thesis for essay about obesity

Obesity Essay

Last updated on: Feb 9, 2023

Obesity Essay: A Complete Guide and Topics

By: Nova A.

11 min read

Reviewed By: Jacklyn H.

Published on: Aug 31, 2021

Are you assigned to write an essay about obesity? The first step is to define obesity.

The obesity epidemic is a major issue facing our country right now. It's complicated- it could be genetic or due to your environment, but either way, there are ways that you can fix it!

Learn all about what causes weight gain and get tips on how you can get healthy again.

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What is Obesity

What is obesity? Obesity and BMI (body mass index) are both tools of measurement that are used by doctors to assess body fat according to the height, age, and gender of a person. If the BMI is between 25 to 29.9, that means the person has excess weight and body fat.

If the BMI exceeds 30, that means the person is obese. Obesity is a condition that increases the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, and other medical conditions like metabolic syndrome, arthritis, and even some types of cancer.

Obesity Definition

Obesity is defined by the World Health Organization as an accumulation of abnormal and excess body fat that comes with several risk factors. It is measured by the body mass index BMI, body weight (in kilograms) divided by the square of a person’s height (in meters).

Obesity in America

Obesity is on the verge of becoming an epidemic as 1 in every 3 Americans can be categorized as overweight and obese. Currently, America is an obese country, and it continues to get worse.

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Causes of obesity

Do you see any obese or overweight people around you?

You likely do.

This is because fast-food chains are becoming more and more common, people are less active, and fruits and vegetables are more expensive than processed foods, thus making them less available to the majority of society. These are the primary causes of obesity.

Obesity is a disease that affects all age groups, including children and elderly people.

Now that you are familiar with the topic of obesity, writing an essay won’t be that difficult for you.

How to Write an Obesity Essay

The format of an obesity essay is similar to writing any other essay. If you need help regarding how to write an obesity essay, it is the same as writing any other essay.

Obesity Essay Introduction

The trick is to start your essay with an interesting and catchy sentence. This will help attract the reader's attention and motivate them to read further. You don’t want to lose the reader’s interest in the beginning and leave a bad impression, especially if the reader is your teacher.

A hook sentence is usually used to open the introductory paragraph of an essay in order to make it interesting. When writing an essay on obesity, the hook sentence can be in the form of an interesting fact or statistic.

Head on to this detailed article on hook examples to get a better idea.

Once you have hooked the reader, the next step is to provide them with relevant background information about the topic. Don’t give away too much at this stage or bombard them with excess information that the reader ends up getting bored with. Only share information that is necessary for the reader to understand your topic.

Next, write a strong thesis statement at the end of your essay, be sure that your thesis identifies the purpose of your essay in a clear and concise manner. Also, keep in mind that the thesis statement should be easy to justify as the body of your essay will revolve around it.

Body Paragraphs

The details related to your topic are to be included in the body paragraphs of your essay. You can use statistics, facts, and figures related to obesity to reinforce your thesis throughout your essay.

If you are writing a cause-and-effect obesity essay, you can mention different causes of obesity and how it can affect a person’s overall health. The number of body paragraphs can increase depending on the parameters of the assignment as set forth by your instructor.

Start each body paragraph with a topic sentence that is the crux of its content. It is necessary to write an engaging topic sentence as it helps grab the reader’s interest. Check out this detailed blog on writing a topic sentence to further understand it.

End your essay with a conclusion by restating your research and tying it to your thesis statement. You can also propose possible solutions to control obesity in your conclusion. Make sure that your conclusion is short yet powerful.

Obesity Essay Examples

Essay about Obesity (PDF)

Childhood Obesity Essay (PDF)

Obesity in America Essay (PDF)

Essay about Obesity Cause and Effects (PDF)

Satire Essay on Obesity (PDF) 

Obesity Argumentative Essay (PDF)

Obesity Essay Topics

Choosing a topic might seem an overwhelming task as you may have many ideas for your assignment. Brainstorm different ideas and narrow them down to one, quality topic.

If you need some examples to help you with your essay topic related to obesity, dive into this article and choose from the list of obesity essay topics.

Childhood Obesity

As mentioned earlier, obesity can affect any age group, including children. Obesity can cause several future health problems as children age.

Here are a few topics you can choose from and discuss for your childhood obesity essay:

• What are the causes of increasing obesity in children?
• Obese parents may be at risk for having children with obesity.
• What is the ratio of obesity between adults and children?
• What are the possible treatments for obese children?
• Are there any social programs that can help children with combating obesity?
• Has technology boosted the rate of obesity in children?
• Are children spending more time on gadgets instead of playing outside?
• Schools should encourage regular exercises and sports for children.
• How can sports and other physical activities protect children from becoming obese?
• Can childhood abuse be a cause of obesity among children?
• What is the relationship between neglect in childhood and obesity in adulthood?
• Does obesity have any effect on the psychological condition and well-being of a child?
• Are electronic medical records effective in diagnosing obesity among children?
• Obesity can affect the academic performance of your child.
• Do you believe that children who are raised by a single parent can be vulnerable to obesity?
• You can promote interesting exercises to encourage children.
• What is the main cause of obesity, and why is it increasing with every passing day?
• Schools and colleges should work harder to develop methodologies to decrease childhood obesity.
• The government should not allow schools and colleges to include sweet or fatty snacks as a part of their lunch.
• If a mother is obese, can it affect the health of the child?
• Children who gain weight frequently can develop chronic diseases.

Obesity Argumentative Essay Topics

Do you want to write an argumentative essay on the topic of obesity?

The following list can help you with that!

Here are some examples you can choose from for your argumentative essay about obesity:

• Can vegetables and fruits decrease the chances of obesity?
• Should you go for surgery to overcome obesity?
• Are there any harmful side effects?
• Can obesity be related to the mental condition of an individual?
• Are parents responsible for controlling obesity in childhood?
• What are the most effective measures to prevent the increase in the obesity rate?
• Why is the obesity rate increasing in the United States?
• Can the lifestyle of a person be a cause of obesity?
• Does the economic situation of a country affect the obesity rate?
• How is obesity considered an international health issue?
• Can technology and gadgets affect obesity rates?
• What can be the possible reasons for obesity in a school?
• How can we address the issue of obesity?
• Is obesity a chronic disease?
• Is obesity a major cause of heart attacks?
• Are the junk food chains causing an increase in obesity?
• Do nutritional programs help in reducing the obesity rate?
• How can the right type of diet help with obesity?
• Why should we encourage sports activities in schools and colleges?
• Can obesity affect a person’s behavior?

Health Related Topics for Research Paper

If you are writing a research paper, you can explain the cause and effect of obesity.

Here are a few topics that link to the cause and effects of obesity.Review the literature of previous articles related to obesity. Describe the ideas presented in the previous papers.

• Can family history cause obesity in future generations?
• Can we predict obesity through genetic testing?
• What is the cause of the increasing obesity rate?
• Do you think the increase in fast-food restaurants is a cause of the rising obesity rate?
• Is the ratio of obese women greater than obese men?
• Why are women more prone to be obese as compared to men?
• Stress can be a cause of obesity. Mention the reasons how mental health can be related to physical health.
• Is urban life a cause of the increasing obesity rate?
• People from cities are prone to be obese as compared to people from the countryside.
• How obesity affects the life expectancy of people? What are possible solutions to decrease the obesity rate?
• Do family eating habits affect or trigger obesity?
• How do eating habits affect the health of an individual?
• How can obesity affect the future of a child?
• Obese children are more prone to get bullied in high school and college.
• Why should schools encourage more sports and exercise for children?

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Topics for Essay on Obesity as a Problem

Do you think a rise in obesity rate can affect the economy of a country?

Here are some topics for your assistance regarding your economics related obesity essay.

• Does socioeconomic status affect the possibility of obesity in an individual?
• Analyze the film and write a review on “Fed Up” – an obesity epidemic.
• Share your reviews on the movie “The Weight of The Nation.”
• Should we increase the prices of fast food and decrease the prices of fruits and vegetables to decrease obesity?
• Do you think healthy food prices can be a cause of obesity?
• Describe what measures other countries have taken in order to control obesity?
• The government should play an important role in controlling obesity. What precautions should they take?
• Do you think obesity can be one of the reasons children get bullied?
• Do obese people experience any sort of discrimination or inappropriate behavior due to their weight?
• Are there any legal protections for people who suffer from discrimination due to their weight?
• Which communities have a higher percentage of obesity in the United States?
• Discuss the side effects of the fast-food industry and their advertisements on children.
• Describe how the increasing obesity rate has affected the economic condition of the United States.
• What is the current percentage of obesity all over the world? Is the obesity rate increasing with every passing day?
• Why is the obesity rate higher in the United States as compared to other countries?
• Do Asians have a greater percentage of obese people as compared to Europe?
• Does the cultural difference affect the eating habits of an individual?
• Obesity and body shaming.
• Why is a skinny body considered to be ideal? Is it an effective way to reduce the obesity rate?

