Week 8 Post

1.

When it comes to being overweight or obese, a person of any age, race or gender is at risk. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, this has been an issue that has been rising for the last thirty years. During this time obesity in children has tripled. When you are overweight or obese, you are more at risk for heart attacks, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, cancer, reproductive problems, gallstones and other weight related diseases. While these are serious health concerns, there are many things that people can do to prevent or treat being overweight or obese. By setting goals, being active, reducing screen time, eating healthy and seeking support of friends and families, you can avoid the risks associated with obesity.

 

2.

Don't have time to go to the gym? Try the popular seven minute workout anyone can do!

3.

It's important to exercise and eat healthy to avoid the harmful effects of obesity, however some would argue that those who are trying to lose weight do more harm than good. There is the danger of losing weight quickly and then gaining even more. People might say that it can lead to eating disorders, binge eating and fatigue. One of the biggest arguments is that it makes a person focus on their looks instead of their self worth. With all of the health risks that were mentioned above, obesity can be fatal. The arguments that might be used against dieting and exercise can be avoided, however. By losing the weight slowly, working on small goals, and maintaining a support system a person can avoid these issues. If you are finding yourself not losing weight, after meeting with a doctor, there are FDA medications that have been approved to help with obesity and weight loss surgeries. The goal is to be healthy and live an active life, not to use an extreme limited diet to lose weight quickly. 

Resources:

https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/obe/treatment

https://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-image-health-risks-obesity-image19318676

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/09/the-scientific-7-minute-workout/?_r=0

http://www.healthyweightnetwork.com/top10.pdf

4.

Message one induces fear by listing a wide variety of health issues that can arise when a person is overweight or obese, and it is partnered with an intense image. It ensures that people can avoid and treat these problems through diet and exercise among other activities. Message two uses a simple eye catching image with a total workout that takes less time than it takes to get ready to go to a gym. It is simple and requires no thought, it is all planned out and a person might think "This will take no time at all, I might as well do it". Message three uses the arguments people use, associating losing weight and being healthy with fad diets. Most people I talk to think that dieting is the only way to lose weight, especially friends who might be overweight. My argument explains that this is not the case and it is important to do it slowly and to be healthy and have a support group. The focus is not solely on physical appearances. 

Week Two

Message One:

Everyone is playing Pokemon Go, and it is quickly becoming more than just a game, it's becoming a new fitness application as well. On social media sites people from all over the world are commenting on how playing a game they love is also helping them to lose weight as well. 

Message Two:

Professional athletes have to work hard to stay in shape and spend summertime training in addition to their daily workouts, but they know they harder they work the more of an edge they will have on the field. They bond with their teammates, stay healthy and have fun. 

Message Three:

When you first start exercising, you won't be a professional athlete right away, but everyone has to start somewhere, even doing a little bit is more than doing nothing!

Message Four:

If I owned a gym or fitness center, I might use audio tracks during work outs that have subliminal messages in them to encourage people to keep working out and to stay healthy. 

Message Five:

Steve Hauschka of the Seattle Seahawks is an ambassador for Play 60, he has worked with various schools to encourage healthy eating habits and exercise. According to his Play60 profile he loves playing golf, eating granola and greek yogurt. He is one of the most famous current kickers in the NFL and frequently does core exercises to warm up on the sideline. As an ambassador of Play60 he is working to encourage children to achieve their recommended amount of exercise every day.

Message Six:

Blogger Fitnessista is a certified fitness instructor who recently had a post about trying kettle bell sport, she says it helps you to set a goal, there is low risk for injury, it takes only minutes to get a good workout and all ages can use a kettle bell. She says that having a goal in exercise is important because it helps you to stay motivated and to challenge yourself. 

