Essay on Obesity in Adults

Obesity has been an issue of contention for a significant period. Obesity can be defined as the excessive or abnormal accumulation of fat in the body to the point of presenting health risks. A basic and common method of determining obesity is through the use of the body mass index where an individuals weight in kilograms is divided by the square of her or his height in meters. The result is called the BMI which if it is equal to or above thirty, the individual is considered as obese

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In the last three decades, the number of obese people in the United States as well as the world has increased dramatically. Various research studies have also revealed that a third of the American population is overweight. However, in spite of its prevalence and seriousness, the resistance of obesity prevention and intervention is high considering the fact that health complications and deaths as a result of obesity qualify it to be classified to as an epidemic. Obesity statistics have shown variations depending on sex, race, age and socioeconomic status. In this respect, more women than men are obese however the tendency to become obese for both sexes increases with age. Furthermore, developed nations have more obese people as compared to developing countries with people in a higher socioeconomic status having more obese numbers than those in lower social classes regardless of whether they are in developed or developing countries (Livia, et al., 2016).

Obesity has been linked with various health risks that result in increases mortality and morbidity. Several research studies have shown that obesity has been associated with premature mortality, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, complications during pregnancy, gall bladder problems, renal and pulmonary problems, carbohydrate intolerance and surgical risks such as risks with anesthesia. There are other less severe complications associated with obesity such as menstrual disturbances, osteoarthritis, and hernias. Also, there are a variety of social and psychological consequences linked with obesity that are impediments to ones social and sexual life (Mastellos, Gunn, Felix, Car, & Majeed, 2014). As such, it is important to come up with appropriate and effective prevention and intervention methods to obesity to manage the severe effects of this lifestyle epidemic.

In examining the obesity preventions and interventions strategies, an appropriate theory is the Transtheoretical Model (TTM). It is a biopsychosocial and interactive model that conceptualizes the intentional behavioral change process. As opposed to other behavior change models that primarily focus on either social or biological influence, TTM integrates and includes chief aspects from other behavior change theories to produce a comprehensive theory that is applicable to various demographics, behaviors, and settings (Nigg, et al., 2011). Thus, the Transtheoretical model is an appropriate approach to conceptualizing and treating eating habits that lead to obesity as it attempts to describe and isolate basic elements in the behavior change process. Subsequently, the model is heterogeneous and comprehensive enough to incorporate multidimensional issues associated with obesity.

Any intervention and prevention strategies based on the Transtheoretical model have to consider all the stages that an individual goes through while making decisions on altering their lifestyles. Obesity has been observed to be a product of culture. Thus, there is a significant number that does not see the need to recognize the risks of obesity thus do not see the need to change any of their behaviors. Such individuals that fall in the precontemplation cluster thus do not have enough knowledge on the risks of their obese nature (Livia, et al., 2016). Consequently, the initial step would be to educate such people on the subjects of obesity. This education would play a significant role in dispelling any preconceived cultural beliefs on obesity by highlighting its severe consequences.

The contemplation and preparation cluster, on the other hand, have a majority if not all information on the dangers of obesity. As such, they are not taking action due to lack of information, rather they do not have the necessary motivation to take the next step. However, most of the obese individuals acquire such information through brief encounters that typically involve doctors visits or lectures on obesity that provide generic advice of eating less and exercising more. However, most individuals in the contemplation and preparation stage are not advised on the implementation of the eat less exercise more prescription (Nigg, et al., 2011). Thus, an appropriate improvement strategy to motivating such individuals would be to ensure that visits to the doctor or primary caregiver are comprehensive in that the emotional and physical status of the patient is comprehensively determined in order to apply the necessary and appropriate changes to the patients behavior on their exercise and eating habits.

In the final two stages, action and maintenance, the strategy would incorporate therapy and counseling regimens aimed at teaching obese and overweight people various lifestyle and dieting skills such as stress management and physical activity. With time and continued observation of the overweight and obese individuals, more complex strategies could be introduced such intense physical exercise and cognitive behavioral counseling. These stages also warrant communication between the obese, the physicians and weight loss counselors in order to prevent relapses (Mastellos, Gunn, Felix, Car, & Majeed, 2014). Furthermore, doctors, as well as other stakeholders, would be advised to treat obesity as a chronic disease. This move would facilitate the improvement of the strategies implemented in the various stages of the TTM, more specifically the maintenance stage as there would be periodic reassessments, constant access to counseling and continuous care by health care personnel.

Overall, obesity, as stated, is a significant health concern. If the statistics are anything to go by, it is more prudent to prevent obesity be it in children or adults as opposed to treating it. in this endeavor, the change of behaviors that lead to obesity is the most effective way to intervene and prevent this epidemic. As such behavior change theories play a huge role in the formulation of intervention and preventive strategies. In light of their need, it is only practical to adopt a behavior change theory that takes into account all, or at the very least, a majority of factors that play a role in obesity, thus using the Transtheoretical Model ensures that both social and biological influences are considered in approaching obesity intervention and prevention.

References

Livia, B., Elisa, R., Claudia, R., Roberto, P., Cristina, A., Emilia, S. T., . . . Claudia, M. (2016). Stage of Change and Motivation to a Healthier Lifestyle before and after an Intensive Lifestyle Intervention. Journal of Obesity, 1-7.

Mastellos, N., Gunn, L. H., Felix, L. M., Car, J., & Majeed, A. (2014, February 5). Transtheoretical model stages of change for dietary and physical exercise modification in weight loss management for overweight and obese adults. Retrieved from Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews: http://www.cochranelibrary.com/enhanced/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD008066.pub3

Nigg, C. R., Geller, K. S., Motl, R. W., Horwath, C. C., Wertin, K. K., & Dishmane, R. K. (2011). A research agenda to examine the efficacy and relevance of the Transtheoretical Model for physical activity behavior. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 7-12.