Summary Of Childhood Obesity And Climate Change

The article “Childhood Obesity and Climate Change: Moving toward Shared Environmental Health Solutions” authored by Perry Sheffield and Maida Galvez (2009), discussed the association and interrelations between climate change and childhood obesity in the United States. Climate changes that pushed increase in atmospheric temperature, decline of air quality, upsurge of diseases caused by environmental injustices have all contributed in changing the lifestyles with less physical activities among children that in turn contributed various health impacts including obesity. The environmental changes have been seen as significant player on the emergence and growth of issues arising from childhood obesity and climate change. For instance, the

Obesity in children that in fact pleases many for the cute chubby looks of the children may not immediately cause significant problems but can have long-term impacts to health throughout the lifespan. With the rising health concern on the impacts of childhood obesity, it would be wise to look at every angle including the association of the environment where healthy interventions can be generated to address the obesity and climate change

On that note, the families and communities where the children live significantly influence their learned lifestyles and activities of daily living that include the eating habits and physical activities. There will be a big challenge on how to teach the children to develop healthy and environmentally-friendly lifestyles when the community lacks full support. Programs that will encourage consumption of plant-based diets particularly fresh fruits and vegetables will surely help in minimizing obesity and climate change. However, the presence of fast-food outlets, and the flourishing poor quality foods influencing the unhealthy food choices and eating habits of the children would be a big issue to deal with. The business motivations behind food marketing created food fads and culture that developed fascination on trending unhealthy foods that include fast foods, sugar and fats-loaded foods, canned and processed foods. There are big businesses behind the emerging food culture and emerging technologies pushing lifestyle changes. The businesses generate good revenues. The marketing strategies for food and technology businesses will surely try to attract market consumers and that will cause a tug of war when it comes to making decisions on healthy food and activity