The Importance Of Preventing Childhood Obesity

The New England Medical Journal wrote a report that this was the first generation where the children will not outlive their parents. The magnitude of this study should be enough to cause a change in the general’s eating habits. The leading cause of childhood sickness is obesity. Making a conservative effort to change the way American’s think about food will significantly affect the health of the public. It takes minimal effort to make a change but like with any bad habit takes a strong will and mind. Making small changes in diet can begin a tidal wave of good habits that last throughout the rest of one’s life. Life is far too short to die eating a hamburger, make a change for the better of the future. By teaching children the benefits of healthy eating habits will decrease the chances of them becoming obese. Moreover, having to deal with the health complications that come along with it. Making the valiant effort to nourish the body from the inside out will create a more fulfilling, healthy life, that is free of obesity and

Dailey and Ellin quote Levine by saying, “‘The idea is to fight obesity and not obese people’”(579). By learning to cook nutritional meals, students will have the tools neccessary to fight the disease that is plaguing their country. To show that households have lost their way of food preparation, Pollan recalls a conversation with Harry Baltzer: “‘Not going to happen,’ he told me. ‘Why? Because we’re basically cheap and lazy. And besides, the skills are already lost. Who is going to the next generation to cook? I don’t see it’”(584). Schools are designed to supply students with the knowledge to thrive. Therefore, they should include information on culinary arts because it will help reestablish the ideals once thought to be traditional. Likewise, Beebe and Thompson state, “By changing our children’s environment so they have access to healthy foods and physical activity, we improve the opportunity for all members of a community to improve their health”(1). Their statement reinforces the idea that students who learn healthy recipes in school are more likely to lead a healthy

One major question that is asked today is whether or not the eating habits of kids and teens be regulated by the state? This is a big problem today with young ones. No young teenager or child has ever grabbed an apple over a snickers bar for a snack. Although a snickers bar once in a while is not a bad thing, every day consumption of products like this creates a long-term problem. In the article Junk Food Nation: How Parents are Ruining Kids’ Health, there are a couple different standpoints from select individuals on why or how to solve this problem. The main issue is whether or not parents are doing a good enough job teaching their children to make health food choices.

To touch on poor nutrition, research shows that almost one-third of U.S. children between the ages of four and nineteen eat fast food every day; this results in weight gain of approximately 6 extra pounds on a growing child each year (NACHRI, 2007). Fast food consumption has increased fivefold among children since 1970. Not only is fast food an issue, but when parents reward their children with sugary foods and/or use fruits and vegetables as a punishment, this may cause children’s views toward nutritious food to be negative. Some great educational tools that can be shared both in and out of the classroom are “The Food Guide Pyramid” and “My Plate.” Both show that appropriate number of serving of each food category. “My Plate” does a great job of even providing games, activity sheets, kid-friendly recipes, and physical activity tips to elementary aged children (My Plate, 2015). They also provide great resources for adults so parents and educators can practice what they preach and set good examples for children. Educating children on an what a healthy diet consists of and why it is important is probably the greatest preventative tool we can use to prevent obesity. As the famous saying goes, “knowledge is

Schools have started to ban all sorts of fast food products such as sodas, chips and processed food, but in addition they should teach students the danger in consuming certain food. They should warn students of the effects those foods will have on their bodies in the long run. In “Don’t Blame the Eater” fitness expert David Zinczenko mentions that “fast food companies are marketing to children a product with proven health hazards and no warning labels” (464). This false advertisement is often full of color, with images of happiness and delicious looking burgers to convince children to want their products. Fast food industries are smart to target children, because most of the time they know nothing about responsibility or what is good or bad for them. Zinczenko argues in his essay that without warnings or information“we’ll see more sick, obese children and more angry, litigious parents” (464). In contrast, if kids were warned and informed about the dangers in consuming unhealthy food, the number of obese children, diseases and angry parents would

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

In the article “The Battle Against Fast Food Begins in the Home,” Daniel Weintraub argues that it is the parents, not anybody else, who are responsible for teaching kids healthy eating and exercise habits. He also states that, “It’s the fault of the parents who let their kids eat unhealthy foods and sit in front of the television or computer for hours at a time.” His argument that parents are to blame for childhood obesity is correct to a certain extent but he fails to realize that fast food company’s marketing and advertising to young children also plays a big part in the problem.

