Weighing in on Obesity

Section 2, Annotated Bibliography

In this section you will construct an annotated bibliography of 6-8 sources:

Your bibliography should be in APA format and alphabetical order.

Entry#1: Obesity

APA Citation:

Barnett, R. (2017). Obesity. The Lancet, 389(10069), 591.

doi: http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/10.1016/S0140-6736(17)30273-8

Summary: In Obesity, Richard Barnett (2017) talks about the origins of obesity and how the

perception has changed. There was a time where someone who was overweight was seen as

financially well off and stable, and a lean body was perceived as overworked and poor. (p. 1) As

time has passed that viewpoint has died out. Certain figures began to purposely leave out certain

foods from their diets. William Banting, an undertaker to the Royal Household, published a letter

to the public advising them to cut out sugar, fat and other unhealthy aspects of their diets. Then

the 20th century arrived where many diseases were linked to. Obesity. A chain reaction began

where treatment changed, and national public health systems emerged. People were now taking

health seriously.

Evaluation: Barnett is a medical historian from London. He has written a number of books and

columns. A medical background makes him a credible source and the fact many people on the

ASU library have marked him as credible. His work is respected all around the world and has

received a number of awards for his books and poetry like an international bestseller. Not only
that, but Barnett has experience teaching history of science and medicine at Cambridge, Oxford

and other respected universities. His research is evident in the piece about obesity, and he as a

source is more than trustworthy.

Reflection: This source will be extremely helpful in my research. It is very different from the

other sources. It gives a different viewpoint like the history of obesity and how the perspective

has changed over time. The background knowledge this provides will give me a more well-

rounded understanding and make me more trustworthy in the end.

Significant quotes:

● “In the early 20th century, a number of chronic diseases--heart disease, stroke, diabetes--

were found to be associated with obesity, and both the meaning and the treatment of

obesity began to change.”

● “Obesus has another meaning in Latin--coarse or gross. Were we to reach into one of

Rubens' portraits and pull its fleshy, self-satisfied subject into the 21st century, they

might be reproached for their lack of restraint, ridiculed for disregarding their

appearance, or diagnosed as a health risk to themselves, their families, and society.

Entry#2: Rising Obesity in the United States Is a Public Health Crisis

APA Citation:

Blumenthal, D., & Seervai, S. (2018, May 24). Rising Obesity in the United States Is a Public
 HealthCrisis.RetrievedMarch18,2019,from

https://www.commonwealthfund.org/blog/2018/rising-obesity-united-states-public-

health-crisis

Summary: In Rising Obesity in the United States Is a Public Health Crisis, David Blumenthal

and Shanoor Seervai (2018) put obesity into context. People do not understand the reality and

dangers of obesity. From a 2013 study, obesity is credited with 18% of Americans between the

ages of 40 and 85 (p. 1). These two authors also put this epidemic into perspective, percentage

wise, obesity is killing the same amount of people as the opioid problem in this country. An

obvious solution brought up is the tax on unhealthy drinks and food. In Berkley, California its

sugary drink consumption dropped 21% after the tax was imposed. Being one of the only

solutions with evidence proving the effectiveness.

Evaluation: Both authors of this piece are trusted writers for The Commonwealth Fund. As well

as the M.D. title at the end of Blumenthal’s name. He is an academic physician and health care

policy expert. More impressively graduated with his medical degree and is a professor of

medicine and other health related topics from/at Harvard Medical School. Well known for his

policies in the health division, he is more than qualified to speak on this topic. Using his

expertise and personal experience in the field to spread exposure on this health topic in today’s

society. Blumenthal not only sounds like he knows about obesity and health, he does know.

Reflection: This source results in more trustworthy sources I can use to gain the trust of my

audience and further my argument. It gives me facts that no other source has, as well as allowing
the reader to think about this subject with more context and an analogy to opioids and the

seriousness of this problem. All of the charts and numbers explained will help my research

profoundly.

