Attached.

Obesity – Outline
Thesis Statement: Based on the severe impact caused by obesity, this research aims at
discussing critical aspects of the condition and bow it can be reduced.
I.

Difference between Overweight and Obesity
A. Overweight
B. Obesity

II.

Diagnosis of Obesity
A. Hydrostatic Body Fat Test
B. Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry
C. Calipers
D. Bioelectrical Impedance
E. Weight/Height Charts
F. Body Mass Index

III.

Causes
A. Genetics
B. Engineered Junk Foods
C. Food Addiction
D. Insulin
E. Food Availability
F. Poor Diet
G. Lack of Physical Activity

IV.

Risk Factors
A. Genetics
B. Medical Conditions

C. Economic and Social Issues
D. Age
E. Gender
F. Drugs
V.

Effects of Obesity
A. High Blood Pressure
B. Diabetes
C. Heart Disease
D. Joint Problems
E. Respiratory Problems and Sleep Apnea
F. Metabolic Syndrome
G. Psychosocial Effects

VI.

Symptoms of Obesity
A. Dyspnea or Breath Shortness
B. Aching Knees
C. High Blood Pressure
D. Skin Problems
E. Heartburn

VII.

Treatment and Prevention

A. Dietary Modification
B. Physical Exercise
C. Weight-Loss Medicine
D. Surgery
VIII.

Conclusion


Running head: OBESITY

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Obesity
Name
Institution

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Obesity

Obesity refers to a medical condition whereby excess fat has accumulated in the human's
body to a level that it harms the health of an individual. Traditionally, an individual is said to be
obese if his or her body is 20% more than the ideal weight. In this case, the ideal weight should
consider the sex, age, and height of an individual. For the ‘National Institute of Health,’ Obesity
is defined as the Body Mass Index (BMI) that is either 30 or more (Colon-Gonzalez & Waldman,
2013). A BMI of 30 means the weight equivalent to 30 pounds. The BMI as the key index of
determining the weight of an individual in relation to height is considered to be the weight of a
person in kilograms divided by his or her height in meters (GBD, 2017). As the BMI indicates
the body weight in relation to height, it strongly correlates with the overall fat content of the
body. Some muscular individuals may possess a high BMI without posing any risk to their health
(Ghosh &Guha, 2013). Since obesity is considered to be multi-factorial, it is determined by both
the behavioral and genetic factors of a person. In most cases, the best treatment for the condition
is to change the type of diet consumed daily. Besides an appropriate diet, support, counseling,
and exercise are some of the other practices that can minimize the obesity of an individual.
However, an extreme diet may contribute to a significant change in obesity, which implies that
nutrition is the primary cause of the condition. Overweight is one of the contributors to the state.
Based on the severe impact caused by obesity, this research aims at discussing critical aspects of
the condition and bow it can be reduced.
Difference between Overweight and Obesity
Overweight
Most people usually confuse the term ‘overweight' and ‘obesity.' Obesity and overweight
are applied in describing the weight of a person that poses a threat to his or her health. The words

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are also used to indicate the ranges of weight associated with a high likelihood of contracting
particular diseases among other health problems. The difference between the two terms is small
since they only vary on the level of BMI. Both overweight and obesity are determined by BMI,
which relates to the weight of an individual with his or her height, age, and gender. Healthcare
professionals define ‘overweight' as a state where the weight of a person is considered to be 10%
to 20% more than the reasonable condition (Williams et al., 2015). According to the description
on the standard weight/height chart, a person is said to be overweight when he or she possesses a
BMI of between 25 and 29.9.
Obesity
However, obesity is different. Obesity interferes with how an individual lives and how
the victim feels both physically and emotionally. In some cases, it leads to low esteem and
causes depression in that a person feels not uncomfortable with other people in social
circumstances. It also tends to lower the overall life quality of an individual. Healthcare
professionals consider obesity as a condition of an individual whereby his or her weight is above
20% of the healthy weight, or simply a BMI of either 30 or more. Obesity and overweight are
very much related since an alternation to one of the conditions on one side may lead to the other
state. For example, if an individual is overweight, there is a high likelihood of becoming obese if
he or she continues to consume the diet that enhances the condition. On the other hand, if an
individual who is obese reduces the food that contributes to the situation and engages in physical
exercise, the state may lower to being weight before the body resumes to the reasonable
condition. If an individual is excessively obese to the extent that the body becomes 50% to 100%
more than the healthy weight, the state is referred to as morbid obesity. People who are in this
condition are excessively overweight to a level that their normal functioning or the health of the

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body it interfered. According to research, more than 60 million American residents are obese. In
this number, one child in every five children, as well as one-third of the total adults, suffers from
this condition. Based on the statistics conducted in 2008 in all the states in the US, on Colorado
had an obesity rate that is lower than 20%.
Currently, obesity is considered as the leading health risks among Americans. In every
year, the estimated number of deaths that occur in the United States is said to be 400,000. The
funds that are used to cater for the obese people in every year are $122.9 billion at a national
economy level. Obesity poses a significant risk of developing other health-related severe
problems such as polycystic ovary syndrome, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, heart disease,
and diabetes. By considering the cause of the deaths, the cost incurred, and the disease caused by
this condition, it implies that obesity is among the critical situations in the world.
Diagnosis of Obesity
Hydrostatic Body Fat Test
There are several tests applied in the diagnosis of obesity. One of the tests is regarding
hydrostatic body fat test. Among several criteria involved in testing obesity, hydrostatic body fat
test is considered as the most precise and accurate method of assessing body fat (Greene, 2016).
This method involves a case where an individual is submerged in water as the weight underwater
is recorded. Since this method cannot be applied in every circumstance, it is used in academic
and research center to give a more accurate measure. However, the test is currently being applied
in mobile units.
Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry
Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry is commonly abbreviated as DEXA. This method is
also said to be very accurate in assessing the level of body fat. This test involves a situation

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where a p...