Saturday, May 16, 2020

Predetermined Physiological Range - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 6 Words: 1763 Downloads: 7 Date added: 2019/03/22 Category Statistics Essay Level High school Tags: Childhood Obesity Essay Obesity Essay Did you like this example? Every year in the United States there is a rise in the prevalence of obese people as well as obese children. There is much controversy though of what the underlying cause is of obesity in adults and children. In this paper I will focus on the roles of nature and nurture in childhood obesity. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Predetermined Physiological Range" essay for you Create order Many people say that biology, genetics, and environmental factors have a huge role in this overwhelming number of obese children in the United States, but is there one with a greater influence than all of the others? For example statistics state that children have an 80% chance of becoming obese if their parents are both obese and a 50% chance of becoming obese if only one of their parents is obese (Benioff Childrens Hospital, 2018). Right now there are two sides to the argument of why there is an epidemic of obesity in children throughout the United States. The one side is nature in which we can look towards childrens specific genetic makeup, predetermined physiological range, genetic alterations, and advantageous gene selection to help explain childhood obesity. The other side is nurture in which we can look towards childrens physical inactivity, sociodemographic features, and their diet to help explain childhood obesity rates. There are many factors that contribute to childhood obesity, but is there a single factor that is more influential than all of the others? This is where the debate of nature versus nurture and their influence on childhood obesity begins. Nature- Genetics and ones Predetermined Physiological Range, Genetic alterations, and Advantageous Gene Selection On the side of nature leading to childhood obesity, there are various biological factors that have been discovered to cause obesity. In detail, the understanding that childhood obesity is caused by nature implies that ones own genetic inheritance influences a childs risk for developing obesity. Specifically, the genetic material provides the framework to develop an individual and is therefore important to examine when trying to gain a better understanding on the contributing factors to the obesity epidemic. In depth, obesity has been linked back to biological factors, such as ones genetic makeup by examining the bodys natural physiological ranges, genetic alterations, and advantageous allelic selection. Our bodys natural tendency to maintain a certain weight and stature, based on the amount of energy our bodies require, can lead to childhood obesity. According to an interview with Dr. Randy Seeley, director of Nutrition Obesity Research Center at MIT, our bodies have the ability to regulate fat via the hormone leptin. Leptin is produced by our bodys adipose cells to regulate the satiety and hunger centers in our brain, in which leptin travels to the hypothalamus to increase the satiety center (feeling of fullness) and decrease the hunger center (Cortell, 2014). This feedback mechanism tells us that our bodies have predetermined ranges for the amount of energy it requires to perform its daily bodily functions and activities. This mechanism is regulated by our fat cells, and can therefore stimulate the amount of food a child needs to consume, thereby leading to obesity in cases of positive energy intake. In addition to a predetermined physiological range for our bodies, alterations in monogenic genes may also lead to childhood obesity. As discovered by Wabitsch et al. 2015, alterations in monogenic genes, such as the leptin gene, have been found to lead to severe early onset of obesity in a two year old child. In this study, a congenital leptin deficiency was found to alter the regulation of the satiety and feeding centers in the brain, leading to increased eating habits, as well as alterations in metabolic processes. In detail, the LEP gene has been mutated, thereby altering the correct formation of the leptin protein, thus altering the pathway in the central nervous system by decreasing the satiety center and increasing the hunger center. As a result, this tells your body that you are hungry and encourages the intake of food. Furthermore, immediate normalization of eating habits was rapidly achieved, in this study, when the child was treated with leptin, and thereby resulting in weight loss. Although this case points towards severe obesity resulting from a congenital mutation, it is important to recognize that congenital defects in the Leptin gene are rare (2%) and that this is also a case report on a single child, not a large population. Not only can mutations occur in ones genetic material to cause childhood obesity, advantageous selection of monogenic genes in humans distant past may also lead to childhood obesity. In the past, it was found that monogenic genes were advantageous, especially during time of famine, therefore the thrifty genotype theory may explain why some children become obese. The thrifty genotype theory focuses on the advantageous selection of specific genetic alleles that allowed our ancestors to survive when scarce food was available. Due to the selection of these variations and the availability of food in todays society, individuals with these types of previously beneficial genetic variations are actually experiencing the harmful outcomes of obesity and subsequent comorbidities. Although few of these advantageous genetic variations have been discovered, some have been found and may therefore account for a subset of individuals who