My research question:

Why am I fat and how do I change it?

Adapted from NC State University Writing and Speaking Tutorial Service, Writing A Literature Review and
Using a Synthesis Matrix. 2006. Retrieved June 26, 2013 from http://www.ncsu.edu/tutorial_center/writespeak/download/Synthesis.pdf

Womens Health

Mayo Clinic

http://womenshealth.gov/
publications/ourpublications/factsheet/overweight-weightloss.html

http://www.mayoclinic.org
/search/searchresults?q=obesity

Obesity is a complex disorder

involving an excessive amount of
body fat.

Obesity Definition

Main Idea 1
Obesity Statistics

Main Idea 2
Causes of
obesity

Womens Health
Magazine

The State of
Obesity

http://www.womenshealt
hmag.com/health/obesity

http://stateofobesity
.org/rates/

Obesity is an excess of body fat.

Over 60 percent of U.S. adult

women are overweight,
according to 2007 estimates from
the National Center for Health
Statistics of the Center for
Disease Control and Prevention.
Just over one-third of overweight
adult women are obese.

Many factors can play a role in

becoming overweight or obese.
These factors include:
Behaviors, such as eating too
many calories or not getting
enough physical activity
Environment and culture
Genes
Overweight and obesity
problems keep getting worse in
the United States. Some cultural
reasons for this include:
Bigger portion sizes

More than a third of adults

(34.9 percent) were obese
as of 2011 to 2012. More
than two-thirds of adults
were overweight or obese
(68.6 percent).
Approximately 17 percent
of children and teenagers
(ages 2 to 19) were obese
from 2011 to 2012, and
31.8 percent were either
overweight or obese.
34.9% of American adults
are obese and 68.6% are
obese or overweight.
Nearly 40% of American
adults ages 40 to 59 are
obese.
Five states had increases
in adult obesity in the last
year #KS, #MN, #NM,
#OH and #UT
Obesity can sometimes be traced
to a medical cause, such as
Prader-Willi syndrome, Cushing's
syndrome, and other diseases
and conditions. However, these
disorders are rare and, in general,
the principal causes of obesity
are:
Inactivity. If you're not very active,
you don't burn as many calories.
With a sedentary lifestyle, you can
easily take in more calories every
day than you use through exercise

Genetic influences: Your genetic

makeup plays a significant role in
your chances of becoming
obese. However, you still
maintain most of the control
when it comes to your weight.
Some rare genetic diseases
make it almost impossible to
avoid obesity.
Physiological influences: Some
researchers believe that every
person has a predetermined
weight that the body resists

Centers for
Disease Control
and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov
/obesity/
Weight that is higher
than what is considered
as a healthy weight for a
given height is described
as overweight or obese.
Body Mass Index, or
BMI, is used as a
screening tool for
overweight or obesity.
(2011-2012)
Approximately 17% (or
12.7 million) of children
and adolescents aged
219 years are obese
More than one-third
(34.9% or 78.6 million) of
U.S. adults are obese.

Obesity results from a

combination of causes
and contributing factors,
including individual
factors such as behavior
and genetics. Behaviors
can include dietary
patterns, physical
activity, inactivity,
medication use, and
other exposures.
Additional contributing
factors in our society

Adapted from NC State University Writing and Speaking Tutorial Service, Writing A Literature Review and
Using a Synthesis Matrix. 2006. Retrieved June 26, 2013 from http://www.ncsu.edu/tutorial_center/writespeak/download/Synthesis.pdf

Little time to exercise or cook

healthy meals
Using cars to get places instead
of walking

and normal daily activities.

