Obesity
Justin Osean
American Sentinel University
Public Health nursing B
BSN430
Priscilla Ayelsworth
June 27, 2014

Obesity
Obesity rates across America are climbing at alarming rates. Obesity is out of control. It can be described as the “New World Syndrome”. Obesity leads to many lifelong disease processes. Diseases such as Diabetes, Hypertension and coronary artery disease are more prevalent in the obese than the non-obese. The World Heart Federation states, being overweight and obese increases the risk of non-communicable disease such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer. Worldwide there are three million deaths yearly related to obesity. Obesity is the fifth highest risk factor for death ("A new epidemic," n.d.).
Williamsburg County
Williamsburg County is one of the poorest counties in South Carolina. Generally the poverty stricken population makes poor daily decisions pertaining to their diet and overall health. The population in poverty is growing every year. This poverty stricken population generally takes care of their immediate daily needs such as food and transportation before addressing medical needs. The daily food needs are taken care of; however the choices of food are poor as the funds for food are limited. Many times medical needs are not addressed until an emergency arises. More than one-third of the population receives Medicaid benefits. Williamsburg regional hospital participated in a Community health needs Assessment as required by the Affordable Care Act. This needs assessment showed that forty-five percent of adults in the county to be obese. Sixty-six not meeting physical activity requirements and a staggering eighty-six percent not eating recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables (Williamsburg Regional Hospital [WRH], 2014).

History of Obesity
Obesity has been a concern for many years. As the poverty rate in America increases so does the obesity rates. Obesity has long been linked to Diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. There are many causes for obesity. Genetics plays one part of determining ones odds of being obese. Diet is also major contributing factor as is sedentary lifestyles. Screen time whether a computer or television has increased yearly since the eighties. Serving size and frequency of fast food consumption plays a major role. The average caloric intake has risen from 2,170 in 1970 to over 2700 today. The poverty stricken population has limited funds for healthy shopping choices. The economical foods are generally high in fat and high fructose corn syrup. This syrup not only adds calories but it may also fools the body’s ability to recognize when enough food has been consumed (Norton, 2007).
Development Plan
There will be a six week educational class on the topic of “What is Obesity and What Effects does it has on me? Most of the population sees obesity at face value not as the gateway for lifelong disease process and illness. I had a generalized plan of how I wanted the class to go, however each week would determine the progression and indeptness of the next meeting.
Implementation Week One, The problem
The first educational session was used for determining the knowledge of the class on obesity, a brief history of obesity and why a class like this is vital in the prevention of obesity. A questionnaire was given prior to any discussion of the topic. The same questionnaire was used at the conclusion of the class.
Implementation Week Two, Why Should I Be Concerned
Week two class time was used to educate the class on the long term effects obesity and to compare statistics of local and state obesity numbers.
Implementation Week Three, Disease Processes
Week three topics were diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol. A brief history of each disease was given.
Implementation Week Four, I’m Not Fat
Week four I presented “I am not fat now I can eat what I want to”. What does being overweight have