Introduction
Obesity can be termed as a medical condition where surplus body fat mounts up in the system to the extent of having adverse health effects on the individual. As a result, of obesity in many societies and communities, the life expectancy of citizens in the communities has reduced as well as increased cases of health problems. For one to be in a situation to find out whether he or she is overweight, a measurement identified as body mass index is taken.
The measurement compares weight and height and defines overweight people as those who have a body mass index that is between twenty five and thirty. For individuals who are obese, they have their body mass index above thirty. Various health complications and diseases are associated with obesity such as heart disease, certain types of cancer, type 2 diabetes among many others. The accumulation of excess fact in the body is caused among many other things by failure to have physical activity, genetic susceptibility as well as intake of energy foods excessively. Levy-Navarro (2008).
Obesity in Fulton county in Atlanta
Studies have revealed that there are an approximated sixteen percent of all children in the United States of America that can be considered to be obese. Fulton County in Atlanta is among the counties in the America that is affected by the obesity issue. In order to deal with the menace of obesity in the County of Fulton, the Fulton County Department of Health has put in place measure that are aimed at ensuring the levels of obesity in the county are reduced. One of the measures that have been taken is the encouragement of parents. This has been done to ensure that their children consume the right foods so as to be able to acquire the necessary nutrients.
The Fulton county Department of Health has in the recent past adopted certain practices that have had the focus of tackling obesity in the County. In honor of the National Nutrition Month Fulton County and the Nutrition Program in association with other stakeholders, has conducted simple food demonstrations that are aimed at promoting healthy eating and snacking.
Such activities were conducted last year at the College Park Regional Health Center that is situated at 1920 John E. Wesley Ave, in college park Georgia. This took place on the Friday of March 2011 from 9:00am to 12:00pm. Such activities were also held at the neighborhood union health center at 186 Sunset avenues, in Atlanta on March 18th 2011 from 9:00am to 12:00pm. Such activities show how obesity has been considered to be a health problem a significant number of individuals. In the state of Georgia, 24% of the children in third grade are considered to be obese, 16% of the students in middle school and twelve percent of the students in high school are also considered to be obese. The 2010 dietary guidelines advisory committee has stated that adults teen and children consume diets that are deficient in vitamin D, potassium, calcium and fibers.
Due to the concerns of such statistics the Fulton County department of Health has advised its citizens on the diets that they should have. This is in order to maximize the nutritional value in their health systems. In order to be able to guard against certain diseases that are associated with obesity, citizens of Fulton County have been guided to have various meals.
Some of the foods that are of much help in promoting healthy vision and reduced certain types of cancer risks. Such diseases are associated with obesity include green produce as they are rich in antioxidant. Such produce includes fruits such as grapes, honeydew, kiwi, avocado, apples and lime. Vegetables have also be termed to be effective in avoiding obesity and such include green paper and leafy greens such as spinach. Orange and deep yellow fruits have also been recommended by the Fulton County Department of Health. Such vegetables and fruits have been known to promote immunity and healthy vision. The fruits include mangoes, pineapples and papaya while the vegetables include yellow corn and sweet potatoes.
Obesity in Ottawa- Michigan
Ottawa County in Michigan just like Fulton County in Atlanta has had citizens who have been affected by unhealthy life styles that have led them to being obese. The county is also faced with the risks that are associated with obesity. This is where the overweight children are at the risks of being obese by the time they reach their youthful years and proceed to be adults. Just like in Fulton County individuals who are obese in Ottawa are at the risk of anguishing from ailments. Such ailments could be high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes which are affiliated to obesity.
The health department in Ottawa County has shown commitment in dealing with obesity especially among children with initiation of projects such as ‘fit for a kid. The project is aimed at reducing and controlling obesity levels among children in Ottawa. It involves activities where they take the body mass index of children and conduct a series of educational handouts and resources.
In order to deal with obesity issues in the County of Ottawa, health organizations in the County have decided to engage the general public. This is done by asking the citizens questions about their health and nutrition that are based on whether obesity is a personal concern or a public health issue. The health organizations have provided the people of Ottawa with measures that they should adhere to in order to ensure that they control their weight to appropriate levels. Such measures include choosing healthy foods and engaging in physical exercises that enable an individual to use considerable energy.
Various methods have been presented to the people of Ottawa on how to handle cases of obesity. The residents of Ottawa have, however, shown less support for measures that are reactive. They have rather supported measures that are pro-active and seek to enable them to prevent from falling into the trap of obesity. Rather than, introduce measures such as increasing health care premiums, the people of Ottawa have opted for decisions such as developing recreational facilities that are aimed at helping people have a healthy weight.
Obesity in Nairobi county- Kenya
Obesity has come to affect people in all parts of the world. The health problem does not affect people in developed countries only but also individuals in third world countries. This has been seen in a county such as Nairobi in Kenya where the lifestyles of individuals have resulted to them suffering from the health problem. The same practices and unhealthy eating habits that have led to people in Fulton County having high obesity levels, when practiced by people in Nairobi County have also led to obesity in the region. It can, however, be distinguished that the intensity of obesity in Fulton is higher than that in Nairobi. This could be attributed to the food stuffs that are presented in the two counties.
Conclusion
It should be clear to everyone regardless of part of the globe, in which a person lives that obesity does not occur selectively. Unhealthy eating habits accompanied by lack of exercise leads to an individual being overweight and consequently becoming overweight. William H (2009). It should, therefore, be upon everyone top practice healthy eating and continuous exercise to avert the risk of being obese.
Reference:
Levy-Navarro, Elena (2008). The Culture of Obesity in Early and Late Modernity. Palgrave Macmillan.
William H. Dietz (2009). Clinical obesity in adults and children: In Adults and Children. Blackwell Publishing.
Nutrition and wellness (2012) available at http://www.miottawa.org/healthcomm/health/nutrition.htm [17/7/2012].
Fulton County Health Services Encourages Parents to Teach Children to Eat Right with Color (2012) available at http://www.fultoncountyga.gov/latest-news/3857-fulton-county-health-services-encourages-parents-to-teach-children-to-eat-right-with-color [17/7/2012].
