Obesity From the

Inside Out
Cornerstone 1059- Dr. East
Jordan Voorhees
12-13-2013


Obesity is considered the leading cause of death in the world and is a huge problem in
the United States, Australia, and France. Obesity looks like a simple problem to solve from the
outside, but to those affected by it; its an overwhelming challenge. This paper will consider the
rising obesity rates, how meal habits have changed, and health campaigns to compare these
three countries and their struggles with one of the most important epidemics to hit the world.
Obesity is defined as body mass index over 30 or being 100 pounds overweight. Obesity
has effected almost every country in the world but the country considered the fattest is the
United States. Even though United States takes the lead by about 10%, Australia and France are
close behind. Our nation is two thirds overweight and the most obese state is Alabama where
over 65% of its population is overweight (De Raaf 2011). The generation we live in and the ones
before us, have grown to view obesity as a big problem but they arent willing to help find a
solution. Instead of focusing on the next generation and the rising rates of childhood obesity,
the generations that have come before us are selfish and only worried about their personal
health issues instead of the impact they are having on their children. When society begins to
accept overweight as a social norm, something needs to change. In the last couple of years
Australias weight statistics have grown to overwhelming numbers. In 2010 the United States
was 36% obese with Australia coming in at 25%. A recent study done in Western Australia by
the public health department shows that obesity has passed tobacco as the leading cause of
preventable diseases in that part of the state (Wallace 2010). This statistic is also true to the
United States because our society and Australias are beginning to find it more and more
acceptable instead of stepping up and making a difference in the way of life. France has grown
from 6% to almost 15% increase in obesity across the country in just 20 short years despite
their efforts to make a change in dietary habits (Comparison of US n.d). They are doing
everything in their power to stop society from thinking its a norm and getting back to their
traditional roots and routines. Even though that doesnt seem like a very high increase, eating
habits dont reflect it. France has many meat, cheese, and pastry places along the streets but
how are the French staying so fit when there are so many temptations around every corner?
From a very young age, the French have grown up learning the ins-and-outs of mealtimes and
to respect the beauty of a well-balanced diet (Beardsley 2011). Just like in the United States,
France has higher obesity levels in rural and poor communities and in some cases it is higher
than the United States. The biggest fear in France is that the younger generation is learning the
habits of the younger generation in the United States from different television shows and the
internet; and theyll forget their old traditional lifestyles. Its obvious these three countries have
an increasing population of obese individuals.
One thing all of these countries have in common is the rise of hectic schedules, less time
for family meals, and the increase in the fast food industry. Anywhere you go, across the world,
chances are there is a fast food place or sit-down restaurant on every street. In the United
States, fast food is one of the main sources of food intake for many families and can cause a lot
of health problems for them in the future such as Type 2 Diabetes or Obesity that was
mentioned before. One study from Nutrition Reviews (Bezerra 2012), called the Association
Between Eating Out of home and body Weight states that eating out frequently is directly
correlated to weight gain. This study concludes that although there were some negative
correlations and gender specific assumptions; that most of the research proved to have a
positive association. Australia also did a study on eating out versus dining in but this time they
observed the cost. (Duthie 2008), compares 7 days of home-cooked meals to 7 days of take-out
food. She also records the time it took to buy and prepare the home-cooked meals at $25 an
hour; the average for wage earners in Australia. She includes the time to prepare as an
opportunity cost because for many families thats what it comes down to when deciding
whether to stay in or go out for dinner. Her results show that it does cost more to dine in but
not by much and that overtime the cost of fast food and the cost of home-cooked dinners
would be the same because you can reuse recipes and have leftovers. Additionally in France, a
study being done is helping to raise the awareness and lower the risk of obesity through schools
in France. They plan to better the behavior of the children and provide better lunch time meals.
The project is called Morning Classes, Afternoon Sports and it will also encourage physical
activity by bringing in goal posts and other sports equipment in addition to healthier lunches.
At the beginning of this school year more than 7,000 students will find themselves as the
volunteers in an experiment to improve awareness about health and physical fitness (Cherfils
2010). Programs like these and studies done in the US and Australia are one of the many ways
that can help improve the worlds overall health. It is apparent that what and where a person
eats impacts obesity.
There are many health programs and ad campaigns created to solve the problem of
obesity in the US, Australia, and France. In the United States there is a program called CATCH
that was developed almost 25 years ago and has grown to be the number one childhood
obesity program in America. CATCH stands for Coordinated Approach to Child Health and helps
promote fun ways to exercise and eat right. CATCH also provides training for community
members and teaching professionals to help students with behavioral issues as well (CATCH
n.d). In Australia, their number one health program is called, Go 2 for 5. Go 2 for 5 stands for
having two servings of fruit and five servings of vegetables every day (PBHF Productions 2009).
Go 2 for 5 also promotes exercising regularly, to not just eat healthy; but cut down on
childhood obesity as well. France is also doing a program just like Australias but they are
encouraging children and adults to eat 5 servings of vegetables and 5 servings of fruits every
day. Another program that began in 2001, called The French National Health and Nutrition
Program aims to improve the health of the entire French population by acting on one of its
major determinants, nutrition. The four main objectives of this plan are to reduce obesity, to
increase physical activity, to improve eating habits, and to reduce the prevalence of nutritional
disorders. The French have gone about doing this using several ad campaigns with catchy
phrases to attract a younger audience (French Ad Campaign 2011). In 2007 the program set
aside almost $200 million dollars for a three-prong project to create a national obesity
prevention plan (Cherfils 2010). These programs are here to help and when needed to make an
impact on those affected; they require a lot of money and help from others.
In conclusion, obesity is a problem that isnt just affecting the United States, but also
many others in Australia and France and all across the globe. The rise in fast food restaurants
isnt helping either, but many are trying to stick to their own cultures and old routines in an
effort to eat healthy. The health programs and ad campaigns are helping obesity and
overweight percentages decrease. Where the will to live a healthy lifestyle is increasing at a
steady rate in the United States, Australia, and France. These programs are here to help
educate children, teenagers, and adults on the things that will most likely kill them if they
continue to live the way they are now. Strategies for fighting the obesity epidemic will continue
to develop and evolve. It will undoubtedly require many programs and people as well as
monetary resources to make a difference.