Childhood obesity is a rapidly growing, widespread epidemic, affecting children on a global scale. In the past two decades the childhood obesity rate has increased exponentially around the world. Though, the most rapid increases has been seen within established Western societies and wealthier countries, developing countries have also seen a spike in childhood obesity. Obesity, affects children from a myriad of demographics, such as socioeconomic status, race, gender, and age. In order to put the brakes on the runaway obesity train, prevention and healthy life style innovations, must be at the forefront for all peoples involved with children’s well-being.
According to the authors of the article, Too Many Kids Are Too Heavy, Too Young, an estimated 43 million preschool children were overweight or obese in 2010, a 60 percent increase since 1990 (Harvard, 2016). North America is leading the way in obesity rates. The U.S. has some of the highest obesity rates in the world. The largest increase in the U.S. has been seen in non-Hispanic black boys. In Canada, childhood obesity is greater amongst the Aboriginal groups living outside the
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First, of the regions discussed in the article, reliably, the wealthier countries showed higher rates of obesity than poorer countries. Next, as the rate of obesity increased; the rate of underweight children decreased. For example, in Latin America and South Asia the rate of pre-school children who are underweight has decreased, yet this does not mean malnourishment is not an issue. Lastly, reliable data is scarce, this is due to factors like, the definitions amongst organizations that measure childhood obesity vary, and many countries do not nationally survey their population. Therefore, tracking childhood obesity rates globally is difficult. Though, it is difficult to track the exact numbers of obesity globally, there is no refuting the fact that obesity is a global health
Between the survey periods 1976-80 and 2007-08, obesity has more than doubled among adults (rising from 15% to 34%), and more than tripled among children and adolescents (rising from 5% to 17%)” (Thompson para9). These concluded statistics are one of the few posted in which logically support that childhood obesity is a substantial and alarming issue within today’s society in the United States. With authorized public data available, numerous of individuals can examine and predict the future forthcoming if precautions are not taken. These statistical numbers prove and form an appeal to logos as well as give an impression to fellow readers that childhood obesity is a subject worth discussing and addressed. In correlation, Li’s article also utilizes logos by providing a statistical correspondence samples of the childhood obesity epidemic with different restrictions: “Table 1 shows weighted sample characteristics. Around 67% of the study participants were from rural areas; about one third of them were the only child in their family. Less than 10% were migrant students… Table 2 shows considerable sex and regional disparities in student weight status. Combined overweight/obesity prevalence was 60% higher in boys than girls, and obesity rates in boys more than tripled that of girls” (Li para14&15). Obesity is tremendously impacting children of many assorted circumstances whether it’s different living conditions and gender. Li’s claim is strongly supported by establishing these series of interpretations. These conducted observations and astounding outcomes reveal that child obesity is predominantly an issue not only in America but also other international
Childhood obesity is becoming more prevalent in the western world as statistics show that in Australia, one quarter of children are either overweight or obese. (Australian Bureau of statistics)
Since 1980 the rates of child obesity have more than tripled which has caused a growing pandemic of childhood obesity in the United States. Out of all the young children and adolescents within the age group of two through nineteen about 12.7 million are obese. That is the equivalent of about 17% of America’s population that is suffering from childhood obesity. Childhood obesity is too prevalent in all American households. Childhood obesity is detrimental on a national scale, since it has been growing at a steady rate in the United States of children not reaching the daily-recommended physical activity, the absence of a balanced diet with overconsumption of eating, and more critically the increase of type 2 diabetes.
The prevalence of obesity in childhood is a big concern because of its adverse consequences in the short and long term. According to World Health Organization (WHO, 2010), the rise in childhood obesity for the past ten years has been very alarming. It was noted that obesity now rank as the 5th leading risk factor for death (Larsen, 2015). It is also estimated that obesity is attributed to 44% in diabetes development, 23% in ischemic heart disease and 7 to 41 % of some certain cancers (Larsen, 2015). Childhood obesity is defined as a body mass index equivalent or greater than the 95th percentile of a child's body weight or body mass index more than 30 kg/ms (WHO, 2010). Obesity identifies biologically those children who will later in life
Recently, a claim was made that worldwide obesity has become a growing issue. The global population is expanding, as well as the weight of humans. Obesity rates throughout the world have increased, as 1.9 billion adults have been overweight and 600 have obese since 2014. A majority of countries have experienced an increase in obesity rates between the years of 2010 and 2014. Obesity is not just a worldwide issue for adults, but is also an issue for children. 42 million children were known to be obese and overweight in 2013 causing countries to fight against obesity among children. The increasing rates of
Childhood obesity is a serious public health issue that threatens the health and well-being of the U.S population. According to a research study titled “Obesity Policy Spotlight: Childhood Obesity,” there has been a four-fold increase in the prevalence of overweight children and adolescents during the past four decades. Another study conducted titled “ Childhood Obesity: Our Time To Act,” found that according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), an estimated 17% of children and adolescents between the ages of 2 and 19 are obese. It is also stated that our nations children are the first
As at 2004, it was observed from a healthy survey that 14% of children between 2-11 years and 25% of 11-25 years old were obese in England, while in the USA, the prevalence of childhood obesity is observed to be higher in most minority ethnic group (fix the reference here). Additionally, excess obesity is also seen to occur in other ethnic group like South Asia, as they are more likely to be sensitive in having excess weight gain. Clearly, Obesity can be a crucial key factor in developing medical conditions such as type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease. Thus, from public health view point, obesity is seen as a crucial health
According to WHO (2014) the number of overweight or obese children ages 0 to 5 years increased from 32 million globally in 1990 to 42 million in 2013. The majority of obese children live in developing countries as the increase in obesity prevalence in these countries is 30% higher than that of developed countries. They also stated that if trends continue as they are the number of overweight or obese children will increase to 70 million by 2025, globally. This is an increase of 28 million in only 12 years which is extremely worrying.