are obese (Southam et. al, 2009). Although there are various biological factors that have been discovered to cause childhood obesity and contribute to the obesity epidemic, only a subset of the population may actually be affected by these factors. As a result, the environmental factors may possibly contribute to the majority of cases of children with obesity, which will be examined next. Nurture- Physical Inactivity, Sociodemographic Features, and Diet On the other hand, nurture seems to play a much larger role in childhood obesity. As previously mentioned, a child whose parents are obese have an astronomical increased risk of becoming obese (80%), which may reflect environmental influences their parents play on their child (Benioff Childrens Hospital, 2018). In this case, nurture is referring to all the environmental factors that may have an impact on a child and may lead to obesity, such as physical inactivity, sociodemographic features, and/or diet. In the past decade, there has been a decrease in physical activity and a rise in obesity, correlating the two and most likely contributing to the obesity epidemic, especially amongst children. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is recommended that children engage in 60 minutes of exercise every day to encourage a healthy lifestyle and reduce the risk for obesity as well as subsequent comorbidities (Healthy Schools: Physical Activity Facts, 2018). Unfortunately, most children are not meeting their recommended daily goal due to the increase in sedentary lifestyles, such as the shift from farmers and laborers to sitting in a classroom most of the day and focusing on studies, increased screen time on the computer or television, as well as influential behavior from family and friends (Pradinuk et. al, 2011). As a result, these environmental factors are decreasing childrens physical activity levels and are contributing to obesity. In addition to the increase in physical inactivity among school-aged children, a low socioeconomic status (SES), as well as racial or ethnic backgrounds, have been linked to a higher prevalence of obesity. Specifically, young children in these groups were found to eat a larger amount of food in a single meal, as well as eat less frequently than their school-aged counterparts. It is believed that these eating habits (eating less frequently, but consuming more food) early in a childs second year of life may influence their eating habits later in life in such a way that it may lead to over-eating, and ultimately obesity (Mcconahy et. al, 2002). Therefore, a childs sociodemographic has a large impact early in life. Along with the impact that sociodemographic features play on obesity, diet throughout a childs life, especially during infancy, has been found to cause obesity in children. For instance, a childs upbringing post-partum has been known to alter their microbiota. In turn, it was found that these alterations in their microbiota are connected to obesity. Although it is unclear whether variations in the microbiota are the cause or result of obesity, a connection between the two was found in a study by Kalliomaki et. al, 2008. This study compared children who were classified as obese to children of normal weight in the same age groups and were age-matched by the following features: birth method, BMI at birth, gestational age, duration of breastfeeding, use of antibiotics, probiotic supplementation, and atopic sensitization. It was found that children with higher levels of Bifidobacterium species in their microbiota were of normal weight, whereas higher levels of Staphylococcus aureus numbers were found in children with obesity. Therefore, environmental influences play an important role in influencing a childs health as well as health outcome, such as obesity. Overall, a shift in the Western society poses various environmental challenges that have been found to contribute to childhood obesity, such as an increase in physical inactivity, sociodemographic features, and diet. Thus far, it seems as if nurture plays a much larger role in the obesity epidemic. Conclusion- Nature and Nurture in Harmonious Interplay Although most cases of children with obesity may result from influences on their nurture, who is it to say that they single-handedly cause childhood obesity. There may be a synergistic type of effect, in which an individuals genetic makeup may put a child at risk for obesity and on top of that environmental influences may drastically increase this risk. For instance, every individuals body makeup is predetermined by their genetics, in which ones genetics may interact environmental factors, such as stress, drugs, etc., that may alter their genetics, specifically a genes expression. It is impossible to eliminate ones genetics, so although it seems as if nurture plays a larger role in leading to childhood obesity, it may have a synergistic interaction with nature. For this reason, I believe that nature and nurture are in a harmonistic interplay when it comes to childhood obesity. That being said, since environmental influences play a huge impact on childhood obesity, whether it be adjoined with nature or alone, as a society, we can easily help prevent childhood obesity and stop the obesity epidemic. In addition, our families play a huge and important role in our development, making this is a great starting point to prevent childhood obesity. For instance, it was found that tackling obesity as a family greatly improves physical activity and encourages healthy weight loss (Healthy active living for children and youth, 2002). At large, both nature and nurture factors need to be addressed, in regard to childhood obesity, to help diminish their influence on the obesity epidemic, as well as subsequent health problems.

