OBESITY IN UK

Causes of high levels of Obesity in United Kingdom

Causes of high levels of Obesity in United Kingdom

Introduction

Obesity is defined as the deposition of body fat, weight gain at the expense of adipose tissue. Adipose tissue can be deposited as sediments in the field of physiological as well as in the breast, thighs, and abdomen. Currently, obesity is regarded as a chronic exchange disorder that occurs at any age, manifested excessive weight gain mainly due to excessive accumulation of adipose tissue , accompanied by an increase in cases overall morbidity and mortality of the population (BARNETT & KUMAR, 2009, p. 117). The incidence of obesity in a civilized society is growing rapidly despite the absence of changes in the genetic pool, that is, regardless of hereditary factors.

Normally the human body contains a quantity of fat ranging from 15-18% in young men between 20-25% of body weight in women. From an anthropometric point of view, a person is considered obese when their weight is greater than 120% of the theoretical or ideal weight, according to the tables of normal weight for a given population and taking into account age, sex and height (GILMAN, 2008, p. 93). If we use the body mass index (BMI) as a measure of the degree of obesity, we can say that a person is obese when their BMI is over 30 kg / m2. This paper attempts to analyse and discuss the main causes of high levels of obesity in United Kingdom.

Discussion

The development of obesity is the result of an imbalance between the absorption and the cost of energy in the body. The regulation of body weight in the body is carried out by a complex interaction of complex interconnected systems responsible for controlling the energy system of the body: the absorbed energy (calories) consumed is equal to energy. Obesity contributes to a positive energy balance (physical inactivity) and readily available source of carbohydrates, which accumulates excess of (stored) in the body in the form of triglycerides in adipose tissue (GILMAN, 2008, p. 99). Negative energy balance between the absorbed and the energy expended (even for a short period of time) is a threat to the life of the organism. Therefore, to maintain energy balance to the body to regulate levels of hormones , reduce energy costs, increase efficiency of absorption of nutrients, correct eating behaviour (increase appetite ), to mobilize the missing energy from the fat stores of energy (BARNETT & KUMAR, 2009, p. 120). Each of these units is regulated by specific genes.

Genetic predisposition to obesity is evident in the families of persons suffering from obesity. Genes, responsible for the regulations of body weight have evolved throughout the history of the origin and development of human society, but at the same time have changed significantly, and environmental factors that determine the nutrient intake and reduced the usual physical activity (ELLIS, et.al, 2010). Obesity may result from:

Imbalance between the adopted food and spent energy, that is, increased revenues and reduced food consumption of ...