A Big, Fat Problem: Obesity in Children

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A Big, Fat Problem
Everything appears to be expanding and growing larger in America, including the children. As we look around, there are numerous amounts of people-young and old- who are overweight or obese. Every single year the rates of overweight children steadily increase along with the healthcare and financial costs to support them. Nowadays, one third of children and adolescents in the United States are overweight or obese. To diminish this concerning issue, schools should implement and execute policies to help combat and prevent childhood obesity in order to avoid future repercussions.
The government ought to require almost every child enrolled in public and private schools to partake in physical activities or athletics. Caring for the student body’s wellbeing must be a top priority for the school, and that should definitely include the children’s fitness and weight levels. P.E. and athletics help prevent students from suffering from lifelong diseases and illnesses by creating a fit and in-shape body. Moving around and exercising burns the extra amount of calories in order to stay in an adequate condition. However, removing or reducing the standards toward physical education proves to be harmful and only increases the students’ BMI or body mass index. The BMI displays if one may or may not be under or overweight for their age and height. Studies demonstrate that childhood obesity correlates with “insufficient physical activities” (Kersh, Stroup, Taylor). Presently, young kids and adolescents do not have to walk to places or have that utter desire and urge to go outside and play anymore. Technology in our generation lures kids to sit at home and play games on their phones or computers rather than applying themselves to t...

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.... Scott Barbour,
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Bruske, Ed. “Improving School Lunch Programs Is Complicated.” Should Junk Food Be Sold in
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Haskins, Ron; Donahue, Elisabeth; Paxson, Christina. “Schools Should Implement Policies to
Help Combat Obesity.” School Policies. 2008: n.p. Opposing Viewpoints in Context.
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Kersh, Rogan; Stroup, Donna F; Taylor, Wendell C. “Childhood obesity: a framework for policy approaches and ethical considerations.” CDC.gov. CDC, Aug. 2011. Web. 10 Apr. 2014.
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