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August 14, 2013
Obesity: A Growing Epidemic
Introduction
It is Sunday afternoon in a Mexican household. The family of five is
ready to have Sunday dinner. On the table sits a feast waiting to be devoured
by the members of the family. The meal consists of carnitas (fried pork),
gorditas (fried corn tortillas stuffed with meat), fried taquitos, fried beans
and Mexican rice. The refreshments are sodas and aguas frescas. This meal
could be seen by many as traditional and not-harmful, but it is loaded with
trans-fats and thousands of calories. Even more disturbing, both parents and
one out of the three children are obese. According to April Dykman,
contributor to the well renowned magazine Forbes, more than 60% of
Americans are at an unhealthy weight, with 33.4% classified as obese.
Dykman further states, if no actions are taken to control the rapidly
increasing rates of obesity, by 2030, it is estimated that half of the
population will be obese.
Obesity has become a national epidemic that is affecting all levels of
society by direct or indirect means. For instance, obesity is thought to be a
health problem that only affects the person with the problem. This is not the
case. While obesity does not directly affect every member of society, the
cost deriving from treating it as well as the lowered efficiency and

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productivity of an obese individual does. Obesity is also an economic

problem affecting our society.

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Window on State Government released in their article, Gaining Costs,

Losing Time: The Obesity Crisis in Texas, that in 2009 Texas was given an
unhealthy distinction. Two thirds or 66.7% of Texas population were
considered obese or overweight, and only 33.1% were considered to have a
normal weight. Subsequently, in 2012, the Health Resources in Action
reported that the gap for obesity rates in Travis County adults was closing up
with the state average.
The factors influencing this growing issue are several. Influential
factors range from social economic status, education levels, gender and age.
Nevertheless the reasons for its growth, obesity is a problem that can be
slowed down and taken into control if more members of society become
civically engaged. The project proposed was to implement a communitybased program dedicated to encouraging a more active lifestyle, creating
awareness, sharing or interchanging healthy recipes, and bringing
cohesiveness and solidarity to the community. Why a community-based
program? Although, obesity is a national problem, it cannot be treated as
such. The solution to the problem needs to start from the inside out, which
means start small and make it grow. This program could successfully address
the issue because it brings communities together, and empowers members
to take control over their own lives, rather than letting others or the
government decided for them.
Background and Connections

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Obesity is defined by the U.S. National Library of Medicine as having

too much body fat, which it is not the same as being overweight. Overweight
is defined as having extra weight; this could be as a result of having extra
muscle mass, bone, water, or having too much fat. America is well known
for its hegemony status around the world, for its advancements, technology,
economic status, and capacity to influence other countries. Lately, America
has also come to be known as being a fat country, ranking itself number 5
among the fattest countries around the world. In addition, Texas has also
ranked itself among the top 10 fattest states in America. Americans are
being faced with a growing epidemic, which rates have been rapidly raising
in the last 20 years.

Figure 1 Obesity trends in Travis County, Texas, and the United

States, 2007-2010.
A study conducted by Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
shows that 35.7% of the adult population, and roughly 17% of children and

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adolescents between ages 2-19 years are obese in America. At the state
level two-thirds of Texas residents are considered obese or overweight and at
the local level one-fourth of Travis country residents are classified as being
clinically obese. Rates are more alarming when comparing some groups:
race/ethnic, gender/age, education/income, and urban/rural and different
social economic levels of society. There are several factors contributing to
the growth of this epidemic. According to Wright and Aronne, different
factors may interact with each other in one way or another. These factors
often contribute to the prevalence of obesity and are environmental,
economic, genetic, social, and even political.
Among the claims for the increase in obesity rates are the inability of
members of society to afford healthy food, prepare adequate meals, and the
easy access to fast food. Forty years ago, the average household spent at
least two hours per day preparing a family meal. In current times, the
preparation of a family meal could take less than half an hour. The switch
from individual to mass preparation lowered the time price of food
consumption and has made it possible for fast food high in fat and
calories to become easily accessible and a relative low cost. As a result,
Americans have witnessed a dramatically increased in patronage of fast food
restaurants and consumption of highly processed foods. The new
environment has also become one that promotes overeating. In addition, in
the past 20 years portion and beverage sizes have also doubled. For
instance, oftentimes obesity is thought to be the result of bad eating habits.

