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September 4, 00

Is Technology a Contributing Factor to Obesity in the U.S.?

As the United States has evolved over time, society has become more and more dependent on technology, and at the same time Americans have become more and more overweight. Obesity affects an estimated 61% of Americans and is associated with approximately 00,000 deaths each year (U.S department of Health and Human Services). Is it just a coincidence that with the increase in technology we have also seen a dramatic increase in overweight and obese Americans?

Obesity can be defined in many different ways and according to the International Obesity Task Force ,"obesity is an excessively high amount of body fat or adipose tissue in relation to lean body mass". In other words people that are obese have a percentage of body fat that is too high in relation to their height and weight. One method used to determine obesity is the BMI test, or Body Mass Index test. The BMI test is a calculation based on comparing a persons' weight to their body height (Schools should report on obesity'). This calculation is useful because it applies to males and females; however one drawback is that it is not able to take into consideration muscle mass which weighs more than fat tissue. Obesity affects all ages, races, and genders, however some individuals are more susceptible to becoming overweight then others (Obesity Trends). There are many factors that can cause one to become overweight or obese, such as genetics, metabolism, environment, behavior, culture, and socioeconomic status (U.S. Department of Health and Human services).

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Obesity is a chronic disease that predisposes individuals to numerous medical conditions (U.S Department of Health and Human Services). The medical conditions associated with obesity vary in severity and can be both physical and emotional. Some of the physical problems associated with being overweight or obese are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, asthma, arthritis, heartburn, and heart disease. Obesity can also cause depression; it can lead to eating disorders, and can cause many social problems (International Obesity Task Force). According to the Lahey Obesity clinic, "obesity can limit individuals from participating in social activities because obese individuals are less inclined to play sports, go to the movies, travel, or go out to eat". Obesity is a disease that is curable. There are many ways to go about loosing weight but the most effective and long lasting are to eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly (International Obesity Task Force).

The American Heritage Dictionary defines "technology" as the application of science, especially to industrial or commercial objectives. There are numerous types of technology ranging from computers, to television and video games, to food production. So how does technology relate to the rise in Americas weight? "Researchers now suggest that 60 percent of the extra pounds Americans have put on maybe caused by a decline in the physical demands of work brought about by the arrival of computers and the like"(Geralds). Computers and the internet have made it possible to send mail, fax, make copies, or even order food right from your office without having to walk to a copier, mail room, fax machine or pizza parlor, therefore taking away almost all of the physical exercise one would get from working. The internet also provides people with a source of entertainment and pleasure. It allows people to shop online instead of going to the stores, and even play games online. It enables people to talk to friends, instead of visiting them in person, which takes away from physical activity.

According to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, technology has greatly changed our environment by creating many time saving products. Computers and the internet are not the only time saving products affecting the waistlines of America, "the other 40 percent is due to technological innovation in agriculture which has driven down food costs" (Geralds). According to the Institute of Economic Research at Harvard University "as technological advances have made food ever more varied and convenient, the feeble will-power of the American public has been unable to compete."(qtd. in Arnold). Some American lifestyles, such as both parents working and single parent households often demand time saving food options, which are mostly high in fat and sugar. In the online article about U.S obesity, James Arnold explains this in more detail

In the mid 160's, the average American non-working woman spent at least two

hours a day on the family meals, now, that figure has halved. At the same time

manufacturers of food have invested heavily in making their products tastier,

cheaper, more varied, and more convenient to the consumer. The increased

efficiency of food production-supplies per person have surged by 0% in the past

two decades in the U.S.- has driven down prices. And its increased convenience

has provoked a shift to frequent "grazing", small but cumulatively hefty snacks, as

opposed to regular meals.

Technology has made it more convenient for individuals to function in every day life, however; the increased convenience helps Americans to become less active and therefore an increase in weight and obesity is almost certain. In the online article "Economists Tackle U.S. Obesity" James Arnold quotes," in past decades, strenuous jobs meant that workers were in effect paid to exercise; now workers with more sedentary jobs pay to exercise at the gym".

In the future we are bound to see more technological advances to save time and energy, does this mean we will also see an increase in obesity rates? A few major food producers are discussing doing their part to help keep America healthy. In an article in BBC News, "Kraft foods will be taking steps to cut portion sizes in its snack packs and eliminate marketing campaigns in schools, in an effort to help fight obesity". Even McDonalds is trying to promote healthier foods by coming out with their new salads. Schools are starting to get more involved in what the children are eating at lunch. In an article in BBC News online one professor believes that "teachers should include a child's' body mass index in their annual reports on pupils" and that "the best way to tackle obesity is to teach healthy eating habits at a young age." The government is also getting involved by discussing possible "sin taxes" on foods not passing their political assessment, (A New Diet).

Research has shown that with the increase in technology there has also been an increase in weight gain in the United States. The weight gain is due to a few different factors. One factor is the lack of physical exercise, which is from the increased convenience of the internet and computer making physical activity at work a lot less needed, and also with television and video games children are not going outside to play as much as they did ten years ago. The second factor to an increase in obesity rates is due to America being on time restraints, therefore eating more snacks and fast foods that are not usually very healthy. A final factor in obesity rates is due to the technological advances in food production. Food producers are able to make food faster, cheaper, and easier for individual use but unfortunately this does not usually amount in the best portions or healthiest food choices. In order for America to put a halt to the obesity problem a balanced diet and physical exercise is necessary.

Works Cited

Arnold, James." Economists tackle US obesity". BBC News World Edition. January

17, 00. September 1,00.http//news.bbc.co.uk//hi/business/6657.stm

Geralds, John. "Technology blamed for US obesity". Vnunet.com. June 6, 00.

September 1,00. http//www.vnunet.com/News/110

Hall, Rick. "Obesity Rates Continue to Rise CDC Releases Latest Obesity Trends In The

U.S.". About Nutrition. February 5, 00. September 16,00.

http//nutririon.about.com/Libraray/weekly/aa01050a.htm

Willis, Melinda T. "Will "IT" Eliminate Exercise?". ABCNEWS.com.

December 4, 001. September 1, 00.

http//abcnews.go.com/sections/living/DailyNews/IT_and_excercise

0110html

"Factors Contributing to Obesity". National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and

Health Promotions. September 15, 00. September 16, 00.

http//www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/contributing_factors.htm

"Kraft plans to cut snack sizes". BBC News. July , 00. September 16, 00.

http//news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/064.stm

"A new diet lawsuits and advice from the government?". Consumers Research

Magazine.August 00. September 1, 00.

http//www.consumeralert.org/pubs/research/CRAug0.htm

"Obesity Trends". National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health

Prevention. March 18,00. September 1, 00.

http//www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/trend/index.htm

"Schools 'should report on obesity'". BBC News. August 16,00. September 16,

00. http//news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/1557.stm

"Technology".The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth

Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 000.

International Obesity Task Force, World Health Organization, the Food and Agricultural

Organization of the USA Centers for Disease Control. February 16,00.

September 1, 00.http//www.iotf.org/about.htm

U.S Department of Health and Human Services. February 18,00.

September 16, 00. http//www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/obesity.html

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