Obesity is a major health problem and it is becoming an epidemic in both developed and developing countries. it is listed on the National Health Priority area; this lifestyle problem is affecting the Australian Society which includes more and more adults and young children are being affected or have been affected. Moreover, this disease can substantially increase the risk of other lifestyle diseases which may require an extended period to treat. Obesity can be defined has extreme fat gathering storage in the body.
This essay will examine the definition of obesity, prevalence, risk factors and obesity campaigns in Australia. According to World Health Organisation (WHO,2017) defines obesity has extreme fat gathering storage in the body. BMI is used to measure to a measure obesity. WHO also identifies BMI has a simple index of weight and height that is used to classify obese adults and children (2017) and it can also be used to determine overweight. An adults BMI measurements levels are different and are not suitable for children. WHO states that a BMI greater than or equal 30 determines that an individual is obese (2017).
Medline plus states that they are more levels to describe the risk of obesity which includes class 1 an individual with a minimal risk if BMI is 30. 0 to 34. 9, class 2 is 35. 0 to 39. 9 this is defined has a moderate range when the measurement is taken and class 3 is high-risk obesity when it is equal to or greater than 40. 0 (2017). Obesity is a National Health Area priority area due to the high prevalence of almost 2 in 3 Australians adults are obese (AIHW,2017) It has also stated that obesity rates have increased by 10% from 1995 to 2017 and that 1 in 4 (25%) children are obese.
According to AIHW individuals who live in outer regional or remote areas are obese than people in major cities. Furthermore, (McArthur, 2016) 11. 2 million are obese which is 63. 4% of the Australian adult population obese or overweight. They are calling it the Australian obesity epidemic. Live lighter claims that 66. 6% of women and 60. 3% of men have a higher waist circumference (live lighter,2017). The more risk factors an individual as the more they are likely to develop a health problem such as obesity. There are many factors that can contribute to the risk of individual of getting obese.
Medline plus claims that some individuals risk factors that they cannot change some these include age, race or family history all these factors you cannot control which means having a risk factor does not result to getting the disease (2017). Inactivity one of the risk factors it refers to lack of physical activity. As National Institutes of Health (NIH) states lack of activity is mostly due to the amount of technology use d which increases screen time and decreases the amount of time individuals go outside and be physical active(2017) .
Many people have jobs which involves sitting at a desk and the majority take cars instead of waking or cycling (Health direct ,2016), furthermore if the recommended 30 minutes of moderate or intense activity or exercise is not taken on most days of the week the food consumed is stored has fat this just means that the energy given by the food was not activated. In addition, mayo clinic states that when inactive persons are more likely to gain more calories than those who are activity (2017). Health direct (2016), also states that Obesity does not suddenly occur, it progresses slowly because of poor dieting and lifestyle choices.
Some examples of poor dieting could be eating foods that are high in fat, not eating enough vegetables or fruit, drinking too much alcohol because it has a great deal of calories and unnecessary eating a large amount of food portions and unhealthy eating habits has a tendency to run in families, as you can pick up bad eating habits from parents which can lead to childhood obesity Social and economic issues is a one of the major risk factors mayo clinic has claimed obesity is very difficult to avoid if the area people live I unsafe to exercise.
Likewise, they might not have neem taught the skills of healthy cooking or may not be finically stabled due to a poor paying job. Healthy food are very expensive (mayoclinic,2017). There are a variety numbers of campaigns in Australia that helps. Live Lighter is a state -wide campaign in Australia funded by the department of Health and it is programmed by the Heart Foundation in partnership with the Cancer Council WA (Healthy WA ,n. d. ). Live lighter encourages Western Australians (W. A) adults and children to live and lead a healthier lifestyle- to improve their eating and drinking habits and be more physically active .
In addition , it also urges indivudals to make healthier personal choices and they promoting for a healthier environment. It wants less advirtisments of junk food and more awareness and access to healthy food and clear and better labelling and structures and guidelines to help people to be more active (Live Lighter,2017). Another campaign is Obesity Australia its mission is encourage change in the public views of obesity its prevention and its treatment. One of their aims is for the public to gain knowledge o how and why obesity happens (obesity Australia,n. ).
From the evidence presented it is clear that obesity is on is the more prevalence some people are at risk because of their lifestyle,lack of physicl activity , unhealthy eating and social and economic issues. Fortuanlty there is campagins Australia for people to be more alert and aware of the risk factors. When individuals are aware of the risk factors people are able to control many of these risk factors by changing their lifestyles and as well has seeking help. What obesity is and what the risk factors are so they are able to prevent it.
