Running head: NUTRITION, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND OBESITY 1
Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity
Student Name
Institution Affiliation
NUTRITION, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND OBESITY 2
Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Adult Obesity
The history, depth, and breadth of the problem
One of the most significant aspects of a productive nation is a healthy population, and
thus concerted efforts have been focusing on promoting a healthy lifestyle via better nutrition,
physical activity and a vibrant community that will drive a sustainable economy. Innovations in
technology have increased comfort and convenience, and thus, people are not getting enough
exercise thus more vulnerable to excess weight gain. Food processing has also reduced the
quality of food with high carbs and fast foods now more available than ever before.
Since 1970 the number of fast foods has doubled while the number of obese adults has
increased from 15% to 34% in 2008, according to the President's Council of sports, fitness, and
nutrition. Poor nutrition and less physical activity have increased the risk factors for obesity,
which also comes with a myriad of health complications. According to healthy people 2020,
81.6% of Americans do not get the recommended amount of physical exercise (Nutrition,
Physical Activity, and Obesity, 2019). Furthermore, the significance of a balanced diet has not
been adhered to since an average adult consumes fruits and vegetables 1.1 servings and 1.6
servings a day, respectively against a recommended 5-9 meals a day.
The impact that the selected health care indicator has on the population
As a result, the nation has seen a surge in the number of obesity cases, with 34% of adults
and 16.2% of children being obese according to healthy 2020 (Eyler and Brownson, 2016). The
rise of lifestyle diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes has become
areas of concern. Obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death in the US costing the
US economy at least $147 billion meaning that an obese individual cost the economy at least
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$1,429 higher than the individual with optimal weight (Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity,
2019).The positive health effects of maintaining a healthy diet followed by a physical exercise to
ensure optimal weight that allows the body a better quality of life. Therefore obesity has been as
a result of the lack of adherence to a healthy lifestyle, and in case one can follow through with
the right regular diet, physical activity, and a healthy weight, the population becomes more
robust, rates of heart ailments, diabetes, stroke, and cancers reduce. The community can have
stronger bones and muscles and also access a better mood and high energy levels.
The life stage and determinant data as it relates to the health indicator
Adults need to maintain a healthy and balanced diet as well as physical activity of at least
150 minutes per week of moderate intensity of exercise (Nutrition, Physical Activity, and
Obesity, 2019). Also, Americans should ensure that they consume a balanced diet made up of
nutrient-dense foods across different groups of food while limiting the intake of saturated fats,
trans-fats, and high calories foods. For pregnant women, healthy nutrition is vital in supporting
healthy growth and development of the unborn baby while a regular exercise regime is essential
in reducing risks such as difficult labor and postpartum depression.
Some factors affect the ability of an individual gaining excess weight, such as the built
environment as well as the social and personal lifestyle factors. In neighborhoods where it is hard
to access fruits and vegetables or lack of open space to exercise and actively engage in more
weight managing activities like sports (Eyler and Brownson, 2016). Factors such as age, gender,
education level, and socioeconomic status affect the ability of the population to make better
decisions about their lifestyles to avoid excess weight and live a healthy life.
Actions and initiatives designed to improve the specific health indicator
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There are various initiatives aimed at combating obesity and an unhealthy lifestyle in the US.
For example, the healthy people 2020 effort is a federal government program that seeks to boost
public awareness about the vice with adult obesity being one of the indicators as well as goals to
ensure a healthier nation (Sherman and Behling, 2014). Also, the government has introduced the
sugary beverage tax that aims to raise the prices of high calories as well as low nutrition
beverages in cities and counties across the US to deter the population.
Moreover, local community efforts that promote individual initiatives to combat obesity have
been encouraged by ensuring that people access vital information with regards to healthy
lifestyles. Sensitization should focus on areas such as knowing the levels of BMI, waist
circumference measurement, dietary changes initiatives such as My Plate and the food pyramid
by the USDA are some of the efforts and initiatives that have boosted the war against obesity (A
Brief History of USDA Food Guides, 2018). There are tips for physical activities across the
internet sources as well as mobile apps such as Runkeeper which tracks and advice people on
physical activity targets and goals.
The impact of health care policymaking on population health
Policymaking can impact health determinants, and thus, it remains an integral part of the
solution to health-related problems. Local, state, and federal level policies can affect taxes, for
example of certain products that cause specific health hazards (Thomson, Bambra, McNamara,
Huijts and Todd, 2016). For instance, the law may be amended to increase taxation on sugar
products or tobacco products to improve the wellbeing of the population affected by lifestyle
illnesses. Policies may also target affecting the entire community in terms of deterring specific
risky individual behavior.
