Obesity Crisis Annotated Bibliography
Murphy, Wendy. (2011)Obesity USA Today Health Reports: Diseases and Disorders. Minneapolis, MN: Twenty First Century Books.
Facts and Figures Resources: This source reviews America’s obesity epidemic as well as many conditions associated with obesity. It focuses on how excess weight is gained and how to take preventative measures against obesity. It also provides statistical data on those who are obese and could be at risk.
I found this book very interesting because it describes how the early humans survived and what types of food were available about two million years ago. Food was very scarce and many died from lack of nutrition. Ironically, today many people are dying from the overconsumption of food. The book discusses the most common diseases associated with obesity, such as: heart disease, diabetes, some cancers and stroke. Another interesting topic it discusses is how the way food is cooked can affect the body. For example, when chicken is deep fried the oils penetrate inside the chicken changing its fat content. If the chicken was grilled or oven roasted the fat decreases. It explores different ingredients used to preserve food and stimulate its taste such as shortening. And it also describes the rise in the use of sugar, the increase in diameter of dinner plates, and the increases in dairy products consumed.
This book has a few limitations in regards to proper diet and nutrition. It does lack any discussion of exercise, which has a major impact on weight. It provides excellent statistical data by age group but doesn’t narrow it down by state and race. It states that two-thirds of adults and one-third of children in the U.S. are overweight or obese but more detail is needed.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013, August 16). Adult Obesity Facts. Retrieved February 12, 2014. http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.htm
Reference: This source reviews the adult obesity facts in the U.S. It takes a close look at the different states affected by obesity. It provides statistical data of self-reported obesity rates found in adults with a Body Mass Index (BMI) higher than 30. In addition, it provides obesity related data on different races and socioeconomic statuses.
I found this source to be useful because it takes the research on obesity a step further by providing the percentage of obese adults rather than overweight and obese. It displays a graph of the U.S. which shows BMI rates in adults for each state from 1985 to 2010. The graph has a stop and play button which is not only interactive but also helpful when comparing each state by year. In addition, it lists the 2010 obesity rates by state in a chart below the graph. The source also offers strategies to combat obesity, data, maps, trends, and childhood obesity data.
This source has a few limitations in regards to statistical data from 1985 to 2010. It does lack more current data which could be even more useful when combating obesity. It is essential to have access to recent statistical data in effort to address the obesity crisis.
American Heart Association. (2014, January 8) Obesity and Stroke: What is their connection? Retrieved March 5, 2014, from https://www.heart.org.
Reference: This source reviews the different diseases associated with the heart. It describes what heart disease is and how to prevent it. It provides further descriptions of diseases associated with the heart that aren’t direct related with obesity but are categorized under cardiovascular conditions. Statistical data can be found on high blood pressure and death rates associated with strokes.
I found this source to be useful because it describes the connection between obesity and stroke. In addition, it defines each medical term by using links so it makes the website user friendly. This source also has visual aids which assist in understanding how the heart functions and the difference between systolic and diastolic pressure. It also shows ways to prevent heart disease by incorporating a healthy diet and exercise routine. The article particularly discusses how it is recommended to exercise on a weekly basis. Being overweight and/or obese can lead to circulatory issues which can also affect the blood to and from the heart. It briefly discusses childhood obesity and the importance of incorporating a healthy diet and exercise routine for children. Finally, it discusses Body Mass Index (BMI) and the importance of eating plenty of fruits and vegetables.
This source has a few limitations in regards to define obesity risk factors. It does lack statistical information from state to state. It is a great place to gain knowledge on all heart related conditions and learn how to stay healthy.