Obesity Solution Essay Topics

With all the developments in medicine and technology, we still don’t have exact measures to treat obesity.

Here are some insights you can discuss in your essay:

• How do obese people suffer from metabolic complications?
• Describe the fat distribution in obese people.
• Is type 2 diabetes related to obesity?
• Are obese people more prone to suffer from diabetes in the future?
• How are cardiac diseases related to obesity?
• Can obesity affect a woman’s childbearing time phase?
• Describe the digestive diseases related to obesity.
• Obesity may be genetic.
• Obesity can cause a higher risk of suffering a heart attack.
• What are the causes of obesity? What health problems can be caused if an individual suffers from obesity?
• What are the side effects of surgery to overcome obesity?
• Which drugs are effective when it comes to the treatment of obesity?
• Is there a difference between being obese and overweight?
• Can obesity affect the sociological perspective of an individual?
• Explain how an obesity treatment works.
• How can the government help people to lose weight and improve public health?

Writing an essay is a challenging yet rewarding task. All you need is to be organized and clear when it comes to academic writing.

• Choose a topic you would like to write on.
• Organize your thoughts.
• Pen down your ideas.
• Compose a perfect essay that will help you ace your subject.
• Proofread and revise your paper.

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As a Digital Content Strategist, Nova Allison has eight years of experience in writing both technical and scientific content. With a focus on developing online content plans that engage audiences, Nova strives to write pieces that are not only informative but captivating as well.

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Home — Essay Samples — Nursing & Health — Obesity — Cause and Effect of Obesity

Cause and Effect of Obesity

• Categories: Obesity

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Words: 643 |

Published: Mar 16, 2024

Words: 643 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

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Oliver, J. (2010, February). Teach every child about food. TED. Retrieved from Publishers.

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In conclusion, obesity is a growing epidemic in America that has severe health, economic, and social consequences. Addressing obesity as a societal issue requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses the root causes of the [...]

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Essays About Obesity: Top 5 Examples and 7 Writing Prompts

Obesity is a pressing health issue many people must deal with in their lives. If you are writing essays about obesity, check out our guide for helpful examples and writing prompts. 

In the world we live in today, certain diseases such as obesity are becoming more significant problems. People suffering from obesity have excess fat, which threatens their health significantly. This can lead to strokes, high blood pressure, heart attacks, and even death. It also dramatically alters one’s physical appearance.

However, we must not be so quick to judge and criticize obese people for their weight and supposed “lifestyle choices.” Not every obese person makes “bad choices” and is automatically “lazy,” as various contributing causes exist. Therefore, we must balance concern for obese people’s health and outright shaming them. 

To write insightful essays about obesity, you can start by reading essay examples. 

5 Best Essay examples

1. obesity as a social issue by earnest washington, 2. is there such a thing as ‘healthy obesity’ by gillian mohney, 3. problems of child obesity by peggy maldonado, 4.  what is fat shaming are you a shamer by jamie long.

• 5. ​​The Dangerous Link Between Coronavirus and Obesity by Rami Bailony

Writing Prompts for Essays About Obesity

1. what causes obesity, 2. what are the effects of obesity, 3. how can you prevent obesity, 4. what is “fat shaming”, 5. why is obesity rate so higher, 6. obesity in the united states, 7. your experience with obesity.

“Weight must be considered as a genuine risk in today’s world. Other than social issues like body shaming, obesity has significantly more to it and is a risk to human life. It must be dealt with and taken care of simply like some other interminable illness and we as people must recollect that machines and innovation has progressed to help us not however not make us unenergetic.”

Washington writes about the dangers of obesity, saying that it can significantly damage your digestive and cardiovascular systems and even cause cancer. In addition, humans’ “expanded reliance on machines” has led us to become less active and more sedentary; as a result, we keep getting fatter. While he acknowledges that shaming obese people does no good, Washington stresses the dangers of being too heavy and encourages people to get fit. 

“‘I think we need to move away from using BMI as categorizing one as obese/overweight or unhealthy,” Zarabi told Healthline. “The real debate here is how do we define health? Is the vegetarian who has a BMI of 30, avoiding all saturated fats from meats and consuming a diet heavy in simple carbohydrates [and thus] reducing his risk of cardiac disease but increasing likelihood of elevated triglycerides and insulin, considered healthy?

Mohney, writing for Healthline, explains how “healthy obesity” is nuanced and should perhaps be retired. Some people may be metabolically healthy and obese simultaneously; however, they are still at risk of diseases associated with obesity. Others believe that health should be determined by more factors than BMI, as some people eat healthily and exercise but remain heavy. People have conflicting opinions on this term, and Mohney describes suggestions to instead focus on getting treatment for “healthy obese” people

“The absence of physical movement is turning into an increasingly normal factor as youngsters are investing more energy inside, and less time outside. Since technology is turning into an immense piece of present-day youngsters’ lives, exercises, for example, watching TV, gaming, messaging and playing on the PC, all of which require next to no vitality and replaces the physical exercises.”

In her essay, Maldonado discusses the causes and effects of childhood obesity. For example, hereditary factors and lack of physical activity make more children overweight; also, high-calorie food and the pressure on kids to “finish their food” make them consume more. 

Obesity leads to high blood pressure and cholesterol, heart disease, and cancer; children should not suffer as they are still so young. 

“Regardless of the catalyst at the root of fat shaming, it persists quite simply because we as a society aren’t doing enough to call it out and stand in solidarity against it. Our culture has largely bought into the farce that thinness equals health and success. Instead, the emphasis needs to shift from the obsession of appearance to promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors for all, regardless of body size. A lean body shouldn’t be a requisite to be treated with dignity and respect. Fat shaming is nonsensical and is the manifestation of ignorance and possibly, hate.”

Long warns readers of the dangers of fat shaming, declaring that it is reprehensible and should not be done. People may have “good intentions” when criticizing overweight or obese people, but it does not, in fact, help with making them healthier. Long believes that society should highlight a healthy lifestyle rather than a “healthy” body, as everyone’s bodies are different and should not be the sole indicator of health. 

5. ​​ The Dangerous Link Between Coronavirus and Obesity by Rami Bailony

“In a study out of NYU, severe obesity (BMI >40) was a greater risk factor for hospitalization among Covid-19 patients than heart failure, smoking status, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease. In China, in a small case series of critically ill Covid-19 patients, 88.24% of patients who died had obesity versus an obesity rate of 18.95% in survivors. In France, patients with a BMI greater than 35 were seven times more likely to require mechanical ventilation than patients with a BMI below 25.”

Bailony’s essay sheds light on research conducted in several countries regarding obesity and COVID-19. The disease is said to be “a leading risk factor in mortality and morbidity” from the virus; studies conducted in the U.S., China, and France show that most obese people who contracted the coronavirus died. Bailony believes obesity is not taken seriously enough and should be treated as an actual disease rather than a mere “lifestyle choice.”

It is well-known that obesity is an excess buildup of body fat, but what exactly causes this? It is not simply due to “eating a lot,” as many people simply understand it; there are other factors besides diet that affect someone’s body size. Look into the different causes of obesity, explaining each and how they are connected.

Obesity can result in the development of many diseases. In addition, it can significantly affect one’s physique and digestive, respiratory, and circulatory systems. For your essay, discuss the different symptoms of obesity and the health complications it can lead to in the future.

It can be safely assumed that no one wants to be obese, as it is detrimental to one’s health. Write an essay guide of some sort, giving tips on managing your weight, staying healthy, and preventing obesity. Include some dietary guidelines, exercise suggestions, and the importance of keeping the balance between these two.

“Fat shaming” is a phenomenon that has become more popular with the rise in obesity rates. Define this term, explain how it is seen in society, and explain why it is terrible. Also, include ways that you can speak about the dangers of obesity without making fun of obese people or making them feel bad for their current state. 

The 21st century has seen a dramatic rise in obesity rates worldwide compared to previous decades. Why is this the case? Explore one or more probable causes for the increase in obese people. You should mention multiple causes in your essay, but you may choose to focus on one only- explain it in detail.

