Childhood Obesity in the United States

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Recommended: Proposals to help with obesity

One in six children ages two to nineteen is obese (OBESITY 6). Obesity is where the body mass index is over a certain number. A body mass index is a measure of the body fat based on height, weight, and age. This number can determine if someone is underweight or overweight. These children can have many health problems in the near future. The obesity rate is unacceptable because of the growing rates in children and adults and the many health risks that are related to obesity.

Child obesity rates are growing rapidly. Over the past thirty years the obesity rate in children ages two to five have almost doubled. Also the rates of children ages 6 to 19 have almost tripled (OBESTIY 1). This is a serious problem because children are our future. Just in the United States 16.9% of children are obese. This number can be split up into races, social classes, gender, and state. The obesity rate for White non-Hispanic male children is only 11.7%; however, Black non-Hispanic male children are 24.3% obese. Hispanic male children are 23.4% obese. The women’s numbers are slightly higher. For White non-Hispanic female children is also 11.7% while the Black non-Hispanic female children is at 24.3%. The percentage of obese Hispanic female children is at 18.9% (OBESITY 4). These numbers are very large for children. These numbers only get higher for adults.

The number of obese adults is more than doubled from the children obesity rates. The percentage rate for adults is a surprising 35.9%. Unlike the children rates, the adult rates have nearly stayed the same. This can also be separated into races, social classes, gender, and state. The obesity rate for White non-Hispanic males is only 36.2%; however, Black non-Hispanic male is 38.8% obese. Hispanic...

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...bles. By eating a balanced diet you are going to be eating some of each food category. There are many similar and different things that a child can do to prevent the risk of obesity (OBESITY 7).

Some ways to prevent obesity in children that are similar to children are eating fruits and vegetables. Another similar way to prevent obesity in children is by working out. There are many different ways that adults can do to help with child obesity prevention. The parents could gradually change the families eating habits. They could also be a role model for the children. Many children will try to imitate their parents. So if the parents are frequently eating healthy foods or frequently exercising, their children might copy them. Another way an adult can help with preventing their child from becoming obese is keeping fat free or low fat milk in the fridge (OBESITY 7).

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