Dr.

Arcadio Santos National High School

San Marin De Porres, Paraaque City

OBESITY: A GROWING PROBLEM

A Research Paper Submitted in Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirement in English IV.

Submitted to:
Mrs. Hilda Rongap-Laurel
Adviser/English IV Teacher

Submitted by:
Prospero V. Prollamante Jr.
IV-Diamond

February 9, 2015

I. INTRODUCTION

The foods that we eat everyday are converted into energy that we
consume to do things simultaneously and effectively. But foods that our
bodies dont immediately use for energy gets quickly stored as fat. Too much
fat in our body can lead to overweight and then Obesity. Obesity is when a
person is carrying too much body fat for their height and sex. Nowadays,
gaining weight is very easy. Todays way of life is less physically active that it
used to be. People travel on buses and cars, rather than walking, and many
people work in offices, where they are sitting most of the day. These means
that the calories that they eat are not getting burnt off as energy. Instead,
the extra calories are stored as fat.
More than one third of all adults are obese. This is because they are
too busy at their work that they forgot to take care of their body. A Scientific
Report has predicted that by 2025, nearly half of men and a third of women
will be obese.
In my research, you will learn furthermore about obesity, the cause of
it, health risks associated with obesity and how to stop and treat Obesity.

II. DEFINITION/HISTORY OF OBESITY

The definition of obesity varies depending on what one reads. In

general, overweight and obesity indicate a weight greater than what is
considered healthy. Obesity is a chronic condition defined by an excess
amount of body fat. A certain amount of body fat is necessary for story
energy, heat insulation, shock absorption, and other functions.
Human obesity is clearly pictured in Stone Age artifacts, in particular
numerous figurines have been found within a 2000 kilometer-band crossing
Europe from South-western France to Southern Russia. The most famous and
earliest proof of obesity is the Venus of Willendorf an 11 cm figurine of an
obese female torso, found in Austria, which probably had a major role in
rituals.

III. CAUSES OF OBESITY

Genetics
A person is more likely to develop obesity if one of both parents is
obese. Genetics also affects hormones involved in fat regulation. For
example, one genetic cause of obesity is Leptin Deficiency. Leptin controls
weight by signaling the brain to eat less when body fat stores are too high. If,
for some reason, the body cannot produce enough Leptin or Leptin cannot
signal the brain to eat less, this control is lost, and Obesity occurs. The role
of Leptin Replacement as a treatment for Obesity is currently being explored.

Overeating
Overeating leads weight gain, especially if the diet is high in fat. Foods
that are high in fat or sugar have high energy density. Epidemiologic studies
have shown that diets high in fat greatly contribute to weight gain. It is the
consumption of excess food in relation to the energy that an organism
expends, leading to weight gaining and often obesity. It may be regarded as
an eating disorder.

Physical Inactivity
Physical Inactivity has been identified as the fourth leading risk factor
for global mortality causing an estimated 3.2 million deaths globally. Regular
moderate intensity physical activity, such as walking, cycling or participating
in sports has significant benefits for health. Moreover, adequate levels of
physical activity will decrease the risk of a hip or vertebral fracture and help

control weight. Sedentary people burn fewer calories than people who are
active.

Psychological Factors
For some people, emotions influence eating habits. Some people eat
excessively in response to emotions such as boredom, sadness, stress, or
anger. Most overweight people have no more psychological disturbances
than normal weight people, about 30% of the people have difficulties with
binge eating.

IV. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH OBESITY

Ethnicity
Ethnicity factors may influence the age of onset and rapidity of weight
gain. African-American and Hispanic women tend to experience weight gain
earlier in life than Caucasians and Asians, and age-adjusted obesity rates are
higher in these groups. Non-Hispanic black men and Hispanic men have a
higher obesity rate than Non-Hispanic white men, but the difference in
prevalence is significantly less than in women.

Childhood Weight
Overweight children are at high risk of becoming overweight
adolescents and adults. A persons weight during childhood, the teenage
years, and early adulthood may influence the development of adult obesity.
For example; being mildly overweight in the early 20s was linked to a
substantial incidence of obesity at the age of 35.

Hormones
Women tend to gain weight especially during certain events such as
pregnancy, menopause, and in some cases, with the use of oral
contraceptives. However with the design of the availability of the lower-dose
estrogen pills, weight-gain has not been a great risks.

V. HEALTH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH OBESITY

Obesity is not just a cosmetic consideration; it is a dire dilemma

directly harmful to ones health. Obesity also increases the risks of
developing a number of chronic diseases, including the following:

Insulin Resistance
Insulin is necessary for the transport of blood sugar into the cells of
muscle and fat. By transporting glucose into cells, insulin keeps the blood
sugar levels in the normal range. Insulin Resistance is the condition whereby
the effectiveness of insulin in transporting sugar into cells is diminished. Fat
cells are more insulin resistant than muscle cells; therefore, one important
cause of insulin resistance is Obesity. The pancreas initially responds to
insulin resistance by producing more insulin. As long as the pancreas can
produce enough insulin to overcome this resistance, blood sugar levels
remain normal. Once the pancreas can no longer keep up with the producing
high levels of insulin, blood sugar levels begin to rise, resulting in type 2
diabetes, thus insulin resistance is a pre-diabetes condition.

