Introduction This paper is our proposed plan for teaching those of all ages about obesity; its detrimental effects on the body, short and long term, and how to avoid associated problems, using a healthy varied eating plan and incorporating a daily exercise schedule. The health risks of obesity are the same for all people and the interventions for weight loss are also the same. These interventions are basic, eat healthy and be active. But educating communities and enabling them to make these changes are not basic tasks in themselves. It takes knowledge, planning, creativity and time to ensure that this teaching is effective.
Proposed Community Teaching
What is obesity? “Obesity is defined as an abnormal increase of fat in the
We will also purchase foods from both healthy and unhealthy categories to use as examples. We are going to offer this teaching session free of charge or we will collect food items to be donated to the food bank.
Epidemiological Rationale for Obesity
In the United States, obesity prevalence has increased from 15% to 33% in adults and 6% to 19% in children from 1980 to 2004 (Flegal, K., 2007, January). In the State of Arizona alone, obesity rates have increased by 25.1% in adults, 13.1% in adolescents, and 14.2% in children (Arizona Department of Health Services [ADHS], 2013). Obesity rates among all age groups, despite sex, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, education level or geographic region have increased drastically (Centers for Disease Control [CDC], 2011). Many factors have contributed to the rise in obesity rates from increased availability of fast food restaurants and Americans eating unhealthy diets. Health conditions at risk related to obesity include hypertension, coronary artery disease, stroke, Type 2 Diabetes, some cancers, respiratory and sleep problems and mental health problems. Health care costs have risen to the billions in treating obesity related diseases. In 2008, the United States spent $147 billion in health care costs for obesity related diseases (CDC, 2011). It has also lead to decreased work productivity and increased absences from work.