Childhood Obesity : A Parenting Problem

According to the Institute of Medicine, every one in three children in the United States is either overweight or obese. That means one in three children in the United States is at an increased risk for diabetes, heart disease, cancer and other health risks due to their weight. One in three children is being ridiculed on the playground. One in three children is struggling every day because of their weight. There is a growing obesity epidemic in children in the United States and it needs to be stopped, beginning with the parents. I will focus particularly in Texas, where obesity rates are extremely high. Governor Rick Perry is recorded saying, “Texas obesity rates are well above the national average, and the negative effects are spreading” (8 Childhood Obesity Prevention). Texas’ extreme obesity rates are not only affecting the health of its people, but also its economy. The state’s resources are at risk with the epidemic rates increasing, and without transformation, grave danger is ahead, so measures need to be taken to insure the health and economic stability of the state and this needs to begin with parents of obese children. Overall, childhood obesity is a form of parental neglect and the state of Texas should mandate and regulate obesity prevention.

Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic in the United States. More than one third of children are overweight. This figure is increasing rapidly. This epidemic puts children at risk for various health problems such as type two diabetes and heart problems. Although they are several risk factors for obesity, parents play a significant role in this issue. This paper will look into how parents are influential to their children, how they contribute to this problem and how they may help fight the fight against obesity. Obesity is a very serious problem and there are solutions that parents can apply to help their children lead a healthy lifestyle. Obesity does not only affect a person physically, but mentally and psychologically as well.

Although, parents are not the only cause of childhood obesity, they play a giant part in the fight against it. There are many other contributing factors like advertisements sending the wrong message about nutrition, and using toys, and cartoons like Ronald Mcdonalds to lure children. To put an end to this, parents can start educating their children, and themselves about nutrition, they can decrease the amount of trips to fast food venues, and start preparing meals at home. We can all start breaking bad habits, and start leading healthier

Childhood obesity is not merely an issue in the United States- it is an epidemic. The number of overweight and obese children in America has increased at an alarming rate over the past years, and there is no chance of it slowing down unless action is taken. Obesity puts children at a high risk of developing many serious illnesses. Not only do children who are obese have unhealthy weights, but they also have a high risk of having weak lungs, poor blood quality, and a variety of other sicknesses. Parents have turned a blind eye to their children’s eating habits. A fast-food craze has swept over the country, consequentially leaving a trail of poor nutrition in its wake. Fast-food corporations seem to be encouraging children to consume regular amounts of unhealthy foods by giving away toys with the purchase of a child’s meal Televisions, computers, and video games, which are considered to be technological necessities, have begun to cloud the importance of exercise. These influences are all major causes of childhood obesity, which bring an overwhelming abundance of negative effects. Despite the many obstacles, there are ways to slow, if not halt, the outbreak that is childhood obesity. Prevention can be achieved by following a balanced, mostly plant based diet and by participating in a healthy amount of physical activity.

Why has the number of children with obesity increased over the last 30 years? Having a poor diet along with a lack of physical activity can create the perfect atmosphere for becoming obese; nonetheless, obesity can lead a child to an unhealthy lifestyle and serious health problems. Unfortunately, children have been exposed to poor diet and lack of physical activity now more than ever, and parents are not as aware of this as they should be. We can blame the rise of obesity in children on poor diet, lack of physical activity and most importantly, parental unawareness.

Obesity is an epidemic that affects millions of People around the world and it continues to rise. A particular concern is the rise in childhood obesity throughout the United States and it has become a national epidemic. Obesity is a threat to the health of many children as it has doubled in children and has quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years. According to survey on childhood obesity, 2014, “an estimated 80% of obese adolescents continue to be obese into adulthood, so the implication of childhood obesity on the nation’s health are very huge”.

