Childhood Obesity Vs Childhood Obesity Essay

Do you get enough exercise? Are you sure about that? Or how about this, are you overweight, do you even know? Today’s adolescents don’t. In fact today’s adolescents face serious risk from their lack of activity. Today’s children are obese because they have developed some very bad habits related to healthy living and as result can suffer serious physical and psychological damage.

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.

Childhood obesity has become an epidemic in the United States in the past three decades. In 2012, roughly 17% or 12.5 million children and adolescents are overweight or obese” (“Childhood Obesity Facts,” 2014). According to the Centers of Disease Control and

In the United States alone children’s health is rapidly deteriorating. Since the early 1980’s childhood obesity in America has skyrocketed, leaving overweight children in danger. While obesity is defined as the condition of being very fat or overweight. One third of children “qualify as obese” (Davies), and meet the criteria to be labeled as “overweight as a result of poor eating habits, and a minimal amount of physical exercise. However, the lack of knowledge parents possess surrounding childhood obesity is determent to youngster future. When dealing with such an austere problem as obesity, parents should become more knowledgeable, supportive, and increase family activities to diminish childhood obesity.

Childhood obesity shouldn’t have to be part of any child’s life. Childhood is quite a rare thing in the big picture of life, with childhood accounting for about ⅛ of life. It wouldn’t mean much if kids were too heavy to walk around and have fun. A happy child should be able to run around and explore their surroundings. Children won’t be able to live a happy childhood or life if they just sit on the couch all day in

Childhood obesity has placed the health of an entire generation at risk. Obesity in America is a big problem that has been growing over the years. “An estimated 12.5 million children between the ages of 2 and 19 are obese, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention” (Loop 2015). As the number of children being affected keeps growing, parents or guardians do not change the habits that lead their children to become obese. “Among children today, obesity is causing a broad range of health problems that previously weren’t seen until adulthood” (American Heart Association, 2014). Not only is obesity causing health problems more than before, but it also causing a big problem in America. More and more children every year become obese and it keeps growing. Even though some people believe the lifestyle of a person is not to blame for the childhood obesity problem in America, the technology, the parenting style , and the media of the outside world are huge factors that contribute to childhood obesity.

The definition of obesity is having too much body fat. “Generally, a child is not considered obese until the weight is at least 10 percent higher than what is recommended for their height and body type. Obesity most commonly begins between the ages of 5 and 6, or during adolescence. Studies have shown that a child who is obese between the ages of 10 and 13 has an 80 percent chance of becoming an obese adult” (Obesity in Children and Teens). This has become an immense issue not only for American children, but also for people all around the world. Because of the lack of responsibility children take about their health, they are at risk for various health problems. Not only does obesity affect their body, but, it can also affect them mentally as well.

Obesity is not specifically just being a few pounds overweight. A child is considered obese when his or her weight, compared to height, is abnormal by ten pounds or more. This is a growing issue in children ages 7-17 and is getting worse. The most effective methods of hindering this epidemic are by mandating a quality and nutritious school lunch program, increasing childhood activity initiatives, and educating caretakers at home.

Childhood obesity is currently a serious medical condition plaguing youth and adolescents all around the world, especially in developed nations. Childhood obesity occurs when ones weight or body fat exceeds what is normal for ones height and age. Children who are overweight are often troubled with poor self-esteem and depression. Overweight children are subjected to health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol at an early age. Many overweight children are unaware of the destruction they are causing to their health.

Eagle, T. F., Sheetz, A., Gurm, R., Woodward, A. C., Kline-Rogers, E., Leibowitz, R., Durussel-Weston, J., ... Eagle, K. A. (January 01, 2012). Understanding childhood obesity in America: linkages between household income, community resources, and children's behaviors. American Heart Journal, 163, 5, 836-43.

According to Sandra G. Boodman (Jun 13, 1995) numerous researchers have found that “obesity runs in families: A child with two fat parents has an 80 percent chance of being fat as an adult; the risk is cut in half if only one parent is obese. By contrast a child of two normal-weight parents has a 14 percent chance of growing up to being fat”. Children adopt the habits of their parents. A child who has an overweight parent who eats high-calorie foods and are inactive will likely become overweight too. However, if the family adopts healthy food and physical activity habits, the child's chance of being overweight or obese is reduced. Obese children are more prone to low-self-esteem and negative body image.

Today, we see more cases involving childhood obesity throughout the United States than ever before. In this generation, 17% of all children across the country are suffering from obesity. Many say that dietary influences such as school lunch options, food deserts, advertising of foods, portion sizes, unhealthy eating patterns, and a lack of exercise are the major causes of childhood obesity. Others believe that where, how, and what children eat does not factor into childhood obesity. Rather, genetic components are the main cause of weight gain in children. After considering both sides of the issue, I strongly believe dietary influences are the main cause of childhood obesity.

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 obesity isn't a big deal to most people, when you ask them about it they'll generally give you an answer “their a growing boy.” People have the ability to change when being overweight, except most of the time they choose not too? Childhood obesity is abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that impairs the health of an individual. There are several health consequences, such as; “cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, musculoskeletal disorders, cancer, and disability.” When you become overweight or obese you begin to not be able to walk to the bathroom or to be able to get out of bed. You become so overweight that you cant even stay standing for two minutes. Becoming overweight is the result of a combination of several

There was a time when chubby children were considered cute. It was assumed that their baby fat would melt away and a healthy adult would emerge. We now know that childhood obesity can be very harmful for our nations children. Not only can obesity cause health problems but also psychological problems. In observing the causes of childhood obesity, hopefully we can slow down the epidemic.