Obesity_in_Adults_–the_Causes_and_Problems_Associated_with_the_Condition.

Bibliography (1) Barnett, T (Editor). (2005) Obesity and Diabetes. USA: John Wiley & Sons. (2) Blades, M (Editor). (2005) Obesity. UK: Emerald Group Publishing Limited (3) Body Mass Index Chart. http://www.metric.org.uk (accessed 03/12/2008) (4) Department of Health. Foresight – Tackling Obesities – Future Choices Project. (2007). http://www.dh.gov.uk (accessed 03/12/2010) (5) Department of Health. How to take control of your weight. (2006). http://www.dh.gov.uk (accessed 03/12/2010) (6) Department of Health. Raising the Issue of Weight in Adults. (2006). http://www.dh.gov.uk (accessed 03/12/2010) (7) Drs Stensel, D. Buckley, J. and Prof Biddle, S. (2004) Obesity and Inactivity. Journal of Sport and Exercise Scientist: 2 (8) Davies, M. “2005) Health Promotion Theory. GBR: McGraw-Hill Education (9) Guardian. It’s all gone apple shaped for British men. (2004) http://www.gaurdian (accessed 03/12/2010) (10) NICE. Obesity: the prevention, identification, assessment and management of overweight and obesity in adults and children. (2006) http://www.nice.org.uk (accessed 03/12/2008) (11) The Ashwell 1 Shape Chart. Google Images (2006). (12) World Health Organization. (2006) Physical Activity and Health in Europe. WHO Regional Office for Europe Physical Activity and Health Promotion Assignment One Obesity in Adults –The Causes and Problems Associated with the Condition Introduction This informative poster will identify and define the condition obesity in the adult population. The causes and problems associated with obesity will be explained and discussed along with the associated risks linked to obesity. Key literature in this poster defines adults as: 18+ from the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) 16+ form the Department of Health Disease or Condition' Obesity is a condition in which weight gain has reached the point where it poses considerable risks to health. (10) In the last 10 years we have seen increasing acknowledgement in the significance of obesity in the UK adult population and its association with a range of significant health problems. If no direct action is taken, estimates propose that more than 12 million adults in England will be obese by 2010. (10) Obesity at present and in the future Current data suggests that 22% of men and 23% of women in England are obese (body mass index (BMI) of more than 30). See figure 1 for diagram. The figures indicate that obesity commonness has doubled in women and trebled in men since the mid-1980s. (7) Many people are unaware their size or weight is a problem. Roughly 30% of men and 10% of women who are overweight consider themselves to be a healthy weight. (6) Most adults in the UK are already overweight and present living conditions guarantees every generation will be heavier than the previous – this is called passive obesity. (4) Obesity is estimated to reduce life expectancy by between 3 and 14 years. (6) Treating obesity costs the NHS at least half a billion pounds per year. (1) In the UK one in five adults is obese with one in four is predicted to be obese by the year 2010. (2) By 2050 60% of men and 50% of women could be clinically obese having a BMI of 30 or more. If there is no intervention, obesity-related diseases will cost an extra £45.5 billion per year. (2) What causes obesity' The primary cause of overweight and obesity is ‘energy imbalance’. It is assumed that numerous behavioural, psychological, social and environmental factors determine the escalating prevalence of obesity. (10) Declining levels of physical activity and dietary intake are partly responsible for the rising obesity figures. (7) Recent developments suggest there may be a relationship between appetite regulation and obesity. In the future, it is possible that drugs will be developed in regards to hormonal imbalance, thus helping to reduce appetite and food intake. Drugs alone will not prevent the requirement for physical activity as away to control weight. (7) The environment in which people reside may influence their ability to maintain a healthy weight and could include: • access to safe spaces to be active • access to an affordable, healthier diet. (10) How to measure overweight/obesity BMI (Body Mass Index) The measure Body Mass Index (BMI) is used to assess whether people are the right weight for their height. (6) See the BMI chart below. (3) [pic] Among adults the following figures indicate overweight and obese: BMI (kg/m2). (10) Not overweight/obese 25 or less Overweight Over 25 to 30 Obese Over 30 The problem with the BMI is that it does not differentiate between the over-muscled and the over-fat. Another problem with BMI is that it does not distinguish between persons with different types of fat distribution. (2) The ‘apple shaped’ and the ‘pear shaped’ individuals. [pic] [pic] Waist circumference People with an apple shape are at higher risk of developing conditions such as coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Measuring your waistline is a better indicator of health prospects than the weighing scales. (9) The Ashwell 1 shape chart helps to measure the ‘apple-shaped’’ men and women and the ‘‘pear-shaped’’ women, who have less health risks than their ‘‘apple shaped’’ counterparts. (2). See below. (11) [pic] Waist circumference guidelines are identified the table below. It can be used where BMI in isolation is unsuitable, for instance in some adult ethnic groups, and to provide feedback on central adiposity or fat. (7) |WAIST CIRCUMFERENCE | |Increased disease risk | |Men |Women | |More than 40 inches (102cm) |More than 35 inches (88cm) | |Asian men |Asian women | |More than 90cm |More than 80cm | Waist circumference levels greater than 102cm in men and 88cm in women are linked with increased gut fat mass and co-morbidities, including metabolic syndrome. (5) Risk factors associated with obesity The health consequences