Research Paper on "Risk Factor Intervention"

Research Paper 7 pages (2111 words) Sources: 6

[EXCERPT] . . . .

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Risk Factor Intervention

Risk Factor and Population

The risk factor being looked at is that of adult obesity in Tulsa County, Oklahoma.

Scope of the Problem & Contributing Factors

Overweight and obesity are both tags for ranges of weight that are greater than what is normally considered healthy for a given height. The terms also recognize ranges of weight that have been shown to augment the likelihood of certain diseases and other health problems. For adults, overweight and obesity ranges are determined by using weight and height to compute a number called the body mass index (BMI). BMI is used for most people because it correlates with their amount of body fat.

An adult who has a BMI between 25 and 29.9 is measured overweight.

An adult who has a BMI of 30 or higher is measured obese (Defining Overweight and Obesity, 2010).

Obesity is the health topic of choice these days for the reason that obesity in America is a growing epidemic. Two out of every three adults are either overweight or obese. Additionally, one out of every three children is either overweight or obese. Society is teaching unhealthy habits to children and they will essentially be sicker than they already are. Obesity is very unique problem all in itself. Everyone sees it. Everyone knows it's a problem. But everyone is too scared or too lazy to create or execute a solution that will get rid of it. Being overweight or obese does not just affect just the individual person. It affects everyone because of the financial burden it places on society. According to the CDC, during 2003 medical expenses attributed to people being overweight or obese were almost seventy five billion dollars. That is a large sum of money, and is part of the reason why health care in America is so expensive (Obesity in America, 2009).

With obesity at epidemic levels, steps need to be taken to control this issue. In Tulsa County, Oklahoma observation systems have improved and been extended to get more accurate county-level data. While efforts carry on this front, communities must utilize this information to improve the problem itself. With health care costs being, on average, almost four hundred dollars more for a person under the age of 65 who is obese than a person of the same age who is not obese, estimated health care costs related to obesity for Tulsa County are almost forty one million. These costs only go up when the 65 and over population are included (Working together for help, 2010).

According to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS, 2003 & 2005), 36.8% of Tulsa County adults are overweight while 24.6% are obese. For the State of Oklahoma 36% of people are overweight and 27.5% are obese. For the entire country 34.9% of people are overweight, while 23.7% are obese. Not only in Tulsa County but in the entire State of Oklahoma the percentage of the population overweight and obese is greater than the average across the country (Working together for help, 2010).

There are many contributing factors that lead to this problem. The first factor is the increasing inactivity of the U.S. population is contributing to an increase in numerous poor health-related outcomes. Physical inactivity robs the body of precious energy needed to function properly, in turn health declines, and rates of various chronic diseases escalate. According to the 2003-2008 BRFSS, it is estimated that 26.8% (112,921) of people in Tulsa County had no leisure activity in the past month compared to 29.9% for the entire state and over two-thirds of the adults (66.8%) in Tulsa County did not reach the recommended physical activity level. Also according to this survey 84.3% of Tulsa County adults did not eat the recommended 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day (Working together for help, 2010).

Targeted Goals

The Nutrition and Weight Status objectives for Healthy People 2020 reflect strong knowledge supporting the health benefits of eating a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy body weight. The objectives also highlight that efforts to change diet and weight should address individual behaviors, as well as the policies and environments that support these behaviors in settings such as schools, work sites, health care organizations, and communities.

The objectives for weight status include increasing the proportion of adults who are at a healthy weight and reduce the amount of adults who are obese. The baseline for increasing the proportion of adults who are at a healthy weight is 30.8% of persons aged 20 years and over were at a healthy weight in 2005 -- 08 (age adjusted to the year 2000 standard population). The target is 33.9% which is a 10% improvement. The baseline 34.0% of persons aged 20 years and over were obese in 2005 -- 08 (age adjusted to the year 2000 standard population). The target is 30.6% which is a 10% improvement (Healthy People 2020, 2011).

According to Oklahoma Health Improvement Plan two-thirds of Oklahomans are overweight or obese, with Oklahoma ranked as the 6th worst state in adult obesity. It is thought that policy and environmental changes that make healthy choices in nutrition and physical activity available will be most effective in combating obesity. Goals include:

Implementing strategies and public policies in the Get Fit Eat Smart Oklahoma Physical Activity and Nutrition Plan

Implementing evidence-based programs that address obesity issues

Integrate and coordinate nutrition and obesity programs across the state

Proposing public policy changes needed to advance Oklahoma's health and fitness.

Intervention

Obesity is a serious and rising health epidemic in this country. It is estimated that nearly ninety three million Americans are obese and that number is predicted to climb to one hundred and twenty million within the next five years. There are more than thirty medical conditions that are connected with obesity. Individuals who are obese are at risk of developing one or more of these serious medical conditions. The most prevalent obesity-related diseases include:

High blood pressure

High cholesterol

Diabetes

Heart disease

Stroke

Gallbladder disease

Osteoarthritis

Sleep apnea and respiratory problems

Some cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon) (All about obesity, 2011).

There are many causes that directly and indirectly contribute to obesity. Behavior, environment and genetics are amid the main contributors to obesity. The Centers for Disease Control has identified these three as the main causes to the complexity of the obesity epidemic.

Behavior - In today's fast-paced atmosphere, it is easy to take on unhealthy behaviors. Behavior, in the case of obesity, relates to food choices, quantity of physical activity you get and the effort to uphold ones health. Americans are consuming more calories on average than in the past. This increase in calories has also reduced the nutrients consumed that are needed for a healthy diet. This behavioral trouble also relates to the augment in portion sizes at home and when dining out. While Americans are consuming more calories, they are not expending them with sufficient physical activity. Physical activity is a significant element in modifying and shaping behaviors. The influence of television, computers and other technologies discourage physical activity and add to the difficulty of obesity in society.

Environment - Environment plays a key role in determining a person's habits and lifestyle. There are a lot of environmental influences that can impact ones health choices. Today's culture has developed a more inactive lifestyle. Walking has been substituted by driving cars, physical activity has been substituted by technology and nutrition has been overcome by convenience foods.

Genetics - Science shows that genetics play a role in obesity. Genes can cause certain disorders which consequence in obesity. Nevertheless, not all individuals who are inclined to obesity become obese. Research is at present underway to determine which genes add most to obesity (All about obesity, 2011).

Since behavior plays such a big role in obesity. Changing those behaviors that may have contributed to developing obesity is one way to treat the disease. A few suggested behavior modifiers include:

altering eating habits increasing physical activity becoming educated about the body and how to nourish it properly engaging in a support group or extra curricular activity setting realistic weight management goals

It is significant to make a solid promise to changing a behavior or lifestyle. Another behavior modification that can be done is increasing or staring a physical activity program is a significant facet in managing obesity. Today's society has developed a very sedentary lifestyle and custom physical activity can really impact ones health (All about obesity, 2011).

Participating in a non-clinical program or commercially operated program is another type of treatment for obesity. Some programs may be commercially run, such as a privately owned weight-loss chain. Counselors, books, Web sites or support groups are all ways that one can be involved in a non-clinical weight-loss program (All about obesity, 2011).

Physician-supervised weight-loss programs offer treatment in a clinical setting with a licensed healthcare professional, such as a medical doctor, nurse, registered dietitian or psychologist. These programs characteristically offer services such as nutrition education, pharmacotherapy, physical… READ MORE

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