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While the reasons for this may vary, it would be unlikely for obesity rates to
continue increasing if portion sizes are monitored and meals are balanced.
(Cutler, Glaeser, and Shapiro).
In addition, the first economy law implies that as prices go down
consumption goes up. What does it means for Americans? The recent shift in
economy has driven Americans, especially those below the poverty level, to
find low cost alternatives to feed their families. Food prices have increased
almost parallel to the level of inflation. Moreover, if the price of caloriedense, prepackaged, and/or prepared foods (e.g., fast food) falls faster than
for less calorie-dense foods (e.g., vegetables), then individuals will shift their
consumption toward these cheaper alternatives. While obesity is an indirect
factor affecting the economy, it would be difficult to state with certainty if an
increased in wages would decrease obesity without first creating awareness
(Finkelstein, Ruhm, and Kosa).
Other factors to be taken iinto consideration include technology and
other advancements, which have diminished physical activity and increased
sedentary lifestyles. The expansion of better highways allows for easy
transportation, but has minimized the time people spend walking.
Urbanization has reduced the amount of green areas, sidewalks, and parks,
which limits opportunities for exercise. New technology such as cellphones,
computers, televisions and other electronics are now the number one choice
for entertainment, especially among children. Today 99% of the population

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has a television at home, and Americans spend an average of five to six

hours watching television per day.
It is human nature to imitate behaviors, and studies show that a person
who has an obese friend is 57% more likely to become obese themselves.
The same study shows that among adult siblings, the change of one sibling
becoming obese increased by 40%....and among married couples, the
likelihood of one spouse becoming obese increased by 37% if the other had
become obese (Wright & Aronne).
There are also other factors. Genetically speaking, people in America
are predisposed to obesity if there is history of obesity within the family. For
instance, African-American and Hispanic in comparison to Caucasians are
more pre-disposed to become obese. In addition physiological problems such
as depression and anxiety are also contributors to the prevalence of obesity.
All these elements are thought to be the main reasons for the increase
in obesity. While obesity does not discriminate, it is clear that it affects
certain groups more than others. It is more unlikely for an educated WhiteAmerican to be obese than it is for a Mexican American. This is due to their
genetic composition. In addition, if gender is taken into consideration; it
would me more likely that a female would carry a higher risk of being obese.
Scholarly Research and Scholarly Disciplines

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The scholarly research yields several distinctive scholarly disciplines.

The most prevalent disciplines are economics, healthcare science,
psychology, cultural and ethnic studies, and family and consumer science. As
previously discussed, different factors interact with each other and form a
social problem. The economics discipline makes a direct link between obesity
and the effect it has on the economy. In accordance with Texas Department
of State Health Services (DSHS), in 2010, at the state level the annual cost
associated with overweigh problems and obesity was $15.6 billion.
Subsequently, at the national level, obesity-related conditions cost taxpayers
approximately $175 billion dollars. According to Finkelstein, Ruhm, and Kosa,
this is due to the fact that many obese individuals are covered by Medicare
and Medicaid. Additionally, in 1995 it was estimated that obesity-attributed
tardiness or absence cost employers $2.95 billion. This was in addition to
239 million restricted activity day and 89.5 million bed days in 1995. These
costs are directly related to illnesses deriving from obesity. Studies
conducted by healthcare disciplines show that obesity leads to high blood
pressure, diabetes, heart disease, joint problems which include arthritis,
sleep apnea and respiratory problem, metabolic syndrome which is another
form of cardiovascular disease, and cancer. When comparing an overweight
person to a normal weight one, studies have shown that obese individual
have 38% more visits to the doctor (Berenson & Rippe).
Last, the other disciplines help illustrate a better picture of the
fluctuation in obesity rates when comparing different ethnic groups, age

