Generation+Y+and+Obesity

Nazifa Hasham n8319880 Abbey Hamilton

= **Obesity and Generation Y – what impact is it having on this Generation? What are the sociological reasons as to why this trend is on the rise?** = = =  “The economic prosperity they delivered for their offspring and technical innovation since the 1980s have been major factors in shaping Generation Y. Food has never been so plentiful or within the budgets of so many, with energy-dense fast foods often the most competitively priced. Technology is said to define the Generations. Boomers delivered Generation X the VCR and PC and, with some help from Generation X, delivered Generation Y video game consoles, the internet and text messaging. Generation Y have been born into a world that makes it easy to become overweight and obese” (Allman-Farinelli, 2009).

= = =Artefact:=

This cultural artefact, a fat baby demanding to be fed and changed NOW depicts obesity and demand. The word NOW in capitals emphasises strong demand and authority. It can be seen that the baby has its hands up in the air with its fists closed. The expression on the baby’s face illustrates that the baby is angry and not satisfied, thus wanting more. It depicts that there is no tolerance or patience which is due to a large number of factors. It can be seen that the baby is crying to get its way and is hungry.

=Generation Y= According to McCrindle (2010), Generation Y are those born between 1982-2000 and they represents at least 30% of the population and is increasing.

=Public Health Issue:= The public health issue that has been identified and which this artefact depicts is the growing trend of obesity especially in Generation Y. The consumerism of Generation Y plays a big role in shaping the Generation and their health behaviours. According to the Australian Government, Department of Health and Ageing (2006), the BMI of young adults of Generation Y is increasing compared with previous generations. Additionally, younger generations are gaining weight faster than previous generations (Australian Government, Department of Health and Ageing, 2006). This is due to the ever-growing social factors such as the increase availability and use of modern technologies, the media and parental pressure that influence and impact Generation Y to adapt to a sedentary and isolated lifestyle.

= **Literature Review:** =

“Obesity has become a global epidemic” and a foremost issue of public health today (Jiang et al., 2005). It is claimed that obesity has reached epidemic proportions here in Australia (Jiang et al., 2005). For the first time, obesity has reached critically high levels amongst Australian youth (Monash University, 2011). In 2008, the total annual cost of obesity for Australian society, including health system costs, loss of productivity costs and carers' costs, was estimated at around $58 billion (ABS, 2011). As such, it has been receiving increased attention by the health sector. The purpose of this review is to identify the trend in obesity in Generation Y and to provide reasons as to why this is occurring. Sociological reasons behind the increase in this trend will be discussed. The criteria in which the literature will be selected from are high-quality credible sources, recent and relevant to the topic.

Obesity and overweight, defined as “abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health” (World Health Organisation (WHO), 2011), appears to be a generational disease. A study conducted by the University of Sydney examined the rate at which different generations were gaining weight. The research found that as they aged, all generations gained weight over the past two decades. It was also discovered that at by their middle age generations X and Y are more likely to be obese compared to their parents. The Australian Bureau of Statistics' National Health Surveys showed that in 1990 Generation X males had a mean BMI of 23.6; however by 2005 Generation Y males recorded a BMI of 24.5. From this it is evident that the BMI is moving towards 25 which is the BMI for overweight. The women in this generation fared better where the same trend was observed where there is a rise from 22.1 for Generation X to 23.1 for Generation Y (Allman-Farinelli, 2009).

Wang et al. (2008) found the prevalence for adolescents has risen from 5% to 17.4% over 20 years. The methodology used was height and weight for BMI at baseline and during adulthood. The results concluded that adolescents that had a BMI in the 85th percentile had an increased risk to obesity later on in their adulthood. The main limitation of the study was that it was based on self-reported data for the height and weight (Wang et al., 2008); however its findings are in line with the general consensus amongst health researchers that obesity is rising amongst youth of today, putting them at greater risk of obesity in adulthood.

