Module 2 Discussion

Elizabeth Davis posted Jul 9, 2020 4:04 AM SubscribedThis page automatically marks posts as read as you scroll.Adjust automatic marking as read setting

The community has several health problems like physical activity and nutrition, obesity, substance abuse and mental health. The most important health problems are obesity and nutrition and physical activity which are risk factors for diabetes mellitus. According to Al-Goblan, (2014), sedimentary lifestyle increases the likelihood of developing diabetes. The risk is even greater for pregnant women with poor maternal diet as the chances of the unborn babies being diabetic increases. These health problems can be caused by genetic factors which are in the case of obesity, behavioral factors and social factors. Behavioral risk factors include poor dietary decisions and lack of physical exercises. Physical activity and nutrition can help prevent chronic diseases like diabetes, heart, diseases and some types of cancers. Obesity is the accumulation of fat in the body and a risk factor for most major diseases like diabetes, heart diseases and some types of cancer. 

There is potential for change for each of these health problems due to increased access to educational material on obesity and nutrition and physical exercises. Access to health care has also improved where people are able to get advice on healthy diet, physical exercises and containing obesity. Physical exercises and good healthy diet can be used to contain obesity which will change these health problems. Access to health care and knowledge about these health problems has often been blamed for the increase in the health problems. Health policies have also been developed that are helping medical professionals in changing these health problems.  According to Chriqui, (2013), there are policies in areas like childcare environment, food and beverage environment, health care, nutrition and physical activities. These policies are becoming major influence on how the health problems are being handled. An example is the nutrition in schools and physical education which is helping in fighting obesity while also providing knowledge about the health problems.

References

Al-Goblan, A. S., Al-Alfi, M. A., & Khan, M. Z. (2014). Mechanism linking diabetes mellitus and obesity. Diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity : targets and therapy, 7, 587–591. 

Chriqui J. F. (2013). Obesity Prevention Policies in U.S. States and Localities: Lessons from the Field. Current obesity reports, 2(3), 200–210. 

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• View profile card for Elizabeth Martinez Elizabeth Martinez
  Fri at 9:16 PM

Reply to post below 250 words>>>>>

• Your post was great to read. Well written and informative. My initial question upon reading is: What community? Was there a specific one addressed or was it more on a generalized notion i.e. the general American population?
• Other than that, you made some very good points. It is a sad fact in the United States that obesity and lack of proper nutrition and physical activity is ever so common across the nation. The American Cancer Society (2020) states that one in three American adults are obese and another one in three are overweight due to the excessive unhealthy food portions and lack of physical activity. It is such a major health concern it is addressed in Healthy People 2020 as a Leading Health Indicator. The American Cancer Society also goes on to state that the issue not only impacts adults, but teens and children too, as an estimated 20% are currently obese with numbers expected to rise in the coming decades (ACS, 2020).
  I agree that there is potential for change for these health concerns. The Healthy People site lists several objectives meant to track progress towards encouraging populations to meet the current federal physical activity guidelines, tracking obesity rates in adults and children, and tracking total vegetable intakes (ODPHP, n.d.b). The CDC (2020) goes more in depth providing strategies to prevent obesity such as state and local programs that can provide current evidence-based information and services, community efforts to prevent and/or reverse obesity by encouraging healthy eating and active lifestyles(i.e. Early Care and Education, Salad Bars to Schools, healthy food environments, and physical activity community strategies), and promoting healthy living resources (i.e. assessing your weight, healthy weight, ChooseMyPlate, physical activity basics, and tips for parents).
  Thanks for reading!
  Elizabeth Martinez