Global Healthcare Issue – Obesity
Description
The epidemic of obesity has escalated into a national health crisis with far-reaching global implications. According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2021), as of 2016, approximately 1.9 billion individuals worldwide were overweight. Obesity, characterized by an excessive accumulation of fat, imposes a significant burden not only on individuals but also on healthcare systems, thus impacting global economic productivity. This burden is particularly pronounced in low- and middle-income countries, underscoring the imperative for comprehensive global solutions (Caballero, 2019).
Policy Description
In the United States, efforts to combat childhood obesity are channeled through targeted policies such as the “Let’s Move!” initiative, launched by Michelle Obama in 2010. This initiative advocates for healthier lifestyles with an emphasis on increased physical activity and improved nutrition (Bradwisch et al., 2020). Additionally, the “Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010” establishes nutritional standards for school meals administered by the USDA. The CDC’s “Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration (CORD)” project provides funding for community-based interventions (Bradwisch et al., 2020).
Strengths and Weaknesses
The strengths of US policies lie in their holistic approach to addressing childhood obesity, establishment of nutritional standards for school meals, and provision of funding for community-based interventions. However, weaknesses such as their voluntary nature and implementation challenges exist.
Policy Description
Canada adopts a comprehensive approach spanning the lifespan to address obesity. Policies such as the “Sugary Drink Tax,” “Fast Food Restaurant Act,” and “Marketing of Unhealthy Foods to Children Act” aim to deter unhealthy consumption while promoting healthier alternatives (Kao et al., 2020).
Strengths and Weaknesses
Canadian policies leverage economic incentives to discourage unhealthy consumption and regulate the density and location of fast-food establishments. Nevertheless, weaknesses such as regressive taxation and difficulties in defining and monitoring effectiveness persist.
Social determinants of health significantly contribute to obesity rates in both countries. Factors such as educational attainment and income inequality increase the risk of obesity, underscoring the need for targeted interventions (Golden, 2021; CDC, 2023).
Global health issues like obesity influence resource allocation and service delivery in local health organizations. While the US prioritizes primary prevention and grapples with resource constraints, Canada adopts a holistic approach emphasizing prevention and accessibility (Feng & Martin, 2020; Lytvyak et al., 2022).
Impact on Global Population
Policies addressing obesity in Canada have the potential to positively impact the global population. Successful strategies can serve as models for other nations, and sharing knowledge can contribute to global advancements in understanding and combating obesity (Ríos-Reyna et al., 2022).
Impact on the Role of Nurses as Advocates
Health policies directly shape the role of nurses as advocates. While US policies empower nurses to promote healthy behaviors, Canadian policies allow for advocacy for systemic interventions and public health initiatives (Chang et al., 2021).
Conclusion
Addressing obesity necessitates comprehensive strategies that account for social determinants of health and the unique contexts of each country. Collaborative efforts, knowledge sharing, and ongoing evaluation are vital for effectively addressing this global health issue.
References
Berry, E. M. (2020). The Obesity Pandemic-Whose Responsibility? No Blame, No Shame, Not More of the Same. Frontiers in nutrition, 7, 2. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2020.00002
Bradwisch, S. A., Smith, E. M., Mooney, C., & Scaccia, D. (2020). Obesity in children and adolescents: An overview. Nursing, 50(11), 60–66. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NURSE.0000718908.20119.01
Caballero, B. (2019). Humans against Obesity: Who Will Win? Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.), 10(suppl_1), S4–S9. https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmy055
Struggling with online classes or exams? Get expert help to ace your coursework, assignments, and tests stress-free!