Obesity
The problem of obesity is a major dilemma that the
• What is obesity and how does it relate to standards of health? Obesity is a condition characterized by the excessive accumulation and storage of fat in the body and causes many different health related problems.
• What are the economic costs
and implications associated with obesity? Obesity is costing Americans $12.8
billion out of pocket each year. $28.1 billion through private insurance,
$14.1 billion through Medicaid, $23.5 billion through Medicare for a total cost
of $78.5 billion for the year of 1998.
• How does obesity affect us in the Christian context here at Bluffton? As Bluffton students, we are part of a long Christian tradition which is based on certain principles. While we may not be obese, the freshmen 15 and over-eating may be symptoms of a deeper problem. We need to be always aware of the decisions we make. Over-consumption is not only abusing our bodies, but it is hogging resources that could – and should – be shared.
• What are the broader implications of obesity, particularly on the global level? Americans are eating large amounts of meat and the grain that is used to feed the livestock cannot be used to feed those who are hungry in the world. Livestock production also negatively impacts the environment.
• What are solutions to the
problem of obesity in relation to each of these four areas? Reducing the
consumption of red meat in economically developed countries, especially the