Obesity is characterized by a significant amount of extra fat accumulating in the body. Individuals with a BMI greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 are considered obese (Einarson et al., 2018, p.2). This essay aims to explore the causes of obesity and the related health complication. Additionally, it will explore the demographic data on the prevalence of obesity in the USA. The incidence of obesity with the income earned will be critically discussed. The prevalence of obesity with education level will be critically examined. Persons with higher incomes and higher education levels are less likely to become obese than people with lower incomes and lower education levels.
Obesity and Population Affected in the USA
When a person more calories than they need daily and do not engage in physical activity, they often develop obesity. There are over 2 billion people who are overweight, 650 million of whom are considered obese (Chooi, Ding and Magkos, 2019, p.7). The percentage of people who were overweight or obese increased to 40% in 2016 from 14% in 1980 (Chooi, Ding and Magkos, 2019, p.7). Between 1975 and 2016, the number of obese people in the globe almost quadrupled (Chooi, Ding and Magkos, 2019, p.7). Most people reside in nations where being overweight or obese is one of the leading causes of death. The USA is one of the nations with the highest prevalence of obesity globally. Although there have been widespread initiatives across public health and private care sectors, severe obesity has risen over the last 18 years in people of all ages and all demographics in the USA (Skinner et al., 2018). Therefore, obesity is a significant problem in the USA, contributing to mortality and morbidity.
Depression and anxiety are all psychological elements linked to obesity. Obesity may be a consequence of certain medications and genetic factors. Certain medications, including oral contraceptives and antidepressants, have been linked to weight gain and, in extreme cases, obesity (Satoskar and Bhandarkar, 2020, p.79). Antidiabetic drugs, such as thiazolidinediones, and antipsychotics, such as clozapine, have been linked to weight gain (Satoskar and Bhandarkar, 2020, p,768). Weight gain is a possible side effect of several medications, including antidepressants like amitriptyline and imipramine and anticonvulsants like valproate and carbamazepine (Satoskar and Bhandarkar, 2020, p.175). Prednisone, other steroid hormone medications, and beta-blockers like propranolol, used to treat hypertension, have been linked to weight gain (Satoskar and Bhandarkar, 2020, p.823). Therefore, caution is necessary when taking these drugs.
Obesity presents many complications to an individual, which increases mortality and morbidity. Individuals with excess body fat are at increased risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. This condition develops when insulin is inadequate in regulating blood sugar levels (Boles, Kandimalla and Reddy, 2017, p.1027). The patient develops insulin resistance and eventually develops hyperglycemia. Failure to manage diabetes may result in serious complications such as vision loss, cardiovascular disease, organ damage, and even mortality. Obesity is a risk factor for several cardiovascular diseases, including stroke (Cercato and Fonseca, 2019, p.2). Excess weight may cause arterial plaque to build up, making it more difficult for the heart to circulate blood and increasing stress levels in the body.
Since obesity may produce persistent low-grade inflammation, which can alter a patient’s DNA over time, being overweight raises the probability of acquiring certain malignancies. Endometrial, esophagus, gastric, hepatic, kidney, colorectal, gallbladder, breast, ovarian, and thyroid cancers are all included in this category. The incidence of common adverse therapeutic responses in cancer patients may be increased by obesity and associated comorbid disorders. In obstructive sleep apnea, the tissues in and around the neck collapse and block the airway, occasionally causing the patient to awaken during the night. It may occur many times overnight, leaving the patient completely tired and unable to do any task effectively the following day. The additional weight carried by an obese person increases the risk that the muscles in and around the throat may constrict and prevent the patient from breathing.
Obesity is a significant risk factor for the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal diseases. They include Barrett’s esophagus, IBD, colon polyps, cholangiocarcinoma, pancreatic cancer, colon cancer, pancreatitis, GERD, esophageal cancer, NAFLD, hepatitis C, gallstones, and gastrointestinal cancer (Avgerinos et al., 2019, p.123). The pathogenesis of esophageal disorders seems to be influenced by both mechanical impact and humoral variables brought on by obesity. Obesity-induced inflammatory and cytokine production may have a role in the pathogenesis of other gastrointestinal illnesses.
Obese people often face psychological trauma due to the societal perceptions linked to being overweight. They may be subjected to discrimination in the workplace, or even their children harassed at school (Razzoli et al., 2017, p.155). Weight bias entails the attitudes and stereotypes about obese people as lazy, undisciplined, and unattractive. This weight bias leads to discriminatory behavior that limits a person’s access to employment opportunities, education, health, and other services. The people affected by this psychological trauma have a high risk of suicide.
The recent trends of obesity in the USA, based on statistics, have been alarming. Statistics show that between 2017 and March 2020, the obesity rate in the United States reached 42% (CDC, 2022). American obesity rates rose from 30.5 percent in 1999 to 41.9 percent in 2020. The rate of extreme obesity rose from 5% to 9% within the same period (CDC, 2022). In 2019, nearly $170 billion was medical expenses associated with Obesity in the United States are expected to cost annually (CDC, 2022). Overweight adults incurred $1,800 more in healthcare expenses than those who were normal weight (CDC, 2022). Age-related prevalences of obesity were greatest among non-Hispanic Black adults, with an incidence of 49% (CDC, 2022). People of Hispanic origin had a 45.6% prevalence, white people 41%, and Asians 16%. Individuals aged 20–39 years had an incidence of 39% for obesity, adults aged 40–59 years 44%, and those aged above 60 had 41% (CDC, 2022). These statistics are alarming, and urgent attention is needed to find preventive ways to combat the condition.
