Essay Example: Adult Obesity Response

Obesity prevalence in the US is set to reach 42% by 2030 (Slack et al., 2014). Following the association of obesity and other metabolic disturbance with the current emerging non-communicable chronic diseases, obesity rising levels should be addressed. Even though this prevalence is not evenly distributed within American territory, people have little knowledge on the local level factors related to this issue (Ogden et al., 2014). This article focuses on the estimation of the obesity prevalence in all counties in the United States of America.

The data used in this paper were drawn from both secondary and primary sources. They used the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as their primary source of data. The other sources of information included U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Census Bureau (Slack et al., 2014). The authors also used various journals and books as the secondary sources during the study. The counties were used for units of analysis. Age-adjusted percentage of obese adults by 2009 was used as the independent variables.

According to Slack et al., (2014), the prevalence of adult obesity in 2009 varied at the county level. The geographic distribution of this epidemic was not spatially random. At local levels, obesity positively correlated with unemployment, physical inactivity, number of local outpatient visits, families headed by females, black populations, and inadequate education. People associated with social and economic hardship are likely to suffer from obesity. The adult obesity levels negatively correlated with fitness centres, local physicians, natural amenities and population size. Various variables used in the study were found insignificant.

The increased societal burden in the US regarding obesity epidemic has attracted researchers to concentrate on the community surveillance and how this disease can be prevented (Slack et al., 2014). Recognition of high and low-obesity prevalence regions creates opportunities for geographical prevention and intervention efforts. Since these regional configurations are not based on state lines, regional collaboration would help provide for better resource alignment as well as practical initiatives.

Since I live in the west coast region, the obesity prevalence is quite low following the findings of this study. The district seems to enjoy some of the advantages that do not exist in high prevalence areas like Deep South. The people in this state should try and watch their diet to ensure that the obesity level reduces even further for a healthier population (Ogden et al., 2014). According to Khan et al., (2009), the communities should ensure that they supplied with healthy food as a preventive measure against the rise in obesity prevalence.

References

Khan, L. K., Sobush, K., Keener, D., Goodman, K., Lowry, A., Kakietek, J., & Zaro, S. (2009). Recommended community strategies and measurements to prevent obesity in the United States. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report: Recommendations and Reports, 58(7), 1-29.

Ogden, C. L., Carroll, M. D., Kit, B. K., & Flegal, K. M. (2014). Prevalence of childhood and adult obesity in the United States, 2011-2012. Jama, 311(8), 806-814.

Slack, T., Myers, C. A., Martin, C. K., & Heymsfield, S. B. (2014). The geographic concentration of US adult obesity prevalence and associated social, economic, and environmental factors. Obesity, 22(3), 868-874.