The Effects Of Advertising On Children 's Body Type By Using A Body Mass Index Scale ( Bmi )

Childhood obesity has become an epidemic in the United States in the past three decades. In 2012, roughly 17% or 12.5 million children and adolescents are overweight or obese” (“Childhood Obesity Facts,” 2014). According to the Centers of Disease Control and

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States and other developed economies. Over the past 30 years, the prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents in the U.S. has increased at an alarming rate, from 5-7% to 18-20% by 2008 (CDC, 2012). In addition, a full one third of all children in the U.S. are now overweight.

The obesity rate in America has become a major national health issue over the last several decades. Increasingly alarming statistics have garnered national headlines. Current statistics place 68.5% of the U.S. population in classifications ranging from "overweight" to "super obese." Approximately 35% of all U.S. adults currently fall under the label of "obese".(Ogden, et al., 2014) Potentially more alarming is the prevalence of obesity in adolescents. U.S. youth are becoming obese at earlier and earlier ages. One out of six children ages 2-19 are now obese and fully one-third of adolescents are overweight or obese. (Ogden, Carroll, Curtin, Lamb, & Flegal, 2010) Between 1980 and 2000, obesity rates among adults doubled and tripled among adolescents. (CDC.gov)

In the United States, Healthy People 2020 tracks children aged 2 to 19 that carry a BMI greater than 95% per the Centers for Disease (CDC) pediatric growth chart. The goal is a target rate of 14.5%, with a current improvement of 10% over the baseline. There are disparities related to gender, ethnicity and race, therefore this is very important public health problem and for the future of our country and health care of our citizens. Obesity is of epidemic proportions so there was a plethora of information found at South University’s library site of which will be reviewed in this paper.

Childhood obesity is a greatest public health concern in our nation because it has an immediate and long-term effect on morbidity and mortality later in life. Experts in this epidemic suggest that there is an immediate need for an action and leadership that is required to intervene this disease (Reilly, Methven, McDowell, Hacking, Alexander, Stewart, & Kelnar, 2003). According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data for 2011 and

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, “Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and tripled in adolescents in the past 30 years,” (“Childhood Obesity Facts”). The monumental question that researchers seem to be asking is why the increase now? Childhood obesity has become a paramount problem in the United States in recent years due to various social, biological and technological factors that ultimately requires immediate assistance in order to promote a healthier lifestyle for children as they transition into adulthood.

The past several decades have seen an escalating trend in the rate of childhood obesity. Obesity results from an imbalance involving excessive calorie consumption and inadequate physical activity. Childhood obesity has continued to be a major issue in the public healthcare system, and has more than tripled. Obesity has increased from 6.5% in 1980 to 20% in 2014 among children aged 6 to 11. During the same 30 year period, obesity among adolescents aged 12 to 19 increased from 5.0% to 18.1%. With that said, America is experiencing a very serious health issue concerning its youth.

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.

Obesity is more than a cosmetic concern for Americans; it is a very serious health concern. It doesn’t just impact the way Americans look, this serious condition can change the course of our lives, and not for the better (American Heart Association, 2005). Childhood obesity is a national epidemic that is affecting our children and adolescents of America at high and alarming rates. It occurs when children are exceeding the normal weight for his or her age and height. Up to one out of every five children in the U.S. is overweight or obese, and one and three are obese, and this number has continually to rise (Benaroch, 2012) for over 30 years. Since 1963, kids and teens overweight issues and medical conditions are increasing at an alarming rate and unfortunately some of the same overweight and obese kids / teens become overweight / obese adults with serious health issues. Overweight kids have a 70–80 percent chance of staying overweight (American Heart Association, 2005). The most common causes for children being overweight and obese is genetic factors, lack of physical activity, unhealthy eating patterns, or a combination of all these factors.

Obesity is an epidemic that affects millions of People around the world and it continues to rise. A particular concern is the rise in childhood obesity throughout the United States and it has become a national epidemic. Obesity is a threat to the health of many children as it has doubled in children and has quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years. According to survey on childhood obesity, 2014, “an estimated 80% of obese adolescents continue to be obese into adulthood, so the implication of childhood obesity on the nation’s health are very huge”.

Obesity is becoming an increasing problem with children in America. The obesity rate among children and adolescents have been greatly increasing in the last thirty years. “In 1976, about 7% of children and 5% of adolescents were obese, with a body mass index (BMI) in the 95th percentile; in 2000, over 15% of both groups had become obese.” Nearly one third of American children were obese by 2000.

Obesity is a nutritional disorder among American children and teens. Obesity occurs in 17% of the world’s population (1.3 billion children worldwide). If children do not change their customary ways of living, and continue their injurious diet, there will be a major increase in the percentile of annual obesity rates. Childhood obesity

Since the 1970’s the United States has been witness to a growing epidemic of childhood obesity tripling and in some instances quadrupling. Due to this major health concern it is believed that the advertising of unhealthy foods is the cause of childhood obesity in America. Majority of the advertising is done via television, which promotes fast food or “junk food” and is usually low in nutrition and high in sugar and sodium. The Federal Trade Commission, Institute of Medicine, and various health interest groups understand the issue at hand, and have considered taking preventive measures to stop this problem. Understanding the

Childhood obesity is widely considered as one of the most critical public health issues of the 21st century due to its wide range impact on a child’s quality of life and its economic consequences.1 Strong correlations between body mass index (BMI) values in childhood and adulthood have been documented.2 Likewise, Goran et al.3 reported that 10-30% of children who were obese (BMI ≥ 30) became obese adults. Statistical survey by the World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that about 19% of children (6 to 11 years) and adolescents (12 to 19 years) in the world are obese.2, 4

The average adult watches close to 1,500 hours of television each year; the average child watching just over 3 hours daily. This accumulates to the average child watching over 20,000 commercials each year (Singer 447). Fast food advertisers have also known children should be a separate, focused advertising market since the 1960?s and that often, the restaurant choice is made by the child, and then paid for by the adult (Singer 449). Because ?[children] lack the ability to differentiate between commercial and non-commercial content? they are vulnerable to the advertising of these companies (Lancet 2064). Moreover, by fast food chains convincing the youth worldwide that their food is the best tasting and the most fun to eat, they are creating a subconscious attraction to their company with the child. People that grew up with fast food advertising have a subconscious connection to the restaurant that they ate at as a child. This discreet bond also quickly penetrates children?s minds, and affects their decision to choose a meal.