Statistics indicated that in the USA, the prevalence of obesity varied with the income group. Between 2011 and 2014, the prevalence of obesity in the high-income group was lower, 31%, than in the other income groups (Ogden et al., 2017). The incidence of obesity among college graduates was lower than among those with lower education levels (Ogden et al., 2017). Education equips people with the necessary knowledge for a healthy lifestyle.
How Obesity Affects the Population Hierarchy
Proper diet and regular exercise are the decisions Americans can make to eradicate obesity. Families and communities strongly impact the choices made by children and adolescents. Obesity is not entirely about having money to buy food but rather about eating healthy and exercising. In the USA, low-income earners are at a high risk of obesity compared to high-income earners (Kim and Knesebeck, 2018). Several factors, such as poor diet, reduced sedentary lifestyle, and reduced access to proper healthcare, contribute to obesity in this population hierarchy. The low-income earners are in the lower hierarchy and thus at risk of poor health.
Several risk indicators might indicate a person will have difficulty maintaining a healthy weight. Individuals with lower incomes have a higher prevalence of obesity than those with higher incomes (CDC, 2022). Of course, other factors such as gender, race, and education level play a risk in causing obesity. Women’s obesity can be predicted by socioeconomic position, but neither children’s nor men’s obesity can. Children’s weight gain tends to follow a more consistent pattern in girls than in boys. When comparing males of different socioeconomic backgrounds, there is no discernible pattern of obesity.
The prevalence of obesity in the US population varies due to the population hierarchy based on income. The obesity rates of both men and women were lower among those with advanced degrees than those with lower education (Ogden et al., 2017). It may be because those with higher educational accomplishments have been equipped with knowledge essential for healthy living. The educated have access to employment opportunities and can earn salaries to buy healthy food.
There is a difference in the incidence of obesity in the middle class, the poor, and the wealthy males. Low-income families are more inclined to be vulnerable to food insecurity, implying they do not always have the resources to afford healthy meals (Kim and Knesebeck, 2018). They have trouble affording healthy, natural foods and rely on highly processed, unhealthy alternatives. High levels of stress, sadness, and a lack of access to healthful and economical meals all shape their eating patterns. They have less access to medical care, fewer places to engage in physical exercise, and are more likely to be exposed to advertisements for foods high in sugar and fat. These risk factors contribute to obesity among poor people in the USA.
In low-income areas, people often lack the means to support a healthy lifestyle. They live in areas with fewer recreational and park amenities. They also have a greater incidence of crime and violence, which might limit their ability to enjoy the outdoors (Kim and Knesebeck, 2018). These factors lead to a sedentary lifestyle among lower-income people, a significant risk factor for obesity. Housing conditions tend to be worse for low-income households. These children have higher risks of smoking, lead poisoning, poor overall health, stunted growth, and mental and behavioral issues. Poor housing may contribute to their already unhealthy lives and lead to reducing the amount of money available for buying healthy foods.
Marginalized and Vulnerable Group Obesity Risk
The low-income earners in the USA are highly vulnerable to obesity compared to high-income earners. These households often choose high-fat, high-energy foods such as potatoes, sugars, cereal, and processed meat (Kim and Knesebeck, 2018). These meals are more cost-effective and have a longer shelf life than lean meats, fresh produce, and seafood. These meals are unhealthy and increase the risk of developing obesity compared to the high-income earners who can buy healthy foods. Low-income communities tend to be located in areas with limited nutritious food options. Rather than major supermarkets, low-income regions typically have a higher concentration of fast food restaurants and small businesses selling junk food. The economic insecurity, such as paying debts and rent, makes the low-income opt to eat cheaper foods with high fat and sugar content.
The low-income families cannot afford to pay for physical activities organized for children outside school. Schools in marginalized areas are unlikely to run physical activities compared to schools with resources (Kim and Knesebeck, 2018). Poor parents, particularly single mothers, may struggle to provide for their children’s extracurricular activities due to harsh working environments, lack of transportation, and unfulfilled childcare demands. Many low-income communities lack access to secure public spaces like parks, trails, playgrounds, and free public gyms. There may be nowhere safe to go for a walk or exercise, and no gyms or community centers within walking distance. Paradoxically, parents’ best intentions to keep their children safe may have the unintended consequence of increasing their participation in sedentary activities such as watching television and video gaming. These factors increase the risk of a poor child developing obesity. On the other hand, high-income families have access to all these resources, and thus their children have a lower risk of developing obesity. Therefore, the marginalized low-income earners are likely to become obese due to unhealthy eating practices.
Conclusion
Obesity is a risk factor for cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, cancers, and endocrinal disorders such as Type 2 DM. The condition may be caused by increased food intake, sedentary lifestyles, poor exercise, genetic factors, or even drugs. In the USA, low-income earners are at a higher risk for obesity than high-income earners. The former does not have enough resources to buy healthy and fresh foods and thus eats unhealthy and cheaper foods. People with higher education levels are less likely to be obese due to the acquainted knowledge of adopting a healthy lifestyle. Over the years, the gradual increase in obesity cases requires increased attention to combat the problem.
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