The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recently showcased the immense amount of children suffering obesity. Obesity is a condition in which a person is excessively overweight. In the past twenty-five years the number of children who are obese has doubled for those who are of the ages of two to eleven and tripled for those who are twelve to nineteen. Many reasons exist for why a obesity exists, but “Confronting Childhood Obesity” emphasizes environmental causes at home and school that will eventually lead to many health issues for children.
The lack of healthy food is a common reason for an obese child. Families in poorer communities had very little access to fresh fruits and vegetables due to the high prices. Cheaper, dessert like foods, such as chips and cookies are easier to buy in order to stay in the budget. In addition, urban communities are being overtaken by fast food establishments. These may provide a cheaper meal for poor families, but have
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Parents scan campaign for the elimination of vending machines on school property so students are encouraged to pack their own healthier snacks. Along with meal changes, a change must be made in children’s exercise habits. Television and video games need to be limited and outdoor time must be increased. Even a little bit of time outside everyday can have drastic effects on a child’s health in the long run.
In conclusion, the number of children in the United States who are obese has reached new heights. A change must be made in order for the trend to reverse. Obesity can not be acceptable in the country if it wants to continue to prosper. Obesity has many negative effects on a child’s health, some of which are irreversible. The obesity rate in this country is continuing to heighten, and all members of the community must come together in order for our children to excel in the
America is facing a rigorous obesity plague that is endangering the health of millions. Moreover, we are passing our bad practices down to our children. Obesity is a stipulation in which anomalous or excessive fat buildup in adipose tissue that damages health. Obesity is defined in adults as a body mass index (BMI) exceeding 30 (kg/m). Obesity is one of the most discernible, but until recently, most deserted public health problems. The present high pervasiveness of obesity and the brisk increase in pervasiveness in the last twenty years has been referred to as an endemic (Johnson SJ, Birch LL. 1994). Children all through the U.S. are getting fatter and less fit, through potentially treacherous enduring consequences. The figure of
Childhood obesity is a huge problem facing America today. It’s like an epidemic, spreading across America at alarming rates. Just in the past 30 years, childhood obesity rates have more than doubled among children and quadrupled among adolescents. Today, it has been estimated that one in every six children or adolescents is obese ("Childhood Obesity Facts”). And if things don’t change soon, those numbers will just keep rising. This isn’t a problem that we can leave up to children to deal with themselves. Parents and adults need to take responsibilities for children’s health and futures. Children or adolescents who have a body mass index of over 30 are considered to be obese. Too much body fat can lead to many negative
What does childhood obesity means? Obesity can be defined as a condition in which the body carries abnormal or unhealthy amounts of fat tissue, leading the individual to weigh in excess or 20 percent more than his or her ideal weight (Health & Illness).Obesity in America is an ever-growing problem and has boosted America to the number one spot in terms of obese population. It also stands as the most prevalent medical issue in American Children. In the past thirty years, obesity has affected many different age groups of kids. Preschool group, two to five years in age, and the youths between the ages of twelve and nineteen the obesity rate has more than doubled (Childhood Obesity Statistics and Facts 2v007). Childhood obesity has more than tripled in kid’s ages six to eleven years old. Children can become obese due to many different things like parents or schools. Although obesity may linger for a lifetime, there are many ways to overcome childhood obesity and not have to deal with the weight issue. Childhood obesity causes many problems and concerns in many American families, but families need to work together to overcome obesity. One out of three children in the United States falls into the overweight or obese category (Ding). Children face many different problems and issues at a young age because of obesity. Children obesity causes type 2 diabetes, fatty liver because of excessive weight issues, social problems, depression, anxiety, and eating disorders (Ludwig). Childhood
Obesity has become an epidemic in the United States with wide-reaching effects. In “America’s War on the Overweight” by Kate Dailey and Abby Ellin, they discuss the prejudice encountered by people in America, and how it’s difficult for most people to fight against obesity and not the obese. Then in “The Cooking Animal” by Michael Pollan, he describes the rapid decline of home-cooked meals. Furthermore, he writes how the more time a nation devotes to food preparation at home, the lower the rate of obesity. Finally, “The Problem of Childhood Obesity” by Ginger Beebe and Joe Thompson, explains the strides that Arkansas has taken to fight the epidemic of obesity by coordinating school health and cooperative education. All three articles target
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.
