The percentage of overweight children has been rising every year. There are many strategies and programs in place to address this epidemic. I think one of the best ways to address rise of childhood obesity is through the schools. “Schools are ideal settings for implementing multi-component programs to prevent and control childhood obesity” (Peterson & Fox, 2007). Most children’s in the US attend schools and spend 6 hours or more per day there. Many schools nationwide participate in the National School Lunch Program and more than three-quarters of these schools also participate in the School Breakfast Program (Peterson & Fox, 2007). In addition to providing healthy eating, schools also promote physical activity. It can include physical education
The rate of childhood obesity has grown an enormous amount over the years with more than 40 million children being overweight! That number is astonishingly high and it is very obvious that something needs to be done about this. Studies had shown in 2008 that more than 40 million children were said to be overweight and the sad truth is that they are still increasing rapidly to this day; also every 1 in 4 teenagers is said to not reach the fitness guidelines (Tanner) according to an article by Lindsey Tanner. For this problem to be resolved not only do the parents of children need to make sure their kids are staying active but also, the schools they attend need to make sure they are getting a well-balanced meal and have some type of physical activity during their school day. Each state in America is given a percentage rate on the number of obese people in that particular state. The highest ranking state is Mississippi with a percentage of 34.9 and the state ranking the least is Connecticut with 24.5 percent. Different researches have shown that each day 850 lives are taken due to obesity and each year there are more than 300,000 people that die from obesity related illnesses. These are deaths that most likely could have been avoided if these individuals would have had the proper exercise and diet in their lives.
Families across the nation are affected by this issue. Many parents have a lack of knowledge in regards to nutrition and activity, in hindsight the food industry impact families. The article The Childhood Obesity Epidemic discuss despite the government pushing for healthy food choice initiates, have to continue to maximize selling of their products that include junk food, therefore blame shifting towards the food industry (McHugh, 2016, p. 95).
This article “Parents’ Denial Fuels Childhood Obesity Epidemic” written by Jan Hoffman talks about how parents are ignoring their children’s increasing weight gain and shrugging it off, saying things such as “my kid will grow out of it.” And I agree completely with this article, whether kids are healthy or not depends on who is managing their diet and exercise, so if a teenager is overweight, then their parents must have fed them a lot of bad foods when they were younger and the weight increased over time.
Secondly, equally important is the schools, schools also plays a big role in childhood obesity. The government should banned snacks and drinks with high calories and mandate that school only provide healthier meals. Poor eating habits developed at an early age lead to a lifetime of real health consequences. School is where children spend most of their time, and it is where they develop most of their healthy habits. There are severals options that schools can promote positive steps towards improving childhood obesity. First, schools should provide healthier snacks that provides nutrition.The majority of snacks should be fruits and vegetables, beverages should be low-fat milk, water and 100% fruit juices. Second, limit size portion,children shouldn’t eat more
“The Childhood Obesity Epidemic,” is an article written by Bronwyn McHugh, based on childhood obesity dealing with causes and preventions affecting the reduction of children’s life expectancy. Bronwyn McHugh states that the main cause of childhood obesity is the lack of energy imbalance caused by the difference of calories consumed and calories expended. This could be because the food children decide to eat contains high percentages of fats and sugars. Each child is raised in many different households or cultures, some children are encouraged to eat heavy while others to eat light. For example, “Childhood obesity appears to be associated with low socioeconomic status, maternal nutritional status, single parent status, and low education levels.” (McHugh, B. 2016) Other social cost mentioned in the article is the cost of technological advances decreasing the physical activity of fitness. Without the proper necessities to exercise or motivation the child will not put in the effort to exercise. As technology improves over the years the hand-held devices and the media games children are exposed to, increases the risk of obesity. Health conditions that obesity leads to are: cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, etc. Medical personals are there to provide assistance and consultations to the many approaches to lose weight. Some approaches could include “gastric banding, employment personal trainers, and
Obesity has become an increasing issue in the United States and all around the world. The study that I read about analyzed data from 68.5 million persons to assess the trends in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adults between 1980 and 2015 (The GBD 2015 Obesity Collaborators. 2017.). Children learn lifestyle choices from the adults that are around them. We, as adults, influence children on a variety of things, such as; eating or sleep patterns, exercise, or how we act towards situations or people. It is important to set a good example for the younger generations so that we can thrive in the future.
