Environmental Issues That Contribute to Obesity

Environmental Issues that Contribute to Obesity

Brittany L. Helquist

IDS 495-Distance Learning Senior Capstone

Instructor: Kim Rankila

Abstract

Environmental Issues that Contribute to Obesity

Obesity and the environment are not two words that usually run into each other. What does it mean to be obese, and how can the environmental factors be linked to the cause? Obesity is considered a large amount of body fat in one’s body. What are environmental risk factors? Environmental risk factors are things that can change the world in a positive or negative way. These can include water and the wind, but people can also cause environmental risk factors for themselves. So how has our environment contributed in making the U.S one of the most obese places to live? Simple things like too much sedentary activities, health club costs, food advertisements, fast food, increased portion sizes and weather are all factors to consider.

According to Hill, Wyatt, Reed, and Peters (2003):

There is a growing agreement among experts that the environment, rather than biology, is driving this epidemic (10, 11). Biology clearly contributes to individual differences in weight and height, but the rapid weight gain that has occurred over the past 3 decades is a result of the changing environment. (p. 853)

        Fast food is something that is easy to grab after a long hard day at work. It may decrease the burden of having to cook when you get home, suffice an urge after seeing or hearing a fast food commercial, or save you a little bit of money. The calorie intake in fast food is much higher than if one were to go home and make a salad or chicken breast. Hebebrand and Hinney (2009) research suggests:

As stated earlier, US data indicate an increase in daily calorie consumption. Portion sizes have increased substantially over the past decades. The energy content of a McDonald's menu item increased from 984 (medium) to 1150 (large) to 1258 (supersize) calories between 1990 and 2000; in 1955 a regular soft drink roughly contained 0.2 L; nowadays, children receive 0.35 L, the large serving contains 0.47 L, and the supersize soft drink filled 1.24 L. Food prices have declined, particularly for fast food products. Advertisements are frequently based on the motto “eat more, pay less.” In energy terms eating an apple (125 calories) for 50 cents is a poor deal in comparison with a same-priced chocolate bar (500 calories).

Most of the implicated dietary factors are nevertheless viewed controversially, and unequivocal data causally linking the obesity epidemic to any one of them are virtually absent. Apart from increased portion sizes and energy intake, elevations in fat or carbohydrate intake, reduced intake of fruits and vegetables, and increased consumption of soft drinks have all been implicated in the obesity epidemic. Consumer trends and food marketing strategies, including advertisement, have also been deemed important (Hebebrand and Hinney, 2009, para. 29-30)

        Keeping this information in mind about how fast food is one of the many environmental factors that leads to obesity, it is also noted by Hill, Wyatt, Reed, and Peters (2003) that fast food restaurants tend to be easily accessible to individuals. Restaurants like McDonald’s and Taco Bell can be found on almost every corner in our ever growing cities. The burgers or tacos you can receive from these establishments not only taste good but they are cheap to purchase and are given in overly large portions (See Appendix A) (Hill, Wyatt, Reed & Peters, p. 853, para 5).

        Anyone can be at the whim of the fast food calling out to them. A study has shown that even the most conscious people who work in the health industry are gaining weight due to long hours and caloric intake of quick food. According to Dracup and Brian-Brown (2002), “The percentage of nurses who were overweight (defined by a BMI greater than 25) increased from 37% in 1980 to 51% in 1992, a figure that is slightly less than the 61% who are overweight in the general population”  (p. 499). Perhaps these reasons are why some fast food restaurants are now made to show the number of calories one is eating.

         Another major environmental factor that is thought to lead to obesity is a lack of physical activity. But how is our environment responsible for that? According to Hebebrand and Hinney (2009), many studies have been performed to monitor physical activity and how it contributes to obesity. It has been found that around 61.5 percent of children in the United States do not participate in any physical activity once they leave school grounds. Sadly, the United States is not the only place where this is happening. A Scottish study proved that children between the ages of three and five participated in physical activity around 2% of their time (Hebebrand & Hinney, 2009, para 26-27). Hebebrand and Hinney (2009) research also suggests: