Childhood Obesity Research Paper

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Fed up with Child Obesity Child hood years are year’s full of laughter, smiles and great memories. They are the days of finger paintings, games of hide and go seek, finger foods and juice boxes. But, did you ever think child hood would be the years of severe obesity leading up to major health risks and problems as an adult? “Today, about one in three American kids and teens is overweight or obese. The prevalence of obesity in children more than tripled from 1971 to 2011 (Overweight in Children).” Obesity among children, in the United States, has risen to be the number one health problem for parents. Obesity has even surpassed the problems with drug abuse and smoking. Obesity in children is causing a broad range of severe health problems that only recently have been noticed in their adulthood. “These health problems now being manifested in adulthood include high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and elevated blood cholesterol levels. Yet to mention are the, …show more content…

“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).” Carrying excess weight can lead to an earlier risk of obesity-related disease and death in adulthood. “Perhaps one of the most sobering statements regarding the severity of the childhood obesity epidemic came from former Surgeon General Richard Carmona, who characterized the threat as follows: “Because of the increasing rates of obesity, unhealthy eating habits and physical inactivity, we may see the first generation that will be less healthy and have a shorter life expectancy than their parents (Overweight in Children)." Thus, the consequences of being obese at a young age have both immediate and long-term effects on a person’s

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