Obesity is a continuing challenge for citizens and health care providers in the United States, as you likely know. Obesity can lead to numerous chronic health problems, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Childhood diabetes is also increasing at a disconcerting rate, which will lead to an increased health care burden within a few short years. Current estimates set the cost of obesity on the U.S. health care system at $147$210 billion per year (The State of Obesity, 2016). Think about this weeks media as you take a moment to consider obesity as a burgeoning global challenge.

To prepare for this Discussion:

Compare rates of obesity in the United States to other developed and also developing countries. Think about how health issues resulting from obesity compare as well.
Reflect on health promotion and prevention strategies that nurses can implement.
Contemplate the ethical, cultural, economic, political, and environmental issues a nurse should consider when developing a primary obesity health prevention strategy.