Significant Quotes:

● “The obesity crisis may be less dramatic than the opioid epidemic now gripping the

nation, but it is just as deadly. Opioids accounted for around two-thirds of the 64,000

deaths related to drug overdose in 2016. Excess body weight leading to cancer causes

about 7 percent of cancer-related deaths, or 40,000 deaths each year.”

● “ Early results show that an excise tax on sugary drinks led to a 21 percent drop in their

consumption in Berkeley.”

Entry#3: New Report Shows U.S. Obesity Epidemic Continues to Worsen

APA Citation:

Devitt, M. (2018, October 15). New Report Shows U.S. Obesity Epidemic Continues to

Worsen. Retrieved March 16, 2019, from https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the

public/20181015obesityrpt.html

Summary: In New Report Shows U.S. Obesity Epidemic Continue to Worsen, Michael Devitt

(2018) provides an update on the state of obesity in the United States. This problem is complex

and has a lot to it. Most of the data is provided by surveys, the most accurate is the surveys

reported from physical exams. All over the country obesity rates are increasing. Devitt breaks

them down into a lot of smaller demographics. By state, region, education in the household,
location, you name it and there are rates about it in this study. Looking at the problem from an

adult vs child standpoint, adults’ percentages are higher than kids, but they are both increasing.

Luckily the author and report see hope. Young children between the ages of 2 and 4 have

decreased in obesity rates. They both seem to agree on prevention strategies like policies that all

involve increasing the overall health of our country.

Evaluation: Michael Devitt is a Communications Specialist and associate editor at American

Academy of Family Physicians. He writes for a trusted organization that specializes in family

Physicians. No one would know more about this topic then someone involved there. Devitt has

written many articles at this organization and is trusted for this specific knowledge. The data and

surveys used are legitimate and have real numbers from the whole country. Writing for a .org

nowadays seems to solidify anyone’s reputation.

Reflection: This source will be extremely helpful in the updated data portion of my research. As

well as very detailed and important demographic numbers for obesity. Knowing the percentages

of obesity in rural vs urban areas and other specific groups of people will be an underrated

advantage.

Significant quotes:

● NHANES, on the other hand, bases its obesity rates on physical exam findings and is

therefore considered a more accurate reflection of obesity rates in the United States.

● In 48 states, the adult obesity prevalence was more than 25 percent. The lowest adult

obesity rates were in Colorado (22.6 percent), the District of Columbia (23.0 percent) and

Hawaii (23.8 percent).

Entry#4: Overweight & Obesity Statistics

APA Citation:

Overweight & Obesity Statistics. (2017, August 01). Retrieved March 25, 2019, from

https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-statistics/overweight-obesity

Summary: In Overweight & Obesity Statistics (2017), niddk provided more than enough

statistics and charts. It focused a lot of different races and the prevalence of obesity in those

groups. (See chart below) Also explaining the science behind obesity. The BMI (Body Mass

Index) of a person is the calculation of weight in kilograms divided by height in meters

squared. Physicians use these numbers to identify which category any given adult falls under:

18.5 to 24.9 Normal weight 25 to 29.9 Overweight 30+ Obesity (including extreme obesity)40+

Extreme obesity. Since 1960 rates of obesity have been increasing steadily, which can be hard to

identify until the change is almost unstoppable.

Evaluation: The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases have more

than enough credibility to be writing about this topic. They conduct research and funding to pay

for things they want to get done. Problems that obesity causes are very serious to them and they
want the public to know everything they do and how to fix this problem. All the statistics used in

these studies and journals are legit and confirmed sources.

Reflection: This source will help me give a lot of numbers and statistics that will make me and

my research trustworthy. It shows that the facts I give are credible and help me convince them

with my reasoning. A .gov can almost not be topped.

Significant quotes:

● More than 1 in 3 adults were considered to be overweight.

● More than 2 in 3 adults were considered to be overweight or have obesity.

