Community Obesity Talk Outline
Venue: Carilion New River Valley: At Work Weight Watcher Meeting
Date: 11-02-2013










Objectives of Presentation
Definition
Epidemiology
o United States
o Carroll County
Pathophysiology
BMI and its importance
Etiology
Predisposing Factors
Common Complaints/Signs and Symptoms
Non-Pharmacological Treatments
o Diet
o Exercise
o Support Groups
o Dietitian
Discussion
An obesity discussion was presented at a community weight watcher
meeting with an emphasis etiology, predisposing factors, common complaints, and
non-pharmacological treatment.
Obesity is the imbalance between energy intake (eating too much) and
energy output (not exercising or too little) (Harndy, 2013). It includes a wide range
of weights that are greater than what is considered health for a given height (CDC,
2012). Obesity is one of the major reasons for many ailments like heart disease,
diabetes, back problems and many more. Weight loss can reduce these risks by ten
percent (Mayo Clinic, 2013). More than one-third of the adults in the United States
are obese in 2009 to 2010 (Ogden, Carroll, Kit, & Flegal, 2012). Virginia’s obesity
rate is 28%, Carroll County is 31%, and the national benchmark is 25% (County
Health Rankings & Roadmaps, 2013). Carroll County’s obesity rate is on the rise, this
is why it is important to know what obesity is and when to talk to your healthcare
provider.
Many factors can predispose one to obesity including family history, lack of
activity, socioeconomic status, ethnic and cultural factors and poor dietary habits
(Harndy, 2013). Level of activity is one of the most common predisposing factors
and one of the easiest to resolve. Increasing exercise, reducing television and
computer time to no more than 3 hours a day along with decrease leisure activity
can reduce unnecessary weight gain. (Glass, 2011).
Many common complaints with obesity include difficulty performing routine
daily activities (including hygiene), inability or lack of interest in exercising,
shortness of breath and/or asthma exacerbation, incontinence, obstructive sleep
apnea, infertility, heartburn, indigestion, nausea, fatigue, and hypertension
(Morrow, 2010).
Diet changes to prevent or decrease obesity include low calorie choices,
increase fruits and vegetables, eliminate alcohol and sugar-containing beverages,
reduce intake of sweets and sugars, reduce fat intake, reduce portions sizes, and
increase water intake. The other important to prevent or decrease obesity is
exercise. It is important to get up for at least 10 minutes every hour and thirty
minutes of sweaty activity three times a week. Obesity can be overcome by
following a good healthy lifestyle comprised of a good diet and regular exercise
regime (Yoga, Walking, Jogging, Swimming, or Cycling) (Glass, 2011).
Some challenges met for the lecture presented included providing a teaching
strategy that fit all the needs of the target audience. A power point presentation was
utilized to multiple small groups without the aid of a projector. However, this
experience helped me gain confidence with presenting to groups and understanding
the need to be prepared for any questions.
References
CDC. (2012, April 27). Defining overweight and obesity. Retrieved October 23, 2013
from http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/adult/defining.html
County Health Rankings & Roadmaps. (2013). Find health rankings for your state and
county. Retrieved October 25, 2013 from
http://www.countyhealthrankings.org
Glass C. A. (2011). Obesity. In J. C. Cash & C. A. Glass (Eds.), Family practice guidelines
(2nd ed.). (pp. 517-520). New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company, LLC
Harndy, O. (2013, August 26). Obesity. Retrieved October 24, 2013 from Medscape:
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/123702-overview#aw2aab6b2b3
Mayo Clinic. (2013, June 7). Obesity. Retrieved October 23, 2013 from
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/obesity/DS00314
Morrow, J. (2010, December 14). How does your income affect your risk of obesity?
Retrieved October 27, 2013 from Hive Health Media:
http://www.hivehealthmedia.com/income-level-affect-risk-obesity/
Ogden, C. L., Carroll, M. D., Kit, B. K. & Flegal, K. M. (2012). Prevalence of obesity in the
United States, 2009-2010. Retrieved October 26, 2013 from CDC:
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db82.pdf