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OBESITY IN AMERICA
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Topic: Obesity
Research Question: What can cause obesity?\
Rough Outline:
a) Depression
b) Stress
c) Lack of exercise
Thesis Statement: Many people su,er from obesity and some of the reasons
why they have this medical condition are because of, depression, stress and
lack of exercise.
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Thesis Statement: Many people su,er from obesity and some of the reasons
why they have this medical condition are because of, depression, stress and
lack of exercise.
Did you know that 2fty eight million people are overweight, forty million
are obese and three million are morbidly obese? Some people think is just a
little extra weight and that it’s not a big deal but being obese is one of the
leading causes of many diseases. More than seventy 2ve percent of type II
diabetes is related to obesity. Seventy percent of cardiovascular disease is
linked to obesity. Forty two percent of breast and colon cancer is diagnosed
among obese individuals. Thirty percent of gall bladder surgery is associated
with obesity and twenty six percent of obese people are having high blood
pressure. Firstly, it is important to gain an understanding of what obesity is.
According to Wlardlow (Journal of the Hela, 2000, vol. 7) obesity is defined as
a condition characterized by excess body fat. It is also defined as being 20%
above the average weight. Generally consumption of foods high in sugar and
fats lead to obesity. Alcohol intake can also contribute to the condition due to
its high sugar content. Obesity is a serious medical disease that a,ects 20%-
25% of children and adolescents in Australia. It is the second leading cause
of preventable death after smoking (Ross Fitzgerald, Courier Mail, Nov. 2000).
According to research, we all have and need fat tissue in our bodies.When
there is too much body fat, the result is obesity (The World Book Multimedia
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Encyclopedia CD-ROM, 1996). Obesity can be measured by calculating the
BMI. BMI, Body Mass Index is a mathematical calculation used to identify
overweight. Many people su,er from obesity and some of the reasons why
they have this medical condition are because of, depression, stress and lack
of exercise.
Depression and obesity go hand in hand. Depression can lead to
overeating which leads to weight gain. Studies have shown that the two tend
to feed o, each other in a vicious, self–destructive circle. Poor self-image, low
self–esteem, and social isolation are all known contributors to depression.
