Epidemic: An Abstraction of the Physiological and Psychological Causes and Effects of Obesity

Abstract

This piece is an abstraction of the complex topic of obesity. You will find that as you move left to right in this piece, you will journey from the physiological, then psychological aspects of obesity. First, we explore the physiological causes, starting with hormones and enzymes in the digestive tract. Then, we move to epigenetics and gene alterations, occurring as a result of excess fat intake, that can make individuals and their offspring more prone to obesity and disease. Then, we move into direct effects of excess fat in the body, such as heart and liver disease resulting from fat deposition. At the visual focal point is the brain, which is also the scientific focal point. Here, it serves as a shift from the physiological to the psychological world. Here, we first witness the psychological effects of obesity, and then go back to the causes, including mass media and fast-paced eating culture. Through this piece, I want to convey the complexity of the topic of obesity. I understand that I have in no way discussed all aspects of obesity, but exploring this topic as a culmination to my multifaceted academic career has been challenging and rewarding.