Obesity has become a major epidemic affecting many children and adolescents worldwide. According to Raj and Kumar (2010), obesity can affect anyone, regardless of sex, age, or social background (para 4). According to research, obesity rates in children and adolescents have soared globally, and continue to impact those living in both developed and developing countries. Among the countries with the highest obesity percentage rate include: United States of America, China, India, Brazil, India, Russia, Egypt, and more. However, United States was found with the highest percentage rate of obesity.
Childhood obesity has doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 20 years. Children aged 6-11 in the U.S who were obese increased from 7 % in 1980’s to nearly 18% in 2012 and adolescents aged 12-19 years of age increased from 5 % to nearly 12 % in the same time period.
A child is defined as affected by obesity if their body mass index (BMI) for their age percentile is greater than 95% and a child is defined as overweight if their BMI for their age percentile is greater than 85% and less than 95%, this is identified on the BMI for age percentile chart (Raj & Kumar, 2012). The World Health Organization (WHO) regards childhood obesity as one of the most serious global public health challenge for the 21st century (WHO, 2016). Globally, in 2013 the number of obese children under 5 years of age was estimated to be over 42 million, nearly 31 million of these are living in developing countries (WHO, 2016). Obese children and adolescents are at an increased risk of developing various health problems and have a higher risk of becoming obese adults (Public Health England, 2016). Prevention of childhood obesity needs to be high priority, these obese children are likely to stay obese into adulthood therefore are at risk of developing non-communicable
Childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century. The problem is global and is steadily affecting many low- and middle-income families particularly in the United States. The socioeconomic status of these families contributes to the childhood obesity epidemic.
Childhood obesity has increased drastically over the past years and has become a high health risk to children. In fact, childhood obesity has doubled in numbers in the past thirty years (Childhood Obesity Facts). Obesity occurs when an individual becomes overweight and doctor’s diagnose a patient by using the body mass index or BMI scale. Obesity causes many diseases in children which cannot be cured without a doctor, in result, childhood obesity drives high health care costs. Since little effort has been put forward to prevent childhood obesity the existence of this disease has begun to skyrocket in numbers. The number of children who suffer from obesity have greatly increased over the years so, people have to come up with a solution to prevent obesity. However, it will take more than just one solution to prevent childhood obesity, it will take many. Without the prevention of obesity future generations could be in serious trouble with health issues. Childhood obesity should be prevented by showing the youth that healthy will benefit them in life, therefore, parents start by guiding children in the correct direction with their eating habits, limit their fast food intake, and fight the market for unhealthy foods so that children are not exposed to unhealthy options.
Obesity is becoming a global epidemic which has increased in the United States and worldwide in the past 10 years. With one being obese, there is an increased risk of morbidity and mortality leading to reduced life expectancy. Health service use and medical costs related with obesity and related increases in obesity have occurred in both children and adults. Obesity leads to various diseases which has risen dramatically and is expected to continue to rise according to (Poirier, P., Giles, T. D., Bray, G. A., Hong, Y., Stern, J. S., Pi-Sunyer, F. X., & Eckel, R. H. (2006). Childhood and adolescent obesity remain dominant across both the developed world, and developing counties thereby becoming a major public health concern. Childhood and adolescent
Obesity has been recognized as a major public health problem that has reached pandemic levels worldwide (). This disease has flourished despite differences among countries and regions ( ). The prevalence of obesity is increasing among all ages and racial groups (). In many countries, Australia, Brazil, the united Kingdom, China and the United States obesity rates have skyrocketed (). The obesity phenomenon in children is increasing at an alarming rate. According to the focus of the socio- economic status (SES) is to show the association between children who are overweight and children who are obese (), almost 32% of children aged 2-19 years were overweight. Data also indicated that almost 17% of these children were obese.