The basics of Obesity

What is Obesity?

Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and or increased health problems. People are considered as obese when their body mass index(BMI) exceeds 30kg/m2.  

Why is it dangerous?

Obesity increases the percentage of various diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, certain types of cancer osteoarthritis and asthma. Obesity is most commonly caused by a combination of excessive food energy intake, lack of physical activity.

Facts about Obesity:

Approximately 72.5 million American adults are obese.

“Obesity is one of the factors causing heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Obese people are doing something the Obama administration can’t do: creating well paying healthcare jobs by eating themselves to death (bussinessinsider.com)” Read More: bussinessinder
 I feel this is true because most of us don't want to spend time cooking so we turn to fast food. People also turn fast food because it is cheaper, for example the dollar menu at McDonalds; but in reality it is cheaper to eat healthy because in the long run you will have less Doctor visits, spend less money on medications and even surgery. The cost of liposuction is usually ranges from $5,000 and up. 

First lady Michelle Obama was on Dr. Oz and she claims that Obesity is a national security problem. She says this because when she was spending time on the military base she came to find out that the #1 thing that is preventing young people ages 17-24 from qualifying to join the military is obesity. She says “the military is taking this very seriously and they’ve implemented some really fascinating and successful programs, so they have found that they’ve got to do a whole lot of re-educating in the military just to get soldiers ready for combat. So yes, it is absolutely a security issue for our country.” Towards the end of her interview she said she was aiming and focusing on child obesity. Read More: The Blaze

According to the blaze.com, In 2010 Michelle Obama said, “childhood obesity isn’t just a public health issue, it’s not just an economic threat, it’s a national security threat as well.”

In 2010 a bill was passed: Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010

Improving child nutrition is the focal point of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids
Act of 2010. The legislation authorizes funding and sets policy for USDA's 
core child nutrition programs: the National School Lunch Program, the 
School Breakfast Program, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for 
Women, Infants and Children (WIC), the Summer Food Service Program, 
and the Child and Adult Care Food Program. The Healthy, Hunger-Free 
Kids Act allows USDA, for the first time in over 30 years, opportunity to 
make real reforms to the school lunch and breakfast programs by 
improving the critical nutrition and hunger safety net for millions of children(http://www.fns.usda.gov)

I think the Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 is a great idea because in reality kids are going to eat what you serve them. When you get rid of the chips and soda and replace them for more healthy choices, the children will have no other choice but to eat the healthier item. I remember when I was in Jr. High and High School almost every students diet was chips and soda for lunch and both have no nutritional value whats so ever. I just think its sad how students ate that five times a week. And no one really thought or had the knowledge that eating that will have its affect. I think it is important for children to begin learning about nutrition and about having a healthy life-style at a young age because the older you get the harder it is to get rid of bad habits and manage your weight.