Childhood Obesity : A Serious Medical Condition That Affects Children And Adolescents

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.

What does childhood obesity means? Obesity can be defined as a condition in which the body carries abnormal or unhealthy amounts of fat tissue, leading the individual to weigh in excess or 20 percent more than his or her ideal weight (Health & Illness).Obesity in America is an ever-growing problem and has boosted America to the number one spot in terms of obese population. It also stands as the most prevalent medical issue in American Children. In the past thirty years, obesity has affected many different age groups of kids. Preschool group, two to five years in age, and the youths between the ages of twelve and nineteen the obesity rate has more than doubled (Childhood Obesity Statistics and Facts 2v007). Childhood obesity has more than tripled in kid’s ages six to eleven years old. Children can become obese due to many different things like parents or schools. Although obesity may linger for a lifetime, there are many ways to overcome childhood obesity and not have to deal with the weight issue. Childhood obesity causes many problems and concerns in many American families, but families need to work together to overcome obesity. One out of three children in the United States falls into the overweight or obese category (Ding). Children face many different problems and issues at a young age because of obesity. Children obesity causes type 2 diabetes, fatty liver because of excessive weight issues, social problems, depression, anxiety, and eating disorders (Ludwig). Childhood

Childhood obesity has now reached an epidemic in several parts of the United States. As a result, children now have a higher risk to have numerous chronic and acute medical problems. Several of the long-lasting medical problems a child might face as a result of obesity could eventually result in death. In addition to chronic medical problems, childhood obesity has severe psychosocial effects on an individual such as low self-esteem and depression. Childhood obesity is a serious problem that is caused by a numerous amount of factors that can eventually lead to severe health complications.

Childhood obesity is a national epidemic. Nearly 1 in 3 children (ages 2-19) in the United States is overweight or obese, putting them at risk for serious health problems. Studies show that overweight kids are likely to become overweight and obese adults. This is a significant issue in the U.S. and needs to be monitored closely. Some parents are in denial that their children are obese and do not do anything to help or prevent it. When obesity is a problem at a young age it is very easy to have, it become a habit all throughout their life.

More and more children are suffering from the chronic condition of obesity (Serrano). Children become overweight when they consume more calories than they burn while partaking in physical activity (“A Growing Problem”). Of the six most vulnerable times in life for the development of obesity, five affect children and teens (Berg 34). Educating the people of America about acknowledging the presence of a weight problem, the history of this problem, and the physical and emotional effects of childhood obesity could potentially minimize this issue and improve children’s lives.

Childhood obesity is not just a hefty problem this country is facing, it’s an epidemic. This occurs when the child is overweight in comparison to their age and height. There are many causes which leads to this wide-range issue, factors such as eating patterns, outdoor activities, and psychological factors can lead to childhood obesity.

In the past, obesity was thought of as an adult condition; however, in the past ten years childhood obesity has increased at alarming rates. World Health Organization, defines obesity as “excessive fat accumulation that may impair health” and is related to conditions such as type two diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and psychological impairments (Rabbitt & Coyne, 2012, p. 731). For the nurse to be successful in any family nursing position, she or he will need to understand the concepts of family nursing which are based on three foundational components including how the family is defined, the components of family health, and the elements of a healthy family (Kaakinen, 2010, p. 4). Family nurse’ take on various roles; however, primary school-aged childhood obesity has emphasized the need for family nurses to act as advocates of healthy living, educators for health literacy and collaborators in health accessibility. As an advocate, educator, and collaborator, the nurse can face barriers such as overcoming societal norms and patient sensitivity, negative parental role influences, and limited resources. However, the nurse can be effective by implementing interventions such as the use of motivational interventions (MI), and by collaborating care with the family’s community.

Have you ever been told to clean your plate because there are starving kids in Africa? This is a phrase you probably heard from your mother during childhood. With the difference ,in portion control, on the go meals, and lack of exercise in today,s youth, this question can cause a child to be a statistic of childhood obesity. Childhood obesity is one of the United States most leading medical epidemic of today’s youth. According to the Center for Disease Control, seventeen percent of children or about twelve and a half million adolescents between the ages of two and nineteen years, suffer from this disease. (www.huffington post.com//childhoodobesityrates.)

Childhood obesity is a medical condition that is found in children, teenagers and middle aged people. Everyone has a unique body

Childhood Obesity in America is a growing disease that has become an epidemic that has lasting psychological effects because of advertisement of fast food, lack of physical activities, and parental control has made food become a major health issue in many young teenagers lives’ today. Obesity in children is an ongoing concern which many people have to deal with. Obesity is the condition of being overweight. It affects about 12.7 million children and adolescents (“Ebbeling”). Your weight is the result of many things working together-the choices you make, your environment, your metabolism, and your genes.

Fact: Many American children are or are becoming obese in the past thirty years. About fifteen percent of the U.S. children from 2 to 19 years old are considered as obese, and many more children are in a risk of becoming obese. The genetic reason causes childhood obesity in some cases, but many has become obese due to a lack of proper nutrition education and physical exercises. Childhood obesity may affect children in their adulthood. Obesity cause many diseases, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, strokes, diabetes, and lung problems. It also can be a risk of psychological damage (Brazelton, ix-x). If children aren’t educated about the food, they are more likely to be careless about food and become unhealthy physically and psychologically.

BMI or a measure of a person’s fat related to muscle and bone is higher than normal in an obese child. This may be a consequence from a lack of physical activity and becoming tired/less active because of it. Additionally, peers may bully the obese or overweight child, taking away their confidence and making them feel isolated. Therefore, the level of self esteem is low and children don’t believe in themselves to do well in school. Moreover, obese children may develop various diseases including diabetes, disease in the heart and various forms of cancer (Sanger-katz, M., 2015). Once a person becomes obese, they will probably always be obese. Like Kolata wrote, “By age 11, there were few additional changes: Those who were obese or overweight stayed that way, and those whose weight was normal did not become fat” (Kolata, 2014). This illustrates that becoming obese as a child makes it very difficult for one to change, making them more likely to remain the same weight for the rest of their lives. Obesity changes people and can cause them to lose self-esteem, affecting people in school and overall, in

"Did you know the parentage of overweight children and adolescents in the United States has nearly tripled since the early 1970's?" Childhood obesity is a rising social problem in the United States and affects many Americans. There are many reasons why childhood obesity is a problem in our society which leads to long term consequences. A few of the consequences include heart disease, type 2 diabetes, asthma, sleep apnea, and social discrimination. All of these conditions can shorten and cause difficulties throughout one's life if nothing is done to prevent them.

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.

Childhood obesity is a major health problem in the United States because the number of obese children has increased from adults in past few years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United Stated, 7 out of 100 children age 6-10 years in 1990 are obese, and it has increased to 18 out of 100 in 2012. For the same period, adult obesity has increased from 5 in 100 to 18 in 100. The definition of being overweight means gained too much weight from fat, muscles and water, but obesity is caused by imbalance between calorie intake and calorie use (“Children Obesity Facts”). The body mass index (BMI) is defined as the body weight divided by the square of the body height, and it is expressed in kg/m2. The BMI of a normal weight child will be between 18.5 and 25; however, an obese child’s BMI will be over 30 (“Body Mass Index”). The factors causes obesity in children is dietary habits, physical problems and psychological problems. Obesity can lead to children health problems in long term. Consequently, parents should find ways to prevent and decrease risk from child obesity.