Persuasive Essay On Childhood Obesity

As years go by American weight struggle has been getting worse. People with diabetes today has more than double since 1994. While there are ways to help bring down obesity, most companies have not taken action. There are many factors to why obesity has only been increasing all these years.

Childhood obesity is a global health crisis and an epidemic that has drastically increased over the years. A comprehensive report from 2010, revealed forty-two million children below the age of five suffer from obesity worldwide, which is a 50% increase since 1980 (Garel, 2014; Moore, Wilkie, & Desrochers, 2017). Not only is the issue of childhood obesity a public health threat, but it is also a form of child abuse with potentially fatal consequences. However, many people do not consider childhood obesity to be a child abuse issue. As a result, this topic is hugely controversial and has attracted some heated public debate. Even more controversial is the argument that the state should intervene on behalf of morbidly obese children. People opposed to the idea that the state should interfere in such matters often argue that blame cannot be placed solely on parents when there could be other factors involved, such as an underlying medical condition or a genetic predisposition to obesity. Moreover, some argue that the 14th amendment gives parents the right to raise their children how they choose and state intervention in such cases is an overreach of government power, and there are better ways to address the problem without removing children from homes (Garel, 2014). Although there are undoubtedly other factors that contribute to the widespread prevalence of childhood obesity, studies have shown that parents are primarily to blame for the growing problem (Wolfson, Gollust, Niederdeppe, & Barry, 2015). Parents indeed have the right to raise their children how they wish, as long as their children are healthy and thriving. If a child is in harm's way or is not adequately taken care of, then by law, the state must intercede on behalf of the child. Nevertheless, parents are responsible for the health and well-being of their children. Therefore, this paper is intended to show that morbid childhood obesity is a severe and life-threatening form of child abuse worthy of state intervention when parents fail to comply with lifestyle changes and recommended medical treatments.

Childhood obesity poses a serious threat to the health of our nation. This generation of kids and young adults is unlike their parents. Instead of playing outside all day every day until the street lights come on; however, this generation got sick with coach potato syndrome and it struck these kids all across the nation, and it happened fast because the “U.S. childhood obesity rates are 3x greater than in 1980” (Childhood obesity). Being overweight during childhood increases the risk of developing diseases such as high cholesterol, orthopedic problems, depression and type two diabetes. However, it does not get any easier as an adult because most overweight children will likely become overweight adults. So, due to the severe consequences and publicity associated with childhood obesity, health and physical education specialists across the nation have focused their attention on strategies and solutions for reducing obesity

With the rise of cardiovascular diseases, it is the time that we create ways to incorporate more daily physical activity each day and emphasize health and nutrition with students. One approach I would take would be to warn the families of the importance’s of physical activity and good eating habits. A way to do that would be to set up a meeting where all health educators can come together to introduce fun and exciting activities that their children can participate in and present them with hard evidence of the rise of childhood obesity. Having this meeting will hopefully open parent’s eyes so they can start enforcing their child to eat better and be more active rather than having them sit behind a gaming system all day long. The goal is to hopefully make these students participate in physical activity for the rest of their lives.

Obesity is a very serious subject that a lot of people take lightly, especially us as Americans. America is the most obese country in the world. Statistics show that 300,000 people die a day in the United States of America due to obesity. This clearly shows that we have a serious problem that is massively underestimated. Obesity is also something that countries all across the world suffer from. For example, Australia is also one of the most obese countries in the world, and 50,000 people die a year from obesity in Australia. That’s 140 people who die per day in Australia. To solve the problem of obesity the prices of junk food should be raised and the prices of healthy food should be lowered and more convenient.

The percentage of children aged six to eleven years in the United States who were obese increased from seven percent in 1980 to nearly eighteen percent in 2012. Similarly, the percentage of adolescents aged twelve to nineteen years who were obese increased from five percent to nearly twenty on percent over the same period. In 2012, more than one third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese” (CDC.gov). Childhood obesity is now the number one health concern among parents in the United States, topping drug abuse and smoking. Among Children today, obesity is causing a broad range of health problems that previously weren’t seen until adulthood. These include high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and elevated blood cholesterol levels. There are also psychological effects: Obese children are more prone to low self-esteem, negative body image and depression

What is childhood obesity you ask … Well childhood obesity is a “Serious medical condition that affects children and adolescents it occurs when a child is overweight than usual “(Barlow SE, Nd.). Helping kids with childhood obesity will help everyone in particular . Childhood obesity is very common condition on kids . We should help kids at young age with this problem . This will decrease the amount of people with health issues like diabetes,high cholesterol, and high blood pressure that could lead to death . It will also save you money for doctors , medicine for them , etc.

