Krueger_J_SPHE461_Week3

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American Military University *

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461

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Health Science

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Dec 6, 2023

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Obese Children in America Jacob A. Krueger SPHE461 Current Issues and Trends in Fitness and Wellness Instructor: Leslie McManus 21 May 2023
Obese Children in America Obese Children in America Introduction: Obesity in children is becoming an increased health condition in the United States, with significant concerns for the well-being of children. Parents need to be concerned with the issue of obesity among American children because they are the future for this country. Understanding the importance of increasing daily exercise in children is vital to parents to be educated for the prevention of their children becoming obese. By understanding the interrelationship between obesity and the decline of daily exercise, parents can play a crucial role in promoting healthier lifestyles for their children. Community or organization of Interest: There are multiple statistics that indicate a concerning prevalence of obesity among American children. According to a survey of Americans that are between the ages of 2-19, approximately 18.5% of them are obese. (Hales, 2020) This means that there are approximately 13.7 million obese children in the United States. It is crucial for parents to be aware of this high number of obese children because obesity among children is associated with a wide range of health risks. If a child is obese, then they have an increased likelihood to develop chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal problems, and type 2 diabetes. (Daniels, 2015) If not properly corrected, childhood obesity will continue into adult life, increasing the risk of obesity-related health issues later in life. Health and/or fitness problem in that community or organization: The rise in obesity among American children is closely correlated with the decline of daily exercise. Sedentary behaviors in addition to a lack of physical activity have become 2
Obese Children in America increasingly prevalent and are largely influenced by the widespread use of electronic devices. Many children are not spending most of their days outdoors like children did 10-20 years ago, running around with their friends or riding their bicycles everywhere. Now, many children spend a significant amount of time indoors engaging themselves with tablets, smartphones, or video games, which promotes a sedentary lifestyle. Children who are 6 years and older are recommended to only have 1-2 hours of time devoted to an electronic device daily. (Radesky, 2016) However, according to the CDC, children between the ages of 8-10 are averaging 6 hours of screen time daily and children between the ages of 11-14 are averaging 9 hours of daily screen time. (OSF, 2020) The decline in daily exercise, in addition with increased sedentary behaviors, has contributed to the rise in obesity rates among American children. Conclusion: Obesity in American children is a public health concern that requires immediate attention and intervention. The increased sedentary behaviors, excessive screen time and decline in daily exercise, have all contributed to the rise of childhood obesity. Parents play a crucial role in the solution of this problem by encouraging regular physical activity and exercise with their children. By understanding how the decline of daily exercise correlates with obesity, parents can become proactive in their children’s lifestyles. Through proper education and parental involvement, parents can create a healthier environment for American children while reducing the exposure of childhood obesity. References
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Obese Children in America Daniels, S. R., Hassink, S. G., Abrams, S. A., Corkins, M. R., de Ferranti, S. D., Golden, N. H., Magge, S. N., & Schwarzenberg, S. J. (2015, July 1). The role of the pediatrician in primary prevention of obesity. American Academy of Pediatrics. https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/136/1/e275/29301/The-Role-of-the- Pediatrician-in-Primary-Prevention?autologincheck=redirected Hales, C. M. (2020, February 27). Products - data briefs - number 360 - February 2020. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db360.htm OSF HealthCare. (2020, January 13). Screen Time for kids; how much is too much? https://newsroom.osfhealthcare.org/screen-time-for-kids-how-much-is-too-much/ Radesky, J., & Christakis, D. (2016, November). Media and Young Minds. Publications.aap.org. https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/138/5/e20162591/60503/Media-and-Young- Minds