Childhood obesity is the most common pediatric nutritional disorder in the United States (Balog, 2015). Most people believe that the solution to stopping childhood obesity relies entirely on education. Sadly, this is not true. While education is one of the main factors for solving this epidemic, there are many other factors that need to be resolved as well. One cannot rely on the simplistic idea that, once educated, Americans would make the healthiest choices. This is because Americans choose, buy, and consume their food based heavily on the taste, convenience, and economic motivations, not health reasons.
Childhood obesity is an epidemic in the US that, if left unchecked, will lead to a generation of adults who suffer from a multitude of problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes to name a few. Combatting childhood obesity is the first step to ensuring a healthier generation. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from 2011-2014, the obesity rate for children aged 2-19 years old was 17%, affecting approximately 12.7 million children and adolescents. Additionally, obesity disproportionally affects children in low-income families (CDC, 2017). The ultimate goal here at Project Hope, is to combat childhood obesity across the US, through education and health initiatives that will
Obesity is an epidemic in the United States. Not only is it one that impacts millions of adults, it also impacts children. Studies show that close to 40% of Americans are obese and 20% of children are obese as well. The best way to focus on changing the narrative is through being the change you want to see. Start with your family. Healthy eating, adequate amounts of rest and lots of water are some of the most important parts of the journey to health. Furthermore, it's really essential to begin a habit of consistent exercise. Consider these four options for exercise and enjoy them with the whole family.
I enjoyed your post as it was very informative. When we talk about childhood obesity the first area of concern needs to reside with the parents. We have to consider the foundational understanding as it relates to health, daily habits, and teaching. Being in the health care industry and advocating for public health, education and continuing to bring awareness to many issues that jeopardize the health of our children is a major concern . Adults have to take responsibility for raising their own kids and what they consume and not look to place the blame on the fast food industry. There is no doubt that childhood obesity has become a matter of global concern. Reports show that in 2014 there were 41 million children under the age of 5 around
Statement of Health Problem: Childhood obesity has been a significant problem across our nation for decades, and can be clearly associated with insufficient nutrition, health, and wellness. Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile for adolescents within the same age group ("Defining Childhood Obesity"). The most recent data show that the national childhood obesity rate for those between 2-19 years old is 18.5% ("The State of Childhood Obesity"). This equates to nearly 1 in 5 school age children being classified as obese ("Childhood Obesity Facts").
There is an epidemic so fierce, it is impacting families from California to Maine. It is not the
This report discusses the state of the childhood obesity epidemic in Canada as well as possible action strategies for tackling. The report has an explanation of childhood obesity strategy and it was collaborated by the Federal, Provincial and Territorial health ministries of Canada, which makes it a reliable and strong source. I have chosen this source because it provides required information for my
I will be researching childhood obesity in the United to states because I want to better understand the cause's and how it can be prevented. I have chosen to research childhood obesity to help my readers understand the influence they may have in children's lives and in their future. By asking questions such as, when does the onset of child hood obesity occur, I hope to find out what social institutions play the biggest role. With social institutions comes the question of relevance of socioeconomic status, and the impact that has. I lastly will be asking the question of the long term effects of childhood obesity. My goal is to understand why so many
Obesity and overweight definitions have changed with time but is currently defined as an excess of body fat. There are several causes of childhood obesity which include metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disorders, orthopedic disorders, neurological disorders, hepatic disorders, pulmonary disorders, environmental factors, lifestyle preferences, cultural environment, and renal disorders. It affects physical health, social wellbeing, emotional wellbeing and self esteem. Most people believe that childhood obesity is caused by an increased intake of calories and fat. There is evidence that supports excessive sugar, increased portion size and a steady decline in physical activity all play a major role in the rising rates of obesity. Children who