PH Ch 16

apple-shaped risk

• Distribution of fat on the body makes a difference (waist to hip ratio)→ higher risks for apple-shaped people→ gaining weight in abdominal area gives higher risk to heart disease and diabetes

SES influences obesity

college graduates are thinner (less education correlates with higher rates of obesity)

racial differences in obesity

black women more likely to be overweight than white women→ health risks of overweight and obesity are less marked in blacks (appear healthier than whites with high BMIs) • Health risks of excess weight are highest for Asians→ healthy BMI cuts off earlier for them • Greater prevalence in black women compared to white women contributes to poorer health among blacks→ higher rates of cardiovascular disease and diabetes→ many Hispanics and Indians are also overweight, accounting for high rates of diabetes among these groups • White men are more likely to be overweight or obese than black men

social support (eating healthier)

way of providing healthy eating at the level of the individual and is or her family and friends o Ex: whole family is willing to adopt a diet together or by a group program such as Weight Watchers

self-efficacy

improved by point of choice postings about nutritional information→ helps shoppers who are concerned about their health make better choices→ also enhanced through demonstrations of cooking methods and practice in calculating portion sizes

diet and nutrition

• Americans eat too much fat and protein and too little fruits and veggies→ high cholesterol and blood pressure (risks for heart disease) • Only 1-3% of Americans eat the recommended servings of all food groups per day→ fruit is most commonly omitted, intake of fat and sugar is too high • Increased intake of sweetened beverages also contributes to obesity, especially in children, combined with a decrease in consuming milk products

diseases from bad nutrition

• Breast and colon cancers are more likely in people who eat diets high in meat and low in fruits and veggies • Type 2 Diabetes→ often brought on by obesity • Osteoporosis→ increasingly common because young women are not getting enough calcium, best obtained by low-fat dairy products

childhood obesity

• Overweight among children has been increasing since 1960s o Complications of childhood obesity involve almost every organ, including heart, lungs, kidneys, GI system, and musculoskeletal system→ harmful effects of excess weight increase with longer duration of obesity, so fat children who grow up to be fat adults will suffer excess morbidity and mortality o Obesity in children also tends to cause psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, social isolation, and low self-esteem→ more likely to pick up habits and risks for eating disorders→ less likely to complete college and more likely to live in poverty

obesity

• Weight-associated health risks begin to appear at about BMI of 25→ obesity is defined by BMI of 30 • Obesity has increased dramatically in past 30 years