Public Health

Public health incorporates organized efforts that are focused on preventing disease, prolonging life and promotion of human health. These aspects are also carried out through informed choices from the society, private and public sectors, organizations, individuals and communities. The basis of having public health programs is to analyze the health of a population and the threats they are prone to, to build open societies where all individuals can enjoy good health.

In the U.S, obesity has been one of the country's most pressing health problems and has contributed to a growing number of Americans living with diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. Since the 1980s, obesity rates have doubled among adults and more than tripled among children (Tfah.org, 2018). The prevalence of childhood obesity will lead to adverse effects in coming generations such that they will lead shorter and less healthy lives unlike previous generation (Nguyen, 2018). Obesity is thus a huge health concern within the American community and Health People 2020 which is a public health program has addressed various aspects regarding obesity to enhance the health and wellness of Americans. This analysis will, therefore, focus on what Healthy People 2020 addresses concerning obesity in America.

Healthy People 2020 Program has an objective of enhancing healthy lives for all Americans. Since the program was initiated in 2010, it has strived to create good environments both socially and physically that will promote health quality and good health for all people (Lardbucket.org, 2012). The program has aimed at promoting healthy behaviors and development across all stages of life, and this is important to prevent diabetes and associated illnesses. Besides encouraging people to make healthy choices, the federal government, and the food industry shape food choices, environment and physical activity. These and other factors need to be addressed to make changes in the dietary habits that will improve health and reduce obesity rates.

Healthy People 2020 emphasizes three core topic that addresses weight. These are obesity, physical activity, and nutrition. The combination of these three aspects can help address obesity and associated serious health conditions like heart disease and diabetes. Most of the American population do not consume healthy diets, and the population also does not meet the needed levels of physical activity (Nguyen, 2018). Across gender and age, on average daily consumption of fruits and vegetables, Americans do not meet the intake recommendations. As a result, the US has experienced increasing obesity levels that has adverse consequences for the nation. Obesity-related conditions like stroke, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes have also contributed to rising medical costs burdening the healthcare delivery system. Healthy People 2020, therefore, focuses on ensuring that all Americans participate in physical activity regularly, to attain and maintain a body weight that is healthy for all the population.

To control the levels of obesity in America, the following diagrams indicates the goals that Health People 2020 has set in physical activity, adult obesity, daily vegetable intake and obesity in children and adolescents (Lardbucket.org, 2012).

Source: Healthy People 2020

Physical activity target has already been met at but in adult obesity, daily intake of vegetables and obesity in children and adolescents, have to be met as shown in the figures above either by an increase or decrease (Healthypeople.gov, 2019).

Healthy People 2020 encourages all American to avoid unhealthy weight gain and those with high weight to lose some. The measurable objectives are also to be attained through increasing household food security and hunger elimination. According to this program, a healthy diet includes limiting the caloric intake beyond what is needed, limiting the intake of trans and saturated fats, alcohol, salt, added sugars and cholesterol and consuming a variety of nutrient-dense food like vegetables, fruits and grains among others (Healthypeople.gov, 2019). The attain better outcomes, there are determinants that impact on nutrition, physical activity, and obesity that need to be addressed to maintain a healthy weight. These include lack of fresh vegetables and fruits in some locations, lack of appealing or safe playgrounds. Besides the environmental factors, there are other individuals and social factors such as disability status, socioeconomic status, education level, age, gender and race (Healthypeople2020.gov, 2019). When all these factors are thoroughly addressed, nutritional and physical activity will be improved across all Americans and progress will be made against the obesity epidemic and its negative impact on health.

The social, economic model integrates all aspects to determine approaches that promote eating pattern that is healthy, raise the levels of other activities that will minimize obesity risks.

Figure 2: The Socio-economic model

Apart from Healthy People 2020 program to address obesity, there are other numerous related activities in nutrition and weight status like "Weight Loss to Prevent Obesity-Related Morbidity and Mortality in Adults in Adults: Behavioral Interventions", "Physical Activity, and Behavioral Interventions for the Treatment of Overweight or Obese Children from the Age of 6 to 11 Years" (Lardbucket.org, 2012).

The Healthy People 2020 programs have integrated numerous policies and interventions that are aimed at addressing obesity. This public health program is important to promote education to the population and also help the people to attain a weight that is healthy and this will lower the risk of having an obese population.

References

Healthypeople.gov. (2019). Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity. Retrieved 28 02, 2019, from Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion: https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/leading-health-indicators/infographic/nutrition- physical-activity-and-obesity-0

Healthypeople2020.gov. (2019). Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity Across the Life Stages. Retrieved 02 28, 2019, from Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion: https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/leading-health-indicators/2020-lhi- topics/Nutrition-Physical-Activity-and-Obesity/determinants

Lardbucket.org. (2012). An Introduction to Nutrition:2.4 National Goals for Nutrition and Health: Healthy People 2020. Creative Commons: https://2012books.lardbucket.org/books/an-introduction-to-nutrition/s06-04-national- goals-for-nutrition-a.html#.

Nguyen, J. (2018). Childhood Obesity: United States.

Tfah.org. (2018). Obesity. Retrieved 02 28, 2019, from Trust For America's Health: https://www.tfah.org/issue-details/obesity/