Combating Childhood Obesity And Its Effects

Childhood obesity has reached epidemic levels in the United States as well as in many other industrialized nations. Childhood obesity, though, is not limited to affluent countries and is increasingly being found in developing nations as well. Although diet plays an important role in exacerbating the problem, the failure to make healthy choices in food selections is not the only problem. One of the unfortunate consequences of innovations in telecommunications and video game technologies has been an increasingly sedentary lifestyle for many American youths, a trend that has been further reinforced by participation in social media networks. In this environment, it is little wonder that many young people become overweight, but the implications of obesity in childhood have lifetime implications, making the need for studies of childhood obesity and the identification of evidence-based interventions a timely and relevant enterprise. To this end, this paper provides a review of the relevant literature concerning childhood obesity, the stakeholders that are involved and several potential evidence-based interventions that have proven effective in the past. Finally, a list of policy recommendations based on this analysis is followed by a summary of the research and important findings in the conclusion.

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 is not just an issue in United States- it is an growing epidemic. Obesity epidemic in kids has increased by alarming rate just in last few decades. Nearly one in every five child is obese in the United States. If the pattern of obesity continued on most of America’s children will be living with diabetes, heart disease, and dying young due to obesity. The American Heart Association reported this year that childhood obesity is the top health concern among parents in the United States, beating out smoking and drug abuse. My own younger siblings suffer with child obesity. Their craving for fast food and very limited physical activity has made them overweight and currently they suffer from health problems. Is this the future of our young generation? How much contribution should a parent have in their child’s diet? Fast food has taken over American diet and it has lead to poor nutritional diet among American youth. Fast food companies spend billion of dollars every year on commercials, convincing youth to love and eat their product. It’s just not our eating habits that has lead our young generation into obesity, lack of physical workout has also played a major role in obesity epidemic. TV, computer, video games and other technology entertainment has contributed to children getting no exercise. Obesity in children can put them in high risks of developing chronic and serious illness. Unhealthy weight leads to having weaker lungs, poor blood quality, heart

In 2012 CDC statistics show that “over 35 percent of adults and 32 percent of children in the United States of America are recorded as obese (30kg/m2), the obesity rate has doubled since 1971.1” Not only is epidemic growing in numbers of victims but also in expenses. The United States spent 147 billion dollars in 2008 on medical expenses costs and that does not include the programs that fight against the problem. “In 2003 over 300,000 died due to obesity related health problems, diseases and cancers.6” One of the most important battles we wage on American soil is the war for citizens to be fit, and it nearly always starts in the childhood. Since 1971 the problem of childhood and adult obesity started to grow annually due to many reasons related to our ways of living. Now the food industry, including fast food has been getting more and more unhealthy due to unnatural modifications. What Americans eat is not organic anymore and is taking its toll on American lifestyle. The fast food industry has been making advertisements and foods focused upon youth. Since the original commercials directed towards children, it has nearly tripled since the rise of technology. Technology has been growing rapidly as obesity is, statistics show that with the advancement of technology, the population starts to slow down, stop exercising and eating healthier foods. As long as there is childhood obesity, there will be adult obesity, with effects on children causing obesity, there will be a

As an overall total “Approximately 17% (or 12.7 million) of children and adolescents aged 2-19 years are obese” (“Childhood Obesity Facts”). Those children are above the 95th percentile of all there piers. The upside is children in a smaller rang of 2 to 5 years of age are actually decreasing around five

In the United States, childhood obesity is an epidemic and in the past 30 years, childhood obesity have had nearly tripled. There are 31 % of American children and adolescents are either overweight or obese. And according to the numbers, more than 23 million of American children are either overweight or obese and more than 12 million are obese (National Conference of State Legislatures, 2013).

Children are our future, and therefore, everyone should protect the young community. Childhood obesity is an epidemic that should be prevented. Children have the right to live a long, healthy life. However, the rise of obesity is affecting the young community. Childhood obesity attains negative repercussions. Yes, doctors have found many ways to combat obesity. As a matter of fact, they emphasize how important one’s health is. It is crucial to acknowledge that obesity alters a child’s health. Obesity has the power to affect a child mentally, emotionally, and physically.

