UVM Theses and Dissertations
Format:
Print
Author:
Miller, Stacey A.
Dept./Program:
College of Education and Social Services
Year:
2009
Degree:
Ed. D.
Abstract:
The overweight and obesity problem in our nation and world is complex. Contributing factors range from individual behavior and environment to genetic factors, but none are in isolation from the other. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), "between the years of 1980 and 2000, obesity rates in the United States doubled among adults. This means that roughly 58-60 million adults, or 30% of the adult population is currently obese; that's one out of every three U.S. Americans," but worldwide statistics are just as alarming. The World Health Organization (WHO) states "obesity has reached epidemic proportions globally, with more than one billion adults overweight - and at least 300 million of them clinically obese." The CDC has also conducted comprehensive tracking of U.S. obesity trends in all fifty states from the years 1994 to 2007. Over the span of the last thirteen years, "only one state (Colorado) had a prevalence of obesity less than 20%. Thirty states had prevalence equal to or greater than 25%, and three states (Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee) had a prevalence of obesity equal to or greater than 30%."
But how has this happen? Why is the United States of America number one, with many other nations close behind, suffering from the overweight and obesity crisis? Why, despite our human achievements and advancements, have we fallen into a state of crisis around food consumption and our overall health and wellbeing? Why do we have so many people who are overweight, and more importantly, struggling to lose it?
Using the research methodology of Scholarly Personal Narrative, this dissertation will explore the overweight and obesity crisis in our nation and the world. By merging medical and scientific research, statistics, expert analysis, as well as my own narrative, I will frame and contextualize this issue in greater detail. I will do this by addressing solutions to this problem through the critical lens supported by the three dimensions of transformational learning (psychological, convictional, and behavioral) which have been reframed into the holistic tenets as "mind, body, and spirit." Through this dissertation I will attempt to articulate the ovenveight/obese experience for those who are struggling with this issue, in hopes of providing an authentic voice to this global problem.
But how has this happen? Why is the United States of America number one, with many other nations close behind, suffering from the overweight and obesity crisis? Why, despite our human achievements and advancements, have we fallen into a state of crisis around food consumption and our overall health and wellbeing? Why do we have so many people who are overweight, and more importantly, struggling to lose it?
Using the research methodology of Scholarly Personal Narrative, this dissertation will explore the overweight and obesity crisis in our nation and the world. By merging medical and scientific research, statistics, expert analysis, as well as my own narrative, I will frame and contextualize this issue in greater detail. I will do this by addressing solutions to this problem through the critical lens supported by the three dimensions of transformational learning (psychological, convictional, and behavioral) which have been reframed into the holistic tenets as "mind, body, and spirit." Through this dissertation I will attempt to articulate the ovenveight/obese experience for those who are struggling with this issue, in hopes of providing an authentic voice to this global problem.