Childhood Obesity And Precocious Puberty

Puberty in essence is a life changing event for males and females, typically following a time of significant physical growth. Puberty is the stage in life when secondary sex characteristics are developing, sexual organs mature due to production of sex hormones. This naturally occurs during adolescence, the stage in life between childhood and adulthood. Nonetheless, Feldman (2014) points out the fact that physical changes begin earlier for girls typically at the age of 10, with sexual organ development generally around the ages of 11-12. On the other hand, physical changes for boys, frequently occurs later, around the age of 12, with development of sexual organs around the age of 13-14. Nevertheless there has been a trend towards early maturation of both male and females, this can bring about advantages and disadvantages for both sexes (Feldman, 2014). This author will discuss the pros and cons of early versus late maturation in boys versus girls in 21st century U.S. society as well as how media reinforces maturation for pre-teens and teens.

Hormones found in food is causing early puberty in adolescents. In recent news article published by NBC News an eight year old girl started developing acne and breast. Her parents didn’t know how to cope with their daughter maturing at such an early age so they decided to take her to the doctor. There the little girl was diagnosed with early puberty and had to be treated with drug implants to slow down her sudden growth. Recent studies have shown that meat industry animals injected with synthetic growth hormones such as Zeranol, Trenbolone, and Melengestrol that leads to negatives effects to the people that consume the foods that the animals produce. Some of these hormones found in animals can throw off the natural chemical balance and affect your hormones. If children are consuming these foods with added hormones their natural balance may be thrown off which causes them to endure early puberty.

The way children are raised now will set them up for a life of healthy eating habits that will ultimately lead to breaking a pattern that is growing and has become a serious problem with children in this generation. According to pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Robert Lustig, at the University of California, San Francisco, it is the first time in recorded history we are seeing a decline in life expectancy, he states, “We know that people are dying younger…decline in mean life span of three months.”(University of California Television (UCTV), 2013). There are many causes and contributing factors to the increase of childhood obesity. According to the CDC the childhood obesity rate has doubled within the last 30 years alone. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015) The choices parents are making in the kitchen for their children, the lack of physical activity and the lack of regulation in the food industry are the leading cause of childhood obesity—a real threat to our existence.

“Childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. As a result, children are at increased risk in myriad preventable acute and chronic medical problems- many of which are associated with increased morbidity and mortality.” (Cause and Effect in Childhood Obesity: Solutions for a National Epidemic). The issue of childhood obesity is a huge controversial problem that revolves around America. Over the last decade, children have been overweight for their height and age. It is abnormal to have a child to be gaining weight after a month and month. Many years ago, this issue was not as big as it is today. Since the year of the 1970’s, childhood obesity has multiplied by two between the ages two and five years old. Not only

Childhood Obesity is a well known issue in the United States. To some individuals childhood obesity is considered to be a medical condition while others may argue that is not. Childhood obesity is the condition where excessive body fat negatively affects a child 's wellbeing or health. Being obese is different from being overweight, although both mean that a person’s weight is greater than what is considered healthy for his or her height. Childhood obesity should be taken extremely serious or it could lead to life threatening situations. Several ways in which one can avoid children from becoming obese is by being physically active, maintaining healthy eating habits and having portion control.

Childhood overweight is viewed as the most widely recognized pervasive wholesome issue of US kids and young people, and a standout amongst the most well-known issues seen by pediatricians. Pediatricians deal with the physical, mental, and passionate prosperity of their patients, in each phase of improvement - healthy or in sickness. Childhood obesity expands the danger of numerous intense and interminable therapeutic issues and also mental issues, all of which can hold on into adulthood and unfavorably influence personal satisfaction. Corpulent children can experience the ill effects of orthopedic confusions, including anomalous bone development, degenerative sickness, and agony. Wellbeing issues identified with obesity are additionally

For this assignment, I chose a 14-year-old girl who lives in Yemen. To begin, I will review the changes that the female body goes through during puberty. The onset of puberty is different for every individual, but it can be as early as the age of eight. Puberty for females characteristically begins before their male counterpart (Stanford’s Children’s Health, n.d.). The first perceptible change is breast development, where breast buds appear. Following that, pubic hair begins to grow and menses sets in. Depending on the child’s living conditions, menses can happen as early as ten, or as late as sixteen. Key influences like nutrition, activity and overall health all play part in this event. Ordinarily, during the first twelve to eighteen

For years it has been heard that obesity have strong consequences for health, and unfortunately it's true. In recent years we have seen the growth of obesity worldwide. But more troubling is to see how the children are reaching a level of extreme obesity. Many times we are in the street and we see children with big bellies or with big cheeks or perhaps children who appear to be 13 years when in fact only are eighth years old. We can also see how children in such a young age are suffering health problems; health problems over the years will bring more problems. Parents are not realizing how badly are doing to their children by allowing them to eat bad food, until they begin to have problems with their kids for their obesity.

