Approaches to obesity: Behavioural measures

Approaches to corpulency Behavioural measuresIssue for grammatical construction Can obesity be controlled through behavioral measures?Content brief descriptionOne of the global reach that we are facing now is obesity, not only has it increase, the prevalence rate has as well doubled since 1980 (Anderson, Quinn Glanz et al., 2009). Behavioral theories suggest the increase in obesity is link with decrease physiological military action and un wellnessy dietary behavior and thereby neutering our behavior would help to decrease risk of obesity (Heather, 2004). However, despite enormous research and interventions, the prevalence rates are still on the climb. Thus, casting doubts on behavioral approaches. This paper shall reflect on the issues on controlling obesity and practical implication in workplace setting. (99 words)Inter-relationship between theory, research and practice hypothesis and researchIn the basis of behavioural approaches, it is assumed that there is two main rea sons that results in obesity epidemic, firstly, there is an imbalance in elan vital breathing in (excess) and energy output (inadequate). Secondly, these actions that contributed to the energy imbalance are wise(p) behaviour (Jeffery et al., 2000). For example, we observe the purchase of fast food from others or advertisement, it increases our chances of buying it. If it was a learned behaviour then in order to decrease obesity rates, we should be able to acquire new behaviour to make better decisions that promote our health and well-being. It is overly argued that when we engage in material application we are using our energy from food, however, the improvements in transportation and technological advancement has greatly reduce our take aim of physical activity, accounting at least 30% of the worldwide population and half of the adults in United States did not meet the recommended level of physical activity (CDC, 2007WHO, 2009). Studies have collected epidemiological data th at compared activity levels and found two associated variables with increasing trend namely, car ownership, and time spend in television aftermath with obesity (Prentice Jebb, 1995).Other than the drop in energy output, it can be seen that our energy usance has increased world-shakingly together with obesity rates. Studies show that gram calorie intake of food increased from of 335 calories per day for females and 168 calories for males from 1971 to 2004 (Wright et al., 2004). Moreover, within this time frame it was the bloom of economics for processed food accompanied by the increase put size and fast-food trends, which leads to excess calorie intake, resulting in rapid weight gain (Rolls, 2007). Thus, the extra calories input great power be from food choices that consist of high energy density.PracticeAs of workplace environment, these research has helped in developing behavioural allowance program in treating obesity. Reports show that companies that adopted obesity interv entions have significant improvements for the employees, and also helped the employers in decreasing absenteeism rate, subcontract stress experience, workplace injuries and increase in work productivity in workers (Jensen, 2011 Mhurchu, Aston Jebb, 2010). These health outcomes has been revealed to be commonly undergo with obese workers (Bungum et al., 2003 Nishitani Sakakibara, 2005 Poston et al., 2011).These behavioural programs often includes the combination of self-monitoring measures such as monitoring dietary intake (e.g. diary), cues and encouragement for appropriate behaviour (e.g. extrinsic incentives) (Stuart Davis, 1972), group practice session and providing healthy meal options, as well as, equipping workers with nutritional knowledge. Moreover, employees who had adhere to the program has considerably increase their daily intake of fruits and vegetables, and reduce their fat intake from food, along with improvements in mental and physical health (Maes, Cauwenberghe Lippevelde, 2012 Hutchinson, 2011). Therefore, with a better health profile, it could help in issue of absenteeism, productivity and benefited two employers and employees. (486 words)Personal reflectionFor Behavioural theories could help in controlling ObesityThe Contribution of extensive researchFirstly, research on behavioural approaches could aid in implementation of interventions and modification of existed programs in the workplace environment. Perhaps, we could develop a framework that identify the contributing factors of obesity in the workplace setting. Then, analysing the trend between the contributing factors and workers through aspect data and using statistical methods to samples different groups (e.g. normal weight, overweight and obese employees). Next, we could design the program making sure to modify the contributing work formation parameters (e.g. providing healthy food options) to create behavioural changes (e.g. ordering healthy meal) that could improve health conditions.Most employers and employees acknowledge the impact of obesitySecondly, studies have found that both employers and employees has consider weight management program