Contemporary health issues assignment essay on obesity PDF

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An essay examining the obesity epidemic within Australia....

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Overweight and Obesity in Australia Essay

Contemporary health issues: HLTH2000 Written report Macquarie University 16/09/2021

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Overweight and Obesity: Abstract: Obesity is a major risk factor that affects nearly 2 in 3 adults and 1 in 4 children in Australia. The WHO defines it as a medical condition whereby an individual gains an abnormal fat accumulation that impairs health. Complications that arise for this disease include cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, obstructive pulmonary disease and cancer (Lake and Townshend 2017). Statistics report that the prevalence of obesity has risen from 57% in 1995 to 67% in 2017-18 within Australia. Determinants of health such as the social and economic environment an individual lives in and their health behaviours, influence health status. This report primarily highlights that obesity is not a product of unhealthy behaviour, but a complex interplay of determinants. It will be evaluating the extent to which these determinants influence health by focusing on the obesity epidemic within Australia. Additionally, it will address the importance of considering the built environment, development of laws and advertising as major strategies to combat this epidemic.

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Contents: Component:

Page:

Introduction

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Background

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Framework of social determinants

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Recommendations

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Conclusion

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Reference

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Introduction: Obesity is defined as the medical condition in which an individual gains an abnormal accumulation of body fat that proves detrimental to their health. Numerous factors influence an individual’s body fat composition, these range from genetic factors, schools, workplace and media. A common, practical measure of an individual is the body mass index (BMI). The organisation for Economic Co-operation and development countries ranks Australia as the fifth highest obese country globally. This report will be utilising the Framework of Social determinants of health to underpin the relationship between the determinants of health and obesity. Additionally it will be assessing the impact of access to health care on obesity and recommending potential strategies to lessen the epidemic’s impact within Australia..

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Background: Within the last two decades, there has been a substantial decrease in the number of Australians with a healthy body weight. Current statistics report that the prevalence of obesity and overweight has increased from 57% in 1995 to 67% in 2017-18. Studies reveal that in 2014-15, 63.4% of Australian adults and 27.6% of children were obese, with Bridgewater in Tasmania having the highest observed prevalence of 57% ( Huse, Hettarachi, Gearon, Nichols, Allender and Peters 2018). The lowest observed prevalence (23.9%) was seen in the Australian capital territory (Huse, Hettarachi, Gearon, Nichols, Allender and Peters 2018). The average income of Australian households in Bridgewater, Tasmania was $44,000 this year, $4000 below the national average (Rouse, 2020). An online survey conducted by Sainsbury, Hendy, Magnusson and Colagiuri, revealed that 92.5% of Australians considered obesity to be a pressing issue of concern. It assessed the participants' perception of obesity and the amount of public support they received. Findings revealed that 78.9% of Australians supported the government's restriction towards unhealthy food advertising to children. Of this group, females and participants with a tertiary education displayed the highest awareness towards the need to manage obesity and understood its implications.

Over the recent years there has been a notable increase in the percentage of overweight and obese adults. This is depicted in figure 1, wherein in the year 2017-18, 74.5% of men and 59.7% of women were obese. This indicates the need to devise a firm resolution, as an immediate concern, for the sustenance of health for future generations.

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Figure 1 delineates the percentage of overweight and obese adults during 1995 to 2017-18.

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Framework of social determinants of health: The social determinants of health are the conditions in which an individual is born into, grows, lives, works and ages in. The framework of social determinants of health outlines the complex correlation between the determinants of health and the propensity of suffering from obesity. It consists of three tiers, which include; structural determinants of health, intermediary determinants and the health care system. This section will focus on the relationship between one determinant from each tier and the obesity epidemic in Australia.

