Individual Lifestyle vs Social Determinants †MyAssignmenthelp

Question: Discuss about the Individual Lifestyle vs Social Determinants. Answer: Introduction In todays world, it would not be an understatement to say that the problem of obesity and overweight in kids as well as in adults has taken a serious turn (Williamson, 2017). The government along with individuals need to pay more heed towards the issue. Obesity is the medical condition wherein the accumulation of excessive fat so much that it starts hampering the body and significantly increases the risk of other diseases. In 2016 close to 2 billion adults were obese worldwide and the more alarming issue is that obesity has higher morbidity rate (Papamargaritis, 2013). It is majorly determined by the social-cultural, environmental, nutritional, physical, political, genetical and psychological factors which in turn are determined by the government and thus making it a social responsibility (Mullan et al., 2017). The essay will lay a special emphasis on Australias determinants of obesity as an example. This essays main argument will be that the government has a substantial role to play in detraining the choice of factors available with public. It will also cover the implications in terms of governments responsibility to address the risk factors and various determinants which will prove that the government has a responsibility and duty towards the citizens to provide a conducive atmosphere for the citizens so that they do not fall prey to this disease. A Public Health Concern The phenomenon of the being overweight or obese is not new to the world and it has existed in all the countries from time o time. But what is astonishing is that it has become an increasing phenomenon in all the countries e.g. USA, UK, Japan, Sweden, India, etc whether it is a developed or a developing country. The rate at which it is growing in US/UK has doubled. The number of obese people in America has doubled in last three decades 2/3rd of the US adults are either overweight or obese. The effect could be seen in all the age groups i.e. kids, males, females, old age. The BMI scales of the people are crossing the charts. If the number for the future is predicted it would be something like: Year Male (%) Female (%) 2025 48 38 2050 62 48 Although there are many factors or determinants leading to the problem of obesity however key individual behavioral factors like unhealthy food habits and lack of much required physical activity in the daily routine are the main reasons for this (Carlos Burini, 2017). Although there are many causes but following are the prominent ones: The first factor which is the major cause of the sudden increase in the number of obese people all over the world is the unhealthy diets accompanied with very little or negligible nutritional value in the food (Johari and Shahar, 2014). Modern living has totally changed the way, type and kind of food intake which is high in calories, fried in nature and without any health benefits. The facts also substantiate the point that poor food quality with less nutritional value, when combined with artificial sweeteners in huge quantities, is the major reasons for significant weight gains. Unhealthy food habits like increased intake of sugar, cheap refined edible oil, carbohydrates, animal-sourced food and half cooked fatty food lead to obesity in adults and kids as well. Being overweight or obese in future leads to diseases like type two diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, coronary artery diseases stroke, and other liver and gallbladder diseases (Geyer, 2016). The second major factor is th e total lack of physical activity during the daily routine habit of one and all. This starts right from the childhood of the kids and which leads to obesity in kids which in turn grows as obesity in the adults (K. Chung and C. Romney, 2012). The government should take steps right at the beginning i.e. as soon as the schooling starts emphasis must be made to see to it that ample physical activity is imbibed in the curriculum of the kids. Contrarily a safe physical environment will also help in promoting outdoor activity thus increasing healthy habits. The sedentary lifestyle of the adults wherein there is no physical activity, sitting jobs in the offices and no time for physical trading and no control on the calorie intake as against the calories burnt leads to the high level of BMI levels leading to overweight and resulting to various chronic diseases. Over the period of time science has generated so much of labor-saving devices that everything is available at the fingertips and doo rsteps. The internet has so revolutionized things that no one needs to go out of his/her bed to buy anything. Thirdly, the type of atmosphere and environment in and around anyone lives also determines the level of obesity. It may be the political, economic, socio-cultural or physical environment (Young, Hinnant and Leshner, 2015). Economic factors can either uplift or downgrade the health choices people make and thus can have a positive or negative impact on the health. Poor economic conditions lead to the adoption of unhealthy food habits which has a poor impact on health. Physical environment decides the type and quantity of food available which leads to the forming of food habits of people. The socio-cultural environment also frames any individuals attitude towards health-related choices for example if in a society body size depicts a sign of wealth people will strive for a big body size. Cultural environment decides what people prefer to eat based on family and friend. Its on the part of the parents to inculcate healthy food habits. In so-called todays busy schedules skipping meals have become a common thing which reduces the metabolism rate and thus leading to weight gain. Thus socio-cultural factors affect the attitude and behavior related to healthy lifestyle choices. Another factor which plays an important role is the political factors which include the rules and regulation framed by the government, legislation passed, taxes levied, as all these decisions decide what type of food supplies and services will be promoted and demoted (Young, Hinnant and Leshner, 2015). Ethically the government should levy high taxes on unhealthy food products, alcohol, cigarettes and other harmful products so that their use is minimal and legislations act as deterrents. Fruits, vegetables, healthy food products such as dairy products should be tax-free or taxed at minimal rates. It has been found that the schools opt for packed food vending machines so as to have more profits as