Weight of The Nation Film Assignment

My assumptions before seeing this film regarding the factors which contribute to obesity were due to improper diet, certain types of medication, disease such as heart and diabetes, lack of physical activity and genetics.

The film did change me view on childhood obesity. I was a single mom who worked long hours so going to the local fast food joint was a common practice at our home because it was easier. I now know that these foods are high in saturated fat and have deposited into her cells from early on. We are both doing Weight Watchers and have seen improvements in our health.

Due to obesity, fat cells accumulate in the body over time and have been connected to heart disease, cancer, respiratory disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and liver disease; which all may lead to death. Learning about the connection that obesity has with several of the leading causes of death frighten me a bit. According to this documentary heart disease starts as early as childhood. My mom died of heart disease and now I know it was due to improper diet early on. Puerto Ricans back then fried everything in lard which is 100% saturated fat. I strongly feel that more information should be provided to parents and children by schools and health professional on how to prevent obesity. Obesity must know as a bigger public health issue. The more people know about obesity then maybe more people will try to do change their lifestyle before it is too late.

There is definitely an increase in obesity. I believe it is because people are always in a hurry and have no time to cook a decent meal. They are not aware that fast food has more saturated fat. Another factor is that children are not participating in physical activities and are more focus on playing video games. Modern technology has ruined our youth. They are no longer going outside to play but focusing on video games and computers. Not eating a proper meal is the also a factor.

In the documentary it was statistically stated that obesity did not matter if you are white or back and that both races born in poor neighborhood are more prone to obesity. I believe this is true because poor people do not have the money to by organic food. Additionally, they are not educated on the problems regarding obesity and proper diet. As governor of New York, I will make it my mission to make obesity more of a public health issue. I will have commercials and advertisement in all public places about the risks obesity and what to do about it and gear commercials and advertisement for all ages. I will ensure that all school have a balance meal and include a class on nutrition. I will ensure that programs on nutrition and professional nutritional assessment are available to prevent future health problems.

According to the CDC, the current rate of obesity for adults as of August 13, 2018, was “35. 7% among young adults aged 20 to 39 years, 42. 8% among middle-aged adults aged 40 to 59 years, and 41. 0% among older adults aged 60 and older. For children the current rate was 13. 9% among 2- to 5-year-olds, 18. 4% among 6- to 11-year-olds, and 20. 6% among 12- to 19-year-olds”. Yes, obesity rates are climbing upwards. According to Gabrielle Levy, a political reporter for U. S. News, stated in her article Sharp Increase in Obesity Rates, Over Last Decade, Federal Data Show, “4 in 10 American adults over the age of 20 – 39. 6 percent – were considered obese in 2015 and 2016, a sharp increase over the 33. 7 percent who were obese in 2007 and 2008”. In addition, according to the CDC the rate has tripled since 1970 in children and states that 1 in 5 school age kid are obese.