The United States, in particular, is known to be a country with many obese people. This is due to a combination of factors, all connected in some way. Research obesity in the U.S. and write about why it is a bigger problem than in other countries- take a look at portion size, fitness habits, and food production. 

If applicable, you may write about your experience with obesity. Whether you have struggled or are struggling with it in the past or know someone who has, discuss how this makes you feel. Reflect on how this knowledge has impacted you as a person and any lessons this may have taught you. 

For help with your essays, check out our round-up of the best essay checkers .If you’re looking for more ideas, check out our essays about bullying topic guide !

Essay on Obesity

Students are often asked to write an essay on Obesity in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Obesity

Understanding obesity.

Obesity is a health condition where a person has excess body fat. It’s often measured using the Body Mass Index (BMI).

Causes of Obesity

Obesity can be caused by eating too much and not exercising enough. Also, genetics and lifestyle can play a role.

Effects of Obesity

Obesity can lead to serious health problems like heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.

Preventing Obesity

Eating a balanced diet and regular physical activity can help prevent obesity. It’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

250 Words Essay on Obesity

Introduction.

Obesity represents a significant public health issue worldwide, posing detrimental effects to physical health and psychological well-being. It is a complex disorder involving an excessive amount of body fat, often resulting from a combination of genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors.

The primary cause of obesity is an energy imbalance between calories consumed and expended. This disparity is often fueled by unhealthy diets rich in fats and sugars, and a sedentary lifestyle. Genetics also play a critical role, affecting how the body metabolizes food and stores fat.

Implications on Health

Obesity significantly increases the risk of various diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. Additionally, it can lead to mental health issues like depression and lower quality of life.

Prevention and Management

Preventing obesity requires a multi-faceted approach. It entails adopting a healthier diet, increasing physical activity, and creating supportive environments that promote healthy choices. Management of obesity often involves similar strategies, though in some cases, medication or surgery may be necessary.

In conclusion, obesity is a pressing global health concern that requires immediate attention. It is crucial to promote healthier lifestyles and create supportive environments to combat this epidemic. The battle against obesity is not only about individual responsibility but also about societal commitment to fostering healthful living.

500 Words Essay on Obesity

Obesity, a complex and multifaceted health issue, has become a global epidemic. Characterized by excessive body fat, it poses a significant risk to an individual’s health, leading to numerous chronic illnesses. This essay will delve into the causes, consequences, and potential solutions to this growing health crisis.

The primary cause of obesity is an energy imbalance between calories consumed and expended. This is often due to a combination of excessive dietary intake, lack of physical activity, and genetic susceptibility. However, it is important to recognize the role of socio-economic factors. The availability of high-calorie, low-nutrient food, urbanization, and sedentary lifestyles have all contributed to the rise in obesity rates.

Health Consequences

Obesity significantly increases the risk of various health problems. It is a major risk factor for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, musculoskeletal disorders, and some cancers. Moreover, obesity can lead to psychological issues, including depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.

Socioeconomic Impact

The socioeconomic impact of obesity is profound. It places a heavy burden on healthcare systems due to the high cost of treating obesity-related diseases. Furthermore, obesity can lead to reduced productivity and increased absenteeism in the workforce, affecting economic growth.

Prevention and Control

In conclusion, obesity is a complex issue with far-reaching consequences. It is driven by a combination of individual, environmental, and socio-economic factors. Therefore, addressing this problem requires concerted efforts at multiple levels. By implementing comprehensive strategies that promote healthy lifestyles and create supportive environments, we can combat the obesity epidemic and improve public health.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

Happy studying!

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Obesity in America: Cause and Effect Essay Sample

It is clear that the American lifestyle has contributed to the increasing prevalence of obesity. With estimates from the Washington-based Centers for Disease Prevention in the Department of Health and Human Services indicating that one in three American adults is overweight, it is evident that the country is facing an obesity epidemic. To better understand the causes and effects of obesity, research is needed to further explore the issue. For those struggling with obesity, coursework assistance may be available to help them make the necessary lifestyle changes in order to live a healthier life.

Writing a thesis paper on the topic of obesity can be extremely challenging. It requires extensive research and time to adequately cover the subject. However, there are services available that can provide assistance with the writing process. Pay for a thesis allows for the benefit of having an experienced professional provide guidance and support throughout the entire process.

Causes of Obesity

Every phenomenon must have a reason. In order to write a cause and effect essay , you need to analyze the topic carefully to cover all aspects. Obesity is considered to be a complex illness, with a number of factors contributing to its development. These can be:

• hereditary;

As you may have guessed, it is the latter category of causes and effects that we are interested in. At this point, we care about the five ones that have made the biggest contribution.

Product Range

The main cause of obesity is junk food and an unbalanced diet rich in simple carbohydrates, fats, and sugars, plus a bunch of additives. Manufactured, processed, refined, and packaged meals are the most popular. Thanks to advances in technology, Americans have come to mass-produce meals that keep fresh longer and taste better. It takes less time to prepare unhealthy, processed foods in the microwave than it does to cook them yourself.

Lack of a work-life balance, high-stress levels, insufficient sleeping hours contribute to body weight gain. Not only do these factors contribute to this, but failing to take the time to do your homework can also have a negative impact on your physical health. Without a healthy, balanced approach to work, rest, and play, you may find yourself increasingly dependent on a sedentary lifestyle that can lead to overweight consequences. Many Americans work 50, 60, or more hours a week and suffer from a deficit of leisure hours. Cooking processed foods saves them hours and money, even though they end up costing them a lot more – by causing cardiovascular disease. In addition, obese people feel stressed on a regular basis in the United States metropolitan areas. Many of them are simply binge eating under the influence of negative emotions. Chronic overeating leads to a disturbance in the appetite center in the brain, and the normal amount of food eaten can no longer suppress hunger as much as necessary, affecting the body mass.

Food Deserts

The term ‘ food desert ‘ refers to poor areas (urban, suburban and rural) with limited access to fresh fruit, grains, and vegetables – places where it is much easier to access junk food. A grocery shop in a food desert that sells healthy foods may be 10-15 miles away, while a mini-market or cheap shop that sells harmful snacks is close to the house. In such a world, it takes much more effort to eat healthier, form eating habits, and stay slim.

Everyone’s Passion for Sweets

Consuming sweets in large quantities is addictive: the more and easier we give the body energy, the more the brain uses serotonin and dopamine to encourage it – it will make obese people want sweets again and again during the day. Cakes and pastries are fast carbohydrates that easily satisfy hunger and increase body mass. Despite the harm of sweets, obese people experience the need for them to satiate. Sweetened carbonated drinks are one of the main sources of sugar in the American diet. Moreover, some individuals may be more adversely affected by such diets than others: patients with a genetic predisposition to obesity gain body mass faster from sugary drinks than those without it. This leads to childhood obesity.

The Harm of Tolerance

Every year, the body positive movement is becoming more and more popular all over the world. It would seem that this major trend should have freed us from the problems associated with the cult of thinness and society’s notorious standards. In many ways, a positive attitude towards the body has proved fruitful. For example, the notion of beauty has clearly broadened. Now on fashion shows and magazine covers, you can see not only a girl with perfectly retouched skin and without a single hint of body fat but also an ordinary person with its inherent features: overweight, wrinkles, hair, and individual skin features. In general, all the things that we are all so familiar with in real life.

Does it really make that much sense? Is this a positive thing in terms of the cause and effect topic regarding obesity? In short, opinions are divided. Extremes aren’t easy to overcome. Not everyone manages to do it. Researchers have concluded that due to plus size having become positioned as a variant of the norm, more persons have become obese. Many obese Americans have formed the opinion that it is really quite normal, and they have become oblivious to the damage it does to their health. This is what we are going to focus on next.

Effects of Obesity

We all know that obesity is dangerous to health. However, medical studies show that most adults are unaware of the number of complications and diseases that obesity in America entails. So they are fairly comfortable with becoming gradually fatter. But indifference is replaced by concern when obesity related diseases begin to occur.

For interesting examples of students writing that also reveal the causes and effects of other phenomena, consult the custom essay service offering essays by professionals. In this way, you will realize the importance of highlighting the effects right after the causes.

Is obesity an aesthetic disadvantage, an inconvenience, a limitation in physical activity or is it an illness after all? How does it affect health, and what are the consequences? The visible signs of obesity are by no means the only complication associated with this condition. Obesity creates a high risk of life-threatening diseases such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, heart attack, myocardial infarction, and kidney and liver problems. Moreover, it can also lead to disability.

