Obesity
Obesity is one of the greatest public health challenges of the 21st century. Its
prevalence has tripled in many countries of the WHO European Region (World Health
Organisation) since the 1980s, and the numbers of those affected continue to rise at
an alarming rate. In addition to causing various physical disabilities and psychological
problems, excess weight drastically increases a person’s risk of developing a number
of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular disease, cancer and
diabetes.
Obesity is a condition that is associated with having an excess amount of body fat,
defined by genetic and environmental factors that are difficult to control when
dieting. Obesity is classified as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or greater. BMI
is a tool used to measure obesity
Causes of Obesity
There are many causes that directly and indirectly contribute to obesity. Behavior, environment and genetics are among
the main contributors to obesity. The Centers for Disease Control has identified these three as the main causes to the
complexity of the obesity epidemic.
Behavior
In today’s fast-paced environment, it is easy to adopt unhealthy behaviors. Behavior, in the case of obesity, relates to food
choices, amount of physical activity you get and the effort to maintain your health.
Environment
Environment plays a key role in shaping an individu al’s habits and lifestyle. There are many environmental influences
that can impact your health decisions. Today’s society has developed a more sedentary lifestyle. Walking has been
replaced by driving cars, physical activity has been replaced by technology and nutrition has been overcome by
convenience foods.
Genetics
Science shows that genetics play a role in obesity. Genes can cause certain disorders which result in obesity. However,
not all individuals who are predisposed to obesity become affected by obesity. Research is currently underway to
determine which genes contribute most to obesity.
Today, more than one in two adults and nearly one in six
children are overweight or obese in the OECD area. The
obesity epidemic has spread further in the past five years,
although at a slower pace than before. Despite this, new
projections show a continuing increase of obesity in all
studied countries. Social disparities in obesity persist and
have increased in some countries.
In the OECD study, the United Kingdom came sixth in the
world, just behind Australia in a study of more popularised
nations. The report found that Britain’s obesity rate is 27.8
per cent, behind Malta (28.9 per cent) and Turkey (32.1 per
cent). The European average is 23.3 per cent.
In another report from Organisation for Economic Co-
operation and Development, made up of 35 major economies, found the United States to be the most obese country. In
America 38.2 per cent of the population over the age of 15 is obese. Mexico is second with 32.4 per cent of the population
and New Zealand is third with 30.7 per cent. By contrast, the OECD found that just 3.2 per cent of Japanese were obese.
Estimates of the number of overweight infants and children in the WHO European Region rose steadily from 1990 to
2008. Over 60% of children who are overweight before puberty will be overweight in early adulthood. Childhood obesity
is strongly associated with risk factors for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, orthopaedic problems, mental
disorders, underachievement in school and lower self-esteem.
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In recent years, health promotion campaigns have increasingly been implemented through Facebook or Twitter, or
dedicated mobile applications. New developments in communication policies include new easy-to-understand schemes
of food labeling by improving nutrient information displayed on food labels, mass media campaigns to increase public
awareness, the use of social networks and new technologies for health promotion campaigns, and reinforced regulation
of marketing of potentially unhealthy products, especially when directed to children.
In Norway, advertising regulation policy took a step further in 2013, as a united group of food manufacturers and
suppliers agreed on a new self-regulation scheme to voluntarily ban marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages to
children younger than 13. Communication channels included are, for instance, movies in theatres starting before 6.30pm,
competitions and interactive games for children. In Denmark, a self-regulation code has been in place since 2008 through
“The Forum of Responsible Food Marketing Communication”. The code targets marketing to children on TV, printed
media and the internet of products with a high content of sugar, fats and salt.
In Chile, advertising food that exceeds the sodium, saturated fat, sugar and calories thresholds established by the
Ministry of Health, directed to children under the age of 14, is restricted in any kind of media. In Brazil, a new decree of
2015 regulates the commercial promotion of some products for infants that can interfere with breastfeeding.
In Canberra, Australia, advertising junk food, alcohol and gambling has been banned on municipal buses since 2015.
In Latvia, the law has prohibited, since June 2016, the sale of energy drinks to children below age 18. It also prohibits
advertising of these drinks before, during and after TV programmes targeting children less than 18 years of age, their
advertising in educational establishments, as well as their association with sports facilities. Similar advertising
restrictions have existed in neighbouring Lithuania since 2014.. In Poland , a law was implemented in 2015 to regulate
promotion and advertising of foods sold at pre-schools, primary and secondary schools.
What do the following abbreviations mean:
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Match the beginnings of the sentences to the correct endings.
1 John bought a new car... A for marking important parts of
documents.
2 A small notebook is necessary B so that I wouldn't be hungry
3 I ordered an extra slice of pizza... C to say 'thank you
4 . I got up early... D to go on holidays
5 David worked really hard during the week E for presenting the best project
6 Highlighter pens are great F for writing down new vocabulary
7 John won a prize at school. G to send an important email.
8 She gave her mother a big bunch of flowers h so that he'll have more time form
himself at the weekend
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One syllable adjectives Superlative: Two or more syllable adjectives
add EST (the cheapest) Superlative: add THE MOST / THE LEAST
Modifying superlatives
by far / easily / nearly + superlative adjective
comparatives and superlatives: Are these sentences True or False ?
1.To compare two things, we add -er to many adjectives. True False
2.We add - est to make the superlative form of many adjectives. True False
3.We never change the spelling of the adjective before adding - er / -est True False
4.We often use "than " after a comparative. True False
5.We often use "the " before a superlative. True False
6.With longer adjectives, we use " more " + adjective or " most " + adjective. True False
7. There are a lot of irregular comparatives and superlatives. True False
Using the document above, compare and contrast the rate of obesity in the different countries.
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Answer the following questions. Justify your response with quotes from the text.
1 Name 3 diseases that are caused by obesity
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3. Obesity is a hereditary illness True False
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3 In your own words, state how each of the following has contributed to the rise of obesity.
Behavior: ___________________________________________________________________________________________
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Environment: ___________________________________________________________________________________________
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Genetics: ___________________________________________________________________________________________
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4. The rate of obesity has stagnated since 2015. True False
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5. In the study, the United Kingdom has more cases of obesity that Australia. True False
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6. Using the study mentioned in the text, class the counties in order. (most cases of obesity to least)
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7. What did the WHO European Region find in its study?
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8.. Name 4 health issues associated with obesity in children.
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9. In recent years, health promotion campaigns have been implemented. True False
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10. Name 5 ways in which governments have tried to fight against obesity
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Fill in the following table with the relevant information
Country Initiative employed to combat obesity
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Grammer
Fill in the columns below with the words from above
Nouns Verbs Adjectives
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Pick out 5 words from above and form sentences.
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Describe and analyze the 2 documents.
Document 1 Document2
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