Childhood obesity is affecting 1 out 3 kids in our society. These children are being classified as being obese or overweight. Obesity has gained recognition as an important worldwide public problem and in the U.S., appears to be overtaking tobacco use as the number one cause of preventable death (Dennison, B. A., Edmunds, L. S., Stratton, H. H., & Pruzek, R. M. (2006). This is the first time we have ever seen our children in this state and the percentage of overweight or obese children is growing at a rapid rate. If something is not done about this issue, this generation will be the first generation to not outlive their parents because of the health issues that arise because a person is overweight or obese. Children are not being entertained outside anymore while getting exercise; the entertainment is inside on the TV, computer, or video-game console (Kid’s Health). Many kids are spending less time outside exercising than previous generations. In today’s world, a quick and easy solution to a problem is the most common answer; this is true for our electronics and our food choices. Families have little to no free moments to prepare nutritious, home cooked meals(Kid’s Health). Our goal has to be finding ways to prevent children from becoming overweight. This is the parent’s responsibility. Parents have to learn to adopt a way to lead a healthy lifestyle of eating healthy and exercising for their

Childhood obesity has become such an epidemic because of the lack of parental awareness and influence

A quote from Richard Carmona says, “If the childhood obesity epidemic remains unchecked, it will condemn many of our kids to shorter lives, as well as the emotional and financial burdens of poor health” (“Richard”). Carmona is right in many ways. More than ever, childhood obesity is a huge problem in America today. This disease is causes health problems, emotional problems, weakness, and fatigue. Childhood obesity in America has become a widespread problem and will continue to worsen unless we enforce these three important solutions.

Smaller governmental initiatives have proven effective, as well as campaigns run by non-governmental organization, yet a large scale federal initiative has yet to be established. Childhood obesity is an ever growing epidemic that has increased to unacceptable proportions. In order to prevent any further escalation of this public, federal legislation must be advocated for and passed that creates more opportunities for physical activity, increased access to healthy food, and puts an end to dishonest marketing. By bringing together leaders from across the industry, academia and public health with policymakers and their advisors, the Campaign provides the information and guidance that decision makers need to make the policy changes that

I choose child hood obesity: Is it parental nurturing to blame? I believe its a very important topic that affects our youth today. Youth now a days watch a lot of tv and hardly go outside. They don 't eat a well balance meal and don’t exercise. The lack of activity and unbalance meals is making our youth obese. The author on this article La Rocca JD, blames the parents on children being obese. Blaming the lack of exercise and nutrition. Obesity if left untreated can cause psychological and medical diseases. La Rocca JD also points out that obesity does not discriminate among boys or girls and it occurs in all ages, races, and ethnic groups. Obesity refers to children between the age of 2-18 with a BMI as developed by the center of Disease control and Prevention. A body mass index that is above the 85th percentile for a child’s age puts int the child at risk for becoming overweight . Lets see how else La Rocca explains parents being the cause of childhood obesity.

We cannot blame childhood obesity on one factor; “Obesity is caused by factors in every system--biological [genetics], familial [family lifestyle and eating habits], social [socioeconomic factors, ads targeting children etc.], and cultural (grandparents’ idea of a “healthy child” means a heavy child)” (Berger, 2014). Food has been and always will be the center of our lives. everything revolves around when, what, and why we eat. If we change one thing about our lifestyle, we’re most likely changing, at least, one thing about the food we eat. However, if I had to point one thing, I believe it is the parent’s responsibility to set good examples for their children. I have friends that agree that they need to make better choices of what they eat,

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.

It’s been shown that children with obese parents are more likely to become obese. Heredity contributes between 5-25 percent risks of obesity. Other risks can be attributed to the environment and behavior. Obesity is generally linked to over eaten but in most cases its heredity problem children should be careful because genes can also pass to their offspring. The problem cannot be corrected but you can prevent it. Children should be given an appropriate diet and should be deterred from overeating. Child obesity can be predicted at an early stage and children should be aware of the consequences of obesity.

“Parental behavioral patterns concerning shopping, cooking, eating and exercise have an important influence on a child’s energy, balance and ultimately their weight” said diet specialist, Anne Collins (“Childhood Obesity Facts”). Childhood obesity has more than tripled since the 1980’s (“Childhood Obesity Facts”). Childhood obesity often leads to obesity as an adult which can put a person at greater risks dealing with the heart, diabetes, and many other obese related diseases. People want to blame the schools and today’s technology for childhood obesity, in reality, the responsibility lies in the hands of their parents.