There have been several factors identified which are thought to influence Generation Y’s increase in obesity levels. Many factors that range from individual (agency) to societal, have been identified as risk factors for obesity amongst the current generation. Some research has focused on modifying individual behaviour. Overfeeding and overeating have been identified as underlying reasons for obesity amongst Generation Y (Jiang et al., 2005). In a study that followed up school children over two years, those that received behavioural modification programs were compared to a control group. While this can study cannot determine the long-term effect of behaviour modification treatment, in the medium term it was found to be effective in controlling overeating and overfeeding. Thus, behaviour modification programs are likely to be successful at lowering obesity rates amongst adolescents (Jiang et al., 2005).

Other research has focused on the role that our immediate social environment, relationships and interactions play in obesity levels. Longer TV viewing hours and adoption of sedentary lifestyle have been identified as two risk factors (Kautiainen, 2005). Associations between BMI and viewing hours and frequency of using a computer and playing computer games have been explored. It found that the prevalence of obesity and overweight increased with television viewing hours and computer usage. Results concluded that girls were more prone to being overweight than boys (Kautiainen et al., 2005).

Body image has been identified as a key factor associated with obesity (Mascord, 2010). It was identified in the National Survey of Young Australians 2010 that 31.1% of young Australians (Generation Y) had body image issues. This has increased greatly from 25.5% in 2009 (Mascord, 2010). Hence, people that are obese are more likely to have body image issues. Given this, it can be noted that it is rapidly increasing and something has to be done to deal with this growing issue of concern.

The family environment also influences people’s propensity for obesity. Children with an obese mother (Classen and Hokayem, 2005), parental pressure, and not having at least one parent home at breakfast time (Merten, Williams and Shriver, 2009) were identified as risk factors for obesity. Lower socio-economic status and the context of the community in which adolescents live in also impact negatively upon increased obesity risk (Merten, Williams and Shriver, 2009).

=**Modern Technology and Obesity amongst Generation Y:**= It is crucial to consider society and culture when attempting to understand and deal with the health issue of obesity in Generation Y (Fleming and Parker, 2008). Everyone is affected by this issue as obesity impacts everyone. For example, children can be influenced by their obese parents as they will most likely be obese if their parents are (Australian Government, 2011). It has been identified by the Commission for Young People and Child Guardian (2010) that overweight and obesity rates in Generation Y have increased by 15.9% since 1985. This is because of the major impact of media, technology, marketing on Generation Y, the availability of fast food (discussed later by Ritzer (2004) and Huntley (2006)) and a sedentary lifestyle (Booth & Laye, 2010; Kouris-Blazos, 2011).

With regards to the article published by Allman-Farinelli (2009), it was found Generation Y men have adopted an inactive lifestyle where they spend less time exercising and compared to their parents' generation, are disbursing fewer kilojoules during their leisure time. It was also noted that young women devote less time in physical activity. Generation X has created economic prosperity for their offspring through technical innovation since the 1980's and this has been a major contributor to shaping Generation Y. Food is now more plentiful than ever and within most people's budgets as fast foods, which are energy-dense, are more competitively priced. Generations are now being defined by technology. First, the Baby Boomers brought Generation X the VCR and PC and, with assistance from Generation X, video game consoles were delivered to Generation Y as well as the internet and text messaging. “Generation Y have been born into a world that makes it easy to become overweight and obese” (Allman-Farinelli, 2009). This is supported by Huntley (2006) where she discusses the impact of technology, the expansion of fast and convenience foods and the media on Generation Y.

There are many technological advancements that negatively influence Generation Y. With the introduction of gaming software such as X-box and Nintendo, this has allowed children and teenagers to adopt a relaxed lifestyle. This means that children are not as active compared to previous generations where they would play outside rather than be consumer by technology inside (Huntley, 2006). Additionally, Huntley (2006) further argues that technology has influenced the behaviour of Generation Y, who have adapted to the sedentary lifestyle, where they have become impatient and want everything. Technology has allowed Generation Y to be bought up in such an environment where things are happening so quick. Therefore this has allowed for the adaptation of buying fast foods which then influences the desire to have everything now and there, rather than being patient and making the food themselves.