Message Seven:

The first message uses classical conditioning by pairing fitness with the latest trending app. It seems like everyone is using Pokemon Go, and advertising it as having the benefit of getting people into shape might make them more likely to walk that bit of an extra distance. The second message pairs famous athletes who are working hard at exercising and being successful while doing it with having fun during their training. People look up to professional athletes and if they see that they are having fun while training hard it might encourage them to train as well. The third message uses an intensely colored eye catching image with a simple message. Posted on a website, the intensity of the image will catch someone's eye and make them think about the message. It also seems like something that would be shared on social media frequently. Message four discusses the use of subliminal messages in audio tracks at the gym. A lot of people make new year's resolutions to go to the gym but then lose the motivation to continue going about halfway through the year. If a gym could use messages to keep motivation up, they might see people stay at the gym for longer periods of time. Message five uses the credibility of the Play60 movement, with the celebrity endorsement of someone who is not only popular but incredibly successful in his sport. Message six uses a popular fitness blogger with a large following who is endorsing a way of working out that might not be as popular as other methods. Her credibility as a blogger with a large fan base would be encouraging to people who have never tried the sport. 

Resources:

https://www.facebook.com/fitnessista/

http://www.dailydot.com/debug/pokemon-go-workout-exercise-perk/

https://www.fueluptoplay60.com/

Physical Fitness

Why is Exercise Important?

According to the American Heart Association, close to 78 million adults and 13 million children are obese in the United States. It is a complex situation that goes beyond telling people to exercise more and eat less. In modern society, people have more access to food and it has become more affordable. Portions are larger and food in restaurants is less healthy. American society is eating less fruits and vegetables. Careers have less physical demands, society is spending more time on the couch watching tv and sitting at computer desks. People's sleep patterns and nutrition has also changed. According to one obesity expert, "If you can see your patients struggles with their weight and weight loss efforts through the lens of understanding the biologic regulation of body weight, you see a patient not as weak and lacking moral fiber, but as someone who is struggling heroically and needs your help,” says Ryan. “I have come to the conclusion that the best way forward for this group of physicians is to fill the education gap that was not provided by their schools and training programs.”

This means that lessening obesity will take more than willpower and simple diet and exercise. The American Heart Association notes that some successful strategies include, using a food diary, eating high fiber foods, removing tempting unhealthy food from the pantry, avoiding high carbohydrate foods, stress management, improved sleep and social support. Physical activity is extremely important because of the long term health benefits. The USDA lists that being physically active helps people to feel better about themselves, sleep well a night, stay at a healthy weight, be with friends, and have stronger muscles and bones. Many of these benefits are directly linked to the successful strategies in dealing with obesity. 

What is Being Done Socially?

The USDA has created MyPlate, a "reminder to find your healthy eating style and build it throughout your lifetime", a website that offers education, tips and support for building a healthy lifestyle. The USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion which created MyPlate was established in 1994 to improve nutrition of Americans, their objectives are to "Advance and promote dietary guidance for all Americans and conduct applied research and analyses in nutrition and consumer economics". 



First Lady Michelle Obama launched the Let's Move initiative, according to their website, their goal is to solve the "challenge of childhood obesity within a generation". It works with towns and cities to support healthier communities, provides education and parent resources and is partnered with MyPlate. 




What Technological Solutions Are Available?

There are many diets, exercise programs, support groups and applications such as the one used for Fit Bit available in today's society. The program I have chosen to focus on, is one that I have personal experience with and have seen success in friends as well. 



Zombies, Run! is a smart phone application that allows you to use their exercise program anywhere in the world. You play as a runner that has survived a zombie epidemic and must gather resources for the community. There is a social aspect of the application, an actual town in the app which you build with the supplies you gather, and an unfolding story throughout the missions. According to their website, "Walk, jog or run anywhere in the world. Hear your mission and music through your headphones. If you’re chased by zombies, you’ll have to speed up! You’ll automatically collect supplies to build up your base". The creators of this app also have a 5k trainer, a walking app, and a superhero themed exercise app. 

These applications not only encourage and support exercise, but are also interesting and engaging. After my first run with the 5K trainer, I couldn't wait to find out what would happen next in the story. For a novice of running, the app guided me as I went along, told me when to stretch and when to take breaks. While this is not the perfect solution, I do think that it is one that would be appealing to the millennial generation. It has a social media aspect, a game, is themed with popular culture and is partnered with technology. I believe that with the social solutions available a person who is dealing with the challenges of obesity might find success.  

Resources

American Heart Association -http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/WeightManagement/Obesity/Understanding-the-American-Obesity-Epidemic_UCM_461650_Article.jsp#.V5Q--BSAOko

Zombies Run
https://zombiesrungame.com/

Let's Move
http://www.letsmove.gov/

My Plate
http://www.choosemyplate.gov/about-us