● More than 1 in 3 adults were considered to have obesity.

● About 1 in 13 adults were considered to have extreme obesity.

● About 1 in 6 children and adolescents ages 2 to 19 were considered to have obesity.

Entry#5: Obesity in America

APA Citation:

Writers, S. (n.d.). Why are Americans Obese? Retrieved March 17, 2019, from

https://www.publichealth.org/public-awareness/obesity/

Summary: In Obesity in America there are several parts of obesity that get talked about. Like the

cause, several of the points made are popular and similar to other sources like the BMI numbers,

but others are fresh concepts. In America a lot of inactivity has become the norm. More jobs

have less physical labor and more sitting in desks, 20% now compared to 50% in 1960. As well
as our diets being all types of disoriented. A lot of the food we consume is unhealthy options that

are a lot cheaper than its healthy counterpart. Not to mention the portions we eat is huge, way

more calories than previous generations have eaten on average. The most important solution the

organization talks about is physical activity, especially among kids who have gotten too used to

using screens over going out for recess.

Evaluation: The public health organization is a trustworthy source. They use federal data and

other sources like Harvard. It is obvious they would like a solution and it is important the

audience see that as well. Interested in the public’s health is a big plus, you can trust an

organization as a source that wants health for everyone.

Reflection: This source will help me with giving more statistics that can be trusted as well as my

fight on what people, in this case Americans, do that cause a lot of this obesity. The food choices

and inactivity is a point I need to bring up and this source is at the top of that list.

Significant quotes:

● “The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that the average American ate

almost 20% more calories in the year 2000 than they did in 1983,”

● “Unfortunately, in America today, we are surrounded by junk food, which is usually

extremely high in added sugars. And even worse, this food is often easier to prepare and

more accessible than healthy options, like fruits and vegetables…According to a study

conducted by Kaiser Permanente, one third of Americans say they don’t walk even ten
 minutes at any one time during the week, and another third don’t walk enough to meet

the minimum threshold for physical activity set by the CDC.”

Entry#6:

APA Citation:

Yanovski, S. Z., & Yanovski, J. A. (2011, March 17). Retrieved March 16, 2019, from

http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3345135?pdf=render

Summary: In Obesity Prevalence in the United States — Up, Down, or Sideways? Susan and

Jack Yanovski (2011) dive deeper into the numbers of obesity rates and what they mean. It is

explained that a lot of numbers come out the way they do, like trends not moving or staying the

same, are caused by some data relying on self-reporting. Many of those people self-reporting

says they are taller than they really are and weigh more than what they put down. Yanovskis also

question why obesity numbers would stabilize over the last 5-10 years. Possibly because all the

people who have genes susceptible to obesity are already way over weight. Both of them state

how important it is for the solution to obesity and working on weight loss have healthy and safe

way to do so.

Evaluation: Both of the authors have medical degrees and Jack has a Ph.D. as well. They

obviously have the education and knowledge to speak on this subject. While Susan is a part of

the Office of Obesity Research, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney

Diseases. That experience is critical for obesity research. Together writing on a lot of topics in
many columns. The experience they bring allows a lot of great statistics and trustworthy data

used to further their argument.

Reflection: This source may help me like no other source yet, they included similar statistics but

instead dove into why these numbers show up and what they mean to the overall topic of obesity.

It will allow me to have a different type of view point and explain it better in my argument. As

well as giving advice and saying what must be done if we want to stop this deadly trend.

Significant quotes:

● “Since people often claim to be taller than they are and to weigh less than they actually

do, we should not be surprised that obesity prevalence figures based on self-reported

heights and weights are considerably lower than those based on measured data.”

● “Americans are continually bombarded with statistics on obesity. The media are filled

with news reports celebrating the possible shrinking of our waistlines or lamenting their

ongoing expansion. Some recent studies have suggested that U.S. obesity rates are

continuing to increase.”