Childhood Obesity has become a topic of national concern. There has been an extremely rapid increase in the number of obese children in the recent years. The percentage of obese children from the age of 6-11 has increased from 7% to 18% and for adolescents age 12-19, a 5% to 21% in a short span of about 30 years. This epidemic has grown to such a high number that it had been brought to the attention Michelle Obama, the First Lady of America, who then created a plan to try to end this Childhood Obesity Epidemic in 2010. So, what is the cause of this new and uprising epidemic? Among the articles that I’ve come across, researchers have begun to link the source to the lack of exercise and fast food establishments.

Childhood obesity has doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 20 years. Children aged 6-11 in the U.S who were obese increased from 7 % in 1980’s to nearly 18% in 2012 and adolescents aged 12-19 years of age increased from 5 % to nearly 12 % in the same time period.

Childhood obesity affects more than 30 percent of children in the United States, making it the most common chronic disease among children. A child is defined as being “obese” if their BMI-for-age percentile is greater than 95 percent. A child is defined as being “overweight” if their BMI-for-age percentile is greater than 85 percent and less than 95 percent. (Obesity Action Coalition, 2017). Childhood obesity has rapidly become one of the most serious health challenges faced in the United States. Usually obesity is caused by living an unhealthy lifestyle although genetics can play a factor, it is more common now for children to be obese or overweight because of environmental and behavioral factors. In order for us to fight childhood obesity

My selected policy is combating obesity in the Unites States (US), especially childhood obesity. The reason for selecting childhood obesity is due to the many comorbidities and health issues that can arise from it. According to Rabbitt and Coyne (2012), childhood obesity in the US is an epidemic more so now than ever and has countless problems associated with it. Some of which includes hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and even depression. These children need to be protected from developing these diseases in the future. Messages are being sent out via the web, TV ads, and billboard signs to encourage people to increase their physical activity and to eat a healthy diet. Using incrementalism as the policy making model, I would start

Everyone in America has heard about the obesity epidemic, many could blame fast food, video games, or more television. Each of those things could be a contributing factor in this epidemic, but when we talk about obesity in the United States the first thing that usually comes to mind is adults. What about the children suffering from this epidemic, shouldn’t the overweight parents be to blame for this cycle of unhealthiness. Parents play a critical role in a child’s development. As well as the schools that teach children can play very important roles, especially if the parents don’t have knowledge or refuse to change their ways. The only way to change this

Childhood obesity is a growing problem that needs to be resolved. Many people may say it is the Child’s fault, he is weak willed. This is just a common misconception; there are hundreds of different reasons for childhood obesity. I will just be scratching the surface of this paper. By the same token childhood obesity is a growing problem that needs to be resolved. We can achieve this by understanding some common misconceptions, understanding health problems, and understanding fitness.

Health is the greatest wealth a person possesses, where, the day to day diet of a person helps determine the role nutrition can play in one’s health. Food is the basic need of survival, however, the uneven amount and proportion of food consumed can become crucial to life and ultimately the overall health. Overweight and obesity are the main drawbacks society witnesses as a result to the uneven nutritional food consumption. Moreover, as the unhealthy eating patterns continue to rise in households, the rate of childhood obesity is also increasing. Additionally, as the rise in childhood obesity continues to increase around the world, the health consequences related to obesity are rising and affecting children with many different physical, as well

The number of kids affected by obesity has tripled since 1980, and this can be traced in large part to lack of exercise and an unhealthy diet (Pedro et al.). Caloric intake has increased enough since the 1970’s which explains the rising trend in obesity, while caloric output has remained essentially unchanged. Americans are eating more unhealthy food and intaking more calories, causing this nationwide epidemic. The big fast food chains market their foods to Americans constantly. On average, teens see three to five fast food ads per day (Muntel). Fast food is ingrained into the minds of children and the craving for it stays with them even when they are adults. Americans should eliminate the regular consumption of fast food because the fast