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

All Quiet on the Western Front Essay Pauls Facade

Pauls Facade in All Quiet on the Western Front nbsp; In Erich Maria Remarques novel All Quiet on the Western Front, Paul Baumer paints a vivid picture of the horrors of war. Many of these horrors are purely physical, such as the constant bombardments and gunshots whizzing overhead. But along with these physical horrors come mental and emotional ones. Chief among these is the war mindset that the soldier must acquire in order to survive war. The essence of this mindset is the total disregard for human life, and with it, human beliefs and customs. War requires a suspension of these standard human beliefs and customs. Paul outwardly appears to have acquired this war mindset, but he does not internalize it and thus eventually dies.†¦show more content†¦At some table a document is signed by some persons whom none of us knows, and then for years together that very crime on which formerly the worlds condemnation and severest penalty fall, becomes our highest aim. But who can draw such a distinction when he looks at these quiet men wi th childlike faces and apostles beards. (193-194) nbsp; In war, fraternization with the enemy is forbidden. This is because once a soldier gets to know the enemy a little bit, they will realize that there is really nothing to fight about. Paul captures here both the arbitrariness and inhumanity of war. Since the people actually fighting have no reason to fight, war is arbitrary. Since it breaks the common moral laws of humankind, it is inhumane. The rulers in any war want their soldiers to believe that their cause is the only just, right cause, that the enemy is inferior or not even human, and that it is not only a right but a duty to kill them. For example, look at American propaganda against the Japanese during World War II. By breaking this mold, Paul is forced to realize that the endeavor of war is simply a monument to futility. nbsp; Pauls ability to recognize this most important truth of War is what kills him. He realizes what he has