Cardiovascular Disease

This is the most serious and damaging impact on the body and blood vessels in particular. Every extra kilo is a huge additional load on the heart. Obesity increases the risk of heart attacks. Experts from the American Heart Association have developed a paper on the relationship between obesity and cardiovascular disease, which discusses the impact of obesity on the diagnosis and outcomes of patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, heart failure, and arrhythmias. Childhood obesity aggravates the course of cardiovascular disease from a very early age. The fact that even kids and adolescents are obese is associated with high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia.

The result is excessive insulin production in the body. This, in turn, leads to an overabundance of insulin in the blood, which makes the peripheral tissues more resistant to it. As a consequence of the above, sodium metabolism is disturbed, and blood pressure rises. It is important to remember that excessive carbohydrate food intake leads to increased production of insulin by the pancreas. Excess insulin in the human body easily converts glucose into fat. And obesity reduces tissue sensitivity to insulin itself. This kind of vicious circle leads to type 2 diabetes.

Effects on Joints

Obesity increases the load on joints to a great extent, especially if one undergoes little or no physical activity. For instance, if one lives in a megalopolis, where all physical activity consists of getting off the sofa, walking to the car, and plumping up in an office chair at work. All this leads to a reduction in muscle mass, which is already weak, and all the load falls on the joints and ligaments.

The result is arthritis, arthrosis, and osteochondrosis. Consequently, a seemingly illogical situation is formed – there is practically no exercise, but joints are worn out harder than in the case of powerlifters. In turn, according to a study by the University of California, reducing body weight reduces the risk of osteoarthritis.

Infertility

In most cases, being obese leads to endocrine infertility, as it causes an irregular menstrual cycle. Women experience thyroid disease, polycystic ovarian syndrome, problems with conception, and decreased progesterone hormone. Obese men are faced with erectile dysfunction, reduced testosterone levels, and infertility. It should be noted that the mother’s obesity affects not only her health but also the one of her unborn child. These children are at higher risk of congenital malformations.

Corresponding Inconveniences

Public consciousness is still far from the notion that obese people are sick individuals. The social significance of the issue is that people who are severely obese find it difficult to get a job. They experience discriminatory restrictions on promotion, daily living disadvantages, restrictions on mobility, clothing choices, discomfort with adequate hygiene, and sexual dysfunction. Some of these individuals not only suffer from illness and limited mobility but also have low self-esteem, depression, and other psychological problems due to involuntary isolation by watching television or playing video games. Therefore, the public has to recognize the need to establish and implement national and childhood obesity epidemic prevention programs.

Society today provokes unintentional adult and childhood obesity among its members by encouraging the consumption of high-fat, high-calorie foods and, at the same time, by technological advances, promoting sedentary lifestyles like spending time watching television or playing video games. These social and technological factors have contributed to the rise in obesity in recent decades. Developing a responsible attitude towards health will only have a full impact if people are given the opportunity to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. At the level of the community as a whole, it is therefore important to support people in adhering to dieting recommendations through the continued implementation of evidence-based and demographic-based policies to make regular physical activity and good nutrition both affordable and feasible for all. It is recommended to cut down on the food consumed.

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Article Contents

Obesity: causes, consequences, treatments, and challenges.

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Obesity: causes, consequences, treatments, and challenges, Journal of Molecular Cell Biology , Volume 13, Issue 7, July 2021, Pages 463–465, https://doi.org/10.1093/jmcb/mjab056

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Obesity has become a global epidemic and is one of today’s most public health problems worldwide. Obesity poses a major risk for a variety of serious diseases including diabetes mellitus, non-alcoholic liver disease (NAFLD), cardiovascular disease, hypertension and stroke, and certain forms of cancer ( Bluher, 2019 ).

Obesity is mainly caused by imbalanced energy intake and expenditure due to a sedentary lifestyle coupled with overnutrition. Excess nutrients are stored in adipose tissue (AT) in the form of triglycerides, which will be utilized as nutrients by other tissues through lipolysis under nutrient deficit conditions. There are two major types of AT, white AT (WAT) and brown AT, the latter is a specialized form of fat depot that participates in non-shivering thermogenesis through lipid oxidation-mediated heat generation. While WAT has been historically considered merely an energy reservoir, this fat depot is now well known to function as an endocrine organ that produces and secretes various hormones, cytokines, and metabolites (termed as adipokines) to control systemic energy balance. Studies over the past decade also show that WAT, especially subcutaneous WAT, could undergo ‘beiging’ remodeling in response to environmental or hormonal perturbation. In the first paper of this special issue, Cheong and Xu (2021) systematically review the recent progress on the factors, pathways, and mechanisms that regulate the intercellular and inter-organ crosstalks in the beiging of WAT. A critical but still not fully addressed issue in the adipose research field is the origin of the beige cells. Although beige adipocytes are known to have distinct cellular origins from brown and while adipocytes, it remains unclear on whether the cells are from pre-existing mature white adipocytes through a transdifferentiation process or from de novo differentiation of precursor cells. AT is a heterogeneous tissue composed of not only adipocytes but also nonadipocyte cell populations, including fibroblasts, as well as endothelial, blood, stromal, and adipocyte precursor cells ( Ruan, 2020 ). The authors examined evidence to show that heterogeneity contributes to different browning capacities among fat depots and even within the same depot. The local microenvironment in WAT, which is dynamically and coordinately controlled by inputs from the heterogeneous cell types, plays a critical role in the beige adipogenesis process. The authors also examined key regulators of the AT microenvironment, including vascularization, the sympathetic nerve system, immune cells, peptide hormones, exosomes, and gut microbiota-derived metabolites. Given that increasing beige fat function enhances energy expenditure and consequently reduces body weight gain, identification and characterization of novel regulators and understanding their mechanisms of action in the beiging process has a therapeutic potential to combat obesity and its associated diseases. However, as noticed by the authors, most of the current pre-clinical research on ‘beiging’ are done in rodent models, which may not represent the exact phenomenon in humans ( Cheong and Xu, 2021 ). Thus, further investigations will be needed to translate the findings from bench to clinic.

While both social–environmental factors and genetic preposition have been recognized to play important roles in obesity epidemic, Gao et al. (2021) present evidence showing that epigenetic changes may be a key factor to explain interindividual differences in obesity. The authors examined data on the function of DNA methylation in regulating the expression of key genes involved in metabolism. They also summarize the roles of histone modifications as well as various RNAs such as microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, and circular RNAs in regulating metabolic gene expression in metabolic organs in response to environmental cues. Lastly, the authors discuss the effect of lifestyle modification and therapeutic agents on epigenetic regulation of energy homeostasis. Understanding the mechanisms by which lifestyles such as diet and exercise modulate the expression and function of epigenetic factors in metabolism should be essential for developing novel strategies for the prevention and treatment of obesity and its associated metabolic diseases.

A major consequence of obesity is type 2 diabetes, a chronic disease that occurs when body cannot use and produce insulin effectively. Diabetes profoundly and adversely affects the vasculature, leading to various cardiovascular-related diseases such as atherosclerosis, arteriosclerotic, and microvascular diseases, which have been recognized as the most common causes of death in people with diabetes ( Cho et al., 2018 ). Love et al. (2021) systematically review the roles and regulation of endothelial insulin resistance in diabetes complications, focusing mainly on vascular dysfunction. The authors review the vasoprotective functions and the mechanisms of action of endothelial insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 signaling pathways. They also examined the contribution and impart of endothelial insulin resistance to diabetes complications from both biochemical and physiological perspectives and evaluated the beneficial roles of many of the medications currently used for T2D treatment in vascular management, including metformin, thiazolidinediones, glucagon-like receptor agonists, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, sodium-glucose cotransporter inhibitors, as well as exercise. The authors present evidence to suggest that sex differences and racial/ethnic disparities contribute significantly to vascular dysfunction in the setting of diabetes. Lastly, the authors raise a number of very important questions with regard to the role and connection of endothelial insulin resistance to metabolic dysfunction in other major metabolic organs/tissues and suggest several insightful directions in this area for future investigation.

Following on from the theme of obesity-induced metabolic dysfunction, Xia et al. (2021) review the latest progresses on the role of membrane-type I matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP), a zinc-dependent endopeptidase that proteolytically cleaves extracellular matrix components and non-matrix proteins, in lipid metabolism. The authors examined data on the transcriptional and post-translational modification regulation of MT1-MMP gene expression and function. They also present evidence showing that the functions of MT1-MMP in lipid metabolism are cell specific as it may either promote or suppress inflammation and atherosclerosis depending on its presence in distinct cells. MT1-MMP appears to exert a complex role in obesity for that the molecule delays the progression of early obesity but exacerbates obesity at the advanced stage. Because inhibition of MT1-MMP can potentially lower the circulating low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of cancer metastasis and atherosclerosis, the protein has been viewed as a very promising therapeutic target. However, challenges remain in developing MT1-MMP-based therapies due to the tissue-specific roles of MT1-MMP and the lack of specific inhibitors for this molecule. Further investigations are needed to address these questions and to develop MT1-MMP-based therapeutic interventions.

