According to Center for Health, nearly one-third of children ages 6 to 19 years are either obese or at risk of becoming obese. Statistics indicate that the rate of obesity for boys and girls are similar, despite the marked increase in the number of overweight children from 1960 to 2002 (Childhood overweight, 2005). Moreover, the prevalence of childhood obesity has almost tripled in the past two decades, from 6.5% in 1980 to 18.8% in 2004 (Irwin et al., 2010). Morbid or extreme obesity is no longer a health concern exclusive to the adult population.
More and more children, especially of schoolage years, are becoming obese and experiencing health problems as a result. There are many causes of obesity in children and adolescents, which include genetic predisposition, socio-economic status, poor dietary habits and physical inactivity. Physical inactivity is one of the major contributors to childhood obesity. The national recommendation for children aged five and above is at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous-intensity activity each day (Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology, 2010).
However, results from the School Health Policies and Program Study indicate that only 3.8% of elementary schools offered daily physical education classes (McKenzie et al., 2010). Although the daily recommendation of physical activity is only 60 minutes a day, many primary and elementary schools do not provide the requisite amount of physical activity needed for optimal growth and development. Budget cuts and increased emphasis on academic performance have prompted many schools to cut back on physical education. Some schools even went as far as eliminating physical education classes altogether (Gaus & Simpson, 2009).
As children enter the a...
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...p, 2004) Vermeer et al. (2001) found that children with asthmatic conditions who participated in physical activity had better endurance and athletic performance. Increase in endurance and athletic performance allowed children to exercise longer and at a much greater intensity before becoming fatigued. They also found that with increased cardiovascular fitness, children suffered less anxiety about their conditions and were able to better cope with the associated symptoms. Another important known benefit of physical activity is health improvements.
In general, children are more active than adults. However, as they grow older, their levels of physical activity begin to decline. This is a big problem because poor activity habits formed in childhood can carry over into adulthood and spill onto their own children, perpetuating the cycle of obesity (Huhman et al., 2010).
Exercise, food, technology, and money all play a role in causing childhood obesity. Lack of exercise among adolescents has been proven to be the leading cause of childhood obesity. According to a May 2012 Institute of Medicine report, only half of America’s children and one in four teens get enough activity to meet current guidelines (Doheny and Noonman 1). The recommendations call for children to participate in at least 60 minutes of vigorous to moderate physical activity every day (Hendrick 1). “Only four percent of elementary schools, eight percent of middle schools, and two percent of high schools provide daily physical ...
There is an alarming rise in childhood obesity throughout the United States, making it an epidemic in our country. Obesity has become a threat to the health of many children. Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years. The percentage of children aged 6–11 years in the United States who were obese increased from 7% in 1980 to nearly 18% in 2012. Similarly, the percentage of adolescents aged 12–19 years who were obese increased from 5% to nearly 21% over the same period.(Childhood Obesity Facts, 2015)
Numerous children are victims of a variety of health problems inflicted by the deficiency of good nutrition and physical activity. Childhood obesity is a national epidemic and is continuously growing rapidly. Obesity is an excessive amount of body fat in relation to body mass, being overweight is your body weight in relation to your height (L. Marcus Ph. D and A. Baron M.S.W.). Obesity is the most distinct medical condition but the most difficult condition to treat. Obesity is the result of calorie imbalance. Obesity is commonly caused by overeating and lack of exercise although there are genetic diseases and hormonal disorders that can cause obesity. When children eat more than they need, the extra calories are stored in fat cells to use for energy later. If this pattern continues over time, they develop more fat cells and may develop obesity. Childhood obesity will cause physical, social and emotional adversities for your child
Today, approximately 25 percent of children and teenagers are obese and the number is on the rise. Since the 1960’s childhood obesity has increased by 54 percent in children ages six to eleven. In children twelve to seventeen it has increased by 39 percent. (Silberstein, 1) Childhood obesity is so prevalent among these age groups that it has reached epidemic proportions.
Childhood obesity is a serious problem among American children. Some doctors are even calling childhood obesity an epidemic because of the large percentage of children being diagnosed each year as either overweight or obese. “According to DASH sixteen to thirty-three percent of American children each year is being told they are obese.” (Childhood Obesity) There is only a small percentage, approximately one percent, of those children who are obese due to physical or health related issues; although, a condition that is this serious, like obesity, could have been prevented. With close monitoring and choosing a healthier lifestyle there would be no reason to have such a high obesity rate in the United States (Caryn). Unfortunately, for these children that are now considered to be obese, they could possibly be facing some serious health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and some types of cancers. All of these diseases have been linked to obesity through research. These children never asked for this to happen to them; however, it has happened, and now they will either live their entire life being obese, or they will be forced to reverse what has already been done (Childhood Obesity).
The effects of obesity in children are immediate health problems as well as long term health problems. According to the WebMD article “Children’s Health” states that “children have fewer weight-related health and medical problems than adults. However, overweight children are at high risk of becoming overweight adolescents and adults, placing them at risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes later in life.” Obesity has negative effects on children, which raises concern, because lon...
