Obesity Among African Americans or API or Hispanic Latino or White Caucasians in NYC Term Paper

Obesity Prevalence

Obesity is a contributing factor to various chronic diseases in the contemporary society. It is a global problem that affects close to 300 million people all over the world. A third of the population in the United States is obese. Obesity is often associated with an increase in the cost of healthcare; a reduction in quality of life as well as an increase in the risk of premature death. Obesity prevalence is increasing in both developing and developed nations. In the United States obesity prevalence is on a record high. This is a serious problem as it can be a predisposing factor of diseases like diabetes, cancers, and diseases of the heart. The paper will look at obesity among African-Americans in NYC. It will also look at the etiology and epidemiology of obesity (Racette, Deusinger & Deusinger, 2012).I t will further look at whether or not obesity affects specific population depending on their age, race or socioeconomic status. It will finally look at the health interventions which aim to help in the control as well as prevention of the spread of obesity.

Etiology

Obesity results from behavioral, physiological, genetic, social as well as cultural factors resulting to an imbalance in energy hence promoting deposition of excess fat. In cases where there is an excess in the fat or calorific intake normally caused by a higher calorific intake as compared to the needs of the body. This will results to the accumulation of excess fats thus leading to development of obesity. If one leads a sedentary lifestyle they are at a high risk of obesity .limited physical activity affects the body's general health hence leading to the development of obesity. Obesity can also develop as a result of genetics. If there are some members of a family have been diagnosed with obesity then there is a likelihood of other members of the same family being diagnosed with obesity too in cases where both parents are obese then it is more likely that two third of the children bore from these parents will develop diabetes. Metabolic disorders such as minor differences in the basal metabolism can also be a predisposing factor to obesity. There are some medications which to gaining of weight in cases that the weight is not compensated through activities or dietary intake. Lack of sleep can also lead to obesity since there can be a change in the hormones which lead to an increase in appetite (Racette, Deusinger & Deusinger, 2012).

Epidemiology

Obesity epidemiology refers to the prevalence and incidence of obesity. When looking at prevalence around 20% of children in the United States are obese and 34% of children are at a higher risk of developing obesity. The numbers of people in America being diagnosed with obesity is increasing each day. When it comes to demographics the most affected gender is females who are often affected after infancy. Obesity is often seen to affect some groups as compared to others. Obesity is also more prevalent among adolescents of African -- Americans than Hispanics. When it comes to genetics, it is seen that there is a polygenic determinant which is associated with obesity despite the fact that environmental factors also play a crucial role when it comes to the development of obesity in individuals. In most cases these environmental factors are what attenuate the…