Facing the problems of overweight and the ways of coping with it

Specific Purpose: to explain the reasons of obesity and give recommendations on how to stay healthy.

Introduction: I want to emphasize, that even the Americans are facing the problem of overweight; they are trying to fight it. There are several reasons for overweight and obesity in the U.S. nowadays like: away-from-home-foods, eating a lot, sedentary lifestyle, convenience food. Many factors determine peoples’ eating habits. They are the result of both external factors, such as politics, society, religion, economy, environment, and internal factors, such as values, personal preferences and culture. These habits are formed, and may change, over a person's lifetime. The U.S. helps the Americans to solve this problem creating the State program like CDC’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Program aimed at Preventing Obesity and other Chronic Diseases. The mission of the Program is to lead strategic public health efforts to prevent and control obesity, chronic diseases and other health conditions through regular physical activity and good nutrition.

Body:

1. First let me tell you some facts, proving the existence of the problem

1. Tell about the fact, that in spite of Americans are striving to eat a well-balanced food, the index of obesity and overweight is constantly increasing over the past two decades.

1. Give statistic of overweight and obesity in the U.S. in general and in California in particular, (according to the Keystone Forum about 64% of all U.S. adults are overweight, including 30% who are obese). In California the prevalence obesity is equivalent to 20-24% in 2007 (according to the CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System).
2. Present the results of interview conducted in Monterey (7 out of 10 people agree that Americans are overweight and 5 out of 10 admitted that they eat unhealthy food almost every day. While 50% of respondents in the age of 40-50 said that they don’t eat unhealthy food for the last several years).

1. Then I’m going to share the reasons for overweight and obesity with you.
1. Tell the results of the interview held in Monterey - 80% of respondents called the main reasons for overweight and obesity:
1. Away-from-home-foods. Point out the reason of choosing this type of food: growing number of women working outside the home, higher incomes, and more affordable and convenient fast-food outlets.
2. Give the results of the Nationwide Food Consumption Surveys (in 1996, 39% of total food expenditure was spent away from home; by 2006 that share was more than 47%)
3. Present the results of the interview conducted last week in Monterey (60% of respondents usually have dinner away from home because 10% - has had more higher income than before, 20% - have no time to cook, 20% - more affordable and convenient and 10% -others)

2.2.1. Eat a lot. Point out that eateries now offer the option of larger serving (portion) sizes for a nominal additional fee (a “super size”) or sometimes as additional to the main dish just for free.

2.2.2. Give as the example the interview with a mother of three children (she always tried to choose a “super size” dish) and tell why it is convenient for her.

2.3.1. Sedentary lifestyle. Remember about the lack or shortage of physical activity.

2.3.2. Give the statistic. The interview in Monterey- among the women in the age of 30-46, 30% don’t attend the sport center, 20% said – only if they have spare time and 50 % attend sport center on regular basis.

2.4.1. Convenience food. Speak about fully or partially prepared “TOTE” (take –out-to-eat) foods.

2.4.2. Present the results of the interview in Monterey (50% - said it was more affordable and convenient, and the other 50% - no time to make homemade food, but had shortage of finance to have dinner at the restaurant).

1. Third, I’ll point out the factors that determine peoples’ eating habits

3.1.external factors, such as politics, society, religion, economy, environment;

3.2.internal factors, such as values, personal preferences and culture.

3.3. Don’t forget to tell that habits are formed, and may change, over a person's lifetime.

3.4. Tell the results of the study of the United Soybean Board (74% of consumers changed eating habits in the past 3 to 5 years due to health concerns).

3.5. Present the results of the International Food and Information Council. It confirms that 67% of Americans have changed their diets over the past 6 months.

3.6. Point out the reason of changing the food preference like well-being, lose weight, and improve physical health.

3.7. Tell the results: improve overall well-being (69%) in comparison with 40% of Monterey respondents, lose weight (69%) or improve physical health (64%) and 30% - 40% accordingly.

1. Fourth, I ‘d like to let you know about the program the U.S. created to cope with this problem
1. Speak about the U.S. State program which is called CDC’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Program to Prevent Obesity and other Chronic Diseases
2. Point out the mission – to lead strategic public health efforts to prevent and control obesity, chronic diseases and other health conditions through regular physical activity and good nutrition.

 

1. Finally I’ll tell you about recommendations the respondents gave me while I made the interview last week.
1. Increase consumption of fruits and vegetables and decrease consumption of sugar sweetened beverages;

5.2. Away-from-home food establishments should provide consumers with calorie information in a standard format;

5.3.Regular physical activity;

5.4.Availability of the information;

5.5.Food service providers should develop and promote portion-size, plate composition;

5.6.Promote life-style educational program;

5.7.Promote low-calorie dietary pattern

Conclusion:

Thus facing the problem of overweight and obesity the State tries to do their best in order to make people healthy, like producing the state program focusing on good nutrition, and physical activity. The progress has been already achieved. The statistic tells that there’s no growth of overweight in the age of 40-50.

Bibliography:

1. Contribution of Away-From-Home Foods to American Diet Quality. Family Economics and Nutrition Review. 1999.Vol. 12.Nos.3/4.ABI/INFORM Global p.85
2. Andrew Martin. “One country’s Table Scraps. Another Country’s Meal”. Week Review. May 18, 2008.
3. Tara Parker-Pope. “Instead of Eating to Diet, They’re Eating to Enjoy; (Dining In, Dining Out/Style Desk). New York Times. New York, NY.:Sept 17, 2008. Pg.F.1
4. Carole M. Counihan.” Food Rules in the United States: Individualism, Control, and Hierarchy”. Anthropological Quarterly. Apr 92, Vol.65 Issue 2.pp55-56.
5. Michael O. Leavitt. “Physical Activity and Good Nutrition: Essential Elements to Prevent Chronic Diseases and Obesity. At A Glance 2008. Mhtml:http://googlemail.com/attach?ui=2&ik=d8dc2bf730&realattid=f_flg62qxo0&a