Unhealthy diet and eating
habits. Weight gain is inevitable if
you regularly eat more calories
than you burn. And most
Americans' diets are too high in
calories and are full of fast food
and high-calorie beverages.
Genetics. Your genes may affect
the amount of body fat you store,
and where that fat is distributed.
Genetics may also play a role in
how efficiently your body converts
food into energy and how your
body burns calories during
exercise.
Family lifestyle. Obesity tends to
run in families. If one or both of
your parents are obese, your risk
of being obese is increased.
That's not just because of
genetics. Family members tend to
share similar eating and activity
habits.
Inactivity. If you're not very active,
you don't burn as many calories.
With a sedentary lifestyle, you can
easily take in more calories every
day than you burn through
exercise and routine daily
activities. Having medical
problems, such as arthritis, can
lead to decreased activity, which
contributes to weight gain.
Unhealthy diet. A diet that's high
in calories, lacking in fruits and
vegetables, full of fast food, and
laden with high-calorie beverages
and oversized portions contributes
to weight gain.
Medical problems. In some
people, obesity can be traced to a
medical cause, such as PraderWilli syndrome, Cushing's
syndrome and other conditions.
Medical problems, such as
arthritis, also can lead to
decreased activity, which may
result in weight gain.
Certain medications. Some
medications can lead to weight

moving away from. Also, people

of the same age, sex and body
size often have different
metabolic rates. This means their
bodies burn food differently.
Someone with a low metabolic
rate may require fewer calories
to maintain approximately the
same weight as someone whose
metabolic rate is high.
Food intake and eating
disorders: If you eat a lot,
especially foods that are high in
fat and calories, you can become
obese. Obesity also can result
from eating disorders, such as a
tendency to binge.
Lifestyle: If you lead a sedentary
lifestyle, you are at a higher risk
of becoming obese. Your weight
history: If you were overweight
as a child or adolescent, you are
more likely to be obese as an
adult. Pregnancy: Pregnancy can
contribute to obesity. Many
women weigh more after each
pregnancy. Drugs: Some drugs
can cause obesity. These include
steroid hormones and many
drugs used to treat psychiatric
conditions.

include the food and

physical activity
environment, education
and skills, and food
marketing and
promotion.

Adapted from NC State University Writing and Speaking Tutorial Service, Writing A Literature Review and
Using a Synthesis Matrix. 2006. Retrieved June 26, 2013 from http://www.ncsu.edu/tutorial_center/writespeak/download/Synthesis.pdf

gain if you don't compensate

through diet or activity. These
medications include some
antidepressants, anti-seizure
medications, diabetes
medications, antipsychotic
medications, steroids and beta
blockers.
Social and economic
issues. Research has linked social
and economic factors to obesity.
Avoiding obesity is difficult if you
don't have safe areas to exercise.
Similarly, you may not have been
taught healthy ways of cooking, or
you may not have money to buy
healthier foods. In addition, the
people you spend time with may
influence your weight you're
more likely to become obese if
you have obese friends or
relatives.
Age. Obesity can occur at any
age, even in young children. But
as you age, hormonal changes
and a less active lifestyle increase
your risk of obesity. In addition,
the amount of muscle in your body
tends to decrease with age. This
lower muscle mass leads to a
decrease in metabolism. These
changes also reduce calorie
needs, and can make it harder to
keep off excess weight. If you
don't consciously control what you
eat and become more physically
active as you age, you'll likely gain
weight.
Pregnancy. During pregnancy, a
woman's weight necessarily
increases. Some women find this
weight difficult to lose after the
baby is born. This weight gain
may contribute to the
development of obesity in women.
Quitting smoking. Quitting
smoking is often associated with
weight gain. And for some, it can
lead to enough weight gain that
the person becomes obese. In the
long run, however, quitting
smoking is still a greater benefit to
Adapted from NC State University Writing and Speaking Tutorial Service, Writing A Literature Review and
Using a Synthesis Matrix. 2006. Retrieved June 26, 2013 from http://www.ncsu.edu/tutorial_center/writespeak/download/Synthesis.pdf

your health than continuing to

smoke.
Lack of sleep. Not getting enough
sleep or getting too much sleep
can cause changes in hormones
that increase your appetite. You
may also crave foods high in
calories and carbohydrates, which
can contribute to weight gain.
Main Idea 3
Impacts of
obesity.

