Annotated Biography on Childhood Obesity

Obesity continues to be a problem in the United States. With obesity rates on the rise something must be done to prevent this massive issue. Seventeen percent of children and adolescents about 12.5 million are obese (Diet). Obesity is the result of a rise in fat that accumulated over time due to the lack of exercise and having a calorie surplus due to unhealthy food. An adult with a BMI (body mass index) higher than 30% is considered to be obese (Obesity). There isn’t a direct focus on obesity, because people don’t think it’s an important issue. To ensure a better future, solution is needed now. The solution to ending the obesity epidemic by encouraging a healthier lifestyle on children at young ages, improving nutrition at schools and restaurants, as well as providing more time and space for citizens to get physically active.

The obesity epidemic has become one of the worst illnesses nationwide over the past few decades. Obesity is technically defined as a disorder that involves excessive body fat which increases the risk for health problems or concerns. The most concerning part of America’s obesity epidemic is the percentage that affects the children. The major question, is can we as Americans do anything to change the obesity rate?

Childhood obesity is a huge problem facing America today. It’s like an epidemic, spreading across America at alarming rates. Just in the past 30 years, childhood obesity rates have more than doubled among children and quadrupled among adolescents. Today, it has been estimated that one in every six children or adolescents is obese ("Childhood Obesity Facts”). And if things don’t change soon, those numbers will just keep rising. This isn’t a problem that we can leave up to children to deal with themselves. Parents and adults need to take responsibilities for children’s health and futures. Children or adolescents who have a body mass index of over 30 are considered to be obese. Too much body fat can lead to many negative

In 2012 CDC statistics show that “over 35 percent of adults and 32 percent of children in the United States of America are recorded as obese (30kg/m2), the obesity rate has doubled since 1971.1” Not only is epidemic growing in numbers of victims but also in expenses. The United States spent 147 billion dollars in 2008 on medical expenses costs and that does not include the programs that fight against the problem. “In 2003 over 300,000 died due to obesity related health problems, diseases and cancers.6” One of the most important battles we wage on American soil is the war for citizens to be fit, and it nearly always starts in the childhood. Since 1971 the problem of childhood and adult obesity started to grow annually due to many reasons related to our ways of living. Now the food industry, including fast food has been getting more and more unhealthy due to unnatural modifications. What Americans eat is not organic anymore and is taking its toll on American lifestyle. The fast food industry has been making advertisements and foods focused upon youth. Since the original commercials directed towards children, it has nearly tripled since the rise of technology. Technology has been growing rapidly as obesity is, statistics show that with the advancement of technology, the population starts to slow down, stop exercising and eating healthier foods. As long as there is childhood obesity, there will be adult obesity, with effects on children causing obesity, there will be a

In today’s society, there has been a plethora of achievements in technology, medical advancement, and educational platforms. However, with these new, exciting gateways has come several issues, some of which have become very serious. One of the most important hot button issues is childhood obesity. In fact, statistics show that since the 1970’s, the obesity rate in children’s ages range two to five in the United States, has increased over five percent alone, as well as over ten percent in children in age ranges between twelve to nineteen in 2008 (Gale Encyclopedia of diets, 2013). With this serious issue facing the United States, it leads to question: why have children in the United States become so obese and what strategies have been implemented to curve this often-outrageous statistic? The cause of childhood obesity can be blamed on several factors that affect all areas of the child’s life. Factors including the home lifestyle and parent accountability, outside the home in school where implementation and access of unhealthy foods and beverages far exceeds their nutritional counterparts, as well as an increased portion size are adding to this overall problem. To combat the issue, many states have implemented programs specifically aimed at childhood obesity to prevent the future health risks associated with this medical issue. Also, suggestions are being acquired for schools and parents alike to assist in getting the obese target below the national level

When you think of the word “epidemic,” you often associate it with disease such as the flu, or much more serious ones like the plague. What most people often do not think is the much more common, relatable epidemic of childhood obesity. While we may not be the generation that is being affected the most, chances are the children we see today and children of future generations will be affected if we do not take action now. A fast-food frenzy has swept the nation, technological advances both in and out of the classroom seem to be taking over children’s lives- leaving less time for being physical active, and obese kids are posing a higher risk for an already damaged healthcare system. Childhood

The United States as a nation is struggling tremendously with high an outrageous obesity rate. According to the documentary “Weight of the Nation,” obesity is number five out of the ten leading causes of death. The lifestyle in the United States has become a “norm” that has to be changed quickly. It is imperative that we as adults draw into our youth the importance of eating healthy. We as people are in control of our own health and can prevent ourselves from getting chronic diseases such as heart disease, obesity, and diabetes.