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

ICANN and Internet Governance

Question: Brief the policy and tell what are the problems and gives few solutions for Broadband Telecommunication policy? Answer: Some of the experts from the telecom industry look at Internet as a refractor of the expansion of the technical arrangement. Communication specialists strain the meaning of internal governance as assistance of communication. Human rights activists looks Internet Governance as a freedom of communication, confidentiality, and other simple human rights. After all the controversies over the meaning and use the meaning of the term good governance as stated by the World Bank as to encourage the reorganization of states by announcing more clearness, dropping exploitation, and growing the efficacy of management This topic also brought about the discussion over the necessity for government involvement- Handing Control of the Internet Over to China The misguided freak out over ICANN ( Gelbstein E. Kurbalija J., 2005). Irrespective of whether anyone supports the given rule or regulation, it is known that regulation of internet is not an easy task. There are lot of violations which are being carried out against the property of internet in the form of copying music, any software or intellectual property. Mr. Johnson, Mr. Post and Mr. Perrit said that when there are many self-governing participants finishing manifold autonomous packets by means of manifold autonomous stations, there is no principal communiqu station which will be able to aid as a controller for spreading and implementing rules. Rules are creators on institutional issues. The Internet encounters recognized authorities. There is need of governance as there is need for authority. There is need of governance for the purpose of framing the policy decisions. The decision may be in the form of imposing tax, fine, issuing of license or putting a compulsory rule. Governance is required as there is requirement for some instrument for putting sanctions. This would mean that anyone who goes against the framed laws shall be liable for punishment. Governance gives jurisdiction which means that it gives the authority the right to frame decisions which will be the base for application of law and enforced by means of sanctions. These four factors helps in regulation. The reason that authority, law, sanctions, and jurisdictions are not in proper order it becomes difficult to regulate internet. ICANN is much aware of these four factors with the help of its Internets domain name system (DNS). Even though there is no common center point for the communication through internet, DNS gives centralized Internet addressing. DNS is also an indispensable source which gives a place for providing platform for sanctioning users. DNS also clearly defines jurisdictions on the Internet. DNS helps to map different zones and frame regulation. Looking at all these factors ICANN deals into internet governance which poses various concerns as to how ICANN shall govern internet (Klein H., 2002). In 2014, the U.S. government made an announcement that it would pursue to surrender an honored part in the running of Internet names and numbers. This announcement was made by giving ICANNthe non-profit Internet Company for Allocated Names and Numbers to last working in the same manner as it does now without the need for any future contract with the Department of Commerce. ICANN is an organization which assists in maintaining IP addresses in proper direction and way by making sure that each address used to make a party recognize is not given to someone else on the internet. It enables the accumulation of top level domains, those suffixes like .com, .org, .uk, .clothing, newrepublic.com . To this announcement Wall Street Journal has commented as America has surrendered internet. One member of Congress said that to give away the regulating system to ICANN will give the other countries like China and Russia, which do not offer the same importance to the right of speech to give their perspective as to how the internet appears and functions. A Daily Caller also remarked that the statement given by Obama is equal to the decision given by Carter where the Panama Canal was forgone. The only difference among the two is that the decision taken by Obama will have even worse consequences to be faced. and Newt Gingrich said that now every person residing in America should be concerned with Obamas decision to give up the regulation of internet in the hands of some group which is not even properly defined which is highly risky. These people did not want the governance to come in the hands of one company. The people were asking internet governance to be in the hands of government. They were scared with the fact that if not governed properly it create trouble for everyone. (Zittrain J., 2014). ICANN has come forward with as removing with the myth that internet disorder cannot be controlled. DNS works on the top-down control mechanism which helps ICANN to frame policies. The effect this shall have on the future will only be revealed once the results are out and hence time will only speak about it. ICANN looks at three ways in which know-how forms the social order. First, neutral topographies of the technology designed the organizational and governing system. The methodical features of a disseminated database forms significant policy factors. Any effort to alter ICANNs position as regulator would mean to reform the fundamental technology. The second way that technology formed the social order was the part of engineers in creating policy. The choice of country codes as domain names was a historic judgment with deep policy concerns. This choice came at such an early stage in the internet growth procedure that the one who were working on it were the research engineers. They wer e certain that Internet domains should be related with geopolitical entities. They concluded to form the Internet like national PTTs. This could be thought by the engineers because they were controlling the process from the early stage of development. The last and the third way that technology has its effect on the social order is that it delivers legality for cautious framing of conclusions. When there are certain decisions over policies which are put under the heading of being technical then it is better to get them discussed and governed behind closed door with the experienced and knowledge people. Despite critics ICANN advocated that they were making impartial selections on the base of methodological knowledge. ICANN influences regulation of Internet to understand worldwide public policy. The regulatory charter for the worldwide data arrangement of the succeeding century has been generated. References: Gelbstein E Kurbalija J., (2005), Knowledge of development series-internet governance issues, actors and divides, Published by Diplo Foundation and Global Knowledge Partnership. Zittrain J., (2014), No, Barack Obama Isnt handling control of the internet over China, https://www.newrepublic.com/article/117093/us-withdraws-icann-why-its-no-big-deal. Klein H., (2002), ICANN and Internet Governance: Leveraging Technical Coordination to Realize Global Public Policy, Taylor Francis, USA.