Being overweight or obese can

increase your risk of:
Heart disease
Stroke
Type 2 diabetes
High blood pressure
Breathing problems
Arthritis
Gallbladder disease
Some kinds of cancer

It increases your risk of diseases

and health problems, such as
heart disease, diabetes and high
blood pressure.
High triglycerides and low highdensity lipoprotein (HDL)
cholesterol
Type 2 diabetes
High blood pressure
Metabolic syndrome a
combination of high blood sugar,
high blood pressure, high
triglycerides and low HDL
cholesterol
Heart disease
Stroke
Cancer, including cancer of the
uterus, cervix, endometrium,
ovaries, breast, colon, rectum,
esophagus, liver, gallbladder,
pancreas, kidney and prostate
Breathing disorders, including
sleep apnea, a potentially serious
sleep disorder in which breathing
repeatedly stops and starts
Gallbladder disease
Gynecological problems, such as
infertility and irregular periods
Erectile dysfunction and sexual
health issues
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, a
condition in which fat builds up in
the liver and can cause
inflammation or scarring
Osteoarthritis
Depression
Disability
Sexual problems
Shame and guilt
Social isolation

Trouble sleeping
Sleep apnea. This is a condition
in which breathing is irregular
and periodically stops during
sleep.
Shortness of breath
Varicose veins
Skin problems caused by
moisture that accumulates in the
folds of your skin
Gallstones
Osteoarthritis in weight-bearing
joints, especially the knees
Obesity increases your risk for:
High blood pressure,
High levels of blood sugar
(diabetes)
High cholesterol
High triglycerides levels

Obesity is a serious
concern because it is
associated with poorer
mental health outcomes,
reduced quality of life,
and the leading causes
of death in the U.S. and
worldwide, including
diabetes, heart disease,
stroke, and some types
of cancer.
People who are obese,
compared to those with a
normal or healthy weight,
are at increased risk for
many serious diseases
and health conditions,
including the following:
All-causes of death
(mortality)
High blood pressure
(Hypertension)
High LDL cholesterol,
low HDL cholesterol, or
high levels of
triglycerides
(Dyslipidemia)
Type 2 diabetes
Coronary heart disease
Stroke
Gallbladder disease
Osteoarthritis (a
breakdown of cartilage
and bone within a joint)
Sleep apnea and
breathing problems
Some cancers
(endometrial, breast,
colon, kidney,
gallbladder, and liver)
Low quality of life
Mental illness such as

Adapted from NC State University Writing and Speaking Tutorial Service, Writing A Literature Review and
Using a Synthesis Matrix. 2006. Retrieved June 26, 2013 from http://www.ncsu.edu/tutorial_center/writespeak/download/Synthesis.pdf

Lower work achievement

Main Idea 4
Overcoming
Obesity

Safe weight-loss programs that

work well:
Set a goal of slow and steady
weight loss 1 to 2 pounds per
week
Offer low-calorie eating plans
with a wide range of healthy
foods
Encourage you to be more
physically active
Teach you about healthy eating
and physical activity
Adapt to your likes and dislikes
and cultural background
Help you keep weight off after
you lose it
Focus on fruits. Eat a variety of
fruits fresh, frozen, canned, or
dried rather than fruit juice for
most of your fruit choices. For a
2,000-calorie diet, you will need
2 cups of fruit each day. An
example of 2 cups is 1 small
banana, 1 large orange, and 1/4
cup of dried apricots or peaches.
Vary your veggies. Eat more:
dark green veggies, such as
broccoli, kale, and other dark
leafy greens
orange veggies, such as carrots,
sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and
winter squash
beans and peas, such as pinto
beans, kidney beans, black
beans, garbanzo beans, split
peas, and lentils
Get your calcium-rich
foods. Each day, drink 3 cups of
low-fat or fat-free milk. Or, you
can get an equivalent amount of
low-fat yogurt and/or low-fat
cheese each day. 1.5 ounces of
cheese equals 1 cup of milk. If
you don't or can't consume milk,
choose lactose-free milk
products and/or calcium-fortified

