Global Perspective on Obesity

Global Perspective on Obesity

America is still in the lead when it comes to obesity rates. Two thirds of American adults are obese. Although it's not just adults. According to the Newsroom Panama, there are already more than 42 millon children under the age of 5 that are obese. Stated in The Economist, "Americans may be shocked by these numbers, but for the rest of the world they fit a stereotype. Hamburgers, sodas and sundaes are considered as American as the Stars and Stripes." Although Americans seem shocked to hear these numbers, are we really that surprised? Is the United States viewed as an obese country all around the world? 

From my personal experiences, America does have larger people than around the rest of the world. From a recent trip to Europe, I discovered that Europeans are very fit. They are constantly on the run, working out, or taking walks, jogs, or bike rides. Although they have the same transportation available to them, they understand the importance of healthy living. Not to say that America doesn't understand the benefits of being fit and healthy, but we need to really understand it better.

In an article by Global Issues, it has been said that, "For the first time in human history, the number of overweight people rivals the number of underweight people.… While the world’s underfed population has declined slightly since 1980 to 1.1 billion, the number of overweight people has surged to 1.1 billion." This is being said in proportion to all the world, not just the United States. Not only is America leading in obesity rates, but the CIA has stated that Samoa has an abundance of obesity. According to Brown University, "A new Brown University study finds that the Samoan epidemic of obesity may start with rapid weight gain in early infancy." After being born slightly on the larger side, by 15 months old, the children have gained enough weight to be classified as obese. Also included in the article was, "By 15 months of age 23.3 percent of boys and 16.7 percent of girls were obese (based on being heavier than the U.S. CDC’s 95th percentile). A further 16.1 percent of boys and 14.0 percent of girls were overweight." Obesity is a problem all over the world. What can we do to help? Encourage those you know to start taking trips to the gym, going on a bike ride, or even take a walk.


Works Cited:

"The Big Picture." The Economist. N.p., 15 Dec. 2012. Web.
Shah, Anup. "Obesity." Global Issues. N.p., 21 Nov. 2010. Web.
"WORLDVIEW: Battling Obesity - Join the Food Revolution." Newsroom Panama. N.p., 17 May 2012. Web.
"A Spotlight on World Obesity Rates." Central Intelligence Agency. N.p., 19 Nov. 2012. Web.
Orenstein, David. "Samoan Obesity Epidemic Starts at Birth." Brown University. N.p., 5 Feb. 2013. Web.