Type 2 Diabetes
The risk of type 2 diabetes increases with the degree and duration of
obesity. Type 2 diabetes is associated with central obesity; a person with
central obesity has excess fat around his/her waist, so that the body is
shaped like an apple.

Hypertension
Hypertension is common among obese adults. A Norwegian study
showed that weight gain tended to increase blood pressure in women more
significantly than in men. The risk of developing high blood pressure is also
higher in obese people who are apple shaped than in people who are pear
shaped.

Heart Attack
A prospective study found that the risk of developing coronary artery
diseases increased three to four times in women who had a BMI greater than
29. A Finnish study showed that for every 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) increase in
body weight, the risk of death from coronary artery diseases increased 1% I
patients who have already had a heart attack. Obesity is associated with an
increased likelihood of a second heart attack.

Cancer

Obesity has been linked to cancer of the colon in men and women,
cancer of the rectum and prostate in men, and cancer of the gallbladder and
uterus in women. Obesity may also be associated with breast cancer,
particularly in the production of estrogen increases the risk of breast cancer.

VI. METHODS IN TREATING OBESITY

Physical Activity and Exercise
Physical Activity and Exercise help burn calories. The amount of
calories burned depends on the type, duration and intensity of the activity.
Perform 20 to 30 minutes of moderate exercise 5 to 7 days a week,
preferably daily. Types of exercise include walking, stationary bicycling,
walking or jogging on a treadmill, stair climbing machines, jogging and
swimming. Start slowly and progress gradually to avoid injury, excessive
soreness, or fatigue. Before starting an exercise program, you should talk to
your doctor about the type and intensity of the exercise program. The
benefits of exercise include; improve blood sugar control and increase insulin
sensitivity, lowered blood pressure, reduction in abdominal fat, reduce risk of
heart disease, and release of endorphins that make people feel good.

Healthy Diet
The first goal of dieting is to stop further weight gain. The next goal is
to establish realistic weight-loss goals. It is also important to remember that
any weight reduction in an obese people would result in health benefits. A
safe and effective long-term weight reduction and maintenance diet has to
contain balanced, nutritious foods to avoid vitamin deficiencies and other
diseases of malnutrition. Eat more nutritious foods that have low energy
density. Low energy dense foods contain relatively few calories per unit
weight. Examples of low energy dense foods include vegetables, fruits, lean
meat, fish, grains, beans. Eat less energy dense foods. Energy dense foods
are high in fats and simple sugars. Example of high-energy dense foods
include red meat, egg yolks, fried foods, high fat/ sugar fast foods, sweets,
pastries, butter and high-fat salad dressings.

Medication
Medication treatment of obesity should be used only in patients who
have health risks related to obesity. Medications should not be use for

cosmetic reasons. Medications should only be used as an adjunct to diet

modifications.

Meal substitutes, Artificial Sweeteners, and OTC products

Meal substitutes are a convenient way to reduce calories as part of a
low-calorie diet plan. Meal substitutes should provide protein and be low in
fat and calories. Artificial Sweeteners are sugar substitutes that provide little
or no calories. OTC weight-loss products are stimulants, which theoretically
increase the metabolism and help the body break down fats.

VII. CONCLUSION
Hopefully after you read my research, you are now more aware of the
causes and effects of obesity. There are also other factors that are affecting
the person with obesity. There are also the health risks when you are obese,
example of these are Cancer, Heart Attack, Hypertension, Fatigue, and many
more. The solution is eating the same amount, but with a healthier choices
and a lifelong diet. Nonetheless, some fat is essential for the body as heat,
stored energy, insulation and padding. No one can cure obesity by simply
achieving a certain body weight. Eating healthy and keeping active is all a
part of a lifelong daily routine. No diet should be promoted as a temporary
eating plan, it should be a lifelong healthy plan that will help and keep your
body fit and healthy as you grow older.
Many people do not realize how damaging obesity can be to the body,
mind, and for overall health. They forget that their health and life is at risk
when your body is overweight or obese. You will be less productive in your
work and can cause some disturbances or delays in what you are doing in
your work. The social life of an obese person will also be affected. The people
around him will think odd and bad things about him. Some of his friends
might leave him behind. His self confidence will also be affected especially
when facing a large crowd of people or talking in a public speaking.
These are some of the effects and causes of Obesity in our body, mind and
social life. These can be avoided by following the methods in treating obesity.
You can also inform your family, friends and love ones of how bad are
obesity. Encouraging people to live a health-enhancing lifestyle is a big help
towards a healthy nation.

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