1. Structural determinant: Socioeconomic status refers to an individual’s social standing in society. This refers to the degree to which an individual has access to material resources and is able to integrate into the community (ABS, 2006). Generally, individuals residing in disadvantaged areas are vulnerable to social marginalisation factors wherein they have a lack of access to medical and transport services (ABS, 2010a). This amplifies their likelihood of suffering from diseases such as obesity. A scientific study conducted in the Australian Capital Territory assessed patterns in the prevalence of overweight and obese children in ACT between 2006 and 2018 (Yang). This illustrated the effects of socioeconomic position on the prevalence of obesity using the Index of Community Socio-educational Advantage as an estimate of social gradient. Findings revealed that there was an increase in the proportion of overweight and obese children of low socioeconomic position (Fig2.) Conversly, a downward trend was seen in the proportion of overweight and obese children of the highest socioeconomic status (Fig2.). Even though this study was only conducted within the ACT and hence represents a fraction of the effect socioeconomic position has on health, it makes clear the relationship between the two. From this, it is evident that individuals living in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas suffer poorer health than metropolitan areas.

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Figure 2 delineates the prevalence of overweight and obese children within ACT in 2006-18 by their relative quintiles based on the Index of community Socio-educational Advantage (ICSEA). Quintile 1 represents children within the lower socioeconomic group within this study whereas Quintile 5, those of higher socioeconomic status.

Additionally, low socioeconomic neighbourhoods experience higher mortality, disability and shorter lifespan rates than metropolitan areas (Townshend and Lake). Residents of these neighbourhoods are often unable to access a nutritious homemade meal. Healthy diet’s costs low income households 31% of their disposable income (Australian Prevention centre). As a result, families within these areas turn to fast food outlets such as McDonalds, to save time and money grocery shopping and preparing a meal. Constant exposure to unhealthy food options increases the likelihood of obesity within within low socioeconomic provinces.

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2. Intermediary determinant; Material circumstances refers to an individual’s financial ability to access adequate housing. Access to a safe and secure housing environment is correlated with improved health and increased engagement within work, education and community (Australia's health 2016). An inverse relationship exists between the quality of housing and an individual’s health, in that individuals living in dilapidated housing conditions are more prone to suffer from health conditions. Dilapidated houses are typically positioned in disadvantaged neighbourhoods which lack sidewalks, bike paths and recreational areas that encourage physical activity (Hood, 2005). A walkable neighbourhood with significant walking avenues promotes healthy living and reduces obesity. The relationship between the

built environment and the likelihood of an individual to

exercise was illustrated in a study whereby participants living in obesogenic environments reported low levels of physical activity (Wang, Yang). From this, it is evident that individuals living in obesogenic environments are less inclined to physical activity.

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Access to health care-Health systems sector: Access to healthcare refers to the degree to which an individual is able to access medical care. This is dependent on their socioeconomic status and material resources. Twenty eight percent of Australia’s population live in rural and remote areas, where access to medical care such as private hospitals and specialist services is not easily accessible (ABS). According to an online survey, individuals within metropolitan areas are 89% more likely to access a general practitioner than those in rural provinces. Individuals dwelling within these areas of greater economic disadvantage lack adequate transportation to travel to healthcare facilities. This inhibits their potential to access medical care. Thus, in order to access health care, individuals living within rural areas often consider relocating to metropolitan areas where medical care is easily accessible. This in itself presents a challenging decision for families within these areas, who are typically from a low socioeconomic background. To access healthcare, typically these families need to make a decision between sacrificing their health to provide for their family or seeking medical treatment. This is psychologically tormenting as often these families do not have enough financial stability to do both. Consequently, many as a result, forgo medical attention and resultantly amplify their likelihood of suffering from obesity, as they do not have the means to seek treatment and preventative resources to prevent this.

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Recommendations: This section outlines four measures which can be taken to reduce the impact of obesity within Australia. 1. Redesigning urban housing: Low socioeconomic neighbourhoods are often prone to a number of features which promote an obesogenic environment. These include; ● urban centres with a higher percentage of fast food chains supplying processed foods, high calorie snacks and beverages high in sugar intake(Reardon,Timmer,Barrett and Berdegue). Access to these foods encourages unhealthy diets, which maximises obesity within low socioeconomic regions. ● Passive transportation with a higher percentage of roads for car travel (Kjellstrom, Hakansta and Hogstedt), limiting physical mobility. ● Less open space accommodating recreational activities encourage sedentary living. Redesigning these neighbourhoods to help encourage physical activity will promote healthy lifestyles, subsequently reducing obesity. To achieve this, walking tracks, green spaces containing playgrounds and cycling lanes can be built. Furthermore organic and fresh foods markets can replace fast food outlets in urban centres, to encourage healthy food consumption, reducing obesity.

