Annotated Bibliography
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LastName 1
The Annotated Bibliography
An Annotated Bibliography is merely a standard Works Cited list that includes a brief summary and evaluation for each source cited.
Creating Annotations:
1. Cite the source of your information in MLA format. Be sure to include all of the relevant and required pieces of information for the type of source used.
2. Write the annotation. In general, a good annotation will include:
• A summary of the information in the original source (one paragraph).
• An evaluation of the quality and/or usefulness of the source (one paragraph).
Writing a Summary
A summary is a restating of someone else's words in your words. For all types of summary, the writer is responsible for generally stating, in his or her own words, the main information or argument of another writer.
Many student writers tend to quote when they should summarize material. Quote only when the author expresses a point in a particularly telling or interesting language. Otherwise, simply summarize. Summary is more economical than quotation because a summary allows the writer more control over the argument.
The summary should offer a concise version of the source material; show readers that you have understood the central claims or main ideas of the text; and provide readers with relevant examples, quotes, or supporting details.
Summary Conventions
1. Use complete sentences to describe an author's general points to your reader. If you quote, use quotation marks and document the quotation. If you fail to document the quotation, you are plagiarizing material (presenting another person's information as if it were your own).
2. Use the author's last name as a tag to introduce information: for example, “Smith argues that population growth and environmental degradation are causally related” or “Brown notes that education in the U.S. has undergone major revolutions in the past 20 years.”
3. Use the present tense (often called the historical present tense) to summarize the author's argument. “Green contends that the Republican and Democratic parties are funded by the same major corporations.”
Writing an Evaluation
The evaluation should reflect your careful consideration of things such as the appropriateness of the source for your research topic; the credibility of the source or author; the timeliness of the information; the validity of the argument; the quality of the evidence provided; the effectiveness of the author’s stance; etc.
By following the directions, you just need to write the annotated bibliography for those three citations which are in highlighted in Bold in the essay (see Work cite). The essay is below-
Why Are People Becoming Obese More And More In Developed Countries?
Why are People becoming Obese in Developed Countries
In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, people have been forced to consider how their lifestyles influence their health. One of the most serious healthcare issues witnessed in society is the increase in people struggling with obesity. Studies conducted by various reputable healthcare entities show that the developed world is struggling with obesity. Strangely, unlike other health issues that target a sect of the contemporary population, obesity seems to affect people from all demographics, which makes studies into its causes extremely challenging. Considering the health impacts of this disease, healthcare experts have continued to conduct studies that seek to understand the underlying causes of obesity in developed nations. As long as western nations continue to consume large volumes of ultra- processed foods and ignore physical activities, they will continue to struggle with obesity.
Statement of Problem
The term obesity refers to a state whereby the human bodyweight exceeds normal height. When people have a BMI that is obese, health experts argue that they carry excess body fat, which is dangerous to the health of the human body. Obesity is considered a serious disease in developed nations (Healy Gorman). The causes of this health condition are diverse. However, one of the common causes of obesity is an unevenness in consumed calories compared to those used up during physical activity (Kohn). Many believe that the lack of physical activity in contemporary society is the leading cause of obesity today. Obesity can also be caused by day-to-day lifestyles, stress, and unhealthy eating habits. Further, medical health issues such as Prader-Willi and Hypothyroidism as well as medications, for instance, steroids, antidepressants, and beta-blockers are believed to cause obesity (Kohn, 2019). In some cases, genes and family histories can also cause some people to experience issues with their weight.
The Prevalence of Ultra-Processed Foods in the West
In the recent past, ultra-processed foods have been linked to a wide array of health issues, including obesity. Generally, ultra-processed foods are advanced formulations of food substances that contained high levels of additives, stabilizers, and supplementary sugars, which pose serious health issues for the human body (Rauber, et al.). In most cases, ultra-processed foods are designed and marketed to ensure convenience. Most of these foods require minimal preparation time and in some cases, they are ready-to-eat, which makes them extremely popular among busy working-class people and school-going populations. Some of the common ultra-processed foods preferred by people in contemporary society include instant noodles, gingered yogurt, energy bars, and hot dogs. Although processed foods are also considered dangerous to human health, ultra-processed are considered more dangerous because they contain toxic additives linked to an array of health complications. Ultra-processed foods are produced for convenience and easy access, which makes them preferred by millions of people in developed nations.
