Obesity In California

When society talks about obesity, there 's not only one cause but several causes of why obesity is caused at such a young age. First, family background, such as genetics plays a big part in childhood obesity and health. For example, if one or several individuals in the family suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, or other medical problems, there 's a 50% chance the next generation will develop the same problem. Second, metabolism and knowing the rate at which the

Childhood obesity has increased dramatically in the past few years. It is a result of an imbalance between how much a child eats and how much a child keeps their body active to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Common factors that are influencing childhood obesity would be the lack of self-control, environmental, and genetics. In order to combat these rising numbers of childhood obesity, people as a collective force must target problem areas within homes, schools, and their surrounding community by educating each other.

Why is it that America, deemed to be the most developed and advanced country in the world, has the largest epidemic of childhood obesity? Obesity is a frequent topic of discussion, and extensive research and studies to find the root of this disease. So why are some American children, despite the knowledge of the importance of health, variety of food that is available, and health awareness at schools, are still gaining excess weight? Lack of proper nutrition and sedentary lifestyle of some American children may be contributing to the rise of childhood obesity in the United States.

Obesity is caused by an unbalanced diet and eating to many high in fat foods. Children who are obese are more likely to become obese adults.

With factors such as cost and proximity to local grocery stores can contribute to the low nutrition of children. Fast food consumption has also become a link to the increase consumption of unhealthy foods (Sahoo, et al., 2015). Many fast food restaurants are found to locate in low-income areas, so convenience and low cost contribute to the increase in unhealthy foods (Hilmers, et al., 2012). Another risk factor that can lead to the increase of childhood obesity is the increase in sedentary activities such as television watching and also the decrease of opportunities for physical activities. A resent study done on the opportunities for children physical activity show that “53% of parents drove their children to school” (Sahoo, et al,. 2015). The reason for this high number is a cause of “unsafe walking routes, fear of predators, and out of convenience” (Sahoo, et al., 2015). These risk factors have contributed to the increase in childhood obesity in the United States. It is shown that fixing these problems in the community can reduce obesity rates. One assessment done in 2016 took the liberty of tackling risk factors in the community in hopes of reducing obesity. CentraCare Health, a nonprofit

There are many people who believe that obesity is a matter of personal responsibility. Many people think it is Americans are the ones who to blame and not the fast food industry. Many people may say that it is easy to blame obesity on what Americans eat. However, these people do not realize that many Americans cannot afford healthy foods. So, since fast foods are cheap and affordable, it may be why many people choose them. In the article “Physical activity and childhood obesity” Green, Riley, and Hargrove explain “a greater percentage of adolescents from families living in poverty are obese (23%), compared with those from families of a higher socioeconomic status (14%)” (915). Additionally, this statement demonstrates that although obesity may be caused by genes or psychological influences, the environment is the most important factor. When families are in poverty, they are not looking for what is healthy and what is unhealthy. They are looking for food to survive, and so many times fast food is the only option. Following this future, there is indication that obesity, extremely affects certain minority youth populations. The National Health and Nutrition Examination survey found that African American and Hispanic adolescents ages 12-19 were more likely to be overweight at 21 and 23 percent, respectively, as compared to non-Hispanic White adolescents (14%) (915). Furthermore, these statistics show that there is a strong relationship among race or ethnicity, poverty, and

According to Time Magazine, childhood obesity rates have skyrocketed. Since the 1960’s, the percentage of children ages 6 to 11 have tripled to 13% (Time, 2015).

