Childhood Obesity
Obesity has become a worldwide epidemic and is a major problem in American Society. Life-long habits are acquired during the earliest stages of life, which is why it is imperative that we focus on preventing childhood obesity. Children who are obese or overweight are more likely to remain overweight as adults. Obesity can damage the heart, lungs, muscles, bones, kidneys, digestive tract, hormones; nearly every system in the body (Harvard). It is estimated that the effects of childhood obesity, have the potential to reduce the average life expectancy by five years. It is difficult to track childhood obesity, coming from the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The World Health Organization (WHO), and The International Obesity Task Force (IOTF). Children and adolescents between the ages of 2 and 19 are considered overweight when their BMI is at or above the 85th percentile and lower than the 95th percentile. Obesity is defined as a BMI at or above the 95th percentile (CDC). The WHO definition of overweight is a BMI greater than or equal to 25. A BMI greater or equal to 30 is then classified as obese (Harvard). Our body mass is not confined to a certain number, but it is something we have control over. Being aware of health risks and what is unhealthy is as effective as knowing the benefits of having a healthy weight (Watkins). In order to address this social issue we must analyze the factors in our society that affect childhood obesity as a whole. Coming together and applying our knowledge of mankind, personal experience and development will change lives. Human studies play a tremendous role when dealing with our social issues (Johnson). Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. The discipl...
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...ps we are using the wrong weapons to solve the problem. Everyone is different, which is why each child should be treated individually. Pinpointing the causes of child obesity and how they affect overall physical and mental health can help prevent these problems. Trees grow and develop much li9ke humans do. When a seed has been planted, we give it the proper care so the tree can be healthy and strong once it emerges. Pregnancy can be compared to planting a seed so it would makes sense that pregnant women would eat healthy and drink ample amounts of water: yet, that is not always the case. Women who are pregnant love to indulge in what they crave. These cravings are not always the healthiest. Sugar and sodium contents tend to be overlooked by women when they’re carrying another human being inside of them. The phrase: “What you eat, the baby eats” is often forgotten.
According to a 2010 report by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the prevalence of childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past thirty years. As well as having an impact on health, studies have cited a relationship between obesity and poor school performance as well as a child’s readiness for learning and education. This can be correlated with studies finding “obese children have a greater risk of social and psychological problems, such as discrimination and poor self-esteem”
The World Health Organization (2006, WHO) defines obesity as a body mass index (weight-for-height) equal to or more than 30. In the UK the prevalence of obesity in childhood has significantly increased over the past twenty five years. A study commissioned by The Health Survey for England (HSE) showed that between 1996 and 2001 the proportion of obese children aged six to fifteen rose by 3.5 per cent from 20 per cent to 23.5 per cent of the population in that age bracket; there is no reason to suspect
Child obesity has turned into a huge problem that continues to increase every year and parents seem to be either helping the situation or hurting the situation by specific actions they take. Each year the increase of numbers in childhood obesity keeps growing. Back then, it was rare to hear from a parent that their child was obese because back then all kids did and liked to do was go outside to parks, play sports, take walks anything that dealt with the outdoors made any kid a happy kid. In today’s
Childhood obesity is considered to be a serious issue among our youth. Obesity can cause many types of physical problems, which most are aware of, but it can also cause some undesirable internal feelings within children and adolescents who suffer from it. Self-esteem, or self-worth, is important as it helps develop personality and is a major ingredient to our mental health status (Wang, F. and Veugelers, P. J., 2008). Some have said obesity may even have a negative effect on cognitive development
putting their lives in danger's way. The growing rate of childhood obesity has consumers and health advocates urging the United States government to investigate the relationship between childhood obesity and marketing. Transiri states, in Don’t Blame the Youth, “As youngsters get fatter, parents, public health organizations and government officials continue to question the impact of food-marketing practices” (Casison-Tansiri). Childhood obesity rates are increasing in the United States because the advertising
Perinatal and early childhood factors for overweight and obesity in young Canadian children The increase in rate of obesity in young Canadian children has being a great concern. Efforts to identify the early factors has led to the study of potential early - life determinants, and their interrelationships with obesity among young Canadians. Four Preventive factors of early life determinants of childhood obesity in young Canadian children ages 6 to 11 that could guide early intervention practices
A dramatic rise in obesity rates has taken place over the last 30 years in Canada. Not only is it affecting adults but also children as well. According to Statistics Canada, around 13 percent of children from the ages of 5 to 17 are obese and this states that the number of obese children has tripled since 1980. It shows that the pace of prevalence still continues to increase significantly. The World Health Organization and the Canadian Obesity Network take obesity as a chronic disease because of
Childhood obesity is slowly becoming more and more of a problem in the United States. “The percentage of children with obesity in the U.S has more than tripled since the 1970s.” During those 46 years, little have been done to fix this problem. I agree that children should be able to eat whatever they please or at least eat the food their parents allows them to eat. However, this situation is getting out of hand. Schools have been putting up vending machines and selling unhealthy snacks to kids. A
Childhood Obesity As of 2012, “more than one third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese” (Childhood Obesity Facts). The amount of children that are obese in the US is greater than ever before, doubling in the last 30 years. Obesity in children can be caused by lack of exercise, lack of access to healthy foods, and lack of education about health and wellness. Obesity can cause a wide range of both physical and mental health complications. Childhood obesity is major issue leading to
Childhood Obesity Childhood obesity is on the rise in many countries today. There are numerous causes of obesity in America, and the majority of them can be eliminated simply by household teachings. In her book Fed Up! Winning the War Against Childhood Obesity, Susan Okie explains how childhood obesity is taking over, “The growing numbers of obese children in the United States and in many other countries are victims of an epidemic just as surely as if they were infected with a virus.” The leading
1) Why is obesity an epidemic among American children? Obesity effects 30% percent of children making it the most chronic diseases of childhood. (according to obesityaction.org) I believe childhood obesity is an epidemic, because children are encouraged now more than ever to be more sedentary. For example, we encourage children to sit inside and play video games instead of going outside, even though technology is increasing and changing, we must make sure to keep our children active and moving. Another
2013). Wales has second highest rates of obesity among middle school children in Europe (Swansea Sound, 2013). Obesity can increase the level of lipids, blood pressure and insulin. It is also related to the rate of coronary heart disease. The obesity in childhood can indirectly influence their health in adult (Freedman and Khan et al., 2001). Swansea Council has launched a series of public relations campaigns to enhance the fight against children obesity such as free exercise courses for children
Obesity, in general, is a major health risk and, in America, it is on the rise. However, more focus is placed on childhood obesity because an obese child has a greater chance of becoming an obese adult. Struggling with obesity and the health risks and illnesses it may cause can be difficult for an adult, but for a child, dealing with it is tougher. This is an important topic because it is a 100 percent preventable concern. Statistics Over the years, childhood obesity has been on the rise. In
Obesity in Schools Imagine your child being bullied in school because they were obese. They become more lazy with school work and have poor morals on health to pass down to their children. Obesity has reached an epidemic high in the U.S. I believe that children should participate in at least 20 minutes of a “workout” at school while still engaging in P.E. and recess. Students are more attentive when they are at optimal weight which could improve their grades and self esteem. “The latest study, published
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