PEER REVIEW

18 November 2018

OBESITY A DISEASE OR A LIFESTYLE

Obesity is one of the most dangerous diseases that is increasing very rapidly nowadays. People think that being overweight is just an average body type that they can have, but as a person starts to gain weight, various changes come in that person's life. Gaining weight is a cause of getting less onto physical activities, insufficient willpower, lack of discipline and bad choices begin to develop. It was not considered as a disease before the 20th century as people were not aware of the conditions they can get just due to being overweight. Nowadays this topic is no longer a sideline instead it is now openly discussed in different programs, and people are writing about it to make others aware of the warnings that obesity gives when it begins. From "TED Talks" to The New York Times, obesity experts were asked to debate on this provocative topic to find a proper solution for obesity if it's a disease. Even after so many years, this topic is still into a debate that if obesity is harming out the body or other conditions are causing obesity. Diseases like diabetes, increase and decrease in blood pressure, poor nutritional status and weak metabolism, excessive sleeping, and hormonal issues are a few significant problems that occur due to an increase in weight. There has been a massive increase in the death rate due to this illness that are often caused by obesity. According to a report from the international think tank. USA is among 33 countries having the most overweighed people. 2/3 of people in this country are overweight. More than 72 million people are obese.

One of the primary reasons for this constant problem is avoiding home cooked meals. The USA is a city that stays busy every moment. People especially students and employees don’t have time to eat at home. They have to start their day by rushing towards the office and institutions. Instead of waiting for breakfast at home, they purchase food from restaurants as they make them wait less and they can eat it while going towards their destinations. According to many Consumer-Interest Groups, they noticed a prominent increase in health-related issues related to excessive weight gain which led to high health-care costs. They believe that Fast food outlets should be made accountable for such matters. Avoiding home cooked meals not only makes you weak but also results in wasting a massive amount of money for no reason. Despite every aspect noted by the consumer interest groups another fact that cannot be ignored is that people in the USA are intelligent enough to understand the hazards of excessive consumption of fast food. America is one of the top countries, and its people are capable enough to understand the disadvantages of fast food on their own without any awareness programs. Due to obesity USA spent over $147 billion on health care in 2008 and the cost is increasing every year. (Murphy, Wendy B.) Most people think that their genes are the actual reason for their excessive weight gain. Genes, however only create a tendency in the person to being overweight or underweight or average to a certain extent. The fundamental reason for people to get so easily attracted towards fast food is that it's tasty, convenient and almost anytime available. You don’t have to cook, buy groceries, spare your time or stand in front of the heat. This process is also making people extremely lazy. It became even more convenient when companies made the home delivery option available. Without going anywhere and wasting your time, fuel and energy, you can get your food by just clicking a few options. The tempting ads and posters attract the audience to spend on fast food instead of spending on groceries. According to people when they started gaining weight a particular type of addiction developed in them. That addiction was causing them to eat a lot, and they were unable to resist themselves from the overwhelming fragrances rising from the restaurants.

There are also other severe disorders and diseases that appear due to obesity. People often suffer from acute respiratory infections and poor lung functioning due to being overweight. This is another reason why people get asthma. Central obesity is linked with an enlarged risk of non-atopic asthma. Obesity also affects other organs of our body. Liver and gastrointestinal disorders are also becoming common nowadays. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are becoming a new primary health problem as a result of rising levels of obesity. It is linked with inflammation as a result of fat deposition and cirrhosis. Hepatic steatosis is the primary abnormality in patients with NAFLD and is correlated with excess visceral adipose tissue, insulin resistance, and hypertriglyceridemia. Activation of multiple pro-inflammatory. Fatty liver has become the most common liver abnormality in juveniles and adults aged 2-19 years among which 10% are children (Aslam, David, and Gary Witterst). Other than that obesity also causing severe hormonal disorders in females that increases the number of testosterone which results in excessive hair growth, abnormal menstrual cycles and PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) in this condition a cyst forms in the ovary that creates disturbs the female menstrual system. It also makes difficult for a female to conceive and give birth. In some cases, it becomes nearly impossible for a female to conceive if the treatment is not done at the right time. People used to avoid this discussion but now in order to spread awareness this issue is being very openly discussed on different mediums. The major reason for bringing this issue into the light is only so that people don't feel unable or imperfect in this society. We can overcome obesity and exclude all the diseases and disorders that are happening due to obesity by implementing some simple rules in our routine. Try avoiding excess fast food by preferring home-cooked meals instead of ordering by sitting at home try walking to the store so that you can buy something that is healthy. Include daily short workouts in your routine to get rid of obesity.

CITATIONS

Healey, Justin. Obesity and Overweight. Spinney Press, 2015. EBSCOhost, proxygsu-gwt1.galileo.usg.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=929406&site=eds-live&scope=site.

Murphy, Wendy B. Obesity. Twenty-First Century Books, 2012. EBSCOhost, proxygsu-gwt1.galileo.usg.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=386711&site=eds-live&scope=site.

Segel, Carol M. Childhood Obesity : Risk Factors, Health Effects, and Prevention. Nova Science Publishers, Inc, 2011. EBSCOhost, proxygsu-gwt1.galileo.usg.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=376651&site=eds-live&scope=site.

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