Lastly, Huang et al. (2021) present new findings on a critical role of puromycin-sensitive aminopeptidase (PSA), an integral non-transmembrane enzyme that catalyzes the cleavage of amino acids near the N-terminus of polypeptides, in NAFLD. NAFLD, ranging from simple nonalcoholic fatty liver to the more aggressive subtype nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, has now become the leading chronic liver disease worldwide ( Loomba et al., 2021 ). At present, no effective drugs are available for NAFLD management in the clinic mainly due to the lack of a complete understanding of the mechanisms underlying the disease progress, reinforcing the urgent need to identify and validate novel targets and to elucidate their mechanisms of action in NAFLD development and pathogenesis. Huang et al. (2021) found that PSA expression levels were greatly reduced in the livers of obese mouse models and that the decreased PSA expression correlated with the progression of NAFLD in humans. They also found that PSA levels were negatively correlated with triglyceride accumulation in cultured hepatocytes and in the liver of ob/ob mice. Moreover, PSA suppresses steatosis by promoting lipogenesis and attenuating fatty acid β-oxidation in hepatocytes and protects oxidative stress and lipid overload in the liver by activating the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, the master regulator of antioxidant response. These studies identify PSA as a pivotal regulator of hepatic lipid metabolism and suggest that PSA may be a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for treating NAFLD.

In summary, papers in this issue review our current knowledge on the causes, consequences, and interventions of obesity and its associated diseases such as type 2 diabetes, NAFLD, and cardiovascular disease ( Cheong and Xu, 2021 ; Gao et al., 2021 ; Love et al., 2021 ). Potential targets for the treatment of dyslipidemia and NAFLD are also discussed, as exemplified by MT1-MMP and PSA ( Huang et al., 2021 ; Xia et al., 2021 ). It is noted that despite enormous effect, few pharmacological interventions are currently available in the clinic to effectively treat obesity. In addition, while enhancing energy expenditure by browning/beiging of WAT has been demonstrated as a promising alternative approach to alleviate obesity in rodent models, it remains to be determined on whether such WAT reprogramming is effective in combating obesity in humans ( Cheong and Xu, 2021 ). Better understanding the mechanisms by which obesity induces various medical consequences and identification and characterization of novel anti-obesity secreted factors/soluble molecules would be helpful for developing effective therapeutic treatments for obesity and its associated medical complications.

Bluher M. ( 2019 ). Obesity: global epidemiology and pathogenesis . Nat. Rev. Endocrinol . 15 , 288 – 298 .

Google Scholar

Cheong L.Y. , Xu A. ( 2021 ). Intercellular and inter-organ crosstalk in browning of white adipose tissue: molecular mechanism and therapeutic complications . J. Mol. Cell Biol . 13 , 466 – 479 .

Cho N.H. , Shaw J.E. , Karuranga S. , et al.  ( 2018 ). IDF Diabetes Atlas: global estimates of diabetes prevalence for 2017 and projections for 2045 . Diabetes Res. Clin. Pract . 138 , 271 – 281 .

Gao W. , Liu J.-L. , Lu X. , et al.  ( 2021 ). Epigenetic regulation of energy metabolism in obesity . J. Mol. Cell Biol . 13 , 480 – 499 .

Huang B. , Xiong X. , Zhang L. , et al.  ( 2021 ). PSA controls hepatic lipid metabolism by regulating the NRF2 signaling pathway . J. Mol. Cell Biol . 13 , 527 – 539 .

Loomba R. , Friedman S.L. , Shulman G.I. ( 2021 ). Mechanisms and disease consequences of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease . Cell 184 , 2537 – 2564 .

Love K.M. , Barrett E.J. , Malin S.K. , et al.  ( 2021 ). Diabetes pathogenesis and management: the endothelium comes of age . J. Mol. Cell Biol . 13 , 500 – 512 .

Ruan H.-B. ( 2020 ). Developmental and functional heterogeneity of thermogenic adipose tissue . J. Mol. Cell Biol . 12 , 775 – 784 .

Xia X.-D. , Alabi A. , Wang M. , et al.  ( 2021 ). Membrane-type I matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP), lipid metabolism, and therapeutic implications . J. Mol. Cell Biol . 13 , 513 – 526 .

Author notes

Shanghai Diabetes Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Diabetes Mellitus, Shanghai Clinical Center for Diabetes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China E-mail: [email protected]

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Obesity as a Worldwide Problem and Its Solution Essay

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Introduction

What exactly is obesity, reasons of obesity, healthy eating habits – the only solution, survey page.

The progress of a nation solely rests on the citizens. Of greater significance are their socio-economic, political conditions. A huge sum is spent every year by the government for the welfare of the subjects. With the change in policies every year, a novel decision is taken up. These decisions cater to individual interests in the larger interest of society in general.

Unfortunately, the world now witnesses an unhealthy scenario caused due to socio-economic, political imbalances. They affect the physical and mental health of individuals. Perhaps, one of the most glaring problems of the day seems to be obesity. Once, considered a symbol of wealth and social status, physical attractiveness, strength, and fertility by certain European cultures, western culture takes a negative stand on it. The obese are unattractive and negative stereotypes. They are a social stigma, targets of bullies, and shunned by peers. Above all, obesity is seen as a sign of lower socioeconomic status, more a medical condition in modern western culture. Ironically, the USA accounts for 64.5% of its population either overweight or obese.

The Times America has reported, “It’s not healthy to be obese, and if we keep going the way we are headed, the long-term medical costs may be more than we can bear” (Americas Obesity Crisis, 2004).

The problem of obesity is a worldwide issue that needs due attention. It has been medically proved that obesity could be fatal. What exactly is obesity? “The natural energy reserve, stored in the fatty tissue of human and other mammals is increased to a point where it is associated with certain health conditions or increased mortality. It is viewed as a serious and growing health problem which gives birth to certain other diseases like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus type 2, sleep apnea and osteoarthritis” (Obesity, 2008).

Visit: www win.niddk.gov/publications/health_risks.htm# sleep for more information on the relationship between sleep apnea and obesity.

BMI (body mass index) is a widely used method for estimating body fat. Calculated by dividing the subject’s weight by the square of his/her height, typically expressed either in metric or US “Customary” units, a frightening score could take away the cheer from every face.

The dreaded physical condition has umpteen reasons for its attack, the main being a sedentary lifestyle. The last quarter of the 20th century has witnessed a rapid acceleration of obesity in western society. Hence, it remains a persistent problem.

To arrive at a definite reason for a large number of obese in a nation, it would be sufficient to note the patterns of lifestyles of each individual. It would also suffice if the socio-economic conditions are taken into consideration. It would be wise to elaborate on the principal causes of this condition and arrive at a suitable solution to it.

The primary reason is we have seen earlier is an increasingly sedentary lifestyle and lack of activity. This causes the deposits of excess fat principally in the abdomen areas and hence enlargements of muscles concerned. Yet another reason could be the lower relative cost of foodstuffs. This enables people of all walks of life to take in food whether necessary or unnecessary. Increased marketing, accounts for the innumerable stock of junk food, preferred by children and adults alike. In two-income households, the clock never ticks in the kitchen, the occupants never bother to take care of their health. Food is often taken from restaurants where delicious and sumptuous food three or more times a day causes unhealthy eating habits.

Regular exercise and eating right are considered to be the best solution to the problem. Exercise requires energy (calories) stored as body fat. The body breaks down its fat stored to provide energy during prolonged aerobic exercise. Medical help ranging from pills to surgery is recommended in certain extreme cases of obesity. The probable reasons could be thyroid malfunction or other organ dysfunction.

It is the only problem that needs immediate remedy as the sufferers not only undergo physical torture but also mental anguish. In the years to come, a significant number of Americans could turn against themselves and the results could lead to disaster and deaths. I could sound embarrassing. But there is enough evidence to prove that the silent sufferers end up taking their own lives due to social pressures and inhospitable environment.

Concrete measures in this direction must be enforced by the government. Citizens should be given proper guidance. Measures to enhance awareness should be designed.

It is pathetic that America, the world’s most developed country has the ‘smallest fund of practical nutritional knowledge’ (Obesity in America).

