Critical Analysis Of A Health Issue-OBESITY Example

Critical Analysis Of A Health Issue-OBESITY Example Critical Analysis Of A Health Issue-OBESITY â€" Essay Example > The Sociology of Obesity2009Obesity is considered to be one of the most serious killer diseases in America. It has been estimated that as many as three in five Americans are overweight, one in three is obese and 100,000 people die of obesity every year (BBC, 2003). The standard definition of obesity is in terms of the Body Mass Index (BMI), which is body weight in kilograms divided in the squared height in meters. A person is considered overweight when the BMI is greater than 25 and obesity when BMI is greater than 35. According the National Center for Health Statistics Report of 2004, based on surveys during 1999 to 2002, 31 percent of American adults were obese, compared to 15 percent a decade earlier. Another 34 percent were categorized overweight, 33 percent normal and only 2 percent underweight (Pew Research Center, 2006). Researchers have also found that much of the obesity is related to excessive consumption of junk food that is high on fat. Typically, obesity is discussed i n terms of socio-economic parameters like price-induced growth in consumption and racial differences in lifestyles and dietary patterns. Usually, the fast food industry had mainly been blamed for resulting obesity as it provides ‘junk’ food that is high in fat, the low prices enabled by the elimination of table service and assembly-type production system. Fast food, particularly McDonald’s, has become the icon of middle class aspiration and value for money. However, with economic growth and globalization, consumers have more money to spend on eating out and are also willing to spend more to stay healthy. Over the recent past, McDonald’s and other fast food companies have faced a number of lawsuits for posing health hazards. The first such suit was filed in New York Supreme Court by a group of overweight Americans against McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's and Kentucky Fried Chicken for tempting them with food that contained excessive grease, salt and sugar. In England, two G reenpeace activists were engaged in the longest ever libel trial in the country beginning in 1994 when McDonald’s sued them over the pamphlet, “What’s Wrong with McDonald’s” that they distributed (BBC Special). Although McDonald’s won the case and was awarded GBP 60,000 in damages, it dealt a severe public image blow to the company. However, lifestyle rather than the availability of inexpensive food catered by the fast food industry is the main reason for obesity. In a Pew Research Center (2006), it was found that most Americans realize that lifestyle and personal dietary conditions are the main reason for obesity. In the survey, 85 percent respondents reported to be more overweight than five years ago while only 67 percent considered this as a major problem. While lack of exercise and willpower about controlling diet are the main reasons for obesity, half the people surveyed said the type of food supplied by restaurants and supermarkets are the main causes while one th ird said obesity is genetically determined. Like in America, obesity is an epidemic in other developed countries. For example, it was found in a study in Sweden, obesity has increased in the decade of 1990s from the previous decade. The rise is highest among the middle-aged and particularly so among women. The relationship between obesity is also seen to be negative with education for women (Lissner, et al, 2000). Another study in Australia found that there are gender, ethnicity, culture and social class influences in childhood obesity (Odea, 2008). While there are differences in the levels of obesity among European-Australians and indigenous Australians, the adoption of a western lifestyle by the indigenous people are leading to similar health problems, including obesity, among the two groups of population in Australia.