FOOD ENVIRONMENT AND OBESITY IN DETROIT
OBESITY
is defined by the CDC as having a weight higher than what is considered healthy. Obesity across the globe has tripled since 1975. In fact, the majority of the world's population live in nations where overweight and obesity kills more than being underweight (WHO, 2020).
SCREENING
For adults, weight-to-height ratio called Body Mass Index (BMI) is typically used to screen for overweight (BMI = 25.0-30 kg/m squared) or obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m squared) (CDC, n.d.).
Gender-specific growth charts are used for children and define overweight (85-95th percentile) and obesity (>95th percentile) in consideration of natural weight fluctuations that occur during development (CDC, n.d.).
HEALTH IMPLICATIONS
Major health problems associated with obesity include Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, and some forms of cancer (NIDDK, n.d.)
Psychosocial implications include mental health problems such as depression, eating disorders, anxiety, and substance abuse, which are rooted in discrimination which obese individuals often experience because of their weight (Sarwer and Polonsky, 2018).
A PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERN
The prevalence of obese and extremely obese adults continue to trend upwards, meaning the biggest among us are growing in number (Bauer, 2020). This has a serious impact on life expectancy, with a study finding 9 to 13 years of life lost for individuals with high BMI (Pi-Sunyer, 2010).
The economic toll this disease places on the public also marks it as a public health problem. National spending on obesity-related diseases accounts for 20% of total U.S. medical expenditures (Bauer, 2020).
Finally, research on "weight cycling" suggests a specific need for preventative action. Metabolism slows after losing weight (Mayo Clinic, 2018). Given this biological barrier makes it more difficult for individuals to lose weight and keep it off, interventions should address obesity before it becomes an issue.
LEGISLATION
often attributes obesity to poor decision making, implementing laws that remove consumer autonomy. Examples of this are the 2010 Healthy, Hunger-free Kids Act within the "Let's Move" campaign and the 2012 New York City soda tax.
And these efforts don't work- granted, future research is necessary to determine the true efficacy of the "Let's Move" initiative, but childhood obesity has certainly not decreased to the impressive 5% prevalence rate that the administration projected for 2030 (Johnson, 2016).
Rather, viewing this disease in light of the socio-ecological model deconstructs obesity into five spheres of influence: intrapersonal, interpersonal, institutional, community, and society (Youatt, 2020). Through this lens we observe the interplay of factors beyond intrapersonal behavior, specifically food environment and socioeconomic status.
OBESITY IN DETROIT
(Detroit Stats, 2017)
30.8% OBESITY RATE
+ 3.8% than national average
77.3 YEAR LIFE EXPECTANCY
- 1.2 years than national average
10.6% DIABETES PREVALENCE
+ 1.3% than national average