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groups, gender, and education levels. The study of the previously mentioned
scholarly disciplines helps understand the domino effect obesity has on
society.
This scholarly research, in combination with my field research helped
me better understand other aspects of obesity that I have not considered
before. For instance, sad to say, I was one of those members of the
community who viewed obesity as an individual problem, yet it is not. The
scholarly research made me realize that there are hidden factors many
people do not know exist or are not aware about. It also reaffirmed the
importance of community support. If members of the community do not help
each other, then the government is forced to intervene. By not taking action,
we give away many liberties.
Solutions
Some researchers believe government has done the best it can without
infringing into Americans lives. American government has passed policies
dedicated to target fraudulent advertising, and regulations requiring that the
nutritional value be label on the product. However, other researches argued
that policies passed by the government encourage the production and
consumption of high-fat foods and focus on more on purity and accuracy
rather than nutritional value (Kersh and Morone).
Texas has also taken actions to curtail the obesity epidemic. Currently,
they have into place the Strategic Plan for the Prevention of Obesity in

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Texas: 2005-2010 which goals are to increase awareness of obesity as a

public health issue, create programs dedicated to mobilize families, schools,
and communities, promote policies and environmental changes, and
continue monitoring obesity rates, study related behaviors, and health
conditions with the purpose of using this information to continue improving
programs and new ways of implementations. Since its implementation,
Strategic Plan has created Square Meals program and introduced the Texas
Public School Nutrition Policies. In addition, they have passed laws requiring
schools to incorporate health programs starting in elementary schools. Last,
several community programs dedicated to create awareness and live
healthier lifestyles have been formed.
The solution to this problem and many other social problems lays on
the creation of awareness and community support. The programs
implemented by the stated, as well as those started at community levels,
relay on community support for their success. Whether members of the
communities contribute monetary or with their time, the max involvement
from is what would drive governments to continue passing legislations and
community programs to succeed.
Values and Obligations
What should motivate individual, communities, and government into
addressing the growing epidemic? What justifies the implementation of a
local government to set a limit on soft-drink size a person can consume? Why

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should we, as a society, support community based programs dedicated to

curtail obesity? How will this justify restricting the governments authority to
intervene in order to protect the safety of its citizens? These are all
important questions that must be answered in order to understand the moral
imperatives as well as the pragmatic consequences of such a program.
Through the research conducted to write this paper, facts and statistics
show that obesity affects members of society directly or indirectly. As a
society, we have certain obligations to uphold in order to create awareness,
increased health, make a difference, and above all create solidarity. Our
government was created to protect our rights not to grant them. However, in
extreme cases the government has been forced to interfere and set
regulations into place to protect those who cannot protect themselves,
children. Conversely, government intervention in extreme cases should not
diminish community participation in supporting local programs. If and when
members of society render liberties, they are also rendering their freedom
and responsibilities. It is important to remember that if when given away
choices by not taking action to solve problems at a local level, we are making
government big enough act in the name of greater of good, but this also
means we are grating enough power to take it all away. A society cannot
continue to thrive if its citizens do not follow their obligations as members of
society.
Position

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Intervention is needed to control this growing epidemic. However,

intervention from the government should be limited and should work in
conjunction with local base community programs. Government intervention
should be limited to setting in place regulations to regulate the way food is
process nor consume, force schools to implement more physical activities,
and as well as forcing industries to provide awareness and healthier eating
habits within the workplace.
Utilitarianism
The intervention of the government is justified by taking a more
pragmatic standpoint. Although, intervention of government is seem as an
infringement on our rights, it is justified under the Greatest Happiness
Principle, which seeks to maximize the greatest happiness for the greatest
number of people. The cost of obesity cost taxpayers billions of dollars per
year in medical cost for illnesses related to obesity. Obesity also affects
workplaces and the productivity of the economy. In addition, obesity
increases the cost of healthcare for everyone. If the government were not to
intervene and set regulations aiming to aid this growing epidemic, the cost of
living would continue to rise. How so? Taxes would be raised in order to
afford healthcare services for those with health issues. When taxes are raised
but wages are not, then it becomes more difficult to afford daily necessities.
This goes without saying, that the cost of living is too high, and it one of the
reasons many Americans rely on fast food to feed their families. Furthermore,