Children are our future, and therefore, everyone should protect the young community. Childhood obesity is an epidemic that should be prevented. Children have the right to live a long, healthy life. However, the rise of obesity is affecting the young community. Childhood obesity attains negative repercussions. Yes, doctors have found many ways to combat obesity. As a matter of fact, they emphasize how important one’s health is. It is crucial to acknowledge that obesity alters a child’s health. Obesity has the power to affect a child mentally, emotionally, and physically.

"The percentage of overweight children in the United States is growing at an alarming rate, with 1 out of 3 kids now considered overweight or obese." (Overweight and Obesity). Obesity has become common in children. Children spend most of their time eating and watching tv instead of doing any physical activities. Another reason why a child could be overweight is because their parents are overweight. If a parent is obese, most likely the child will grow up to be obese. Parents need to demonstrate healthy eating choices with their children. It is the parent's role to set a good example for their children. Many parents face financial issues everyday, causing them to turn to fast food for a quick meal.

Children now in days are being provided foods that are horrible and disgusting for their health. They are seeing foods that are not healthy and causing them to become obese. In which the leading cause of the unhealthy source comes from schools everywhere. It is wrong for children. In which it should help them understand and become questionable to their eating habits.

As reported by the President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition (2013), more than 23 million people in America live more than a mile away from a supermarket making it very time consuming for many people to have to make dinner after work when it can be prepared in a few minutes at a fast food restaurant. Also, if someone's parents eat very unhealthy, this will teach the kids that this is how they should. Just like the exercise, adults need to begin showing these kids what eating healthy can do for their body and their health. (President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition,2013

In today’s society it has become increasingly easier for families and children to consume an unhealthy diet on a day to day basis. Daily activities such as physical activity and eating a healthier more nutritious diet are the two main things that can prevent obesity. Once a child learns negative eating habits they are hard to break and typically follow them into adult hood. This can lead to many health problems in the future, but that can all be avoided if we teach healthy habits while children are young. The best place for children to pick up on healthy eating habits outside of their homes is at school. This is because many children consume a large portion of their meals at school. I propose to Superintendent, Rick Smith to consider some changes that can easily be made in order to make Hamilton County schools healthier and lower the obesity rate. If schools in Hamilton County start to promote healthier eating habits, more physical

The age old saying, “You are what you eat” still rings true today. Fresh fruit and vegetables have been replaced by french-fries and hamburgers. Children today do not know how to eat healthy. We, as a nation, spend hours and hours bombarding children with fast food commercials, sugary cereal commercials and cavity causing drink commercials. We than spend a fraction of that time telling kids these things are healthy only in moderation.

What would you do if stopping childhood obesity was left in your hands? Nearly 1 in 3 children (ages 2-19) in the United States is overweight or obese. This can lead to serious health problems, such a diabetes and heart failure in the future (healthiergeneration.org). There are a number of contributors to childhood obesity. This includes television, media, lack of daily physical activity, marketing unhealthy foods, and limited access to healthy affordable food. An organization called, “Let’s Move” is all about reducing and stopping childhood obesity. Their website includes information for everyone to take action in stopping this problem. There are tips and information about how to make sure kids are being active daily and are eating the right nutrients. Sometimes children don 't have access to healthy nutritious meals because they can be costly. With this being said, caregivers are left with no choice but to buy unhealthy food to suffice their hunger. An example would be Lunchables. This company provides prepackaged meals that are quick, easy, and cheap for children to eat. Their food is affordable, but it is very unlikely that children get the correct nutrients from their prepackaged meals. To reach an understanding between the two companies both parties need to understand each other’s goals. Lunchables should substitute their less healthy options with vegetables or fruit, making their meals nutritious enough that Let’s Move would consider them a good option for kids.

The fast-paced lifestyle of Americans today results in unhealthy frozen T.V. dinners and take-out meals. In present day society, the role of woman and men are virtually equal. With this making both the mother and father of families busy, there is little time for home cooked meals. A hardy breakfast is replaced with sugary pop-tarts, hand packed lunches is replaced with money for fast food, and frozen T.V. trays take the place of a healthy dinner. These foods may all taste good, but they are not healthy. By giving children lunch money, the children are having the choice to buy whatever foods they please. It could be easily assumed that a child would choose a candy bar, chips, and a soda over a school lunch. Again, the children are not the only ones to be blamed here. The parents need to take time to guide their children towards what food is healthy and what food is unhealthy. By taking a little more time out of the day and making healthier food choices, the rate of childhood obesity could slow down, if not stop altogether.