Studies conducted by scholars from around the world have shown a close correlation between the consumption of ultra-processed foods and obesity, among other health complications. Findings from cross-state models of adults eating habits show extremely high consumption of different types of ultra-processed foods has close links to increase BMI and obesity (Rauber, et al.). Various mechanisms can be used to explain this relationship. Studies show that ultra-processed foods contain dietetic elements that risk the development of nutritive related health complications. Further, these foods are known to contain high levels of sugars, saturated fats, and low levels of nutrients, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and fibers (Rauber, et al). There are arguments that another reason why ultra-processed foods lead to obesity is that these foods promote overconsumption. Even though this relationship is unclear, some believe that the added sugars and saturated fats in these foods entice users, forcing them to consume large quantities of ultra-processed foods, a factor that heightens their probability to develop obesity. More studies have shown that ultra-processed foods cause obesity because they force the human gut to behave in a way that promotes the development of health complications that can cause changes in body weight. Further, these foods come packed in plastic materials, some that are known to alter human body weight.
Lack of Physical Activity and Obesity
Away from the dangerous foods that habitats of developed nations consume every day, lack of physical activities is another central cause of obesity. A study conducted by researchers from the University of Stanford has shown that although many people believe that an unhealthy diet is the leading cause of obesity, lack of physical exercise is another driving force behind surge of obesity in developed nations. The number of adolescents and young adults who spend hours playing video games and watching games while eating junk food is worrying. Many westerners spend most of their time seated in their offices, cars, and classrooms and during their free time, most of them prefer to watch television in the comfort of their seats. Studies conducted by CDC show that only forty-six percent of Americans reside close to parks and millions live within neighborhoods that lack easy access to healthy foods (Center for Disease and Control & Prevention, 2019). Lack of physical exercise further causes signs of old age among young people and makes them look more physically drained and unhealthy. Since people living in developed nations already consume large quantities of 'junk' food, lack of exercise seems further worsens their health, forcing many to struggle with serious health issues such as obesity.
Unlike other health complications that require patients to take medications, the impacts of obesity can be reduced through physical activity. From a young age, people are taught the importance of engaging in physical activity on the human body. School administrations mandate all students to take part in various physical activities, to reduce fatigue, improve concentration, relax the mind, and rejuvenate the body. According to the World Health Organization, adolescents and young adults are advised to engage in one-hour physical activity each day (Klass). However, most people abandon physical activity as they age and as a result, struggle with a wide array of health issues, among them obesity. A good diet and physical activity, preferably several hours a day, are believed to promote good health and lessen the risks of developing a wide array of health issues. Even with the health benefits linked to physical activity, many people in developed nations rarely engage in physical activity, a factor that has contributed to the rise in obesity in these nations.
