Childhood Obesity In Australia

“During the past two decades, the prevalence of obesity in children has risen greatly worldwide. Obesity in childhood causes a wide range of serious complications, and increases the risk of premature illness and death later in life, raising public-health concerns.” (Ebbeling, Pawlak & Ludwig, 2002 p.471) Currently in the Australian community and schools there is an obesity epidemic in young people with many children doing less and less physical activity then advised. “In 2007-08 the National health survey, run by the Australian Government indicated that 24.9% of children aged 5-17 years old were either overweight or obese” (Healthy Active, 2009). These figures show that children are not being properly educated about healthy

There are over 1.5 million Australians with diabetes. The groups most at risk are people aged over 45 years old, overweight people, people with family history, females with the history of gestational diabetes, people who consume a diet high in sugar, and ATSI people.

One of the most common medical illnesses of school-age children is obesity. Childhood obesity can be attributed to sugary snacks and beverages provided at schools and homes. This paper will discuss the policy

One of the most common medical illnesses of school-age children is obesity. Childhood obesity can be attributed to sugary snacks and beverages provided at schools and homes. In this composition, I will discuss my policy priority issues as it

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

According to the U.S.D.A, (2008), “Some schools say that in order to satisfy students and keep up revenues, they may need to offer foods lower in nutritional quality.” Some say school is supposed to be the place that we lay the foundation to teaching children good, healthy habits that will benefit them for the rest of their life. The actual training of good habits start at home with the continuation at school. Most children do not prefer the taste of healthy foods, but it is important to teach our children at a young age, to eat healthier foods so they can grow up to be healthy

Many people in today 's generation are constantly are craving junk food. It is patently evident junk food plays a major role in the cause of obesity. According to a study called "Psychological science", Obesity leads to numerous health issues including heart disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. The treatment of these health issues cost billions of tax health dollars (Physiological science, 2014). Permitting junk food in schools will cause greater chances of obesity. Students will be heading on a venture. Furthermore, obesity is a continuous major problem since the past several years. In 2010, a 4 year old girl named

They might take into consideration that in an episode of the American animated sitcom, The Simpsons, Springfield Elementary signed a contract with a vending machine company that places very unhealthy foods in them. Nearly every child in the school becomes addicted, even brainwashed by the sugary treats, including the main protagonist Bart. Eventually, Bart becomes overweight from eating an excessive amount of candy, has a heart attack, and is placed in “fat camp”. The main message of this episode was to make the viewers aware of what they but into their bodies will have either a good or bad effect on them. But what many people see is an “evil” corporation that only cares about selling their products than the students. Yes, there are many companies and corporations where their top priority is is make money, but it’s the school and school districts job to know who is influencing their students and how it is influencing them in a positive and healthy

Junk food contributes to childhood obesity in a very large way. About thirty-two percent of children are overweight and almost seventy-four percent are unfit. The bad food that is displayed in schools contributes to this problem. Piel points out that “foods and beverages available at schools make up a significant proportion of the daily calorie intake they should contribute to a healthful diet.”(Piel 14). One single can of soda has as much as thirteen teaspoons of sugar in the form of high-fructose corn syrup. Many of these sodas are available to children for low prices in vending machines as well as other

There has been massive concerns about the health of children. We accuse many fast food restaurants, sweets, and etc. But, do we ever think about what children eat at school. At school we are behind our parents and don’t have a clue what we eat. In my view, I think schools are part of the reason why kids are gaining weight. Just for this, I think schools should sell only healthful foods and drinks to students.

Junk food does not give a student a legitimate meal for the day. Many students can not focus in tests and are tired when they participate in extracurricular activities such as football. In the U.S. the number of obese kids has tripled over 38 years. Also, at this age many kids are still growing and need healthy and nutritious food to support their growing bodies and cannot just eat french fries, a hamburger and a coke for lunch. Not only do kids have weight problems they can have other permanent damage to their body.

If a child doesn't learn any good eating habits or to like anything healthy at home, then chances are that they won’t in school either. We have to be willing to take another route on situations if the ways tried in the past do not work. It was also mentioned that children come into the universe with a desire, (“children come into the world with a set of predispositions that is, preferences for sweet and salty tastes, neophobia and tendencies to learn to prefer energy-dense foods that can challenge parents' ability to establish healthy intake patterns in their children.”) (Birch & Ventura, 2009) This can be overcome by modeling to them that there is nothing wrong with healthy food. Infants pick up quickly on anything you show them which is why starting them off young seems like it can really work in terms of getting them used to good portions of food and healthy choices. On the other hand, I have personally seen young parents feed their child whenever they hear a cry, they don't wait to see why the child may be crying instead give them a bottle or food. That can definitely lead to childhood obesity. Though at the same time it might not be as easy as it seems from the parent’s point of view. The article could have also of mentioned that the neighborhoods and

In the U.S. there is a very high number of children that have obesity. “More than one third of the U.S. children have obesity” (“Centers for Disease Control and Prevention”). If one third of children in the United States are obese then communities need to take action to do something about it. Therefore we need to educate,learn how to prevent it, and last learn how to prevent it.

Psychological and behavioral issues play crucial role in child obesity. Fast food companies are working hard cutting corners to continue marketing to children. They spend billions of dollars a year for children to see their ads. Children and teens view and estimated 4,000 ads in a year. It is up to parents to start changing their eating habits, and begin making better eating decisions for their kids. As pointed out by Nurse Patricia Fitzgerald, from Nevitt Elementary in Tipping the Scales, “kids follow what their parents do.” Besides having the proper diet kids have to be active. Schools need to provide more physical activity programs to help balance the intake of calories and calories being used. It will not only reduce obesity, but it will

The reason that I chose to discuss this topic is because I am a teacher for young child with an Early Head Start program and we strive to educate the children about safety, development, health, etc. Health is really important for children as they grow, it helps to develop the body and the brain as well. I was always told that you have to watch what types of foods and drinks that you intake because it can be hazardous to your health. Working with children has always been a passion and one day I would hope to continue on after the completion of my degree in Education and or my own center. Since schools, most fast food restaurants and parents seem to play an essential factor in the conflict with youth obesity, it is important that educators are aware of the health risks and it is important that educators learn what can be done to change the state of affairs when it comes to the health and nutrition of children. As an educator, it is important that I am able to educate the children and the parents on why it is important that a child stays healthy and at their average weight. I plan to showcase the causes