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in the workplaces people in good health are forced to take more work in
when obese people have to be absent due to illness related to obesity.
Therefore, if government would not intervene and set regulations in schools
forcing them to provide healthier lunches or more physical activates, or set
regulations like the one in New York City which restricts its citizens on the
size of sweet beverages they could buy, or allocate resources to programs
dedicated to battle and create awareness for obesity, probably obesity rates
would be higher.
The intervention of the government, consequently, creates the
greatest happiness to the greatest amount of people by avoiding raised in
taxes, working towards controlling obesity rates to help reduce cost of
healthcare, and by crafting a healthier America once again. Regulations set
into place by our government along with community intervention would help
bring cohesiveness among society, solidarity, create responsibility, and
increased health. As a result, productivity also increase in the workplaces,
economy prospers, and the domino effect is created. This is the ultimate goal
of utilitarianism; to create happiness for the greatest amount of people.
Social Contract Theory
These values are also aligned with the belief of social theory which
begins with the insight that the vast majority of activities which take place
in the public realm depend on the agreement of the participants to generally
follow a set of rules. In this case every member of society has a moral and

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political obligation. Under certain circumstances Americans are reluctant to

follow rules. For instance, a vast majority of people know that eating fast
food is bad for you and that lack of exercise leads to obesity. However, many
do not do anything to improve their situation. In many cases, parents do not
do seek the best interest of their children, and in a way deny them with the
opportunity to grow up healthy. Under these circumstances, government is
forced to intervene and set certain regulations into place to shield the best
interest of the defenseless. As members of society, we have agreed to follow
certain rules, when we elected members of government we agreed to let be
the voice that would seek the best interest of the communities and the
nation. Therefore, we are bound to follow regulations put into place to
protect our interest. Relying under the assumption that if we follow the
regulations passed by government and participate in community based
program aimed to reduce obesity, were are looking out for our best interest
and those of society. Just like in utilitarianism, by obeying regulations and
participating in community based programs we are reducing future of raised
taxes, healthcare illnesses related to obesity, and creating a better
environment for everyone to live in happily (Green).
Conclusion
In summary obesity is not an isolated problem, it has become a social
problem that needs to be addressed. There are several factors contributing
to rapid increase in obesity rates. However, obesity is a problem that can be

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manage with the help and support of members of the community and
government. Under both theories, Utilitarian and Social Contract intervention
is the right thing to do. It brings the greatest happiness for the greatest
number of people by helping taxpayers reduces taxes and healthcare cost,
and helping those who have become part of the statistics. The journey
although long and tedious would not only reduce obesity, but hopefully bring
communities together and preserve valuable rights of freedom.

Reflection
This assignment was more challenging that I had anticipated. The main
reason is that I had trouble keeping an open mind. I believe that everyone
should be responsible for their own actions and the consequences these
bring. However, I acknowledge not everyone is granted the same
opportunities to be aware. Despite the challenges along the way, I have to
confess, I have learned new perspectives and I have improved myself in
many ways. And although, this is a lengthy process, and I did not get the
chance to improve the whole world, although I did get to improve a few

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lives. With that said, the handful of people I was given the opportunity to
help through this challenge, may not be seen as much of an improvement
within society or the community. However, it meets my philosophy of starting
from the inside out, which it just means start small and grow it big.
The success of this project was possible due to the help from members
of my church, who allowed me to implement this support group. It was also
due to this class which forced me to become a civically engaged citizen
and help out my community.
I do, however, believe I could have done a more thorough search on
the subject. I feel that I may have missed important information along the
duration of the project. Despite the sense of lack of accomplishment in my
search I have improved my awareness on the subject and view it with a new
perspective. Once again, going into this project I firmly believe that people
are responsible for their own choices, therefore, allowing the government to
step in and take action to control what we eat meant giving certain liberties.
However, it seems that sometimes government is forced to step in for those
more vulnerable, such as children. In some instances, children are not given
the opportunity to grow healthy due to the lack of awareness of the parents
and the community. In this case, I believe that government should be allowed
to intervene for them. However, I acknowledge that this could be a fine line
to walk on.

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I believe awareness is the key to solving many problems, and in order

to create awareness communities need to get involved and take action,
rather than waiting for our government to intervene in every aspect of
society.

