Persuasive Essay On Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity is rising at an alarming rate. 12.7 million Children, between the ages two and nineteen are obese. Obesity puts kids at risk of serious health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, and asthma. Childhood obesity can also cause emotional distress. It can cause self-esteem issues, and result in stress. Treating weight problems at an early age may reduce the risk of developing these and other serious medical conditions as they get older. Childhood obesity can differ depending on racial/ethnic groups, age, sex, and adult head of household’s and education level. Many cases of childhood obesity are usually caused by eating too much and exercising too little. Children need a healthy and full diet, but without proper exercise

Children are also the target of junk food advertisements, which gives children the impression that it is good to eat junk food. Children spend an average of 5.5 hours per day using various media and are exposed to an average of one food commercial every 5 minutes. Many schools are eliminating or cutting back their physical education programs, which isn’t making it any easier to reduce childhood obesity. Society plays a huge role in childhood obesity. It is now considered a national epidemic. Most obese kids are targets of bullies, the cruelty of bullying have an enormous effect on their brain development. It takes away from their social life, and also from them gaining education in their school environment. Because it reduces the performance in the classroom, it causes them to miss numerous school days and also to misbehave. This will resort to poor social skills, which may affect them later in life when it comes to getting a job or meeting new people. Social problems are not the only issue, but medical problems are also. The cost of childhood obesity cost the U.S. about $14.1 billion a year due to medical bills.

Without helping children fight obesity at a young age, it could cause serious issues later in life. Having community programs in high obesity level areas will promote balance and moderation in diet and physical activity, which is the key to living a healthier life. Children in this generation are predicted to live a shorter life than their parents. The children are the future and without them, there is no future. Community programs will bring everyone together, to work together and to make their community a fun and active place for children. Being active is an important factor to reducing childhood obesity. Being active, eating healthy, and eliminating negative media from television, will be the main goal to encourage kids. There will be a $19,000 decrease in medical cost, all from stopping childhood obesity. Other than losing weight, community programs help build self-esteem, confidence, and to gain friends. Overweight children tend to have more anxiety and poorer social skills than normal-weight children have. Depressed children may lose interest in normal activities, community programs will help reduce depression and help them be more engaged. If we expect for kids to go to school, and not to drink and smoke, then we should expect for them to be