Essay Example on Obesity: Prevalent in US, Need 10% Weight Loss for Successful Management

Obesity is a prevalent condition in the United States. Between 1990 and 2017, approximately 30% of adults in 29 states and more than 35% in seven states were overweight (Obesity Rates & Trend Data, 2018). Experts recommend that adults with obesity need to lose five to 10% of initial weight. According to Montesi et al. (2016), weight management can only be successful when an individual loses a least 10% of their baseline weight and keep it for a full 12 months. In the U.S., comorbidities associated with obesity have risen over the years. Obesity Rates and Trend Data (2018) reported 43.5%, 15.2%, and 34.4% increase in hypertension, diabetes, and physical inactivity, respectively.

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In the modern era, calorically dense food options with low nutritious value have become widely available. The rate of physical activity has reduced drastically due to the widespread use of machines. This change, coupled with the influence of biological and social factors, has made weight loss a strenuous task with low success and sustainability (Summerfield, 2012). Various non-behavioral and behavioral approaches are available for people to manage their weight; however, each has its cons and pros. In this paper, the author examines these two approaches by comparing and contrasting them.

Behavioral modifications can help in weight management. One of the most effective ones is dietary modifications. Cardel (2013) recommends keeping a food journal to monitor what one eats. This practice can also help in tracking the calories consumed in a day to take accountability for weight changes. Further, using smaller plates has been shown to be effective in reducing portion sizes, which is useful in weight loss. It leads to a reduction in the calories consumed, resulting in a lower Body Mass Index (BMI). Avoiding unhealthy behaviors such as skipping meals, particularly breakfast, mindless snacking, and bingeing, is critical for weight management (Cardel, 2013). Dietary modifications should also include cutting down on junks and embracing healthier foods like fruit and vegetables with low calories and high nutrition value.

The other behavioral approach to weight management is physical activity. Exercising contributes to caloric expenditure and overall balance in energy (Wiklund, 2016). It increases metabolism, which leads to the utilization of food components that would otherwise have been stored in the body resulting in weight gain. In addition to weight loss, it burns excess fats in the body that clog vital organs, causing cardiovascular diseases.

Non-behavioral methods of weight management include surgery and medications. Bariatric surgeries are the most common procedures. They include reducing the size of the digestive tract by making the stomach smaller so that a person feels full sooner to control the amount of food they eat. Also, options reduce the absorptive part of the small intestines resulting in decreased absorption. Madura and II (2012) described gastric bypass as the most common type of bariatric surgery with the highest success rate in the U.S. It results in a 65% loss of weight, which remains long-term in 50% of the cases (Madura & II, 2012).

Another non-behavioral method of losing weight is pharmaceutical therapy. Over the years, the number of anti-obesity drugs in the American market has been ballooning (Olson, 2017). Some work by reducing the rate or inhibiting the absorption of some nutrients. That way, individuals can eat as much as they want, but only the required amount will go into the system; the body excretes the rest. Other drugs increase the rate of metabolism to reduce excess nutrients stored in the body. In the U.S., weight loss supplements remain the highest-selling, due to advertisements and exaggeration. Summerfield (2012) recommends combining these drugs with behavioral approaches for them to be effective.

Behavioral modification can be a backbreaking task. Naturally, human beings are resistant to change, particularly relating to their lifestyles. Changing diets and becoming physically active to fit the requirements for weight loss can be challenging, with most people giving up along the way. It requires a lot of discipline, determination, commitment, and self-control (Olson, 2017). With this approach, individuals must remain vigilant and resist temptations to fall back into old habits. A minor slip in behavior can undo all the effort, which can push be emotionally exhausting. These behavioral approaches require a long time and hard work to show any significant changes in weight. If practiced well and consistently, they have high chances for long-term success and minimal for failure.

The modern environment does not support behavioral changes. Multi-million companies that produce unhealthy diet options such as Coca-Cola, MacDonald’s, KFC, among others, have invested millions of dollars in advertising their products. Most of their foods are tasty, thus appealing to people’s appetites and have high calorie, fat, and sugar content. With their adverts all over the place in billboards, televisions, radios, and magazines, it becomes nearly impossible to avoid them. Most of the recommended dietary options for this purpose, particularly vegetables, are not tasty or appealing, thus do not stimulate one’s appetite.

Just like with diet, physical exercises require a lot of discipline, determination, and commitment. Individuals need to make uncomfortable adjustments in their lifestyle, such as waking up earlier than usual, walking instead of driving, and spending long hours working out. None of these changes is enjoyable for most people. Instead, they are often painful, tiresome, and come with many inconveniences. Managing weight through physical exercise and sustaining the loss requires consistency and considerable effort. Wiklund (2016) described the journey as difficult with repeated lapses and failures.