Western Lifestyle
Life in developed nations is demanding. Normally, people spend a large percentage of their time working and studying. Health officials maintain that poor nutrition and obesity are not entirely caused by processed and ultra-processed foods, but by people's busy schedules. Parents spend too much time in their offices and business while children are overworked at school, thus leaving both parties with minimal time to prepare healthy meals or engage in physical activities. Further, there are reports that show that living in some regions could hike the probability of developing obesity. In an article in Daily Mail, living close to busy and noisy roads increases the risks of developing obesity (Randall, 2020). Unwanted interruptions and noise affects the quality of sleep, increase levels of stress, and lead people to become overweight
Counter-Arguments
Even with the documented data showing the link between poor nutrition and lack of physical activity and obesity, some argue that the causes of this health condition are misunderstood largely because existing data is flawed. Critics of the argument that the aforementioned factors are the causes of the hiking number of obesity cases in developed nations posit that studies have conclusively shown that genetics are to blame for the existence of obesity among people (Kimble, 2019). In a study conducted by the National Health Service, consuming too much food and obesity are a result of people’s state of mind, as opposed to metabolic unevenness (National Health Service). Scientists have so far confirmed that there are several genes linked to obesity and some of them are found in the human brain. Notably, the fact that these genes are active in the human brain shows that there is genetics are largely to blame for obesity. More studies show that people struggling with polygenic obesity often have several genetic variants, which are believed to influence the prevalence of obesity in society (Obesity Medicine Association). With this in mind, scholars should be focused on conducting more in-depth and concrete studies that study the role played by genetics in the development of obesity.
Refutation
Studies into the relationship between genetics and obesity are inconclusive and novel. Further, current studies into this correlation argue that the link between the two factors is extremely small. Therefore, considering the heightened number of obese people in society, it is impossible to link each case to genetics. Even though there is a probability that genetics contribute to obesity, the number of people struggling with this health condition because of their genes is minimal, which means that lack of physical exercise, unhealthy eating habits, and busy schedules are still the most central reasons for the increasing numbers of obesity in contemporary society.
Conclusion
People in developed nations continue to struggle with obesity because they consume large quantities of ultra-processed foods, fail to participate in physical activity, and engage in dangerous developed lifestyles. Unprocessed foods are high in sugar and unhealthy fats, which increase the probability of developing obesity. Further, the lack of engaging in physical activities, for instance, jogging and sports, means that people do not burn body fat. Further, the demands of the lives developed nations keep people extremely busy thus limiting their chances of preparing healthy meals and engaging in activities that reduce the chances of developing obesity. However, even with the data to support these arguments, some argue that obesity has little to do with diet and physical activity and is caused by genetic factors. However, studies linking genetics to obesity are little and new and yet to produce concrete data to support its arguments. However, there is conclusive data that links unhealthy lifestyle habits to obesity in the west.
Works Cited
Center for Disease and Control & Prevention. "Why it matters." 4 Dec. 2019, www.cdc.gov/obesity/about-obesity/why-it-matters.html.
Healy, Melissa, and Anna Gorman. "AMA declares obesity a disease." 18 June 2013, www.latimes.com/science/la-xpm-2013-jun-18-la-sci-obesity-disease-20130619-story.html.
Kimble, Lindsay. "Having Trouble Losing Weight? Obesity Is Due to Genetics — Not Lack of Willpower — Researchers Say." 2 Nov. 2016, people.com/bodies/having-trouble-losing-weight-obesity-is-due-to-genetics-not-lack-of-willpower-researchers-say/. Accessed 5 Nov. 2020.
Klass, Perri. "The benefits of exercise for children’s mental health." 2 Mar. 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/03/02/well/family/the-benefits-of-exercise-for-childrens-mental-health.html.
Kohn, Jill. "Understanding obesity." 2019, www.eatright.org/health/weight-loss/overweight-and-obesity/understanding-obesity.
National Health Service. "Genetics of obesity." 21 Aug. 2017, www.nhs.uk/news/obesity/genetics-of-obesity/.
Obesity Medicine Association. "All obesity is not the same: Recognizing genetic causes of obesity." 28 Sept. 2020, obesitymedicine.org/all-obesity-is-not-the-same-recognizing-genetic-causes-of-obesity/.
Randall, Ian. "Living near a busy and noisy road increases obesity risk." 18 Aug. 2020, www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-8638549/Obesity-Living-near-busy-road-lots-traffic-noise-increases-risk-weight-gain.html.
Rauber, Fernanda, et al. "Ultra-processed food consumption and indicators of obesity in the United Kingdom population." PLoS ONE, vol. 15, no. 5, 2020, journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0232676.