To illustrate this point, Dr. Dean Ornish. M.D- Cardiologist said in an interview, “I’d love to be able to tell people that bacon and eggs are health food, but they are not.” “An easier way a fewer calorie is not just to change the amount of food but the type of food, because fat has 9 calories per gram, whereas protein and carbohydrates have only 4. So when you eat less fat, you eat fewer calories without having to eat less food.” (Interview Dean Ornish, M. D, 2004).

Dr. Ornish’s book Eat More, Weigh Less is based on this concept.

His method has been scientifically proven because it is based on abundance rather than on deprivation.

“You can eat when you’re hungry, you can eat until you’re full, and you still lose weight and keep it off…..” (Ornish).

Dr.Ornish further claims that his diet has been proven to stop or reduce heart disease and has been backed up by scientific studies. His claim and findings cannot be written off as our ancestors led a healthy life as they fed on food coming directly from the land. Obesity wasn’t even a word.

With modern technology, change in American diet and lifestyle, eating fast food, microwave dinners, and a diet of packaged, processed, and refined foods, the American finds himself digging his own grave. People with determination and a will to survive have succeeded in being healthy again. Alas! The number of such people is only a handful. Inevitably, processed food, fast foods, meat products, high sugar, and high sodium food have to be substituted by whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and legumes.

To substantiate the above statement, Nathan Sorensen, a leading dietician has outlined 10 important tips for a healthy eating habit.

• Eat breakfast daily.
• Plan your daily meals.
• Pack a fruit snack for the commute.
• Choose the smaller portion food entrée’s, if you eat out for lunch.
• Eat a snack when you get home; tortillas with salsa.
• Before grocery shopping, write a shopping list.
• Plan and prepare fish and vegetable meals weekly.
• Choose not to add fat to prepared foods.
• Eat dinner every night before 7.30P.M.
• Have a snack an hour or so before food. (Sorensen, 2008).

There have been innumerable articles, journals, and books written on this concern. Medical science has advanced to such an extent that it can provide a remedy to almost all ailments. Health is probably the only field wherein the individual has to equip himself before approaching his specialist on his predicament. The most important factor seems to be willpower and self- control. Yet another fact is a change in his lifestyle. The doctor is only a medium through which the individual can find a solution to his ailment, but the ultimate cure lies in the hands of the patient.

A nation can be adjudged the best by the quality of its products, its approach on the socio-economic and political fronts, individual expertise, and above all health. America stands ahead of all the nations in the world in all the above respects except, general health. This problem has assumed a gigantic proportion which requires total co-operation to the reduction of its size. By total co-operation, I mean the individual, the market, the government, and medical science sitting together to arrive at an amicable solution.

Americas Obesity Crisis . Time Online addition. 2004. Web.

Obesity . Wikipedia. 2008. Web.

Obesity Trends. ObesityinAmerica.org. 1991-2003. Web.

Obesity in America . Down to Earth. Natural Foods .2008. Web.

Ornish, Dean M. D.Interview Frontline. 2004. Web.

Sorensen, Nathan. Obesity in America. Food & Nutrition . 2008. Web.

To show the depth of the gravity of the situation, a survey was conducted and the results obtained was quite alarming. Nearly, 65% of adults in America are prone to obesity due to circumstances of the modern man’s life.

The percent obese graph listed below supports the view.

Age group 1991 1995 1998 2000 2001

18-29 7.1 10.1 12.1 13.5 14

30-39 11.3 14.4 16.9 20.2 20.5

40-49 15.8 17.9 21.2 22.9 24.7

50-59 16.1 21.6 23.8 25.6 26.1

60-69 14.7 19.4 21.3 22.9 25.3

>.70 11.4 12.1 14.6 15.5 17.1

An alarming upward trend is seen. (Obesity Trends, 1991-2003).

The US has the highest rate of obesity in the developed world. In 2004, the CDC reported that 66.3% of the adults in the US are overweight or obese. True but unbelievable, a stressful mentally and insufficient sleep could also result in obesity. Genetic reasons seem to be silent killers in this direction.

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Obesity Essay | Essay on Obesity for Students and Children in English

February 12, 2024 by Prasanna

Obesity Essay: Obesity is a condition that occurs when a person puts on excess body fat. It is a sudden and unusual increase in body fat. It can lead to heart-related diseases, blood pressure, hypertension, cholesterol, and various other health issues. The main cause of obesity is over-eating. Consuming junk food and staying away for physical activities can lead to an increase in the cases of obesity. Every 1 out of 5 children is facing obesity around the globe.

You can read more  Essay Writing  about articles, events, people, sports, technology many more.

Long and Short Essays on Obesity for Students and Kids in English

In this article, we have provided a long essay and a short essay, along with ten lines on the topic, to help students write this essay in examinations. Given below is a long essay composed of about 500 words and a short essay comprising 100-150 words on Obesity in English.

Long Essay on Obesity 500 words in English

Obesity essay is usually given to classes 7, 8, 9, and 10.

The world today is facing various complex diseases. Out of them, obesity is one. Obesity is a condition wherein a person starts to gain unnecessary body fat. This is an excessive and abnormal increase in body fat which can lead to various other related health issues like heart problems, blood pressure, hypertension, cholesterol, and many more. Some people think of obesity as only a cosmetic and physical concern but that’s not true.

The lifestyle of people has changed a lot. Instead of focusing more on physical activities, there has been a paradigm shift to adapting non-physical activities. Children used to play in parks and playgrounds with friends whereas now the preference has been shifted to mobile and computer games. Not only children but also elders have changed their lifestyle a lot. Previously, people preferred to do everything by themselves. Right from doing household chores to getting things from the market, everything was done manually. But time has changed a lot. Now, everything gets delivered at the doorstep. This type of lifestyle has lead to various diseases including obesity.

Additionally, obesity is even caused due to genetics as well. Some people have heredity or have genes that force them to gain weight faster as compared to others. Also, there are some medications like those consumed by bodybuilders (steroids), antidepressants, and medicines for diabetes that make changes in the body metabolism in such a way that the appetite increases resulting in gaining weight. Some people are couch potatoes and foodaholic which means they can’t stay away from food. Under such a situation the appetite increase and the chances to fill oneself with junk food enhances. This kind of habit positively increases the chances of becoming obese.

Ever-increasing cases of obesity are surely a cause of concern, but there are various cures available to treat it. Also, not every treatment is related to medication or surgery. Some of the treatments are such that are related to changes in diet and adapting to physical activities. Eating a healthy, fibrous, and nutritious diet can help reduce that excess weight. Also not munching in between and following a diet routine can help to cure obesity.

Secondly, by doing some physical activities like walking, jogging, running, or exercising one can also burn unwanted fat and calories, thereby reducing obesity. There are various drug therapies as well as surgeries like bariatric surgery that can help reduce the weight. The drug therapies can be long term as well as short term depending on the weight to be reduced. But usually, these are clubbed with natural therapies like exercising and yoga.

Obesity is now concerning more and more people. It is thus necessary to make people aware of the symptoms, causes, and cures of the disease as well. This will help to take the necessary steps and combat obesity. Everybody should adapt to the health-enhancing lifestyle and should try to reduce unhealthy habits as much as possible. It is quite true that junk food is attractive and a healthy plate looks dull but to stay healthy and fit, one needs to choose the healthy plate over junk. This is the best way to keep the self and family away from obesity.

Short Essay on Obesity 150 words in English

Obesity essay is usually provided to classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Obesity is a cause of serious concern today. Although, many may not think of obesity as the disease still the effects of obesity can lead to various health issues. Obesity is a situation where a person faces a continuous increase in body mass. This increase is usually not normal and hence is a cause of concern. The diseases linked to obesity range from blood pressure, heart issues, hypertension, and diabetes as well. There are many causes of obesity. The most common cause of obesity is unhealthy food habits. An increase in the consumption of junk foods and munching in between leads to obesity.

The second cause of obesity is a decrease in physical activities. People have turned to couch potatoes. They prefer to sit and watch television rather than going out and doing physical exercises like running, walking, jogging, or yoga. The third reason is related to heredity or genetics. Apart there are other reasons related to medication that result in weight gain. There are various natural as well as medical treatments available for obesity. Adapting to healthy food habits and daily exercising can reduce weight. It can lead to a reduction in obesity. Apart there are drug-related therapies as well as surgeries like bariatric surgery available to reduce that excess weight.

It is important to adapt to a healthy lifestyle which includes intake of nutritious food and exercise to reduce obesity. Also making people aware of cause and cures of obesity can be of great use. The best way to keep the self and family away from obesity is to have a healthy lifestyle.