NUTRITION, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND OBESITY 5
Determinants of health such as the built environment can be targeted by policies that regulate
or seek to improve the overall wellbeing of the communities. For example, systems may try to
improve spatial planning by allowing walking and biking spaces as well as parks to encourage
residents to be able to exercise and access fresh air. Policies can also regulate natural resources
that impact the quality of life, such as air water and pollution since it has implications on the
health of the population (Sherman and Behling, 2014). Policies can also remove a barrier that
restricts specific restrictions to avail vital aspects of healthcare, such as the affordable care act
that accessed insurance health coverage to the population.
How better health care education might support a paradigm shift in population health
Healthcare education is a crucial part of contemporary healthcare that takes into account care
across the continuum of care, meaning that care begins from individual and collective preventive
efforts to palliative care. A robust approach to sensitization is significant since change occurs at
the personal level, and thus, it is likely to ensure a more successful outcome(Craig, 2009). This is
because certain diseases such as lifestyle illnesses are more likely to be countered via aggressive
initiatives aimed at helping people to change their behaviors and achieve better outcomes in
terms of their health (Eyler and Brownson, 2016). This translates into a collective healthier
nation since the population will be the first line of defense in terms of proper nutrition, exercises
and being aware of symptoms to illnesses that will push the individuals to access better screening
for illnesses so that diseases are countered promptly.
A recommendation that would support further progress in this area
Adult obesity is a product of modernity that needs to be countered using a more proactive
strategy that seeks to use contemporary measures to address the vice. Therefore technology
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should be integrated into the health sector to create and spur awareness especially in ensuring
that the population has the correct information regarding healthy eating habits and exercise
regimes right in the palm of their hands via handheld devices such as mobile phones (Watson,
2016).Since the main objective is behavior change in terms of dietary changes and exercises, e-
health can play an integral role in ensuring that eating habits are adequately disseminated. This
can be done via technological devices such as BMI, waist circumference, my plate, and the food
pyramid to guide the population about the suitable dietary requirements that would spur behavior
change positively to avoid unhealthy habits and foods. Also, public policies should ensure a safe
environment that allows the integration of technology in education about health awareness
creation to encourage eating of more wholesome meals, exercises, reduction of fatty foods and
sugary foods and better and healthier dietary alternatives.
The influence that your Christian worldview in countering Adult Obesity
The Christian worldview also has an impact on the way we perceive adult obesity. According
to Christianity, our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, and thus we should take care of them
by not engaging in alcohol or cigarette smoking while forgetting to give guidance in terms of
greed and modern fast foods that equally destroy the same body (Publishing, 2006). The
Christian worldview focuses on the role of our bodies as a tool for glorifying God while
believing that despite how our bodies look like, on the last day they will be raised for the
glorification of Jesus. Thus Christians view that our bodies are fearfully and wonderfully hence
creating a sense of satisfaction for the Christians who perceive that any look is made in the
image of God and that it is perfect. This causes people to be less keen on physical exercises or
dietary needs. The Christian view needs to encourage better perceptions by strengthening the
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population to take care of their bodies since it is the temple of God, and thus, they should eat
healthy food and exercise for better health outcomes.
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References
A Brief History of USDA Food Guides. (2018, November 30). Retrieved from
https://www.choosemyplate.gov/brief-history-usda-food-guides
Craig,FE. (2009). Better informed for better health and better care: an information literacy
framework to support health care in Scotland.FHealth Information & Libraries
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Eyler,FA.FA., &Brownson,FR.FC. (2016).The Power of Policy to Improve Health.FPrevention,
Policy, and Public Health, 3-16. doi:10.1093/med/9780190224653.003.0001
Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity. (2019). Retrieved from
https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/leading-health-indicators/2020-lhi-topics/
Nutrition-Physical-Activity-and-Obesity
Publishing,FZ. (2006).FHoly Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing Company.
Sherman,FB.FW., &Behling,FC. (2014). Beyond Incentives: The Impact of Health Care
Reform on Employer Population Health Management Strategies.FPopulation Health
Management,F17(2), 67-70. doi:10.1089/pop.2013.0077
Thomson,FK., Bambra,FC., McNamara,FC., Huijts,FT., & Todd,FA. (2016). The effects of
public health policies on population health and health inequalities in European
welfare states: protocol for an umbrella review.FSystematic
Reviews,F5(1).doi:10.1186/s13643-016-0235-3
Watson,FA.FR. (2016). Impact of the Digital Age on Transforming Healthcare.FHealth
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