Obesity is defined as a disorder involving excessive body fat that increases the risk of health problems: diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, etc. Obesity is a nationwide epidemic, especially in today’s younger generation. This is caused by all the processed, fatty, fried junk food that is easily accessible everywhere. For instance, schools are promoting unhealthy eating habits by providing unhealthy lunches and allowing students to buy unhealthy junk food through vending machines and fundraising method. The government must begin financing for healthier food in schools to promote healthier eating habits as well as making unhealthy foods less accessible and healthy foods more accessible.

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.

Child obesity is a condition characterized by the child having too much fat in the body to an extent of his or her health being in danger. “Obesity is the result of a chronic caloric imbalance, with more calories being consumed than expended each day” (Pulgarón. Pg 18).  Childhood obesity is considered one of the most widespread issues in the United States that need to be diminished. Children have to realize that what they eat actually affects their body. If children have the habit of eating sweets and fattening foods, the chances of them being diagnosed with type II diabetes increases significantly. If a child is obese, they have the risk of being diagnosed with many other illnesses and the cost of treating these illnesses are high unless the parent has any type of healthcare. “Obesity imposes substantial negative external costs on society.It raises the risk of heart disease, type II diabetes, and cancer, and the vast majority of the costs of treating these illnesses are paid for by health insurance companies, Medicare, and Medicaid” (Cawley. Pg 465).  I am proposing a solution to stop the increase and also prevent childhood obesity. This proposal will consist of spreading awareness and knowledge to not only children, but also their parents about this prevailing problem, and how to prevent it. This proposal is mainly directed to elementary school children and their parents.

My least favorite thing to see is an obese child. It sounds absolutely terrible but it's true and sad. It’s so sad to see a helpless little kid all chunky and to know they don’t understand how unhealthy they have become. Whats even worse is that kids should not have to worry about their health until they are old enough to understand it. So who is to blame for child obesity? Parents. Many parents are under the impression that because their child does not need to worry about their health, neither do they. Whether their excuse is that kids have fast metabolisms or that the fat will spread out as they get taller, they fail to think they need to worry about their own child's health. Not only do unhealthy lifestyles lead children to long-term medical issues such as risk for heart attacks, strokes, type two diabetes, and mental health concerns like depression, but it can also lead to insecurities about their body as well as difficulty changing their unhealthy habits in adulthood.

In the video, “The weight of the nation” It illustrates how obesity is taking over the world. It describes the consequences that arise throughout society with such a large amount of obese citizens. Obesity is defined as being grossly fat or overweight, with a body mass index of 30 and above. Due to one being obese it can cause many different negative factors in their everyday living style, their financial status, and societies overall wellness.

Childhood obesity is a growing problem in today’s world. Not only is it making children’s lives harder, but it has also taken several lives, young and old. There are several factors that contribute to one’s obesity, but there are things that can be done to lower obesity, specifically in children. The obvious problems that obesity causes are the physical and emotional tolls that they take on a person. These tolls are hard for adults, but the impact on children can be significantly more difficult. However, certain steps taken by the food industry and superior adults can have an immense impact on helping solve these issues and changing children’s lives everywhere. Though childhood obesity can lead to physical and emotional health risks, through smaller portions and increased physical activity childhood obesity could be defeated.

According to the World Health Organization, childhood obesity percentages have increased from 1% to 6% in last 40 years or so. A rise like this has not happened in any recorded history. If nothing is changed soon those rates will climb.

Childhood obesity has become a prevalent problem amongst children in the United States and the numbers continue to rise. Unfortunately if nothing is done to combat the obesity epidemic, many more families and children will suffer the consequences. Obesity has many negative effects on a child’s emotional and physical health, for instances, it may contribute to the development of a mental illness, such as depression, or it may increase the chances of the development of type-2 diabetes early on in life (Essington & Hertelendy, 2016, p.454). Therefore, it is important that parents take the initiative to help their children develop healthy eating and exercise habits that will prevent and combat the obesity epidemic in America. A parent is a child’s first teacher, therefore healthy habits begin in the home. There are many changes families can make to start a healthier life together and fight the causes of obesity. Parents can start by encouraging their children to eat healthier by cooking nutritious meals on a budget as well as eating as a family. Furthermore, there are many fun ways parents can keep their children active and fit. Lastly, parents should help their children develop a healthy relationship with food.