Along with the advancements in technology and the role they play in obesity, divorce rates are another factor which influence obesity levels (Stobaugh, 2010). Divorce does not just affect the parents, but rather the children too. In a study, it was identified that there is a significant association between childhood obesity and parents’ divorce. This is because divorce can affect children’s eating habits which could lead them to have eating disorders such as binge eating (Stobaugh, 2010). Thus, just as technology impacts on Generation Y, divorce rates also play a key role in shaping eating patterns of children.

Fast foods play an additional influential role in shaping Generation Y’s health behaviours. In terms of proliferation of fast food, Huntley (2006) argues that this establishment is another reason for the increase in obesity in Generation Y. This is supported by Elise (2008) where Generation Y is compared to previous generations and it was found that previous generations did not have access to unhealthy food and packaged, convenient fasts foods etc. Their food consumption was healthy and the food supply was limited. This has changed dramatically today.

From a sociological perspective, there are many reasons as to why people aren’t active or eating well. Social factors include the fact that people are not being able to, or do not have access healthy foods or are working longer hours. With regards to psychological reasons, this could be due to anger, boredom and depression (Elise, 2008). Moreover, Scott (2010) argues that other reasons include lack of exercise and adaptation of sedentary lifestyle. These factors, along with the others mentioned above are also supported by the Victorian Government Better Health Channel (2011) and Kautiainen et al. (2005).

Additionally, both Huntley (2006) and Ritzer (2004) argue that media also plays a crucial role in the development of obesity in Generation Y. Technology provides lots of opportunities for advertising therefore Generation Y have been greatly exposed to a lot of advertising of fast food and junk foods compared with previous generations (Huntley, 2006). Ritzer (2004) supports this by arguing that media plays a big role in shaping the way people think and act about food. Advertising has a major impact on children and this has long been a controversial issue as children are especially vulnerable. This is because during the longer TV viewing hours for children, fast food and confectionary are the most common products that are advertised and this may lead to inappropriate use as children will not be able to critically interpret the advertisement. Furthermore, the advertisements are designed to be attention grabbing and quite persuasive. They use persuasive promotional techniques which intrigue children to adopt it such as celebrities or characters that endorse the advertisement and offers (Ritzer, 2004). Hence, it is evident that media plays a crucial role in the development of obesity in Generation Y from a very young age.

In terms of what we can expect in the next 10 years, we will see a big shift in the way people eat, and their attitudes towards life. We will see an increase chronic diseases and obesity epidemic. There will be increases in other diseases. Alcohol drinking, malnutrition such as obesity and sexually transmitted diseases like HIV/AIDS are on the rise and are expected to become worse, following other epidemics (WHO, 2011) and the utilisation of health services and hospitals will increase. Furthermore, more facilities will need to be provided to address the issues of the growing population in terms of diseases and illnesses.

=**Artefact Analysis/ Learning Reflection:**= My artefact represents Generation Y and obesity. It outlines the main factors which are depicted in the image which influences Generation Y to become more predisposed to obesity. This factor is demand and high food consumption. Demand can be interpreted as technology as this has played a significant role in shaping today. Everything revolves around technology today and it drives people to such extents.

I have learnt that technology plays a big part in shaping Generation Y. I have also learnt that small things that we take for granted can be used as a manipulative tool. It is disturbing to know that Generation Y is getting obese and that all these changes negatively influence the environment around us. More facilities will be needed to address the issue of obesity in society. It is sad to know what people do to themselves and suffer the consequences such as getting diabetes or losing a few years off their life expectancy. = = =**Reference List**=

Allman-Farinelli, M. (2009). //Gen y needs to get active to avoid obesity.// Retrieved from http://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-03-25/gen-y-needs-to-get-active-to-avoid-obesity/1630592

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2011). //Overweight/obesity.// Retrieved from http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/by+Subject/4125.0~Jul+2011~Main+Features~Overweight+and+obesity~3330

Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. (2006). //Obesity in australia.// Retrieved from http://www.health.gov.au/internet/preventativehealth/publishing.nsf/Content/E233F8695823F16CCA2574DD00818E64/$File/obesity-2.pdf

