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Obesity in America

Obesity is a huge problem for many people in the United States.  The textbook, Understanding Nutrition, notes that approximately 69% of adults in the United States are overweight or obese and this has become an epidemic (Whitney et al. 206).  Many factors may affect a person’s tendency to be overweight or obese, including a person’s genes and metabolism.  What is most interesting is the environmental, psychological and socioeconomic factors that affect a person’s eating and physical habits, which in turn affect a person’s weight and overall health (268). 
When someone exercises, some white fat cells are turned into “brite” fat cells.  Brite fat cells help to protect the body against cold and also helps to prevent obesity (270).  A sedentary lifestyle leads to weight gain.  Activities like watching television, surfing the internet, or playing video games are activities that don’t expend kcalories, versus physical activities that could spend the same leisure time, but expend kcalories.  High fat, sugary sweet, and salty snacks are often advertised on television and the internet, increasing the desire for such products.  Time in front of a screen also increases the tendency for mindless snacking (270).
At least 60 minutes of exercise is recommended daily on top of normal physical activities throughout the day (271).  Some obese people are obese not because they eat too much, but due to the fact that they receive no or much too little daily exercise or activity (271).  Spontaneous activities throughout the day can add up to hundreds of additional kcalories used up each day (271).  Exercise and other daily physical activity helps to minimize gaining weight and also helps to lose weight.  About 200-300 minutes of physical activity is recommended each week (281).
            There are some benefits to exercise, even if weight loss does not occur.  Metabolism is increased with physical activity, which helps to burn more kcalories.  After exercise, about 15% more energy is expended for several hours after the activity (282).  Body composition changes with exercise, even if no weight is lost, due to the buildup of lean muscle and lowered levels of fat in the body (282).  Aerobic exercise reduces hunger levels during and after exercise, which also reduces the overall kcalorie consumption (282).  Exercise and other physical activities reduces stress and helps with a positive body image, increases self esteem, and positive feelings about continuing to work on healthy eating and physical behaviors (283).
           



Works Cited

Whitney, Ellie, and Sharon Rady Rolfes. Understanding Nutrition. 14th ed., Cengage, 2016.

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