Childhood Obesity in African American Children

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Childhood obesity is a consequential medical condition that effects the youth and adolescence of society. This disorder creates health problems that were once only seen in adults, such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Although childhood obesity is a world wide issue, the percentage of overweight children differs, especially throughout the United States. Today, the greatest population suffering from this disease are African American children who reside in the southern part of the country. Parents, as well as children, continue to support unhealthy lifestyles even though they are well aware of the life-threatening diseases caused by obesity. It is apparent that living an unhealthy lifestyle, as well as eating poorly, negatively affects one’s health. From a young age it is quickly learned which foods are considered healthful as opposed to junk food. It is a parents responsibility to supervise the intake of their child's food, however there is a higher risk than ever before of childhood obesity. Childhood obesity has become a huge problem in the United States. Over twenty one percent of African American children are obese, not including the twenty percent who were just overweight. Studies show that the increase in Type II diabetes, which is caused by obesity has increased dramatically in children of African American culture. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) The hospital costs associated with childhood obesity were 127 million dollars from 1997-1999, increasing $92 million from 1979-1981. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) However, long term effects are also a concern for adolescent obesity. Overweight children have a 70 percent chance of being obese or overweight adults, which increases to 80 percen... ... middle of paper ... ...Disease Control and Prevention. Overweight and Obesity Health Consequences. Downloaded from: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/consequences.htm Accessed: Feb. 2005 [13] CDC, Preventing Obesity and Chronic Diseases, op. cit. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/01/05/health/main591325.shtml (55) http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/01/040105071229.htm DREWNOWSKI 3 Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2010. U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau, September 2010. (Table 4 and Table B2). http://www.census.gov/prod/2010pubs/p60-238.pdf 6 American Community Survey Demographic and Housing Estimates: 2008. U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau. http:// factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=01000US&- qr_name=ACS_2008_1YR_G00_DP5&-ds_name=ACS_2008_1YR_G00_&-_ lang=en&-redoLog=false&-format=

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