Childhood Obesity Research Paper

Did you know that “every day 1 in 4 Americans visit a fast food restaurant? If that’s not alarming to you, then consider this, left unabated, obesity will surpass smoking as the leading cause of preventable death in America.” (Clark, Charles) Fast food has become a part of American culture. With the way the world is today who wouldn’t want to eat somewhere that can have you in and out in five minutes for fewer than five dollars? It has been made very clear that Americans love to eat as we rank number one most years as the world’s most obese nation, but it’s not just America. In his documentary, Morgan Spurlock notes that, “Popular fast food chains like McDonalds, now operate in more than 126 countries in six continents having more than 31,000 restaurants globally.” (Spurlock 2004) The most alarming part about all of these statistics is the groups they most affect. The catchy advertisements and addictive qualities of the food is what has everyone coming back for more. Fast food companies advertisements targeting the young and lower classes are the cause for the obesity epidemic in America.

Obesity has become increasingly more prominent in American society. It is also a major health issue affecting many adults and children in the US every year. In his article "Don't Blame the Eater," David Zinczenko sympathizes with children who are suing McDonald’s making them fat. In his own experience as a “latchkey kid”, he knows how easily fast food makes teenagers put on weight with a steady diet of fast food meals. Zinczenko argues that both lack of fast food alternative companies and lack of providing nutrition information contribute to childhood obesity.

Brand name fast-food items now account for almost 50% of schools sales (Brockett). As one can see, the financial benefits of the brand names in lunches can help boost a school’s declining profit. If fast-food was taken away from menus, many schools would fail to break even and have to cut their staff (Brockett). “Financially, it’s better for us if we go up to 400 meals” said Amy Hedrick, a food service supervisor in California (Lehmann). If she tries to sell off brand pizzas, her profit declines dramatically as she only sells 250 to 300 pizzas. If kids are being forced to eat healthy through their school lunch, they will leave the school over their lunch hour and go find a fast food restaurant. Even if they don’t leave, will taking away their brand name foods really solve the problem? The solution is not to frighten kids away with putting bans on school lunches. Rather, teach them about nutritional values of the healthier options and leaving them the choice, as it talks about in “The State Has No Place In The Lunch Bags Of A Nation”. If students know the benefits of eating healthy, they will start to turn away from fast

This article incorporates essential realities about the fast food industry. Likewise, has late news and moves made by well known fast food organizations. The site likewise has tabs that clarify the wagers and most noticeably worst kid’s meals and after that another tab that includes the calories in kid’s meals. The site additionally discusses the different advertising to children and adolescents that the fast food industry does. Most of the data

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.

Fast-food industries may try to “target children in their ads”, but it ultimately comes down to the adults-the parents- choosing to dine at these places and pork up their kids on the high-sugar sodas, salty French fries, and greasy burgers. If they would just take the time to look out the window, they would see the healthy alternatives to fast-food, and how the alternatives are literally right in front of

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").

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

Childhood obesity is a growing problem in America and it is important to develop a plan to combat the issue. My plan is to stop childhood obesity in its roots by encouraging schools to promote healthy eating and exercise. I would institute programs in schools (via contacting government officials, making presentations to schools, etc.) to educate kids about the proper nutrients they need to maintain a healthy diet. Many high schools require a health class, but I think we should also require students in fifth or sixth grade to take a health class that introduces them to basic health information. By creating classes that inform students of the benefits of eating healthy early on, such eating habits will improve. Schools should also have stricter requirements on school lunches. There should be government regulations

What is childhood obesity? Childhood obesity is when a child is above the normal weight for his or her age and height. There is an epidemic of childhood obesity in the United States and throughout the world. According to Center for Disease Control and Prevention, “The percentage of children aged 6–11 years in the United States who were obese increased from 7% in 1980 to nearly 20% in 2008. Nearly 43 million children under the age of five were overweight in 2010” (Child Obesity Facts). A serious medical condition affects children and adolescents. Childhood obesity is an increasing health problem in the world and unless actions are taken to prevent it, this problem will continue. Even though there are many causes such as environment, fast food,

In the U.S. there is more than 3 million cases of childhood obesity a year.

Obesity is a prodigious epidemic today in America with millions of related deaths annually. Somehow our society has come to the blame the fast food industry, the media, the government, and even the economy for our self inflicted problems. While these outside forces provide an easily accessible route to obesity, we are the only ones who are in control of our well being. Especially with children, parents are the ones who control their child’s future with every grocery store trip and meal they provide. Many parents are quick to point fingers on whose fault this rapidly growing issue is, but how many of them look in the mirror and realize their role in their own child’s health? Despite the temptations today’s society brings, parents are solely

Childhood obesity has attained notoriety as a health issue affecting children within the age group 2-18 years old. This health event is attained when a child’s weight mass or gain has peaked above average as determined by the Body Mass Index (BMI) which is calculated by age and height. (CDC, 2015)

Childhood obesity has become a major social problem in many countries of the world which has attracted attention of many health workers and research institutions. Childhood obesity is responsible for a majority of lifestyle diseases affecting children and adolescents. Lifestyle diseases such as heart failure and diabetes mellitus among children have been attributed to obesity and overweight. Researchers have tried to find out causes of childhood obesity in different spheres of life and among many factors access to health facilities, nutrition, financial status and ethnicity have been taken into consideration in trying understand and regulate childhood obesity. There have been numerous challenges faced by health workers and health institutions

As of now in the United States there are 22 fast food franchises. McDonalds was the first franchise to open in 1940 and since then they have been the leading and most successful franchise in America (“The Raw Prawn” n.p.). Other franchises include: Burger King, KFC, Wendy’s, Arby’s, and Taco Bell. Each of which target young students and children. Most of them have a value menu where items to purchase are cheap and tasty but very unhealthy. Some fast food restaurants provide a toy for children with their meal which attract them to come again and again ( “Eating Yourself to Death” n.p.). In addition, some restaurants contain an indoor play ground which attracts small children even more. The fast food industry mainly brings customers for their tasty food and simple convenience, they attach a drive thru to their building making it faster for customers to purchase and collect their food which is also less time consuming. Recently in the past few years, fast food franchises have begun to change their restaurant and attempt to become healthier as a whole, in some fast food restaurants they have a nutritional menu to choose from which generally contain healthier food compared to the regular menu (“The Raw Prawn” n.p.).