Obesity in America is literally a growing problem, affecting every age group. Children are the most venerable group because they have no control over where they have dinner or how often they have fast food. Parents and guardians make decisions about food and are responsible for the health of children. Childhood obesity has more than doubled in the last twenty years. This is concerning because Type Two diabetes is a horrible, crippling disease that is affecting children and teens dramatically whereas the disease was primarily seen in adults. Children are said to have a shorter life span than their parents for the first time ever. In the United States sixty-six percent of adults are overweight and one in
Since 1980 the rates of child obesity have more than tripled which has caused a growing pandemic of childhood obesity in the United States. Out of all the young children and adolescents within the age group of two through nineteen about 12.7 million are obese. That is the equivalent of about 17% of America’s population that is suffering from childhood obesity. Childhood obesity is too prevalent in all American households. Childhood obesity is detrimental on a national scale, since it has been growing at a steady rate in the United States of children not reaching the daily-recommended physical activity, the absence of a balanced diet with overconsumption of eating, and more critically the increase of type 2 diabetes.
In today’s society, there has been a plethora of achievements in technology, medical advancement, and educational platforms. However, with these new, exciting gateways has come several issues, some of which have become very serious. One of the most important hot button issues is childhood obesity. In fact, statistics show that since the 1970’s, the obesity rate in children’s ages range two to five in the United States, has increased over five percent alone, as well as over ten percent in children in age ranges between twelve to nineteen in 2008 (Gale Encyclopedia of diets, 2013). With this serious issue facing the United States, it leads to question: why have children in the United States become so obese and what strategies have been implemented to curve this often-outrageous statistic? The cause of childhood obesity can be blamed on several factors that affect all areas of the child’s life. Factors including the home lifestyle and parent accountability, outside the home in school where implementation and access of unhealthy foods and beverages far exceeds their nutritional counterparts, as well as an increased portion size are adding to this overall problem. To combat the issue, many states have implemented programs specifically aimed at childhood obesity to prevent the future health risks associated with this medical issue. Also, suggestions are being acquired for schools and parents alike to assist in getting the obese target below the national level
“Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years” (Adolescent and School Health), this is according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control. Obesity has become a national epidemic. This problem is not exclusive to the United States. The obesity rate has been rising all over the world. Many are confused by what it means to be obese. Obesity is having an excessive amount of body fat or a high BMI, body mass index, not just being overweight. The real concern here is the young age of many children who are obese. Childhood obesity is a problem that will continue to rise if not dealt with immediately. The future health problems obese children face is real and we need to act now to teach our children healthy eating and
The rates of obesity among U.S. children are alarming to take actions; in 2012, the obesity has raised from 7% in 1980 to 18% in ages 6-12 year
Fast food restaurants are proven to be the main cause in becoming overweight. Due to the costs of healthy foods the low-income families have to buy what is convenient and cheap. The food that is consumed by a inactive child turns into fatty tissue. Once a child does consume things that are healthy such as, fruits and vegetables, they take the shape of the fatty food consumed before the healthy foods. Public schools only give children a ½ cup of fruits and ¼ cup of vegetables a day at lunch. On average, the American child that eat fast food 1 of 3 days gain 6 extra pounds a year says, Claudia Wallis. The amounts of fast food or unhealthy food is affecting the amount of healthy foods being consumed. The healthy foods just turn into the fatty foods since a child consumed so much fatty foods. From eating all of these bad foods that make you become overweight, there are many effects from
During the 1970’s, about 5% of American children between the ages of two and nineteen were considered to be “obese”. Over the past several decades, that percentage has risen to a whopping 17% - a change that is seemingly minute. It may only appear as a 12% increase, however, that 17% translates to 12.5 million children and teens burdened with the challenge of obesity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity is defined as having a body mass index that exceeds the 95th percentile (U.S. Department of Health). In other words, the average between the mass and the height of an obese child is greater than that of 95% of all other children. As in any medical issue, the biggest concerns for childhood obesity stem from the potential risk factors that can result. Some of which include diabetes, heart disease, asthma, and even death. Thus, many have sought out the root cause of the issue as well as the most effective solutions. Childhood obesity, promoted by a processed diet, increasing portion sizes, and limited access to healthy, affordable foods, is an epidemic plaguing a vast number of children within the United States and will continue to do so if left to fester. Nonetheless, this ailment can be remedied through an extensive understanding of proper nutrition, dedication to maintaining dietary excellence, and emphasis on prevention.
The children of this country are becoming super-sized. While the number of fast food restaurants across the country has increased, the number of obese children in the United States has dramatically risen, as well. Fast food has produced obesity in children through the concerted effort of companies to commercialize elementary and secondary schools, target their advertising towards kids, and decrease the nutritional value of their products.
To slow this epidemic of childhood obesity, physical activity needs to be put back in these children’s lives.
Researchers also found that children obesity is connected to parenting styles. In Childhood obesity linked to poverty, parenting style, researchers state, "authoritarian parenting may translate to parents not responding to children's cues of hunger and/or feeling full, and demanding or controlling the child's energy intake"( Kakinami, Barnett, Séguin, Paradis, 2015). Basically, researchers claim that strict parents would not know when to feed their children; they do not know that their children are hungry or not. Thus, they are likely to over feed their kids therefore their children will receive too many calories per