According to procon.org, the United states owning the title of second place for the most obese industrialized country in the world. 2013 stats show that 31.8% Americans were obese compared to the mid-1970s with only 14% of Americans obese. 10% of deaths and health care spending is due to obesity. People argue that obesity is a disease or a preventable risk factor.
Obesity has been debated to be a disease. According to the American Medical Association, obesity meets the definition of the word disease. There are 3 criteria that identify disease are 1) “an impairment of the normal functioning of some aspect of the body”, 2) “characteristic signs and symptoms”, and 3) “harm or morbidity”. Obesity these 3 criteria. Obesity can also be identified as a genetic disorder. “Journal of Molecular Psychology” has linked higher rating of obesity to the FTO gene (fat mass and obesity association). Reports show the FTO gene lowers activity in the brain that “controls impulses and the response to the taste and even the texture of food.” This means that as people with gene age they are more likely to eat fatty food and more impulsively.
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People believe that it is a side effect. Obesity can be caused by the following, Cushing’s syndrome, arthritis,depression, and increased insulin levels. Certain drugs like, anti-psychotic medications,steroids, and beta blockers can also cause obesity. Other ways obesity can be caused is by lack of sleep, quitting smoking, and consuming high fructose corn syrup. Obesity is also caused by sedentary lifestyle. If you compare society today to 40 years ago, we spend more time on our computers, watching television, and exercising less. In the 60s 50% of jobs required moderate physical activity. Studies in 2011 showed the only 20% required moderate