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Research on ObesityResearch on obesity has been steadily rising over the past three decades. This is due to the fact that obesity rates have been rising rapidly during this time period. The CDC and NIH both agree that the levels of obesity in this country are epidemic. This raises serious alarm about how we are treating our bodies these days and what is being done to combat the problem.A multitude of factors likely contribute to obesity, from inherent biological traits that differ between individuals relevant to body weight; to environmental and socioeconomic factors; to behavioral factors--which may have both molecular and environmental influences. Thus, the diverse efforts of many federal agencies and public and private organizations will be valuable in working towards reducing obesity. The government is a great source of funding for companies and charities that contribute to the research on obesity, but the government alone cannot combat the problem. It is up to the individual person to actively seek answers to the cause and effect of obesity so that we may stop obesity in its tracks. What has research on obesity shown us?Because of all the organizations and individuals involved in conducting research on obesity and determining the underlying root causes, we have some definite answers as to what truly does cause obesity. The NIH states that "The increase in obesity over the past 30 years has been fueled by a complex interplay of environmental, social, economic, and behavioral factors, acting on a background of genetic susceptibility." What they are trying to say is that certain people are more susceptible to being obese than others due to their genetics. While this may be true to some extent, other research on obesity shows that people really have a choice whether or not to be obese. Is obesity research working?In a way, yes. However, it hasn't reached its full potential. Organizations such as the CDC, NIH, and other private companies realize the harmful effects that being obese has on society. Everything from marketing products to health care reform and health insurance premiums are based on the habits and lifestyles of the general population. With over one third of the population is obese, and almost two thirds are overweight, where do you think that lobbyists and marketing dollars are flowing? That's right, right to the companies and politicians who helped create this mess in the first place. Do you think the FDA really has your best interest at heart? If so, I encourage you to go check out "The Disease Conspiracy" by Robert Barefoot. Though maybe not everything is 100% accurate, it does paint a grim picture of an organization that is supposed to place America's health above everything else.What has obesity research shown us?Well, quite simply, it has shown us that we are a fat nation! Our kids are getting fatter, our health is dwindling, and our health care costs are sky-rocketing. Research on obesity has shown that our system is broken. Our kids are not expected to live as long as we are, and that is a scary thought. With all of the medical advances we have made over the last 30 years, we still can't seem to cure the one ailment that will ultimately lead to an untimely death: lack of education. That's right, lack of education. You know that running in front of a moving car is very dangerous to your health, right? So you of course don't do it. The problem with obesity is that we don't always realize how harmful certain foods and activities can be, so we consume away. We don't exercise because we don't understand how truly beneficial it is. Our society is clearly under-educated when it comes to our health.
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