10 Lines on Obesity Essay in English

• Obesity is very common today. It is a situation where a person gains excessive and abnormal weight.
• It has affected 1 out of every 5 individuals in the world.
• It can lead to various diseases such as heart-related, hypertension, blood pressure, and many more.
• There are various causes of obesity right from genetic to habit related.
• Increased intake of junk food, decreased physical activities, increased medication, and unhealthy lifestyle is some major causes of obesity.
• The cases of obesity are more prevalent in children as they tend to be couch potatoes.
• Obesity can be cured by natural as well as medical ways.
• Natural ways to cure obesity include healthy food habits, a healthy lifestyle, and exercising.
• Medical treatments for obesity include drug treatment and surgeries like bariatric surgery.
• Making people aware of how to adapt to a better lifestyle can reduce the chances of obesity.

FAQ’s on Obesity Essay

Question 1. What is Obesity?

Answer: Obesity refers to a situation where the person gains abnormal and excessive weight. Such an increase in weight can lead to health issues.

Question 2. What are the causes of Obesity?

Answer: There are various causes of obesity. The main causes of obesity are unhealthy food habits, reduced physical exercises, increased medication, couch potato nature, and heredity.

Question 3. How can we cure obesity?

Answer: There are various natural and medical cures available for obesity. These include healthy food habits, exercising, drug treatment, and surgeries like bariatric surgery.

Question 4. What steps can be taken to reduce cases of obesity?

Answer: The steps that can be taken to reduce the chances of obesity are as follow:

• Intake of healthy food
• Adapting to a better lifestyle
• Say no to munching and junk food.
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You’ve Lost Weight Taking New Obesity Drugs. What Happens if You Stop?

Many patients are eager to discontinue Wegovy or Zepbound when their weight loss plateaus. But doctors say it’s difficult to go cold turkey.

By Gina Kolata

Gina Kolata has reported on many facets of the new obesity drugs, including their origins , prices , how they’re used and which to choose .

Susana Parks was delighted when she lost 40 pounds on Eli Lilly’s obesity drug, Zepbound. But now that she is at her goal weight, she has questions: Can she stop taking the drug? And if she does, how can she maintain her weight loss?

“I can’t stop cold turkey or I will gain it back — that is clear,” said Ms. Parks, 60, of Bend, Ore. “Do I go to a lower dosage? Do I take it every two weeks instead of weekly? How do I maintain?”

These questions are becoming common, obesity medicine specialists say, as more and more people lose weight with obesity drugs. Some struggle to pay for the medicine, have difficulty finding it to purchase or just don’t want to stay on a drug longer than they believe they need to.

When doctors are confronted with these queries, here is what they advise — and what they can’t say.

What will happen if I stop taking the new weight-loss drugs after losing weight?

Dr. David Cummings, a weight-loss specialist at the University of Washington, has been asked this question by many patients. He explains that the makers of the drugs conducted large studies in which people took the drugs and then stopped.

“On average, everyone’s weight rapidly returned,” Dr. Cummings said. And, he said, other medical conditions, like elevated blood sugar and lipid levels, return to their previous levels after improving.

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How To Tackle The Weirdest Supplemental Essay Prompts For This Application Cycle

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Writing the college essay

How do you write a letter to a friend that shows you’re a good candidate for the University of Pennsylvania? What reading list will help the Columbia University admissions committee understand your interdisciplinary interests? How can you convey your desire to attend Yale by inventing a course description for a topic you’re interested in studying?

These are the challenges students must overcome when writing their supplemental essays . Supplemental essays are a critical component of college applications—like the personal statement, they provide students with the opportunity to showcase their authentic voice and perspective beyond the quantitative elements of their applications. However, unlike the personal essay, supplemental essays allow colleges to read students’ responses to targeted prompts and evaluate their candidacy for their specific institution. For this reason, supplemental essay prompts are often abstract, requiring students to get creative, read between the lines, and ditch the traditional essay-writing format when crafting their responses.

While many schools simply want to know “why do you want to attend our school?” others break the mold, inviting students to think outside of the box and answer prompts that are original, head-scratching, or downright weird. This year, the following five colleges pushed students to get creative—if you’re struggling to rise to the challenge, here are some tips for tackling their unique prompts:

University of Chicago

Prompt: We’re all familiar with green-eyed envy or feeling blue, but what about being “caught purple-handed”? Or “tickled orange”? Give an old color-infused expression a new hue and tell us what it represents. – Inspired by Ramsey Bottorff, Class of 2026

What Makes it Unique: No discussion of unique supplemental essay prompts would be complete without mentioning the University of Chicago, a school notorious for its puzzling and original prompts (perhaps the most well-known of these has been the recurring prompt “Find x”). This prompt challenges you to invent a new color-based expression, encouraging both linguistic creativity and a deep dive into the emotional or cultural connotations of color. It’s a prompt that allows you to play with language, think abstractly, and show off your ability to forge connections between concepts that aren’t typically linked—all qualities that likewise demonstrate your preparedness for UChicago’s unique academic environment.

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How to Answer it: While it may be easy to get distracted by the open-ended nature of the prompt, remember that both the substance and structure of your response should give some insight into your personality, perspective, and characteristics. With this in mind, begin by considering the emotions, experiences, or ideas that most resonate with you. Then, use your imagination to consider how a specific color could represent that feeling or concept. Remember that the prompt is ultimately an opportunity to showcase your creativity and original way of looking at the world, so your explanation does not need to be unnecessarily deep or complex—if you have a playful personality, convey your playfulness in your response; if you are known for your sarcasm, consider how you can weave in your biting wit; if you are an amateur poet, consider how you might take inspiration from poetry as you write, or offer a response in the form of a poem.

The goal is to take a familiar concept and turn it into something new and meaningful through a creative lens. Use this essay to showcase your ability to think inventively and to draw surprising connections between language and life.

Harvard University

Prompt: Top 3 things your roommates might like to know about you.

What Makes it Unique: This prompt is unique in both form and substance—first, you only have 150 words to write about all 3 things. Consider using a form other than a traditional essay or short answer response, such as a bullet list or short letter. Additionally, note that the things your roommate might like to learn about you do not necessarily overlap with the things you would traditionally share with an admissions committee. The aim of the prompt is to get to know your quirks and foibles—who are you as a person and a friend? What distinguishes you outside of academics and accolades?

How to Answer it: First and foremost, feel free to get creative with your response to this prompt. While you are producing a supplemental essay and thus a professional piece of writing, the prompt invites you to share more personal qualities, and you should aim to demonstrate your unique characteristics in your own voice. Consider things such as: How would your friends describe you? What funny stories do your parents and siblings share that encapsulate your personality? Or, consider what someone might want to know about living with you: do you snore? Do you have a collection of vintage posters? Are you particularly fastidious? While these may seem like trivial things to mention, the true creativity is in how you connect these qualities to deeper truths about yourself—perhaps your sleepwalking is consistent with your reputation for being the first to raise your hand in class or speak up about a cause you’re passionate about. Perhaps your living conditions are a metaphor for how your brain works—though it looks like a mess to everyone else, you have a place for everything and know exactly where to find it. Whatever qualities you choose, embrace the opportunity to think outside of the box and showcase something that admissions officers won’t learn about anywhere else on your application.

University of Pennsylvania

Prompt: Write a short thank-you note to someone you have not yet thanked and would like to acknowledge.

What Makes it Unique: Breaking from the traditional essay format, this supplement invites you to write directly to a third party in the form of a 150-200 word long letter. The challenge in answering this distinct prompt is to remember that your letter should say as much about you, your unique qualities and what you value as it does about the recipient—all while not seeming overly boastful or contrived.

How to Answer it: As you select a recipient, consider the relationships that have been most formative in your high school experience—writing to someone who has played a large part in your story will allow the admissions committee some insight into your development and the meaningful relationships that guided you on your journey. Once you’ve identified the person, craft a thank-you note that is specific and heartfelt—unlike other essays, this prompt invites you to be sentimental and emotional, as long as doing so would authentically convey your feelings of gratitude. Describe the impact they’ve had on you, what you’ve learned from them, and how their influence has shaped your path. For example, if you’re thanking a teacher, don’t just say they helped you become a better student—explain how their encouragement gave you the confidence to pursue your passions. Keep the tone sincere and personal, avoid clichés and focus on the unique role this person has played in your life.

University of Notre Dame

Prompt: What compliment are you most proud of receiving, and why does it mean so much to you?

What Makes it Unique: This prompt is unique in that it invites students to share something about themselves by reflecting on someone else’s words in 50-100 words.

