Obesity A Media Created Epidemic Essays - 698 Words

What? Me worry? - - Alfred E. Neuman Is obesity really a serious health concern or is the â€Å"epidemic† merely a result of highly fabricated, misleading ideas of politicians and the media? The article, Obesity: An Overblown Epidemic? By W. Wayt Gibbs featured in the May 23, 2005 edition of Scientific America, raises this question. Most health experts and average people believe that obesity is one of the most prevalent health concerns today, resulting in increased risk for other major health issues; such as; heart disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer, and the chance for early loss of life. However, other researchers are suggesting that the consequences of being overweight are being blown out of proportion. Naturally, they do†¦show more content†¦Gibbs also quotes Katherine M. Flegal, a research scientist at the CDC, as saying â€Å"underweight, even though it occurs in only a tiny fraction of the population is actually associated with more excess deaths than class I obesity.† On the contrary, auth ors S. Jay Olshansky and David B. Allison, insist that the continual rise in life expectancy would eventually cease due to obesity related deaths. In addition, media and news correspondents reported that obesity could cut short a life by up to five years. Gibbs states that to come to their conclusions, Olshansky and Allison used research that was outdated and did not reflect any of the modern medical therapies. When it comes to the topic of obesity, most experts and critics will readily agree that it can lead to more severe health issues. Where the agreement usually ends, however, is on how much obesity really contributes to illnesses, such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Whereas some are convinced that obesity is a major cause in such diseases, others maintain that it is only one factor, of many, that lead to other diseases. As for heart disease, experts recognize that it is more common in overweight people than people in a healthy weight range; however, they have noticed a drop in the occurrences of high blood pressure and cholesterol. Also, the decline was more drastic in overweight people versus those with a healthy weight. In contrast, other researchers suggest that being fat is just anShow MoreRelatedMedia Influences on Childhood Obesity 1272 Words   |  6 Pagestechnology. Today our society has created the perception to children that without the latest technology they are not ‘cool’ or even worse poor. Kids then beg their parents for updated technology in order to fit in. Face it even adults these days need the latest technology to stay updated with their work. The routine of most children that come home from school is eat, watch tv, see some more commercials on food and video games and continue the awful habit they’ve created. The urge to play outside or getRead MoreThe Topic Of Body Weight1288 Words   |  6 PagesThe topic of body weight in America is a sociopolitical phenomena with multiple, often conflicting perspectiv es. Some refer to the issue of obesity as an epidemic, highlighting social and political solutions to redress the consequences of weight-gain amongst U.S. citizens. Others point to the socially constructed nature of bodies and the meanings surrounding them. These scholars argue that the idealized bodily form is projected to glorify hegemonic standards of health and beauty, which operate accordingRead MoreThe Obesity Epidemic Of Obesity1540 Words   |  7 PagesThe Obesity Epidemic is a topic widely studied and mentioned in several contexts’ both medical and social. 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Crister states that twenty five percent of all Americans under theRead MoreThe Obesity Epidemic Of Obesity1133 Words   |  5 PagesObesity has always been a topic that many have had due to the increase attention it has received. Across America, there has been a lot of attention on the obesity epidemic. In America and the inner cities, more people are eating meals away from home in addition to consuming larger portions from fast food restaurants. At this rate, gaining weight is the likely outcome. High energy dense food has become convenient and affordable. Fast food is almost everywhere in America and, contributes to the growingRead MoreEssay on Outline for Speech1256 Words   |  6 Pages Title: Child Obesity, a â€Å"Growing† Concern Topic: Most Prevalent Causes of Obesity in the U.S. Specific Purpose: To educate the audience on the key causes of the increasing obesity rate in the U.S. among adults, but especially among youth. Thesis Statement: The main contributors to obesity among adults, but mostly among youth are environmental factors, lack of choosing nutritious meals, portion distortion and the factor that fuels all of these, advertising media. INTRODUCTION Read MoreObesity : Obesity And Obesity1220 Words   |  5 PagesThe United States is the second most obese country in the world. Obesity is accounted for 10 percent of all deaths in the U.S. Obesity is becoming so sever that people are beginning to believe that it is a disease. The definition of disease is â€Å" Disease decreases life expectancy and impairs the normal functioning of the body.† Obesity is reported as an â€Å"epidemic† because of the continuous increase in rates each year. Obesity is argued to be a preventable risk factor for other diseases and conditionsRead MoreEssay about Advertising and Obesity1695 Words   |  7 PagesObesity is defined as an excessively high amount of body fat or adipose tissue in relation to lean body mass.[2] According to data from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), during the years between1988 and 1994, 45.3% of American white males and females, 60.1% of black males and females, and 64.5% of Hispanic male s and females were obese.[3] Since obesity has been rising at an epidemic rate during the past 20 years in the United States, reducing its prevalence among adults to less than 15% has becomeRead MoreHealthy Choices for Better Living Essay1588 Words   |  7 PagesDoes the media truly influence and play and key role in childhood obesity? Can we hold the media responsible for our food purchases and meals that we as a society choose to provide our children? Certainly there are a multitude of influences in the media and yes, they are geared toward our children. Commercials ran during children’s programming appeal to our youth with catchy jingles, bright colors and actors promoting these products that portray popular characters on our children’s favorite showsRead MoreObesity Is A Problem That Is Faced Amongst Many Individuals Across The World Essay1288 Words   |  6 Pages Obesity is a problem that is faced amongst many individuals across the world. Obesity is a serious health and societal issue that is rising at extreme rates, some may call it an epidemic in both developed and developing countries. Obesity is a global problem, with almost 30 percent of people globally are now either obese or overweight which is affecting an estimate of 2.1 billion people worldwide and it’s prevalence in the recent decade had a rapid increase. It’s a well-known fact that the odds