A drive down the road in any given American city and one can observe at least one reason that the United States is struggling with obesity. One would be hard pressed to find a community that is not teeming with fast food restaurants. However, it might surprise some that the obesity epidemic in our country has reached the most vulnerable population of all and they aren’t even capable of driving themselves to these bastions of unhealthy food. The childhood obesity level has reached 34% of children in the United States (SHUMEI, 2016).Obesity is caused by consistently consuming more calories than are needed for the level of physical activity one has on a daily basis. Although there are several indicators of obesity, the CDC and The American Academy of Pediatrics use the body mass index (BMI). Childhood obesity is defined as a BMI at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex (Perpich, 2011). Childhood obesity has been linked to an increase in Type 2 diabetes mellitus, asthma, hypertension, increased risk for cardiovascular disease and even affects children in psychosocial terms with low self-esteem and fewer friends than their non-obese contemporaries (Hispanic Health Care International, 2011). There are a variety of causes that work together for contributing to childhood obesity from the income level of the home to gender to even the location of the child’s home. Although there are many factors that can cause childhood obesity, we

States many facts that have occurred in our time related to childhood obesity. Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years. 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. Similarly, the percentage of adolescents aged 12–19 years who were obese increased from 5% to 18% over the same period. In 2008, more than one third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese. The CDC defines being overweightas having excess body weight for a particular height from fat, muscle,

Childhood Obesity is a condition where a child is overweight for his or her age and height. When unhealthy, fatty or sugary foods are consumed along with deficient amounts of exercise, obesity is usually the outcome. The main causes of obesity are lack of exercise and poor nutrition. Obesity may also occur when a child goes through dramatic events, like a family member passing away. National surveys show that 32% of Texas children are obese or overweight. According to research on the past 30 years, “obesity has doubled and tripled”. In 1980, the obesity rate of 6-11 year olds was 6.5%, in 2008 it had tripled to 19.6%. For toddlers and preschoolers aged 2-5, the obesity levels have risen from 5% to 12.4% in the same amount

The spike in childhood obesity has prompted great concern in the healthcare community and resulted in vast public health efforts aimed at reducing the incidence. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that in the past 30 years, childhood obesity has increased by more than 50% in children, more than quadrupled in adolescents and currently over one third of children in America are overweight or obese, according to BMI (CDC, 2012).

Childhood obesity has now reached an epidemic in several parts of the United States. As a result, children now have a higher risk to have numerous chronic and acute medical problems. Several of the long-lasting medical problems a child might face as a result of obesity could eventually result in death. In addition to chronic medical problems, childhood obesity has severe psychosocial effects on an individual such as low self-esteem and depression. Childhood obesity is a serious problem that is caused by a numerous amount of factors that can eventually lead to severe health complications.

The percentage of children with obesity in the United States has more than tripled since the 1970s (“Healthy Schools.”). Childhood obesity is a medical condition that affects children and teenagers who contain excess body fat. This condition is very common today, having about 3 million cases per year (“Healthy Schools.”). A sign that a child is suffering from obesity is when their weight is well above the average for a child’s height and age. Today about one in five school children, ages 6-19, are obese (“Healthy Schools.”). I will be addressing the causes, health complications, treatments, controversy, and supporting obese students.

The scientific cause of a child being overweight or obese is known to be because more calories are consumed and less energy is expended. Other factors would include: lifestyle preferences, environmental factors, and cultural environment. Today, children are more likely to have a sedentary lifestyle than compared to several years ago. Fewer children are physically active outdoors and spend more time inside watching television for hours or playing on their electronic devices. We also see children less likely to walk to school and more likely to use cars as their main transportation. Cultural environment, for example, the kind of diet a family is accustomed to could play a major role. We also understand that if a family has a low income, it could mean that they live in an area with a great deal of fast food access. Over the last decades, food has become more affordable as the price of food has decreased significantly relative to income and the idea of food has changed from a means of nutrition to a lifestyle and a source of pleasure. Noticeably, increases in physical activity are not likely to balance an energy rich, poor nutritive diet. It takes about 1-2 hours of extreme vigorous activity to burn off a single large-sized children's meal at a fast food restaurant. In fewer cases, childhood obesity could be due to genetic reasons such as leptin deficiency or medical causes such as hypothyroidism and growth

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.