On the other hand, non-behavioral approaches are simple and require little effort. Individuals do not need to spend long hours working out or deny themselves some types of food to lose weight. They can achieve the same by just going for surgery or popping pills, and results are easy and faster to accomplish than with behavioral modifications. However, pharmaceutical and surgical interventions alone are not effective in weight management. Their success relies heavily on behavioral changes, including diets and physical activity (Olson, 2017).

Furthermore, Behavioral modification comes with minimal risks to the body compared to the non-behavioral approach. Modifying dietary habits and physical exercise have no significant side effects that can harm someone (Olson, 2017). Instead, they have additional health benefits. Healthy eating practices result in better nutrition for the body, which improves immunity and overall wellbeing. Working out enhances one’s physical appearances, elevates the mood, and enhances flexibility and agility. It also leads to a loss of unhealthy fat deposits found on vital organs and blood vessels, reducing the risk for cardiovascular diseases (Wiklund, 2016). These two approaches not only help with weight loss but also better conditions for internal organs and the skin. Behavioral modifications also inspire personal development and result in feelings of self-actualization. With non-behavioral methods, these extra benefits are not available.

Weight loss surgeries can be risky. A patient may lose too much blood on the table or fail to regain consciousness after the procedure leading to coma or death. In addition, the process may result in damage to vital internal organs found in the abdomen, such as the pancreas, causing new health complications. Any mistake can be detrimental to the health of the patient and can lead to long-term disability (Madura & II, 2012). With these surgeries, the surgeon may reduce the digestive system too much, leaving little room for digestion, which can result in excessive weight loss and malnutrition. One of the effects of these non-behavioral approaches is reduced absorption of food. Therefore, individuals are at risk of suffering from deficiencies, particularly of vitamins. Weight loss surgery is a common cause of vitamin B12 and iron deficiencies.

Behavioral approaches are less costly than non-behavioral ones. Changing dietary habits does not require a lot of expenses; Instead, reducing the amount of food intake is a way of saving money. Some people argue that maintaining a healthy diet is expensive. However, the cost remains the same if individuals abstain from harmful items such as sugar, margarine, junks, and takeout and use the money to buy healthy ingredients like vegetables and fruits. It is not mandatory to join a gym or pay instructors to remain physically active. One can exercise without spending a dime by doing home workouts with free YouTube videos or utilizing public spaces such as parks and sidewalks to run, cycle, or do aerobics. On the other hand, non-behavioral approaches to weight management require financial spending. Paying for bariatric surgery, gastric bypass surgeries, and anti-obesity pills are expensive (Madura & II, 2012).

Conclusion

Both behavioral and non-behavioral approaches are effective in weight management. However, they both have pros and cons and require proper planning and commitment. Behavioral methods, diet modification, and exercises should be the first line of a trial since they are safe and cost-effective. If they fail, then one should try combining them with pharmaceutical therapy. Bariatric surgery should be the last option and ought to be coupled with behavioral changes. The success of each approach relies on individuals’ commitment and effort.

References

Cardel, M. (2013). Behavioral Approaches to Weight Loss and Control. The Academy today: advancing orthotic and prosthetic care through knowledge, 9(1), A9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3887548/

Madura, J. A., & II, J. K. D. (2012). Quick fix or long-term cure? Pros and cons of bariatric surgery. F1000 medicine reports, 4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmc3470459/

Montesi, L., El Ghoch, M., Brodosi, L., Calugi, S., Marchesini, G., & Dalle Grave, R. (2016). Long-term weight loss maintenance for obesity: a multidisciplinary approach. Diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity: targets and therapy, 9, 37. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmc4777230/

Obesity rates & trend data (September 2018). Retrieved from https://www.stateofobesity.org/data/

Olson, K. (2017). Behavioral approaches to the treatment of obesity. Rhode Island Medical Journal, 100(3), 21. http://www.rimed.org/rimedicaljournal/2017/03/2017-03-21-obesity-olson.pdf

Summerfield, L. M. (2012). Nutrition, exercise, and behavior: an integrated approach to weight management. Cengage Learning.

U.S. Department Of Agriculture (USDA). (N.D.). Choose a food group to explore. https://www.choosemyplate.gov/

Wiklund, P. (2016). The role of physical activity and exercise in obesity and weight management: Time for critical appraisal. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 5(2), 151-154. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095254616300060