Preventing the Huge Problem of Obesity

In United States of America (USA), the prevalence of obesity was 10% among children 2 to 5 years of age and 15% among adolescents. When children at risk for obesity (overweight) were included, the values increased to 20% and 30%, respectively. Therefore, > 1 of every 4 patients examined by pediatricians either is obese or is considered to be at high risk for developing this challenging health problem (Ogden et al.,

Obesity is the second leading cause of death in the United States. Obesity often begin in childhood and is linked to many psychological problems such as asthma, diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors in childhood. Childhood obesity is related to increased mortality and morbidity in adulthood as many obese children grow up to become obese adults (Johnson, 2016). In the last 30 years, childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents. In the United States, the percentage of children aged six to eleven years who were obese seven percent in 1980 has increased to eighteen percent in 2012. In 2012, more than one third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese. Overweight is defined as having excess body weight for a particular height, whereas obesity is having excess body fat. Childhood obesity can lead both immediate and long term effects on health and well-being. Obese children are likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. A population based sample of five to seventeen year old shows 70% obese children have at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Obese children and adolescents are at risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as poor self-esteem and stigmatization. Children and adolescents who are obese are likely to be obese as adults and are at risk for adult health problems such as heart disease, stroke, type 2

In America childhood obesity statistics show that almost 60 percent of children are obese. This statistic continues to grow at an alarming rate. 70 percent of obese adolescence become obese adults. This means when these children grow into adults they will have more health problems than they already do and their quality of life will decrease. The amount of children who are obese between ages 6-11 years old has risen from 6.5 percent in 1980 to 19.6 percent, in 2008. In adolescents ages 12-19 years old the obesity rates risen from 5.0 percent in 1960 to 18.1 percent in 2008. Last year the United States government stated that obesity and type 2 diabetes have become a national epidemic.

Obesity in both adult and children is a major public health crisis. Childhood related obesity is an increasing concern with respect to the health and wellbeing of a child.

Obesity is associated with a number of long term conditions which place significant burden on individuals. The growing issue of obesity can be slowed down, if society focuses on the effects of obesity. Concentrating on psychological problems, health problems and social care, overtime, obesity can be decreased and lead to a healthier

Can you imagine your child having a shorter lifespan than you because of what you feed them? This may happen if parents continue to feed their children unhealthy foods, later leading to obesity. Obesity is a disorder involving excessive body fat that increases the risk of health problems. “Obesity is among the easiest medical conditions to recognize but most difficult to treat. Unhealthy weight gain due to poor diet and lack of exercise is responsible for over 300,000 deaths each year.” Teen obesity is a serious issue since we have high statistics of obesity in the US, increasing health issues among teens and causes are becoming more complex.

The definition of obesity is having too much body fat. “Generally, a child is not considered obese until the weight is at least 10 percent higher than what is recommended for their height and body type. Obesity most commonly begins between the ages of 5 and 6, or during adolescence. Studies have shown that a child who is obese between the ages of 10 and 13 has an 80 percent chance of becoming an obese adult” (Obesity in Children and Teens). This has become an immense issue not only for American children, but also for people all around the world. Because of the lack of responsibility children take about their health, they are at risk for various health problems. Not only does obesity affect their body, but, it can also affect them mentally as well.

Our life is something that is so precious. Every choice we make impacts our life wether it be physically or mentally. When we choose to make poor life choices, it will reflect on us as individuals. Poor choices in what we consumed or how active we are will lead to a life that can lead to an early death. Obesity is an epidemic health problem that has been one of the leading causes to death. The disease itself causes sever health conditions as well as mental health issues.no one wants to become obese, but in today’s society we have been given the perfect recipe that will land us in a fight for our life. Obesity is not something that simply happens, but a lifetime of poor choices. We must discover the source of obesity and attack the health issue from the primary leading factors. We start with the source in order to help improve the lives of people everywhere who are battling this disease, as well as those who are predisposed to a higher chance of developing it.

This book comprehensively addresses the subject of obesity. Apart from highlighting the main causes of the epidemic, the book also presents suggestions on what can be done to stem the rising rates of obesity.

About one-third of children and adolescents ages 6 to 19 are considered to be overweight or obese(NIH). Obesity has become the most common pediatric chronic disease in todays time.(TRINITY). An approach to this would be to make a dietary plan to help the youth overcome this sickness .Many illness that occurs in obese teenagers are a result of their eating habits, minimal excise time, and continual depression.

Obesity has been a major health issue in the community for the past three decades, and has recently become a spreading concern for children (Black & Hager, 2013). Childhood obesity leads to many health and financial burdens in the future, and has become a public health priority. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2016), childhood obesity has doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years. Black and Hager (2013) state that pediatric obesity is a major public health problem that effects a child’s mental and physical health. Having childhood obesity also increases the risk of developing adult obesity and many other chronic illnesses. Childhood obesity will be further explored in the following sections and will include: background, current surveillance methods, epidemiology analysis, screening and diagnosis, and the plan of action.

Sunday’s are meant to be spent at home slumped in bed watching either your favorite series or a newly discovered movie from Netflix. Whatever the case, it’s completely inevitable not to munch out while doing so. Whether it be some leftovers, delivery food or even a fast run to the store. Without thought, fast food is the go to. Most will argue that obesity is a disease, as of 2001 the nation’s surgeon general referred to obesity as an epidemic. (CQR: Preventing Obesity, Mantel), but it’s evident to see that obesity is based on a lifestyle, in the end it is us who decide what we consume and how active we are.

Child obesity has become a leading public health problem in the United States. It requires attention and awareness from the health care providers. It is known from the universal media that the rate of adolescent obesity has been increasing over the years. According to Seal and Broome, "Over the past three decades the proportion of overweight children has doubled among 2- to 5-year-olds and tripled among 6- to 19-year-olds"(1). Obesity in children and teenagers has been found to play a role in the serious health risks such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, disability, mental health problems, premature deaths, some cancer, and type 2 diabetes, which have negatively affected the health care system in the United States. Obese teenagers are more likely to have psychosocial problems which deal with self-esteem, social isolation, mental issues, and depression (Seal and Broome 4). As a result of serious health risk, the psychological and social effect of childhood obesity, scholars are finding effective treatments and intervention to prevent obesity.

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.

Obesity is defined by dictionary.com as the condition of being grossly fat or overweight. Obesity in the United States has gone up dramatically in the past couple decades and has transcended to being a major global epidemic. In the United States the obesity rate has doubled since 1970 to over 30% and more than two thirds of adults are overweight today while one third is obese (Hammond & Levine, 2010).