Overweight and obesity are risk factors for diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and other health problems. Since there is no single cause of all overweight and obesity, there is no single way to prevent or treat overweight and obesity that will help everyone. Treatment may include a combination of diet, exercise, behavior modification, and sometimes weight-loss drugs. In some cases of extreme obesity, bariatric surgery may be recommended. Once the disease is there it plans on staying there is no easy way of getting rid of it. We have to plan early and quick that is the importance and the message trying to be conveyed. We must make an early strike to prevent further

America is facing a rigorous obesity plague that is endangering the health of millions. Moreover, we are passing our bad practices down to our children. Obesity is a stipulation in which anomalous or excessive fat buildup in adipose tissue that damages health. Obesity is defined in adults as a body mass index (BMI) exceeding 30 (kg/m). Obesity is one of the most discernible, but until recently, most deserted public health problems. The present high pervasiveness of obesity and the brisk increase in pervasiveness in the last twenty years has been referred to as an endemic (Johnson SJ, Birch LL. 1994). Children all through the U.S. are getting fatter and less fit, through potentially treacherous enduring consequences. The figure of

Health has always been a topic of conversation in the United States. Of late, there has been more talk of the problem of childhood obesity. Over the past few decades there has been a pretty large increase of obese American children. Less exercise and less time playing outside combined with more eating of sugary, high calorie processed foods has caused a nationwide issue of overweight children. While there have been many initiatives to curb this epidemic like the First Lady’s get up and move campaign, it’s up to both parents and children to make changes in their lifestyle in order to lead a healthier life.

America is home to the free and brave…also the obese. Within the last 4-5 years there has been a decrease in childhood obesity but the numbers are still weighing high. According to the CDC in 2011-2012 as many as 12.7 million children ages 2-19 are obese in the United States. Considering children from 5-18 are still in school most of the day, it is a good place to begin. As the percentage of children who are obese rises, schools and parents should bond together and fight against the rise in obesity by providing healthier eating options for their students.

Childhood obesity is a serious issue in the US, according to the CDC. There are many health risks that are associated with childhood obesity. The prevalence of childhood obesity has decreased in the past few years among preschool aged children. According to the CDC, the prevalence of obesity has been consistent at about 17% and affects about 13 million children and teenagers. The prevalence of childhood obesity has been consistently increasing since 1971 in developed countries, like the United States and Canada. Over the past twenty years the prevalence of overweight in children nearly doubled in the United States, and tripled in Canada. Researchers predict that the levels of obesity will continue rising until some type of action is taken. From data that they already found, it’s been predicted that in about twelve years the levels of obesity

The obesity rate in the United States is sky-high. Two out of three children are either overweight or obese. Immense use of junk food and soda compounded with the lack of exercise lead the American kids to this dire stage. Because obesity can lead to heart problems and early onset of diabetes, the impacts of this problem are severe if not disastrous. It also costs the US government several millions of dollars every year to provide health care for them. These implications justifies immediately finding remedies to what ails our future generations.

Obesity is an issue that we need to prevent to avoid any health risk factors for the children and teenagers. According to The Future Of Children article published in spring 2006 by James F.Sallis and Karen Glanz, “People who have access to safe places to be active, neighborhoods that are walkable, and local markets that offer healthful food are likely to be more active and to eat more healthful food-two types of behavior that can lead to good health and may help avoid obesity”(The Future Of Children). This is something we need to do in this society to prevent the increasing rate of obesity for all children. According to the Obesity A research Journal article published in September 6, 2012, “There are two primary aspects of control: restriction, which involves restricting children's access to junk foods and restricting

In order to impede the epidemic of childhood obesity, the actual causes of the problem need to be evaluated and dissected. Obesity in children is becoming a huge problem in American society. In the past three decades, the rate of overweight children has increased by 300%. This is an alarming rate that is only climbing higher. Every member in society should take steps to becoming healthier. This would help the present generations as well as future generations to come. The lifestyle of Americans keeps us too busy to be a healthy society.