Obesity And The United States Healthcare System - 939 Words

Within the last half century, the obesity rate in America has increased by twenty one percent from thirteen percent to thirty four percent of adults; while the percent of the population considered overweight has remained stagnate at thirty-four percent. Unfortunately, the increase in the obese population poses a large threat to the health and well-being of United States citizens. Obesity is not only an accumulation of fat mass, but has been linked to many diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. The strain that each of these respective diseases contributes onto the United States healthcare system is great, but how exactly does obesity contribute to the occurrence of these three diseases? What health factors are affected by obesity and lead to the development of chronic illness? Cardiovascular disease is any disease that relates to structural compromises or an obstruction of the blood vessels. Two of the most common types of cardiovascular disease involve obs tructions of the arteries or the thinning of the arteries causing an increase in blood pressure. According to the American Heart Association’s article, a 14 year study found that a body mass index of twenty three to twenty five showed an increase in coronary heart disease of fifty percent. Also men from the ages of forty to sixty five with a body mass index of twenty five to twenty nine showed an increase of seventy five percent in risk for coronary heart disease. With increased weight comesShow MoreRelatedThe Healthcare Delivery System of the United States: Obesity715 Words   |  3 Pages The healthcare delivery system of the United States: Obesity Introduction One of the primary health concerns in the United States is that of the obesity epidemic. Currently, more than one third of adults older than 20 years are obese (James et al 2012) This is of concern to all Americans because the United States healthcare system fuses both a public and private approach to healthcare. Most individuals with health insurance obtain healthcare through their employers; those that do not mustRead MoreObesity : A Common Disorder Essay982 Words   |  4 PagesObesity is defined as being grossly fat or overweight. It’s a common disorder involving excessive body fat that increases the risk of health problems. Obesity is also a chronic disease that can have a negative effect on many systems in your body. It is classified as having a Body Mass Index(BMI) of 30 or greater. This condition is very common and usually self treatable rather you choose to diet or exercises which are great strategies for losing weight. Obesity increases your risk of developing rel atedRead MoreThe Growing Epidemic Of Obesity787 Words   |  4 Pages Since the 1960s, the United States has experienced an uptick in the amount of patients living with chronic diseases such as type II diabetes, coronary artery disease, and obesity. Currently, diseases such as obesity overwhelm the US healthcare system, which incurs major financial cost and negatively affects an individual’s quality of life. Particularly, the growing epidemic of obesity is affecting millions of people. Distressingly, the current generation of children is cited as the first generationRead MoreThe Effects Of Childhood Obesity: An Epidemic In Our Nation.1391 Words   |  6 PagesThe Effects of Childhood Obesity: An Epidemic in Our Nation Seema Patel A Capstone Proposal Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Healthcare Administration KAPLAN UNIVERSITY March 2017 The Effects of Childhood Obesity: An Epidemic in Our Nation Childhood obesity is a greatest public health concern in our nation because it has an immediate and long-term effect on morbidity and mortality later in life. Experts in this epidemic suggest that there isRead MoreHealth Care1371 Words   |  6 PagesKnowingly, the topic of healthcare is a popular topic in our American society. Some citizens want healthcare at a lower cost, others want more options for healthcare providers. Daily, these are the types of grievances in which health care officials are faced with. During most presidential elections, most nominees propose plans for health care. Health care has become more prevalent in our mainstream media. According to Tami Luhby, a CNN news reporter, a proposal on healthcare is currently being discussedRead MoreThe Importance Of Healthcare In America1390 Words   |  6 PagesSince its inception, healthcare has grown and expanded rapidly. From beginning as a field that relied primarily on traditional beliefs and barbers, medicine has be come progressively more science and technology based. The United States’ healthcare system, despite its flaws, is arguably one of the best treatment programs in the entire world. Currently, high quality care is being delivered to a good portion of the population and it appears that the overall health of society is increasing. However, aRead MorePaper714 Words   |  3 PagesHealthcare in the Unites States evolved from a simple home remedy self-care system with very little use of doctors to a complex, scientific, technological, and bureaucratic system. Prior to the 1900’s, there was no assistance with healthcare and individuals utilized home remedies or in severe circumstances utilized doctors with very little credentials that are required presently (Williams Torrens, 2008). There were little to no technology during this time. From 1900 until World War II however,Read MoreThe Graying Of Our Population879 Words   |  4 Pagesgroup, totaling nearly 70 million people, will have an enormous impact on the U.S. health care system. The aging population will create many new obstacles for the healthcare industry because as people age they are more likely to develop illness and disease. According to the EWA, nearly 65% of all people 65 and over and 60% of people between 50 and 64 have at least one chronic illness. The healthcare workforce is not nearly large enough to treat the number of patients that will require medicalRead MoreDisease Trends and the Delivery of Health Care Services Essay1457 Words   |  6 PagesProject Axia college 1/15/2012 Many health care professional have great concerns about the growth of the aging population, chronic disease and the epidemic of obesity, and how will the United States healthcare system prepared for this continuing epidemic. The fact that the aging population along with obesity epidemic is a global healthcare concern, many health cares’ professional is baffled about how to address the growing epidemic that many American’s will face. . According to the Centers forRead MoreObesity And Healthcare Economics : A Growing Problem Within The United States1661 Words   |  7 PagesObesity and Healthcare Economics A growing problem within the United States (US), as well as internationally, is the increasing epidemic of obesity. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recognizes a body mass index (BMI), measured in units of kg/m2, 25.0-29.9 as overweight, 30+ as obese, and 40+ as extreme obesity (CDC, 2015). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number one cause of death is non-communicable diseases (2015), which include diabetes, heart disease, hyperlipidemia