With in this assignment I will discuss the health issues of obesity which is defined as an eating disorder and an associated serious health concern that is defined by excess weight Colditz & Dietz, (1999) I will also discuss the holist issues that may impact on an individual healthy lifestyle. I will identify one government policy that has been put in place to help alleviate the problem of obesity, and explore the nurse’s role in relation to the policy.
Using relevant evidence such as literature reviews and researched articles I will support my findings, and conclude by giving an overall summary of the main point of this essay. BMI is widely used to define obesity (WHO, 1998). And is calculated as BMI = Weight (kg)/Height2 (m). A person that is obesity has a larger amount of extra body fat and is more prone to the risks of serious health problems such as Heart disease, stroke, High blood pressure and Diabetes. (Cynthia Haines 2005).
Obesity can be hereditary, but only develops from overeating, irregular meals and having a lack of daily physical activity Arne Astrup (2005) The Holism impact involves looking at every aspect of a person’s life and wellbeing and trying to understand the reasons why they have developed theses holistic issues. This may involve there physical, physiological, social and spiritual impacts of there lifes. Kolcabu,R. ,1997 defines holism as the belief that a whole person can consist of these compartments and suggest that these compartments are intimately connected with a persons physical body.
The psychological impact of obesity may consist of low self-image and lack of confidence, social stigma, reduced mobility and a poorer quality of life, obese children and adolescents face stigmatisation and discrimination in many areas of their lives. It has been assumed that their psychological well-being will be compromised both as a direct consequence of this social adversity, and indirectly through negative ‘reflected self-appraisal’. Wardle J. (2005) The holist social impact on obesity can result from an underlying pathological condition, e. . hypothyroidism which is a condition in which the body lacks sufficient thyroid hormone, the current trends lie with an increasingly sedentary lifestyle and poor dietary habits, which are particularly seen in the lower socio-economic groups. (National statistics 2001) Research has also suggested that the main problem is the continual reduction in the amount of exercise people take and argued that many overweight children have overweight parent which is often a matter of a family’s lifestyle. Dr Rob Hicks 2006).
The spiritual issues of obesity may involve the lack of meaning and purpose of how they perceives there out look on life, It has been suggested that psychological classes and therapies sessions may provide individuals the opportunity to develop some insight into there old patterns of life and develop healthier skills which can in turn help and deal with there issues of obesity that can then increase there likelihood of restoring a healthier life style.
Physical activity are also a major aspect on a person’s life in the relation of body composition, it is suggested that weight gain is associated with periods of a lack of activity and argue that by increasing physical activity body fat can be reduced. Behnke, A. , (1974). The Royal College of GPs (2004) have stated that exercise needs to be made more affordable and accessible to people living in the UK as the Lack of physical activity is found to be the most significant factor to the contribution to childhood obesity and is contributed to inactivity’s, such as watching television or sitting playing computer games.
Ref I suggest that the over all spectrum of society must work to together to tackle the effects of obesity and may involves marketing less fast food outlets and giving people on low incomes free gym membership, I suggest with theses alteration in place the financial and health impacts on obesity would decrease considerably as according to The Health Select Committee has estimated that the costs of obesity is around i??3. – i??3. 7 billion per year and suggest if there were less obese people in this country 15,000 fewer people would develop conditions such as coronary heart disease, 34,000 fewer people would developing type 2 diabetes, and 99,000 fewer people would develop high blood pressure. (Department of health 2007) However measures have already been put in place to try and tackle theses health implication.
The new NICE guidelines (2006) a government policy have clinical guideline on the prevention, identification, assessment and management of overweight and obesity in adults and children and covers how G. P’s and hospitals asses whether people are overweight or obese as well as ways of helping people lose weight and stay healthy.
However it is still considered that peolel in our socieit can sometimes find it very difficult talk about their weight issues as There is still a lot of stigma and shame connected to obesity Professor Thomas (2004) I suggest that the nurse role explored in this government policy is to help individuals try accept there obesity as a condition, establish family history and there views around there condition of obesity and consider some of the possible health reasons why weight loss is considered necessary for them, this may include changing there eating patterns and increasing levels of physical activities. NICE 2006) other Interventions may include encouraging the increase of fresh fruit and vegetables (five portions a day) a Government recommendation (Department of health2003). Confectionery firms have also been told to shelve some of their king size chocolate bars in a bid to tackle obesity however Z Linnell, Bucks, UK argues that It isn’t the size of the chocolate bar that is to blame for obesity but the frequency in which people eat it. The Department
However there are May barriers that may discourage healthy eating such as cultural barriers ethnic minority populations wear them view obesity as a more positive with neutral value Kumanyika, s. K 1994. Other barriers may include the lack of knowledge, attitudes, motivation and skills that involve the buying, preparing and eating health foods. . of Health said the NHS already allowed GPs to refer patients to gyms for a subsidised membership
I conclude that this may suggest that all the holistic issues of an individual can be an important aspect for long-term weight and body fat regulation and Good health and effective learning go hand in hand as a healthy body leads to a healthy mind. and agreement with the that by taking the ‘Small Changes of obesity such as promoting physical activity across the board can make Big Difference to people’s long-term health (Caroline Flint 2006)