2. Laws and regulations: Planning authorities and courts designated to oversee jurisdictions, often underestimate the importance of health when developing legislation (Obesity Policy Coalition).This was illustrated in Melbourne’s East 2013, when the Yarra Ranges shire council opposed the construction of a new McDonald’s outlet in Tecoma in response to 1300 local resident sentiments (Obesity Policy Coalition). Despite this, their voice was silenced by planning laws which exempted the significance of health. Hence a change in legislation is adamant for the health of future generations. In order to combat this, local governments can be granted the power to reduce oversupply of fast food outlets within

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their communities. This will grant them the power to prevent the building of a fast food franchise in socially disadvantaged areas and promote healthier options. Reduced access to unhealthy food outlets will help break the cycle of low nutritional food consumption decreasing obesity rates. 3. Restricted marketing: Television advertising can be a catalyst that exacerbates individual health. An inverse relationship exists between mass marketing and children’s food consumption choices. A study conducted by the ACMA revealed that 96% of children watch approximately 10.6 hours of television a day in Australia (ACMA). Another study conducted within 13 countries revealed that Australia had the highest percentage of food advertisements per hour (Oomen V.g and Anderson P.J). The commercial TV code of practice that regulates Australian television does not have a clear vision of the type of acceptable food advertising that can be aired.(Oomen V.g and Anderson P.J). This provides an opportunity for fast food outlets to air advertisements of low nutritional value. To avoid this television advertisements should be screened before being aired and regulations around advertising strengthened. This has been carried out in practice, however further restriction is necessary to reduce the prevalence of obesity. 4. Sponsorship of Children’s sport Researchers from Ipsos conducted a study on Australian spending habits (Tabet). Data collected from this study revealed that 1 in 10 parents paid over $1000 per child on sport and a quarter (26%) paid within the bracket of $500 to $999 (Tabet). Sponsorship programs such as the “Active kids” program in NSW which provides Australian parents with two $100 vouchers can help lessen this financial burden. This will make it easier for parents to access recreational activities such as sport for their children, leading to improved health.

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Conclusion: In conclusion obesity rates have been increasing at an alarming rate within Australia. Prevalence rates have increased by 10% in 1995 to 2017-18. Socioeconomic factors, access to health care and material circumstances are all catalysts that exemplify the likelihood of obesity occurring. In order to lessen the impact of obesity rates within Australia, neighbourhoods can be redesigned to increase physical activity and reduce fast food consumption. Legislations can be implemented to heighten local government strength to reduce the oversupply of fast food outlets. Adopting these measures will decrease the rate of the obesity epidemic within Australia.

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References:

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2. Huse, O., Hettiarachchi, J., Gearon, E., Nichols, M., Allenders, S., & Peeters, A. (2018, January). Obesity in Australia. Obesity Research & Clinical Practice, 12(1), 29-39. Retrieved September 16, 2021, from https://research.monash.edu/en/publications/obesity-in-australia

3. Rouse A. (2020). Australia's fattest towns are revealed as shocking stats show the postcodes where more than 50% of people are morbidly obese - so is YOURS on the list?. Retrieved from https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7909351/Australias-fattest-towns-Tamwo rth-weights-heaviest-national-obesity-rate-tops-30-cent.htm 4. Sainsbury, E., Hendy, C., Magnusson, R., & Colagiuri, S. (2018). Public support for government regulatory interventions for overweight and obesity in Australia. Bmc Public Health. 18:513. Retrieved September 16, 2021, from Public support for government regulatory interventions for overweight and obesity in Australia (biomedcentral.com) 5. Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). (2006).Community Participation of people with a disability. Australian social trends. Retrieved September 17 2021, from 4102.0 - Australian Social Trends, 2006 (abs.gov.au) 6. Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). (2010a). Health and Socioeconomic Advantage. Australian Social trends. Retrieved September 18 2021, from 4102.0 - Australian Social Trends, Mar 2010 (abs.gov.au)

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7. Victoria health. Negative growth: the future of obesity in Australia. Retrieved September 19 2021 from .vic090-Obesity_Research_Highlights-06.pdf (vichealth.vic.gov.au)

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