at work settings to be appropriate and effective in controlling obesity (Gabel et al., 2009). These shows that employers might be concern about the rising medical bell, expenses incurred due to the loss of productivity and an increase in work injuries. Employers understand the impact of obesity that imply health cost towards employees and indirectly affecting the company as well, as such they are more willing to provide cooperate health benefits to reduce obesity. However, the employees must also have personal responsibility and discipline to attend the welfares provided. Thus, when both parties work together the chances of reducing obesity would be possible in workplace.Against Behavioural theories does not help in controlling ObesityObesity is genetically inheritedFirstly, in contrast to the behavioural theo ries, researchers have also investigate the genetic approaches towards obesity epidemic. Studies have explored the chances of inheriting obesity by looking at samples of first-degree relatives, which indicated moderate association (0.20 to 0.30). In addition, they looked into samples of monozygotic twins, which results in a higher heritability rate (0.60 to 0.70), indicating that genetic science have contributed approximately 25% to 40% of the variance in BMI ( outlay, 2002). Furthermore, early research has also discovered that the distribution of fat in body split and individuals metabolic rate are also genetically predisposed (Levine, Eberhardt Jensen, 1999). This might support the notion that obesity could not be reduce.The complexity of contributing factors to obesitySecondly, with the vast variety of potential factors that could contribute to obesity, it would be challenging to target all factors. Workplace influencers include, high job demand, insufficient sleep, inadequac y of physical activity, stress, low job control (Parhizi, Pasupathy Steege, 2012). Likewise, while considering the workplace effects, there are additional domain such as individual difference, psychosocial factors and genetics factors that could get further complexity to provide solution to reduce obesity rate. Additionally, there may be multiple association between factors creating the difficulties in providing optimal levels of discussion for each individual.Inconsistent interventions resultsThirdly, considering most of the research being done has a significant outcome improvement in health related issues (Hutchinson, 2012). Nonetheless, when evaluating the results of interventions that included progression of physical activity and nutritional programs in accordance to the obesity measures of BMI, fat percentage and body weight, there were inconclusive evidence of the efficacy of reduction in these areas (Vuillemin, 2011).Similarly, such studies does not identify which of the interventions are effective for specific types of employee population. For example, is there a need for two different programs for office-based workers and retail-based workers? Additionally, most of the programs does not measure its semipermanent effects on weight maintenance which could provide overestimation of the positive outcomes from intervention and employees might actually gained weight in the long run. Thus, the inconsistency and methodological flaws of these studies might have an impact on its efficacy level.ConclusionObesity is drawing massive attention and growing as a health enigma that consisted undesirable consequences on individuals health measures such as heart diseases, diabetes and cancers. To add on, obesity also greatly influences our workplace productivity, absenteeism, work injuries and job stress. These not only have negative effects on individual level but also pressures the employers with rising healthcare cost and expenses incurred from obese employees.A s a result, vast majority of studies has examine the cause of obesity, in which, the most common approach was applying behavioural modification methods such as increasing physical activity and changing dietary intake. Yet, with great effort being place in weight management programs, obesity rate is still up-trending. This provides doubts and challenge to stodgy methods in combating obesity. Such that, explanation of genetics, complexity of the contributing factors, flaws and inconsistent results of interventions from studies have come to doubt the forcefulness of these methods. Final WordOverall, obesity is a health problem that has variety of contribution factors that are complex and there is no definite model or program that cater to majority of the obese community. Nevertheless, it might be possible to be able to start from the workplace setting of individual and creating little changes that hopefully decrease obesity rate overtime. (818 words)ReferencesAnderson LM, Quinn TA, G lanz K et al. (2009). The effectiveness of worksite nutrition and physical activity interventions for controlling employee overweight and obesity a systematic review. Am J Prev Med. 37340.C357.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2007). Prevalence of even physical activity among adults. United States. 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