Childhood Obesity Essay

Obesity is when a person has excess body fat. It is calculated by dividing one’s weight by his or her height to get the body mass index (BMI=kg/m^2). This number is also used to screen for health problems that maybe be caused by certain weight categories. A BMI of 25-29.9 is considered to be overweight and over thirty is considered obese. A third of children are overweight (CDC, 2014). Obesity leads to significant physical and mental health consequences. Obese children are at risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, type two diabetes, high cholesterol, coronary artery disease and hypertension (CDC, 2014).

Obesity is the second leading cause of death in the United States. Obesity often begin in childhood and is linked to many psychological problems such as asthma, diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors in childhood. Childhood obesity is related to increased mortality and morbidity in adulthood as many obese children grow up to become obese adults (Johnson, 2016). In the last 30 years, childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents. In the United States, the percentage of children aged six to eleven years who were obese seven percent in 1980 has increased to eighteen percent in 2012. In 2012, more than one third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese. Overweight is defined as having excess body weight for a particular height, whereas obesity is having excess body fat. Childhood obesity can lead both immediate and long term effects on health and well-being. Obese children are likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. A population based sample of five to seventeen year old shows 70% obese children have at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Obese children and adolescents are at risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as poor self-esteem and stigmatization. Children and adolescents who are obese are likely to be obese as adults and are at risk for adult health problems such as heart disease, stroke, type 2

Childhood obesity is an epidemic in U.S. In the year of 2012, about “one third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese.” Also, percentages of childhood obesity have increased by over ten percent in the last thirty years in children and adolescents (Childhood Obesity Facts 2015). These statistics are shocking, and many people are concerned for the health of their children. This medical condition, as defined by Mayo Clinic, leads to serious health conditions in the future in the children’s adult lives, which can only be treated with pricey medication, treatments, and surgeries (Mayo Clinic Staff 2015); some can also lead to a very short life, ending their lives in between the ages 40 and 60. Due to many studies and research, 1childhood obesity can be easy prevented early on from infancy by analyzing the causes, studying the effects and finding the solutions to the problem.

Obesity is not a disease. It is a condition where our body stores excessive fat and affects our health or well-being. Childhood obesity is becoming a threat to society because of its prevalence. Obesity reduces life expectancy. Childhood obesity is an epidemic in the United States. The number of obese children has increased and doubled within two decades. (National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases, 2+.) The childhood obesity epidemic requires more prevention focused on the first five years of a child’s life because it is the period where rapid growth and developmental changes occur.

Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic this this county. Did you know that one in six school aged children (ages 6-19) are obese? Based on studies obesity is more common among boys than girls’ ages 6-11 years old. Childhood obesity is a disease that continues to increase around the world. North America has managed to triple childhood obesity rates over the past four decades. North America also falls within one of the highest obesity rates in the World. Childhood obesity can lead to major consequences if not treated. The rising issue of childhood obesity can be decreased if society would take a stand and accurately evaluate the causes.

The rising numbers of obese children has reached an alarming rate. With many Americans, “…‘obesity’…carries the connotation of being extremely overweight. [But] health professionals define overweight as an excess amount of body weight that includes muscle, bone, fat and water;

It is often said that people ought to learn from their mistakes, however throughout American history that doesn 't appear to be the case. In recent studies, it 's been documented that American youngsters and adolescents are usually measured predominately overweight and in some cases fat. Several American parents are to happy with settling with the convenience of restaurants, which isn’t okay once people don 't teach their youngsters to exercise. Most kids could even get hooked on fast foods, and in today’s busy society they are not getting the right time to exercise. , If today’s American society would teach their children to exercise and eat right , then the result would be less diseases and a lot more healthier kids. Parents have the

Childhood obesity is a serious problem in the United States resulting in medical illnesses and shortened life span, action needs to be taken to eat a healthy diet and incorporate exercise into daily life. Among children today, obesity is causing a wide range of health problems that in the past were not seen until adulthood. These include heart disease, respiratory disease, bone fractures and diabetes. There are also psychological effects; obese children are more likely to have low self-esteem, negative body image, eating disorders and depression. Excess weight at a young age has tracked to higher and earlier death rates in adulthood. This paper will pinpoint strategies to use to help decrease the incidence of obesity

Childhood obesity has become an ongoing issue in the U.S. and over the years has been classified as a growing epidemic. By understanding which individuals are deeply impacted by obesity, policy makers can shape policies to address it. In a survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), revealed that between the period of 1976- 1980, and 2007-2008, obesity has more than doubled among adults, and more that tripled among children and young adults (Barnes, M. 2010), as show in Figure 1. Childhood obesity and mal nutrition cannot be linked back to one specific cause. It is combination of the food that is being given to students at school, and the lack of physical and educational programs within the system. On June 4, 1946 President Truman signed into law the first National School Lunch Program that provided low-cost or free school lunch meals

The PCORI projects that I would like to focus on would be CHILDHOOD OBESITY. According to the World Health Organization, childhood obesity is one of the greatest challenges faced by the public healthcare system in the 21st century. Besides, when children are obese, they are more likely to be obese as adults, developing a wide range of health problems. Unfortunately, the statistics do not look good, and the numbers of children who are overweight or obese continue to increase. According to the Centers of Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention, Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition that has immediate and long-term effects on the health of children and adolescents.

Childhood obesity is increasing in different ethnic groups in both gender and all across the world. Let me start off by saying that childhood obesity has become a deadly disease in united state it important thing that should know firstly over other thing in life. Many parents are getting worried about their children being obese. First of all, combining poor eating habits with low physical activity double a child risk of becoming obese. Children are spending an increasing amount of time in front of a screen: TV, computer, and video games. Excessive eating-out contributes to obesity in a number of

Within the past three years obesity among children has tripled. Childhood obesity is considered the number one health threat in America. Childhood obesity has become a major issue facing America. And today over “nine million” (Selicia 4, May) United States children are overweight and obese. Sadly “2 million” (Tanner 2005) of these children are at risk for type 2 diabetes. Obesity has become a burden to the United States economy and it is costing America “$147 billion” (Holden, 2010) a year.

Obesity is a serious, sometimes fatal condition in which a person is significantly overweight for his or her age and height. Many children suffer from this condition all over the world. Childhood obesity is one of the most increasing health threats that the United States faces. Many researchers ask how children get to be so overly obese and unhealthy. They have come up with ways to somehow prevent it; however, the rates of the growing disease have grown rapidly over the years. It causes many problems with the children’s health levels. Childhood obesity can lead to problems such as diabetes, and many different types of cancer.There may be no symptoms other than weight that is above normal. People who suffer from this illness are also trying to find a way to overcome it. Obesity does not just take a toll on the physical life of these children, but also the emotional, behavioral, and social aspect.

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 is a growing problem that needs to be resolved. Many people may say it is the Child’s fault, he is weak willed. This is just a common misconception; there are hundreds of different reasons for childhood obesity. I will just be scratching the surface of this paper. By the same token childhood obesity is a growing problem that needs to be resolved. We can achieve this by understanding some common misconceptions, understanding health problems, and understanding fitness.