Works Cited

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Austin/Travis County's Health and Human Services Department. Critical

Health Indicators Report. AustinTexas. 01 May, 2012. PDF file.
Berenson, Gerald S. "Health Consequences Of Obesity." Pediatric Blood &
Cancer 58.1 (2012): 117-121. MEDLINE Complete. Web. 1 July 2013.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention. CDC, 13 Aug. 2012. Web. 01 Jun. 2013.
Cutler, David M., Edward L. Glaeser, and Jesse M. Shapiro. "Why Have
Americans Become More Obese?." The Journal Of Economic
Perspectives 3 (2003): 93. JSTOR Arts & Sciences I. Web. 23 Jun. 2013.
Dykman, April. The Financial Cost of Obesity. Forbes. Forbes. 27 Jul. 2011.
Web. 23 Jun. 2013.
Finkelstein, Eric A., Christopher J. Ruhm, and Katherine M. Kosa. "Economic
Causes And Consequences Of Obesity." Annual Review Of Public
Health 26.(2005): 239-257. PsycINFO. Web. 23 June 2013.
Gaining Costs, Losing Time: The Obesity Crisis in Texas Window on State
Government: Susan Combs Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.
AustinTexas. 04 Feb. 2011. PDF file.
Green, Jennifer. Social Contract Theory. Moral Reasoning: Value, Morality,
Ethics. Ed. Jennifer Green and Amelie Benadikt. Texas. Danned Ursery,
2010. 36-46. Print.

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Health Resources in Action. Together We Thrive. AustinTexas. 2012. PDF file.

Kersh, Rogan, and James Morone. "The Politics of Obesity: Seven Steps to
Government Action." Health affairs 21.6 (2002): 14253. ProQuest. Web. 3 June 2013.
Rippe, James M. Obesity : Prevention And Treatment. n.p.: Hoboken : CRC
Press, 2012., 2012. ST EDWARDS UNIV's Catalog. Web. 3 June, 2013.
Texas! Bringin Healthy Back Presents Growing Community Home Texas
Department of State Health Services. DSHS. 09 Nov. 2012. Web. 08
Aug. 2013.
Texas Department of State Health Services. Strategic Plan for the Prevention
of Obesity in Texas: 2005-2010. Texas Department of State Health
Services (DSHS). 06 Mar. 2006. PDF.
U. S. National Library of Medicine. National Library of Medicine. NLM. 24 Apr.
2013. Web. 01 Jun. 2013.
Wright, Suzanne M. and Louis J. Aronne. Causes of Obesity. Abdominal
Imaging. 18 Mar. 2012. Web. 13 Jun. 2013.

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Reflection
This assignment was more challenging that I have anticipated. The
main reason is that I had trouble keeping an open mind. I believe that
everyone should be responsible for their own actions and the consequences
these bring. However, I acknowledge not everyone is granted the same
opportunities to be aware. Despite the challenges along the way, I have to
confess, I have learned new perspectives and I have improved myself in
many ways. And although, this is a lengthy process, and I did not get the
chance to improve the whole world, I did get to improve a few lives. With
this said, the handful of people I was given the opportunity to help through
this challenge, may not be seem as much of improvement within society or

Pg 21

the community. However, it meets my philosophy of starting from the inside

out, which it just means start small and grow it big.
The success of this project was possible due to the help from members
of my church, who allowed me to implement this support group. It was also
due to this class which forced me to become a civically engaged citizen
and help out my community.
I do, however, believe I could have done a more thorough search on
the subject. I feel that I may have miss important information along the
duration of the project. Despite the sense of lack of accomplishment in my
search I have improve my awareness on the subject and view it with a new
perspective. Once again, going into this project I firmly believe that people
are responsible for their own choices, therefore, allowing the government to
step in and take action to control what we eat meant giving certain liberties.
However, it seems that sometimes government is force to step in for those
more vulnerable, such as children. In some instances, children are not given
the opportunity to grow healthy due to the lack of awareness of the parents
and the community. In this case, I believe that government should be allow
to intervene for them. However, I acknowledge that this could be a hard line
to walk on.
I believe awareness is the key to solving many problems, and in order
to create awareness communities need to get involve and take action rather
than waiting for our government to intervene.

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