compared to healthy food; legislation should come forwards and ask schools to provide healthy food so as to inculcate good habits at early and childhood formative stages. Many nutritionists and analysts are of the opinion that schools can play a pivotal role in generating good food habits. At individual levels, we can say that genetic factors also play a vital role in being at risk of obesity. Obesity can be attributed to genetic factors at the early or infant stages. Leptin deficiency, prader willy syndrome etc., lead to obesity at later stages of adulthood. Most common is the case of high birth weight at the time of birth. In addition to the genetics, obesity is also caused because of all the factors combined. Mismatch of the energy consumed and energy burned also leads to obesity, hormonal factors also lead to overweight. It has been also established beyond doubt that psychological factors, social stigma or depression also contribute to a great extent in following the food habits. Obesity and stress go hand in hand. People tend to eat more when they are under stress. Also how society reacts to the obesity and stress and how the individual interprets the behavior of society also decides the food habits of an individual. It overall impacts the self-esteem, social func tioning and, self-perception of the individual. Once it starts deteriorating the self-efficacy of the individual also starts diminishing. His/her belief in her to do something starts fading away. It has been considered as a significant contributor to anyones overall health and well being. It is necessary to establish greater understanding amongst all the factors and obesity will help in developing preventive strategies. To be more specific and clear we can use the example of Australia to analyze the determinants or reasons responsible for the unprecedented rise in the obese population. If we talk in terms of facts Australia is the 5th largest country in terms of obesity where 15% of population was obese in 1981 and it rose to 30% in late 2015. 2/3rd of Australias adult population i.e. 65 % are obese. 29% Children in the age group of 5 to 18 years are overweight. In Australia obesity led to 50% of total burden of diseases due to diabetes 38%, chronic kidney disorders 23% and heart di seases 17% (Wiseman et al., 2014). The national health and medical research council (NHMRC) pose obesity as a major health problem. According to Dr. Manny Noakes expert in genetic factors, close to 80 % Australians are exposed to weight gains. Recently it has been found that the availability of the food in huge quantities or large serves has also lead to obesity in people as it also increases the appetite for more. Once the appetite increases people start craving for more and it leads to overeating. Food full of sugar, fat and oils only increases the abdominal weight (Wulaningsih et al., 2016). Once people start overeating next step that follows it is eating mindlessly. People eat and talk without giving it a thought that how much is required and how much they have eaten. Then comes another blow which is the availability of the food all the time as compared to the nations like France where there are set eating patterns. Sedentary type of living meaning thereby no physical activity d uring the work hours, long sitting routines have led to overweighed bodies. Calorie intake far exceeds the calories being burnt (Brahmbhatt, 2017). Further if we try to find any relationship between the two factors that is determinants of unhealthy diets and physical inactivity it can be established that they are somehow related with each other. Unhealthy diets when combined with physical inactivity it leads to obesity and overweight. It further aggravates the situation leading to several serious diseases like type 2 diabetes, coronary diseases, etc. It is also definite that this imbalance will not fade away simply by urging the society to do so; it will require a total societal restructuring. According to WHO, there is a need to modify the trans-fats and saturated fats limits, marketing practises, and to encourage environmental planning to facilitate cycling, walking and other activities and medicinal remedies aw well (Pare et al., 2016). Changes however will be gradual but strategies need to be clearly planned and they should have short term, intermediate and long term goals. Now after the analysis of the lifestyle determinant s and the causes at length and their interrelationship, it can be implied that the government needs to play an active role so as to inculcate healthy habits amongst the people and take remedial measures (Bunc, 2016). It should keep a check on the advertisements which promote unhealthy foods and products. It must ensure proper food labeling is done. Health Star System and pricing measures should be introduced. There should be a control on the supply of sugar-sweetened beverages and a firm tax structure should be levied. The government should propagate and educate people about the healthy lifestyle and should provide them with the facilities required for the same like playgrounds, weight management programmes, and subsidies on the healthy foods. It should educate the families as to how they can provide a healthy and quality environment to their children which would include ample physical activity and balanced nutritious food diet (Burgess, Hassmn and Pumpa, 2017). The government can m ake changes in the town and planning structure to provide secure grounds and play areas for activities. Community education programmes relating to the importance of healthy foods should be made accessible to all. Conclusion Education, lifestyle preferences, cultural environment, socioeconomic level etc play an important role in increasing obesity worldwide (Hawkins, 2016). It can be understood and analyzed that all the causes discussed are predictable and manageable. It is therefore essential to create a sustainable life strategy for a healthy lifestyle. Most critical step lies on the part of the governments that are to take the matters into their own hands and be responsible for their citizens. However the fact that the people are responsible for their own well being and they should take keen interests as it is them and their loved ones whose lives are at stake. The philosophy behind the obesity and determinants are to be handled by the individuals and the government jointly and government can only formulate laws and guide, it is the people who have to follow the rules and take care of themselves (Kilov and Kilov, 2017). References Williamson, D. (2017). 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