Essay Example on Pathophysiology: Obesity

Introduction

Obesity is a health condition in which the body has accumulated excess fat to the extent that it causes negative health effects. Primarily, obesity occurs when an individual eats more calories than the body can use or accommodate (Ross, Flynn, & Pate 2016). Moreover, the balance between calories out and calories in differ from each. Similarly, the factors that may affect the weight of a person include genetic makeup, not being physically active, overeating, and eating food with high fat. Additionally, becoming obese increases the risks of an individual conducting chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and arthritis (MacMillan, Cummins, & Fujioka, 2016). Importantly, when a person is obese and losses about five to ten percent of his or her weight it can stop or delay some of the diseases associated with obesity.

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Factors that causes obesity

Obesity is a condition resulting from several factors that include firstly, lack of energy balance. Primarily, the lack of energy balance in individuals causes obesity and overweight. The energy balance means energy out is equal to energy out (MacMillan, Cummins, & Fujioka, 2016). The energy in is described as a number of calories or energy an individual gets from drinks and foods while energy out is the calories used by the body when physically active, breathing and when digesting. Moreover, Obesity occurs over time when an individual consumes more energy than the body requires, and the fat accumulates in the body (Lebow, Sim, & Kransdorf, 2015). Moreover, pregnancy is another factor that results in obesity. Most women gain a lot of weight after giving birth, and some even find it very hard to lose the excessive weight. Moreover, it leads in obesity and overweight after several pregnancies.

Secondly, inactive lifestyle, most of the people who are obese live a life that does not involve more physical activities that help burn out the excess calories or fat in their body. In fact, they spend most of their time watching television, video games, leisure activities, schoolwork, or on computers. Similarly, other reasons that result to inactive lifestyles include inadequate physical classes at school, fewer physical activities at home and workplace and relying on automotive rather than walking (Lebow, Sim, & Kransdorf, 2015). Primarily, technology has made people less active resulting in obesity. Additionally, inactive individuals gain more weight because they do not engage in physical activities to burn out the excess calories and fat in their body. The inactive lifestyles result in a higher risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, colon cancer, and diabetes.

Thirdly, the environment an individual lives in is another factor that results in obesity. Primarily, most conditions do not support healthy living and in fact in support obesity. Moreover, most public places lack sidewalks and recreational centers where people could have physical activities to burn excessive calories (Ross, Flynn, & Pate 2016). Lack of area parks, affordable gyms, trails, and sidewalks on the roads makes it hard for people to be more physical active. Similarly, work schedules is another environmental factor that prevents people from having physical activities hence resulting in obesity. The long working hours prevents people from engaging from physical activities and even watch the eating habits of their children and therefore leading in excess weight. Similarly, lack of access to healthy foods leads in obesity (MacMillan, Cummins, & Fujioka, 2016). In most areas, there have emerged shops and stores that sell fast foods that have excess fat and calories. Consequently, these places lack shops and stores that sell fresh foods such as vegetables and fruits.

Similarly, family history and genes play a crucial role in determining obesity in an individual. Studies of identical twins indicate that even when raised apart genes to play a significant role in influencing the weight of an individual. Moreover, families that have a history of obesity are likely to have children who are obese. Moreover, most children adopt habits from their family members and parent, and if the parents practice unhealthy lifestyles, the kids will follow the style and become obese (Lebow, Sim, & Kransdorf, 2015). Primarily children who have parents who consume foods with high fat and calorie content are likely to grow overweight. Additionally, health conditions are other factors that result in obesity. Some hormone problems such as Cushings syndrome, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and underactive thyroid causes overweight and obesity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, obesity is a health condition that is caused by consumption of foods with excessive fat and calories. Moreover, the balance between calories out and calories in differ from each. Similarly, the factors that may affect the weight of a person include genetic makeup, not being physically active, overeating, and eating food with high fat. To prevent obesity people need to be physically active so that they can burn out the excessive calories and fat that has accumulated in their bodies. Additionally, more places have more shops that sell food rich in fat and calories than the stores that sell fresh food and vegetables. Consequently, the same areas lack sidewalks and recreational places where people can engage in physical activities that can lead to burning out excess calories.

References

Lebow, J., Sim, L. A., & Kransdorf, L. N. (2015). Prevalence of a history of overweight and obesity in adolescents with restrictive eating disorders. Journal of Adolescent Health, 56(1), 19-24.

MacMillan, M., Cummins, K., & Fujioka, K. (2016). What weight loss treatment options do geriatric patients with overweight and obesity want to consider?. Obesity Science & Practice, 2(4), 477-482.

Ross, S. E., Flynn, J. I., & Pate, R. R. (2016). What is really causing the obesity epidemic? A review of reviews in children and adults. Journal of Sports Sciences, 34(12), 1148-1153.