of excess weight are summarised in the table below. It lists the health risks associated with being overweight or obese. (7) |Greatly increased risk | |type 2 diabetes | |gall bladder disease | |dyslipidaemia – abnormal blood lipid (fat) levels | |insulin resistance | |breathlessness | |sleep apnoea | |Moderately increased risk | |cardiovascular disease | |hypertension | |osteoarthritis (knees) | |hyperuricaemia - high level of uric acid in the blood leading to gout | |Slightly increased risk | |some cancers (colon, prostate, post-menopausal breast and endometrial) | |reproductive hormone abnormalities | |polycystic ovary syndrome | |impaired fertility | |low back pain | |anaesthetic complications | Type 2 diabetes Obesity is a major contributor to the increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes. Factors such as the duration people are overweight and lowering physical activity levels are worsening the diabetes epidemic. (1) Obesity with an abdominal fat distribution almost certainly accounts for 80– 90% of all patients with type 2 diabetes. (1) What factors contribute to adults gaining weight' While body weight and weight gain are influenced by many factors, including genetics and the environment in which people subsist, studies show that individual decisions people make does influence whether or not they can maintain a healthy weight. Just some of these factors that contribute to weight gain are listed below. (10) • When there is an ‘energy imbalance’. If energy expenditure is less than the intake of calories then extra weight will be gained. • Many people find it difficult to maintain a healthy weight throughout their lives • People are likely to gain weight gradually over a long period of time without noticing. • People have a tendency to gain weight with age, finding it harder to maintain a healthy weight as they age. Many people accept that they may gain weight with age, but physical changes related to ageing only contribute to weight gain to a degree, the key reason is small gradual changes to everyday living – such as being less active and not following a balanced diet. • People frequently put on weight during particular stage of life, during pregnancy, the menopause or after stopping smoking. • People do not always recognise what is a healthy weight or comprehend the health risks of obesity. If they are aware then many are not putting this information into place. • Health messages can be inconsistent or ‘out of step’ with the way people now live their lives. • The cost of a healthy diet, lack of cooking skills, the opportunity to be physically active in safe surroundings all contribute to people not being able to maintain a healthy weight. • Obesity is higher in lower socio economic groups and those in routine occupations. • The prevalence of obesity is higher in adults who exceed the recommended weekly limit for alcohol. (10) Barriers to being physical active for weight loss and maintaining a healthy weight Many studies have shown that body fat is lower among those with higher physical activity levels. Some people are active while others are not, and this is due to a person’s environment. An environment can influence the likelihood an individual, group or community will be physically active. The statements below are just a few of the barriers identified. • People’s attitudes and beliefs towards physical activity and being active throughout their daily life can influence them in being inactive. • The weather or peoples genetic makeup are difficult to modify and so are barriers to participation on physical activity. • Participation in leisure time activities tends to be directly related to socioeconomic status. Poorer people have less free time, poorer access to leisure facilities or live in areas that do not maintain physical activity. • The increased use of private cars has lead to the increased dependence on them to reach jobs, shopping centres and other amenities. This reduces the opportunity to walk and cycle as part of being physically active. • The image of physical activity can influence participation for instance activities such as golf and squash are associated with high social status and view walking and cycling for transport as low status activities. • Manual jobs have decreased, labour saving devices have increased such as washing machines and sedentary leisure pursuits such as the television have all contributed to people not being physical active. (12) The more barriers people perceive the less likely they will participate in frequent physical activity. (12) Health promotion for weight management Health promotion is probably the most ethical, effective, efficient and sustainable approach to achieving good health. (8). Health promotion can help people increase their control over the determinants of health to improve it. Countless studies have shown that exercise can form an important part of a weight loss programme. (7) The priority in weight management is to reduce the risk factors, rather than returning them to an ideal weight. Even small degrees of weight loss can produce health benefits. (5) Conclusion The prevalence of obesity is increasing in adults in the UK, with evidence to suggest that declining levels of physical activity is partly responsible for this trend. With increased health risks associated with the disease intervention must be immediate to ensure the next generation will survive the last. New discoveries in hormonal imbalance that influence appetite can lead to drugs that can help in combating obesity, dietary modification and physical activity are the most obvious methods to maintain a healthy weight. (7) The obesity epidemic cannot be prevented by individual action alone, the society as a whole needs take a proactive approach, with partnerships between government, science, business and civil service to try and combat obesity. (4) [pic] [pic] Figure 1 – Distribution of overweight and obese.