An average adult weighs 137 pounds in the world today; whereas in the United States, the average adult weighs 180 pounds (Walpole, 2012). This startling statistic shows that obesity is a rising issue in the United States. However, this issue can be minimized and reduced by taking the correct steps toward a healthy lifestyle. This includes maintaining a healthy diet, exercise routine, and sleep schedule. By having the adequate nutrition, people can avoid reaching a state of obesity.
According to Development Across the Life Span, obesity in America is on the rise. Obesity is defined as when one’s body weight that is 20% or more above the average body weight for a person of a given height and age. A third of adults in the United States are classified as obese, which has tripled since the 1960s. Not only that, but research shows that as one increases in age, they are
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If an individual is stressed, cortisol levels rise and release more glucose. This is done so that the body has more fuel to “fight or run” during the moments of high stress. However, having too much cortisol can mean that the body has too much glucose floating around. If the glucose does not get used, it is then stores as excess fat in the body, which in turn lead to overweight and obesity as it continues. In the same study, researchers found that obese individuals that have a BMI higher than 30% of the suggested healthy weight also have the highest cortisol levels. UCL’s Dr. Sarah Jackson explains, “People who had higher hair cortisol levels also tended to have larger waist measurements, which is important because carrying excess fat around the abdomen (apple shaped body) is a risk factor for heart disease diabetes, and premature death.” However, just as a person who smokes can avoid lung cancer, an obese person can maintain a life without drastic health