Start making healthy changes

in your diet. Include more fruits,
vegetables and whole grains in
your diet. Begin to reduce portion
sizes.
Begin increasing your activity
level. Try to get up and move
around your home more
frequently. Start gradually if you
aren't in good shape or aren't
used to exercising. Even a 10minute daily walk can help. If you
have any health conditions, or if
you're a man over age 40 or a
woman over age 50, wait until
you've talked to your doctor or
health care provider before you
start a new exercise program.
Avoid drastic and unrealistic diet
changes, such as crash diets,
because they're unlikely to help
you keep excess weight off for the
long term.
Counseling. Therapy or
interventions with trained mental
health or other professionals can
help you address emotional and
behavioral issues related to
eating. Therapy can help you
understand why you overeat and
learn healthy ways to cope with
anxiety.
Support groups. You can find
camaraderie and understanding in
support groups where others
share similar challenges with
obesity.

clinical depression,
anxiety, and other mental
disorders
Body pain and difficulty
with physical functioning
The length of time it takes to
reach your weight goal depends
on:
How much you have to lose
Your activity level
The type of treatment or weightloss program you choose
Weight reduction is achieved by:
Consuming fewer calories
Increasing activity and exercise
Structured approaches and
therapies to reduce weight
include:
A modified diet.
Regular exercise. To effectively
lose weight, most people need to
do moderate
intensity exercise for 60 minutes
most days of the week.
Prescription diet pills. To help
you lose weight, your doctor may
prescribe medications along with
a calorie-restricted diet. Almost
all people regain weight when
they stop using these
medications. The effects of longterm use of these drugs have not
been determined.
Surgery. In general, weight-loss
surgery (called bariatric surgery)
may be considered if your BMI is
40 or greater, or your BMI is 3035 or greater and you have at
least one medical condition
directly related to obesity.
you must have participated in a
structured weight loss program
without success.

People and families may

make decisions based on
their environment or
community. For example,
a person may choose not
to walk or bike to the
store or to work because
of a lack of sidewalks or
safe bike trails.
Community, home, child
care, school, health care,
and workplace settings
can all influence people's
daily behaviors.
Therefore, it is important
to create environments in
these locations that
make it easier to engage
in physical activity and
eat a healthy diet.
Healthy behaviors
include a healthy diet
pattern and regular
physical activity. Energy
balance of the number of
calories consumed from
foods and beverages
with the number of
calories the body uses
for activity plays a role in
preventing excess weight
gain.1,2 A healthy diet
pattern follows
the Dietary Guidelines for
Americans which
emphasizes eating whole
grains, fruits, vegetables,
lean protein, low-fat and
fat-free dairy products
and drinking water.
The Physical Activity
Guidelines for
Americans recommends
adults do at least 150
minutes of moderate
intensity activity or 75

Adapted from NC State University Writing and Speaking Tutorial Service, Writing A Literature Review and
Using a Synthesis Matrix. 2006. Retrieved June 26, 2013 from http://www.ncsu.edu/tutorial_center/writespeak/download/Synthesis.pdf

foods and drinks.

