Outline
Christopher Honoré
3/8/10
Obesity in America
I. Introduction
a. How many people are affected by Obesity?
i. Obesity is a disease that affects approximately 60 million people in the
United States.
b. How does Obesity stack up in the list of preventable deaths?
i. It comes in 2nd to smoking, it has been held accountable to about 400,000
deaths, shown in a recent study.
c. Thesis Statement: In order to create a culture that values health and exercise, the
American school day should be extended to accommodate more extensive
physical education.
II. Research for what types of ethnic groups and genders are most affected by Obesity.
a. In recent decades, obesity has increased among men, women, and children, across
all age groups and within all educational levels and races.
i. Out of all of the ethnic groups that reside in America, African-Americans
and Mexican-Americans have been affected by Obesity the most.
ii. Mexican-American and African-American children ages 6 to 11 are more
likely to be obese or overweight than white children. Almost 43 percent of
Mexican-American children and almost 37 percent of African-American
children are obese or overweight, compared with “only” about 32 percent
of white children.
iii. Men age 20 or older who are overweight: 67.2 percent (65.1 million
Americans), Men age 20 or older who are obese: 27.5 percent (26.6
million), Men age 20 or older who are at a healthy weight (BMI between
18.5 and 25): 31.8 percent (30.6 million).
iv. Women age 20 or older who are overweight: 61.9 percent (64.5 million),
Women age 20 or older who are obese: 33.4 percent (34.7 million),
Women age 20 or older who are at a healthy weight (BMI between 18.5
and 25): 35.3 percent (36.7 million).
III. Research for what types of diseases can originate from Obesity.
a. Obesity is a dangerous precursor to numerous chronic diseases, including
cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some cancers.
i. In children, being overweight leads to hypertension, sleep apnea,
gallbladder disease, and bone abnormalities, particularly of the legs.
ii. Type 2 diabetes, formerly called adult-onset diabetes, is now occurring in
adolescents.
iii. Obesity increases the likelihood of developing the following cancers by 25
to 33 percent: Breast (post-menopausal), Colon, Endometrial, Esophageal,
kidney, and prostate.
Outline
Christopher Honoré
3/8/10
b. Obesity can be directly linked to cardiovascular disease, which is one of the
biggest causes of disease related deaths in the U.S.
IV. Conclusion
a. After school programs, longer school days, more intensive gym classes, and
informational health classes may help end this Obesity epidemic.