Many people might spend their time or free time watching TV, or playing video games, which is a form of inactivity, and that might lead the person to become obese, in this case children are the most people who might exposed to it. A study was made in the USA, children who engaged in the least vigorous physical activity or the most television viewing to
Fewer and fewer children are playing outside regularly, choosing instead to be inside on the computer, in front of the television, and playing video games. Many children do not get enough physical activity in their daily routine. Many schools physical education programs cut back on the time actually spent doing vigorous activities. "One study showed that gym classes offered third-graders just twenty-five minutes of vigorous activity each week" ("Overweight and obesity,"2009). Guidelines show that children over two years old should at least get sixty minutes of vigorous activity a day ("Overweight and obesity,"2009). The average family is busier today than ever, which causes parents to rush meals and not take the time to plan nutritious hom...
Physical activity is essential in developing an overall healthy life for everyone, including school-aged children. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, physical activity is a determinant to building and maintaining healthy bones and muscles, while also improving social and mental health status of the child. The prevalence of childhood obesity is on the rise and daily physical activity in children has been proven to be effective in preventing childhood obesity and reducing the risks factors. Research evidence also indicates that physical activity can improve academic achievements in grades and standardized test scores.
One major aspect to being healthy is to have an active lifestyle, therefore one solution for child obesity is schools adding more opportunities for physical activity throughout the school day. Children should have at least 60 minutes of Physical activity everyday (Green, Riley, and Hargrove). One way to help this is by having gym everyday to help students to reach their 60 minutes of physical activity. Only 3% of elementary schools, 7.9% of middle schools a...
For instance, kids who are obese have a better chance of getting cancer and other health problems,“They found that each unit of increase in being overweight at age 13, generally corresponding to a two- to three-point increase in B.M.I., increased the risk of developing colon cancer by 9 percent, with the risk of cancer of the sigmoid colon (the part closest to the rectum) increased by 11 percent” (Brody). Obesity can risk a child’s life in many ways. In addition, these health problems for kids can result in death, “In fact, health officials say that obesity--a condition in which a person is dangerously overweight--is one of the biggest health crises facing the U.S. today. It can cause all sorts of serious problems, like cancer and heart failure, and it's a leading cause of death. It's also affecting a shocking number of young people: More than 16 percent of kids ages 2 to 19 are obese” (Lewis). Obesity is one of the biggest health problems that is still questioned on what the solution is. Although health problems are a problem, schools are adding in exercise programs and encouraging kids to walk or bike to school. “With the strong leadership of the mayor, the blue-collar city of Somerville, Massachusetts, lowered the rate of obesity in its elementary schools by promoting exercise in schools, smaller portions in restaurants, health counseling, and biking and walking to school. (The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation supported all three of these initiatives.)” (Ambinder). Schools are now realizing that kids need their daily exercise in order to stay healthy and stay in shape. Obesity can cause many health problems and risk a child’s
Over the years we have been fighting with the issue of obesity among children in the United States. Nearly one in three kids and adolescents are overweight or obese in the United States. Obesity in children has more than tripled from 1971 to 2011and is the number one cause for concern amongst parents in the United States. It is important to prevent obesity during childhood because habits that are formed during youth usually carry on into adulthood. Being obese describes children with a body mass index at or above the 95th percentile for their age and gender. An overweight child would be described as having a body mass index at or above the 85th percentile but below the 95th percentile. Children
Children have a higher chance of obesity, therefore, obese children and adolescents are more likely to become obese adults" (qtd. in Mirtcheva and Powell 1). As a result, adults have a difficult time trying to lose that excessive weight when they become obese. Given that, prevention of childhood obesity in an earlier stage with the increase of a healthy diet and physical activity is important to their future
Kids who are active are less likely to smoke, become pregnant at a young age, or use drugs. Being active as a kid also has the benefits of when they grow up and become an adult. A lifetime of physical activity reduces the risk of cancer, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease. Active kids have less need to visit the doctor throughout their lives. Research shows that regular exercise cuts the risk of osteoporosis by increasing bone mineral density. A moderate amount of physical activity decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease by 20% and reduces the likelihood of major cancer by up to 30% (Designed to Move). Physical activity also helps kids overcome failure and leads to children being more confident and taking on future rules. Active children are also know to become higher paying adults, Active kids develop a long-lasting desire to achieve, earning nearly 10% more income than their inactive peers.When active kids mature into the workforce, their time invested in physical activity makes them more qualified for jobs. The extra confidence and work ethic earned while participating in high school athletic programs positions them to be more appealing candidates with more opportunities to succeed (Designed to
In the 20th century children played sports more often, walked to school and more. The children of the 21st century make choices that are completely opposite. The sports children play these days include watching television, playing games and eating junk food. Watching television and playing millions of videos games are excuses to help children avoid exercising.