How to Answer it: The key to answering this prompt is to avoid focusing too much on the complement itself and instead focus on your response to receiving it and why it was so important to you. Note that this prompt is not an opportunity to brag about your achievements, but instead to showcase what truly matters to you. Select a compliment that truly speaks to who you are and what you value. It could be related to your character, work ethic, kindness, creativity, or any other quality that you hold in high regard. The compliment doesn’t have to be grand or come from someone with authority—it could be something small but significant that left a lasting impression on you, or it could have particular meaning for you because it came from someone you didn’t expect it to come from. Be brief in setting the stage and explaining the context of the compliment—what is most important is your reflection on its significance and how it shaped your understanding of yourself.

Stanford University

Prompt: List five things that are important to you.

What Makes it Unique: This prompt’s simplicity is what makes it so challenging. Stanford asks for a list, not an essay, which means you have very limited space (50 words) to convey something meaningful about yourself. Additionally, the prompt does not specify what these “things” must be—they could be a physical item, an idea, a concept, or even a pastime. Whatever you choose, these five items should add depth to your identity, values, and priorities.

How to Answer it: Start by brainstorming what matters most to you—these could be values, activities, people, places, or even abstract concepts. The key is to choose items or concepts that, when considered together, provide a comprehensive snapshot of who you are. For example, you might select something tangible and specific such as “an antique telescope gifted by my grandfather” alongside something conceptual such as “the willingness to admit when you’re wrong.” The beauty of this prompt is that it doesn’t require complex sentences or elaborate explanations—just a clear and honest reflection of what you hold dear. Be thoughtful in your selections, and use this prompt to showcase your creativity and core values.

While the supplemental essays should convey something meaningful about you, your values, and your unique qualifications for the university to which you are applying, the best essays are those that are playful, original, and unexpected. By starting early and taking the time to draft and revise their ideas, students can showcase their authentic personalities and distinguish themselves from other applicants through their supplemental essays.

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First Opinion readers respond to essays on right to try lies, pharma execs, and more

By Patrick Skerrett Aug. 10, 2024

F irst Opinion is STAT’s platform for interesting, illuminating, and maybe even provocative articles about the life sciences writ large, written by biotech insiders, health care workers, researchers, and others.

To encourage robust, good-faith discussion about issues raised in First Opinion essays, STAT publishes selected Letters to the Editor received in response to them. You can submit a Letter to the Editor here , or find the submission form at the end of any First Opinion essay.

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“Give pharmaceutical execs the benefit of doubt — but they need to work for it,” by Fred D. Ledley

The author believes “the pharmaceutical industry can develop products that are affordable, universally available…without compromising their profits” and yet also contends that industry executives are not the monocled barons the media makes them out to be. How can both be true?

If the utopian vision Fred Ledley describes is so easily attainable, surely it is the malaise and greed of industry that prevents it. But, as he is quick to point out, that simply is not his experience — or a reality experienced by thousands of scientists, entrepreneurs, investors and yes, corporate executives, dedicated to bringing medicines to patients.

Instead of trying to square this circle, the commentary adds to a long line of other “observers” who insist there is a path to having it all. For example, the author points to his research , which concludes that “drug price negotiation provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) could have little or no impact on the number of drug approvals.”

Several other studies point to an opposite conclusion, including newly released data showing dozens of programs paused or stopped because of the IRA. That has certainly been the experience of those with ovarian cancer or those suffering from Stargardt’s disease .

A different report by Ledley and a colleague mistakenly concludes that cutting current drug prices won’t impact the funding for the early-stage companies, to which he attributes the bulk of new medicine development. This is a faulty argument that’s been seen time and again and it is a particularly tough sell now, when on the same day STAT published Ledley’s commentary it covered how sluggish the biotech VC scene is this year. A headline in Thursday’s Wall Street Journal similarly captured the trickle-down effects: “Big Pharma Cuts R&D, Sending Shudders Through Industry.”

As much as people want to demonize large pharma and champion small biopharma companies, that’s not how the ecosystem works. And this symbiotic relationship isn’t just inseverable, it is invaluable. It reflects decades, if not a century, of specialization of labor and efficient allocation of capital.

But Ledley writes that breaking these ties, and navigating hundreds of billions of dollars in lost revenue can be done if industry is “held accountable …” and by “executing effective strategic management and investment practices.”

If only it was so easy. The reality is that economics, like life, is governed by tradeoffs. We cannot have our cake and eat it too. Is it really that hard for all of us to admit that?

— John Stanford, Incubate Coalition

“Trump gave patients a ‘right to try’. It hasn’t helped them,” by Alison Bateman-House and Holly Fernandez Lynch

At the Republican National Convention, Donald Trump claimed that “Right to Try” had saved hundreds of thousands of lives. People living with terminal diseases that cannot yet be treated should not be lied to. It is sad that they are being used as pawns by unscrupulous politicians.

— Kim Meyers

“Mark Cuban’s company won’t fix drug costs, but it can still help rectify America’s drug shortages,” by Ezekiel J. Emanuel and John Connolly

I’m not sure if there’s a medical procedure code for “tall poppy syndrome” — the act of cutting down someone who has become successful or noteworthy — or not but this article is the embodiment of it. The authors create a ridiculously high standard that they argue Mark Cuban needs to achieve in order to “fix costs” while ignoring the fact that he is changing the conversation about the pricing of generic medications to payers, be they individuals, companies, or the government.

Roughly 90% of people have insurance and most of the time it works well to cover medications, especially common generics. However, if you find yourself among the 27 million uninsured Americans or the tens of millions in a high deductible plan, you may encounter a situation where you must pay cash for a generic medication. Many surveys have shown that this unexpected type of expense can be difficult. But what makes Cost Plus so interesting (and often revered) is that consumers know they’re not getting ripped off by a bunch of excessive markups. Who would buy milk at a store if marked up randomly by $40 when the store across the street priced it as usual?

If the country’s entire pharmacy-based reimbursement system went to Cost Plus for the roughly 6 billion generic prescriptions a year, it wouldn’t save that much if set at a price point of 10% to 20% over the true, net wholesale price (to the pharmacy). But the pharmacy pricing roulette game that many people experience is really frustrating and has no doubt led to early deaths and complications from lack of adherence.

I applaud Cuban for his leadership and risk-taking here. My advice is to ignore the critics who appear to be envious of your ability to capture so much attention and nudge the markets in an exciting new direction.

— Stephen Buck, CancerSurvivalRates.com

“PBMs aren’t opening access to lower-cost biosimilars. Reform is needed now,” by Juliana M. Reed

As Congress, the Federal Trade Commission, and advocates from across the health care system have long known, pharmacy benefit managers are not doing nearly enough to ensure that biosimilars are accessible and affordable for patients.

This is a serious, and sometimes life-threatening, problem for the millions of Americans living with gastrointestinal diseases, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. While biosimilar medications like infliximab are safe, effective, and clinically appropriate for many people, the pharmaceutical company rebates secured by PBMs for these drugs do not translate to reduced costs for the people who need them. Instead, these rebates are lining the pockets of PBMs, while patients pay exorbitant prices out-of-pocket for necessary medications.

These rebates don’t factor into the cost of biosimilars purchased by independent practices, meaning physicians lose money for each dose they provide to patients. Just to stay afloat, at a time when costs are rising across the board, practices are often forced to switch patients to other drugs (thereby starting a fresh round of prior authorization approvals from the patients’ insurance company) or refer them to hospitals or standalone infusion centers (often owned by private payers) — both settings where costs are higher and the continuity of care is disrupted.

As policymakers in Washington rightly consider putting up guardrails around PBMs, it is critical for them to regulate dangerous white bagging mandates, delink the list price of a biosimilar drug from PBMs’ compensation, and ensure that patient access to necessary infusions is not disrupted every time an insurer updates its formulary. Patient access and health depend on it.

— Dr. Maria T. Abreu, president of the American Gastroenterological Association, director of the Crohn’s & Colitis Center at the University of Miami Health System, and professor of medicine, microbiology and immunology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

About the Author Reprints

Patrick skerrett.

Founding First Opinion Editor

Patrick Skerrett launched First Opinion , STAT's platform for perspective and opinion on the life sciences writ large, in 2015 and later started and hosted the First Opinion Podcast . He retired in 2023, then filled in during the spring and summer of 2024 when First Opinion editor Torie Bosch was on leave.

STAT encourages you to share your voice. We welcome your commentary, criticism, and expertise on our subscriber-only platform, STAT+ Connect

To submit a correction request, please visit our Contact Us page .

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