Innovative Solutions to Combat the Disease

2. OBESITY: Innovative Solutions to Combat the Disease Presented by Amir, Brandon, Justine and Laurel

3. Presentation Outline: • Background context of our research • Causes of Obesity • Poverty • Emotion and Behaviour • Family Influence • Adolescence • Proposed Solution and Positive Impacts • Budget

4. Mississippi: The Most Overweight State in America American dietary lifestyle Focus: Jackson, Mississippi Why we chose Obesity?

5. Problem #1: The paradoxical correlation between poverty and obesity • Inverse relationship between energy density of food and their energy cost • Estimated that overnutrition will surpass undernutrition as the leading cause of death in low-income communities by 2015 • Bottom line: obesity is an economic problem

6. Problem #2: The emotional and neurological relationship to obesity • Neurological dysfunction • Serotonin defects can lead to depression, extra appetite and dysfunctions in energy balance • Depression influence • Depressed individuals are less likely to exercise • Emotional overeating • Negative emotions lead to overeating

7. Problem #3: Parenting and household influence on obesity rates in children • Home environment as a major influence • Cognitive engagement • Availability of low activity outlets • Availability of “junk food” • Parents as the “role model” • Food choices and eating habits • Activity choices

8. Problem #4: Childhood Obesity and its effects • Higher percentage of obesity in children than adults • 40% of Mississippi children are overweight or obese • “Obesity Epidemic” since 1980 • Childhood obesity is a severe cause of death • Increased risk for early development of chronic diseases • Correlation between childhood and adult obesity • 80% to become obese as an adult

9. Innovative Solution Phase 1: Building an educational obesity prevention facility in Jackson, Mississippi • Headquarters • Food Bank • Education on exercise and healthy eating • Exercise Gym

10. Innovative Solution Phase 2: Implementing improved health and physical activity policies into public school system • Healthier Vending Machines and Cafeterias • Combi-Ovens in School Kitchens • Increased number of school Nurses • Fitness Testing in Schools

11. Innovative Solution Phase 3: Documentary • Document efforts over a 1 year period: capture effects of the facility and public school programs on the citizens of Jackson • Educate and broadcast on a broader spectrum • Raise enough awareness so the government becomes involved and joins us in our mission to eradicate obesity

12. Solution Budget:

14. Thank You for Listening