Booth, F. W., & Laye, M. J. (2010). The future: genes, physical activity and health. //Acta Physiologica //, //199//(4), 549-556. doi:10.1111/j.1748-1716.2010.02117.x

Classen, T., & Hokayem, C. (2005). Childhood influences on youth obesity. //Economics and Human Biology, 3//(2), 185-187. doi: 10.1016/j.ehb.2005.05.008

Commission for Young People and Child Guardian. (2010). //Snapshot 2010 Children and young people in Queensland.// Retrieved from: http://www.ccypcg.qld.gov.au/about/news/2010/october/snapshot-2010.html

Elise, K. (2008). //Obesity.// Retrieved from http://www.actnow.com.au/Issues/Obesity.aspx

Fleming, M. L & Parker, E. (2008). //Introduction to public health.// (Eds.). Sydney, Australia: Churchill Livingstone Australia.

Huntley, R. (2006). //The world according to y: inside the new adult generation.// (1st ed.). Crows Nest, NSW: Allen & Unwin.

Jiang, J. X., Xia, X. L., Greiner, T., Lian, G. L., & Rosenqvist U. (2005). A two year family based behaviour therapy for obese children. //Archives of Disease in Children,90//, 1235-1238. doi: 10.1136/adc.2005.071753

Kautiainen, S., Koivusilta, L., Lintonen, T., Virtanen, S. M., & Rimpelä, A. (2005). Use of information and communication technology and prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents. //International Journal of Obesity, 29//, 925-933. doi: 10.1038/sj.ijo.0802994

Kouris-Blazos, A. (2011). Overweight and obesity. In M. Wahlqvist (3 Ed.), //Food & Nutrition – Food and Health Systems in Australia and New Zealand // (pp521-564). Crows Nest: Allen & Unwin.

Mascord, K. (2010). //National Survey of Young Australians 2010.// Retrieved from http://www.missionaustralia.com.au/downloads/national-survey-of-young-australians/2010/file/194-national-survey-of-young-australians-2010-part-1

McCrinde, M. (2010). //Understanding generation y.// Retrieved from http://www.learningtolearn.sa.edu.au/colleagues/files/links/understandinggeny.pdf

Merten, M. J., Williams, A. L., & Shriver, L. H. (2009). Breakfast consumption in adolescence and young adulthood: parental presence, community context, and obesity. //Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 109//(6), 1384-1391. doi: 10.1016/j.jada.2009.05.008

Monash University. (2011). //Obesity in Australia.// Retrieved from http://www.modi.monash.edu.au/obesity-facts-figures/obesity-in-australia/

Ritzer, G. (2004). An introduction to mcdonaldisation. In. G. Ritzer (Eds.), //The mcdonalisation of society (//pp. 17). California, Pine Forge Press.

Scott, F. (2010). Why children are growing fatter. //Kingston Whig Standard,// pp. 34.

Stobaugh, R. (2010). //Obesity: how food has taken over gen y//. Retrieved from http://www.baylor.edu/lariat/news.php?action=story&story=81437

Victorian Government Better Health Channel. (2011). //Obesity in children- causes.// Retrieved from http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/obesity_in_children

Wang, L. Y., Chyen, D., & Lowry, R. (2008). The association between body mass index in adolescence and obesity in adulthood. //Journal of Adolescent Health, 42//(5), 512-518. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2007.10.010.

World Health Organisation. (2011). //Obesity.// Retrieved from http://www.who.int/topics/obesity/en/

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=**Reflection**=

Wow. It is so amazing as to how one topic which some take for advantage can make something think twice. I loved your article. It clearly articulates its message. No one really thinks about it until some traumatic event has occurred which triggers this.
 * Beliefs of Death**
 * Interesting**

**Gen Y? 'Measure Up' Generation Y and Obesity** I loved your article. I also found similar information on this topic and it was quite interesting reading what you have managed to find. There are just so many influences and they all add up eventually!
 * Interesting**