Obesity is now considered an epidemic stated by Hall and Elliman (2010) they also declared how around one to two thirds of children will go onto become obese. To be able to avert obesity there needs to be an understanding of what elements can cause obesity, but also to understand the harm it can have on the health and wellbeing of the child, this allows people to support children with the condition. This essay will delve deeper into this in relation to childhood obesity and how genetic, social and environmental factors can contribute to the problem of obesity. However to do so there needs to be an understanding of what health and wellbeing actually means. The world Health Organisation states health and wellbeing is “a complete state of physical, mental and social wellbeing, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” (World Health Organisation, 2015). The Department of Health (2010) also state how health is seen as more than just the age you will live until and the presence or absence of disease. They additionally state how wellbeing is a positive physical, social and mental state. These two statements now help with underpinning the different elements of health and wellbeing and what it means to different people. To start off with the first aspect of this essay will be looking at the impact obesity has on the child’s health in relation to physical, social-emotional and intellect.

During the adolescence developmental stage, there are rapid body changes as puberty is in full swing. Female and male individuals undergo several changes suitable for their physical stature and composition. During these years, adolescents experience changes in their physical development at a rate of speed unparalleled since infancy. Physical changes in adolescence includes enlargement of the Adam's apple, growth of hair in the genital areas and under arms of both males and females. Body proportions also change with females developing bigger hips and breasts, ovulation, and menstrual cycle begins. Males, meanwhile, start producing sperm, erections and ejaculations, wet dreams, and darkening of the scrotum. Hormonal balance also shifts strongly towards an adult stage. Hormonal balance is initiated by the pituitary glands that are responsible for the secretion of hormones such as testosterone or estrogen into the blood stream and results in these physical changes. “ The adrenal glands increase

From ages 8-9 children will increased body strength and co-ordination and have a quicker reaction time, they can ride a two-wheeled bike, skip more freely, enjoy active, energetic games and sports, and will enjoy participating in competitive sports. They will have more control over small muscles and therefore write and draw with greater skill, drawing with more details, and are beginning to join letters together in handwriting. Age 10 and 11 years will differ in physical maturity because girls experience puberty earlier generally as much as 2 years ahead of boys, they will start to have body’s proportions that are becoming like those of adults. During adolescence, young people go through many changes as they move from childhood into teenagers, between the ages of 11-16 young girl’s breasts will have started to develop and will have fully develop between 12-18 years old. A girl’s menstrual cycle may start as early as 10 years old and as late as 15. Pubic, armpit hair and underarm hair will grow like that of an adult. At 13-14 years, boys may notice that their testicles and scrotum are growing and by the age 16 or 17 the genitals are usually at their adult size. Armpit, pubic, leg, chest, and facial hair

Predisposing Factors- Predisposing factors precede the behavior and provide rationale or motivation for the behavior. They can either support or discourage behavioral motivation. These factors can include an individual’s knowledge attitudes, beliefs and skills.

(Klump et al,2000).In a follow-up study ,11 year old individuals were grouped into two groups ,

(Lerner & Steinberg, 2009) physical changes in boys include growth of the penis and testes (testicles), height increase, change in body shape, erections with ejaculation, growth of body and facial hair, and changes to voice. Physical changes around puberty in girls include breast development, changes in body shape and height, growth of pubic and body hair, and the start of periods (menstruation) This is driven by hormones, particularly an increase in testosterone for boys and estrogen for girls. Every person's individual timetable for puberty is different and is primarily influenced by heredity (Nurture) however environmental factors, such as diet and exercise, also exert some influence (Nature).(Graber et al., 1997) Physical changes in adolescence can also lead to social development impacts. (Pollack & Shuster, 2000).

Puberty is a tough time in a child’s life. It is a time when children start to see changes in their bodies that makes them concerned. This is especially true when the child is having this happen at an early age in life, usually significantly prior to that of their friends of the same age.