Physical inactivity, poor nutrition, and hereditary factors in obesity

Causes of Obesity

The topic that was selected for exploration in this paper is the relevant factors for causing obesity. Obesity is a serious problem in the United States today. There are some demographics (such as African-American women) in which it is more common for people to be obese than those of other ethnicities (Kumanyika et al. 166). Moreover, other critical segments of the population (such as children) are plagued by what is swiftly becoming an epidemic. Thus, this topic is apposite for contemporary social conditions in the U.S.

There are a number of different causes of obesity. One of the most enduring, perhaps, is a lack of physical fitness (Nantel et al.). Many different reasons contribute to this particular cause. Advances in technology, for instance, have helped to foster an environment in which it is frequently more attractive for children to stay inside and engage in sedentary activities such as playing video games, utilizing the internet, or simply watching movies and television, than engaging in robust physical activity such as playing outside. Still other people do not have the time to exercise as much as they should, and some people have too many financial obligations to properly dedicate the requisite amount of time to take care of their bodies.

Another fairly recurring cause of corpulence is improper nutrition. There are some socio-economic factors that are relevant for this cause. It is oftentimes less expensive and more accessible to people in poorer communities to find food that is not nutritious than that which is. The ready availability of fast food chains and the lack of health food stores and markets in these communities attest to this fact (Flournoy). Additionally, there are certain cultural factors that influence this cause. Certain cultures have traditions regarding the preparation and consuming of food that is not healthy and which contributes to poor health and obesity. For instance, cultural memes in African-American communities regarding fried chicken persist, as do those within Mexican communities regarding copious amounts of beans with lard, cheese, and other fried foods. Lastly, there are certain hereditary factors that can contribute to the incidence of obesity. Those in a family in which obesity is present are much more likely to become obese than those that are not in such a family.

Obesity is an important topic, as is discerning the causes of obesity, because it directly impacts the lives of those afflicted with this condition. Obesity can contribute to a number of other maladies that can be fatal if not properly treated (Grillo 4). One such malady is heart attacks and myriad other problems associated with the heart. Additionally, individuals who are obese enjoy a lower quality of life than those who are not obese (Meana and Ricciardi14). Psychological issues of self-worth and self-esteem can accompany obesity. It is also more difficult for obese people to engage in physical activity that is both fun and beneficial to them, such as hiking or riding a bicycle recreationally.