect an induvial daily activities as they will get shortness of breath often, excessively ...

  18. Cause and Effects of Obesity (Free Essay Sample)

    Causes and Effects of Obesity in Children and Adults Essay- 700 Word Long Essay. Most Significant Causes of Obesity. Bad Diet. Lack of Physical Activity and Exercise. Stress Anxiety and Social Problems. Medical Conditions. The Age Factor. Most Significant Effects of Obesity. Hight Blood Pressure Strokes and Heart Diseases.

  19. Argumentative Essay on Obesity

    There is no single reason why someone is obese. The reason why people are obese is a combination of factors. Obesity can open the door to a multitude of problems. These diseases include diabetes, high blood pressure, blindness, and an increased risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs). There are two types of diabetes.

  20. How to Write an Expository Essay

    The structure of your expository essay will vary according to the scope of your assignment and the demands of your topic. It's worthwhile to plan out your structure before you start, using an essay outline. A common structure for a short expository essay consists of five paragraphs: An introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

  21. Essay on Obesity in America

    The consequences of the obesity epidemic in America are wide-ranging and severe, impacting individuals, families, and society as a whole. From a health perspective, obesity is associated with a higher risk of chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and certain types of cancer. It also has psychological and social consequences ...

  22. Tips for an Effective Obesity Essay Intro

    Causes of obesity. Writing Tips for a Great Obesity Essay Intro. Start with an attention-grabbing hook. Provide relevant background information. Write a strong thesis statement. Obesity Essay Intro Examples. Example 1: Example 2: Example 3:

  23. Opinion

    Chrisanna Wright Punta Gorde, Fla.. To the Editor: Oprah Winfrey's weight rises and falls like the tides. Each time it crests, she discards her most recent attempt at loss, finds a new ...