Factors Assocuated with an Increased Risk of Childhood Obesity

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

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.

The childhood obesity plague in America is a nationwide health emergency. One in every three children (31.7%) ages 2-19 is overweight or obese. The life-threatening price of this epidemic makes a persuasive and serious call for action that cannot go unnoticed. Obesity is anticipated to cause 112,000 deaths per year in the United States, and one third of all kids born in the year 2000 are likely to develop diabetes at some stage in their lifetime. The present age group may even be on a pathway to have a shorter lifespan than their parents. There needs to be change so we don’t lose our children. Most people may not know that America is leading with the most childhood obesity issues. People that are obese are more likely to have risk factors such

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

Childhood obesity continues to increase substantially each generation, especially here in the United States. Today, children have become more lazy while eating unhealthy and in excess. This trend ultimately results in increased healthcare problems throughout their life. Childhood obesity has increased because children eat in excess, they are allowed to eat food which is unhealthy, they lack the exercise needed to maintain a healthy weight, and are permitted by family to become and remain obese.

This informative study is an attempt to inform and investigate the risk factors of childhood obesity. Childhood obesity increased significantly in the recent decades and it is a major health issue in the United States of America. Obesity is a big concern because of its short term and long term consequences. Since identification of the factors is the key to prevent childhood obesity, this research will inform general audience about risk factors which lead to childhood obesity. Childhood obesity occurs when a child is above the normal weight for his or her age and height. If a child’s weight pose health problems for her or him, this can be a sign of childhood obesity. Obesity results from little calories expended compared to the amount of calories consumed. This research will talk about environmental, genetic, decreased physical activity, and lifestyle factors that contribute to childhood obesity. Childhood obesity has both immediate and long-term effects on the health and well-being. The immediate effects are health related issues, such as cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure. The long term effect is that if a child is obese, he might grow up as an obese adult. Taking proactive measures such as choosing healthy lifestyle habits which include healthy eating and physical activity can lower the risk of becoming obese and having health issues. If possible measures that has been taken

The number of children affected by childhood obesity has substantially risen over the last 30 years. The percentage of children aged 6–11 years in the United States who were obese increased from 7% in 1980 to nearly 18% in 2012. Similarly, the percentage of adolescents aged 12–19 years who were obese increased from 5% to nearly 21% over the same period (Ogden, Carroll, Kit, & Flegal, 2014; National Center for Health Statistics, 2011). After reading this statistic we begin to understand how rapidly childhood obesity has taken a hold on children. In the last 30 years childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents. In 2012, more than one third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese (Ogden et al., 2014). It is vital that parents and schools properly educate children on the value of proper nutrition and

“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

In a article entitled Childhood Obesity, Han, Lawlor, and Kimm (2010) stated that childhood obesity can adversely affect almost every organ system and often has serious consequences, including hypertension, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance or diabetes, fatty liver disease, and psychosocial complications. Children between the ages of 14 and 19 who are characterized as overweight or obese show signs of increased adult mortality from different systemic diseases. Studies also showed that high childhood and adolescent BMI is associated with increases risk of cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disorders, and specific nutritional deficiencies (Han, Lawlor, and Kimm, 2010). If this health issue is not made aware of and handled, our society could see our children plagued with many health issues that are usually only seen in adults and they may die at earlier ages than their parents. Childhood obesity is a trend that needs to be stopped for the sake of our children’s health. Our goal should be teaching children how to make intelligent choices about eating and exercising (Han, Lawlor, and Kimm (2010). This can be hard when we live in a society where overeating is seen as normal and many adults also lack the knowledge of how to eat healthy. Finding ways to inform adults about healthy eating and habits can help children do the same. It is known that children learn a lot from their

Child obesity is a serious problem; several causes and consequences are overlooked. There is a variety of reasons for a child to become obese, in most cases its genetics. In other situations, it can be the lack of physical activity or unhealthy eating, and consequences include High blood pressure and high cholesterol, Breathing problems, Joint problems, and Fatty liver disease. The list goes on and on, and the scary truth is 63% of obese children become obese adults. So, these

The way children are raised now will set them up for a life of healthy eating habits that will ultimately lead to breaking a pattern that is growing and has become a serious problem with children in this generation. According to pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Robert Lustig, at the University of California, San Francisco, it is the first time in recorded history we are seeing a decline in life expectancy, he states, “We know that people are dying younger…decline in mean life span of three months.”(University of California Television (UCTV), 2013). There are many causes and contributing factors to the increase of childhood obesity. According to the CDC the childhood obesity rate has doubled within the last 30 years alone. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015) The choices parents are making in the kitchen for their children, the lack of physical activity and the lack of regulation in the food industry are the leading cause of childhood obesity—a real threat to our existence.

First, what is child obesity? The term child obesity means, “A child is between birth and puberty and is extremely overweight and has a body mass index BMI at or the 95th percentile.” (Hassink, 2006) This disease is caused by lack of

Childhood obesity is a known problem for decades. It occurs when a child is over the recommended weight for their age and height. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2011-2012 there were 12.7 million children and adolescents that had obesity (Skinner & Skelton, 2014). The numbers over the years steadily increased and caused concern all across the world. Many children are being diagnosed with health issues such as diabetes, hypertension and other obesity related conditions. Childhood obesity has become a known health threat for the United States. We have an epidemic that is unfolding in front of our nation. We ask ourselves why this is becoming such a problem? Parents are good role models for children showing them healthy eating habits and how to be physically active. The school system, parents and physical activity can have an impact on reducing childhood obesity. Where do we begin to find interventions?

A child environment has changed in the four decades of the obesity epidemic. There have been the introduction of computer technology, video games, Internet chat rooms, the expansion of the fast food chains and children are spending more time in front of the television and not enough time doing physical activities. Another factor is that they live in homes where one or both parents work long hours and more meals or eaten outside of the homes. To understand childhood obesity one must look at barriers such as fear, body image, cultural norms and parenting roles (Hetman, Kaplan & Lissner2009)

Childhood obesity is a complicated topic and is complicated to pinpoint what the exact cause is, some of the major factors that contribute to childhood obesity are lack of exercise in their daily lives, poor nutrition, and eating habits; and lack of education among parents to safely help their children live a healthier life.