Exploring Obesity In Rockbridge County

Abstract

Obesity as an illness is misunderstood. The common misconception is that obesity is an individual’s problem and that obesity stems only from irresponsible nutrition. Evidence reveals that the reality of obesity as a disease that is influenced by a number of different social factors out of the individual’s control. These social factors are disproportionately affecting the poor, predisposing the impoverished to this disease more so than the general public. Research has also led me to believe that poverty limits an individual’s capability to treat this illness (in addition to predisposes individuals to this illness). According to the evidence put forward in this report, there appears to be apt possibility for intervention and prevention of obesity and overweight status. Due to the implications of poor health on opportunity of individuals, measures should be taken to buffering these social factors and limit obesity and overweight prevalence. I will be analyzing the effect of social determinants specific to Rockbridge County as it pertains to the low-income residents that the Rockbridge County Free Clinic currently serves (up to 200% of the poverty line). Understanding, preventing and buffering the effect of these social determinants will be vital to successfully limit the prevalence overweight and obese individuals within Rockbridge County.