Make half your grains
whole. Eat at least 3 ounces of
whole-grain cereals, breads,
crackers, rice, or pasta each day.
One ounce is about 1 slice of
bread, 1 cup of breakfast cereal,
or 1/2 cup of cooked rice or
pasta. Look to see that grains
such as wheat, rice, oats, or corn
are referred to as "whole" in the
list of ingredients.
Go lean with protein. Choose
lean meats and poultry. Bake it,
broil it, or grill it. Vary your
protein choices with more fish,
beans, peas, nuts, and seeds.
Limit saturated fats. Get less
than 10 percent of your calories
from saturated fatty acids. Most
fats should come from sources of
polyunsaturated and
monounsaturated fatty acids,
such as fish, nuts, and vegetable
oils. When choosing and
preparing meat, poultry, dry
beans, and milk or milk products,
make choices that are lean, lowfat, or fat-free.
Limit salt. Get less than 2,300
mg of sodium (about 1 teaspoon
of salt) each day.
2 hours and 30 minutes of
moderate-intensity aerobic
physical activity
or
1 hour and 15 minutes of
vigorous-intensity aerobic
physical activity
or
A combination of moderate and
vigorous-intensity aerobic
physical activity
and
Muscle-strengthening activities
on 2 or more days
This physical activity should be in
addition to your routine activities
of daily living, such as cleaning
or spending a few minutes
walking from the parking lot to
your office.

minutes of vigorous
intensity activity, or a
combination of both,
along with 2 days of
strength training per
week.

Adapted from NC State University Writing and Speaking Tutorial Service, Writing A Literature Review and
Using a Synthesis Matrix. 2006. Retrieved June 26, 2013 from http://www.ncsu.edu/tutorial_center/writespeak/download/Synthesis.pdf

If you want to lose a substantial

(more than 5 percent of body
weight) amount of weight, you
need a high amount of physical
activity unless you also lower
calorie intake. This is also the
case if you are trying to keep the
weight off. Many people need to
do more than 300 minutes of
moderate-intensity activity a
week to meet weight-control
goals.
The Food and Drug
Administration has approved two
medicines for long-term
treatment of obesity:
Sibutramine (si-BYOO-tra-meen)
suppresses your appetite.
Orlistat (OR-li-stat) keeps your
body from absorbing fat from the
food you eat.
These medicines are for people
who:
Have a BMI of 30 or higher
Have a BMI of 27 or higher and
weight-related health problems
or health risks
If you take these medicines, you
will need to follow a healthy
eating and physical activity plan
at the same time.

Main Idea 5
Life after
recovering from
obesity

Unfortunately, it's common to

regain weight no matter what
obesity treatment methods you
try. If you take weight-loss
medications, you'll probably
regain weight when you stop
taking them. You might even
regain weight after weight-loss
surgery if you continue to overeat
or overindulge in high-calorie
foods. But that doesn't mean your
weight-loss efforts are futile.
One of the best ways to prevent
regaining the weight you've lost is
to get regular physical activity.
Aim for 60 minutes a day.
Keep track of your physical
activity if it helps you stay
motivated and on course. As you
lose weight and gain better health,

Obesity is often a lifelong

problem.
Once lost, you will have to work
at maintaining your healthier
weight.
Once fat cells form, they remain
in your body forever. Although
you can reduce the size of fat
cells, you cannot get rid of them.

Adapted from NC State University Writing and Speaking Tutorial Service, Writing A Literature Review and
Using a Synthesis Matrix. 2006. Retrieved June 26, 2013 from http://www.ncsu.edu/tutorial_center/writespeak/download/Synthesis.pdf

talk to your doctor about what

additional activities you might be
able to do and, if appropriate, how
to give your activity and exercise a
boost.
You may always have to remain
vigilant about your weight.
Combining a healthier diet and
more activity in a practical and
sustainable manner are the best
ways to keep the weight you lost
off for the long term.
Take your weight loss and weight
maintenance one day at a time
and surround yourself with
supportive resources to help
ensure your success. Find a
healthier way of living that you can
stick with for the long term.

Adapted from NC State University Writing and Speaking Tutorial Service, Writing A Literature Review and
Using a Synthesis Matrix. 2006. Retrieved June 26, 2013 from http://www.ncsu.edu/tutorial_center/writespeak/download/Synthesis.pdf