Society is immersed within a plethora of problems – one of which is juvenile obesity. Juvenile obesity is affecting many industrialized countries and is increasing yearly. According to Patricia Anderson and Kristin Butcher, authors of Childhood Obesity: Trends and Potential Causes, “ By 1999-2002, nearly 15 percent of U.S. children were considered obese” (Anderson). Knowing more and more kids are being affected by this trend is unnerving, not only in the present, but also for the future. Causing health-related issues such as diabetes and heart complications, the control of obesity is ever-relevant and needs to be addressed in a timely manner. But before a call-to-action enters the fray, the causes of childhood obesity need to be determined. If identified correctly, the causes of childhood obesity can be targeted and an effective plan make be implemented towards eliminating them. While childhood obesity is a singular issue, the broad range of it accounts for many possible causes of the problem.
One cause that has theoretically been associated with childhood obesity is that of genetics. Needless to say, the chemical make-up of the body has some of the greatest effects on the way a person appears, both inside and out. But the real question is, “Do genetics play a role in obesity?” With a general ignorance on the subject, one could easily make an argument in support of this idea. If genetics controls how a person looks, then how is it not the main cause of obesity? The answer to this question is actually quite simple. Obesity is an over accumulation of fat in the body which can lead to a glut of health issues. With that in mind, one must consume more calories than one expends with exercise and physical strain in order t...
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...s down to it, these potential causes for childhood obesity are working together in a negative manner and affecting society in the same fashion.
Works Cited
Anderson, Patricia M., and Kristen F. Butcher. "Childhood Obesity: Trends and Potential Causes." Spring 2006. Web. 09 May 2012.
Brown, Stephen, David Birch, James Teufel, and Viajava Kancherla. "Overweight Children: The Perspectives of 9-13 Year Olds." Research Articles. Web. 06 May 2012.
Moran, Rebecca. "Evaluation and Treatment of Childhood Obesity." American Family Physician. AAFP, 15 Feb. 1999. Web. 11 May 2012.
Dehghan, Mahshid. "Childhood Obesity, Prevalence and Prevention." Nutrition Journal. 2 Sept. 2005. Web. 11 May 2012.
Whitehead, Tanya D. "Combating The Obesogenic Environment: Helping Children Hold Onto Health." Online Journal of Health and Allied Sciences. Oct. 2007. Web. 08 May 2012.
Rao, Goutham. "Childhood Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus". Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics.( 2005): 473-480. Print.
Many would argue that children should not focus on their weight because children should lead a youth with little worries, yet obesity affects a child much more than people with that argument think. Being overweight can cause increased risks for several serious diseases and even can result in decreased mental health on account of low self-esteem and social discrimination. Children who are overweight also are at least twice as likely to have heart disease, diabetes, and orthopedic problems (Internicola, 2009). Sadly, children are being pressured into unhealthy lifestyles even more so than adults are.
Hellmich, Nanci, “Report maps out solutions to child obesity.” USA Today n.d.: MAS ULTRA-School Edition. Web. 6 May 2012.
National Audit Office. (2007) Tackling obesity in children [online]. Available from: http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0001/ [Accessed on 15/03/2011].
Up to 17% of children and teens in the United States are obese (Centers). Obesity is unhealthy weight gain due to poor diet and lack of exercise and is responsible for up to 365,000 deaths each year. Obesity is strongly associated with a decrease in the ability to exercise. An overabundance of fat tissue, which occurs from obesity, impairs the breathing process. The impairment of the breathing processes in youth has been linked to more damaging breathing problems in adulthood. The lack of exercise that starts a child down this path can be reversed and good exercising habits can be instilled by parents. Therefore if 1 out of 3 children are obese, what does that say about the health and wellbeing of these children? It says that these children can look forward to a life of medical problems, emotional issues, and higher costs than their non-obese counterparts. The most pressing of which are heart disease, type 2 diabetes, pulmonary...
To help out with my research on childhood obesity I am creating this annotated bibliography. I am researching the health issues related to childhood obesity as well as the long term effects.
Today, approximately 25 percent of children and teenagers are obese and the number is on the rise. Since the 1960’s childhood obesity has increased by 54 percent in children ages six to eleven. In children twelve to seventeen it has increased by 39 percent. (Silberstein, 1) Childhood obesity is so prevalent among these age groups that it has reached epidemic proportions.
It is imperative that society coalesces to help prevent childhood obesity. No child or parent wants to suffer through any type of heart condition or disease, whether it be now or later on in their lives. Experts have seen the rising obesity rate as a wake-up call to take the “epidemic” of childhood obesity very seriously. Because of the fact that childhood obesity is interconnected with so many health issues it significantly affects lifespans. Childhood obesity can be prevented and needs to be in order to ultimately save the lives and future lives of children.
Obesity is not a disease. It is a condition where our body stores excessive fat and affects our health or well-being. Childhood obesity is a major cause for disease and health risks which may be lifelong. Childhood obesity is becoming a threat to society because of its prevalence. Obesity reduces life expectancy. Childhood obesity is an epidemic in the United States. The number of obese children has increased and doubled within two decades. (Helping your overweight child." Pamphlet by: National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases, National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases, 1997, p. 2+.) The childhood obesity epidemic requires more prevention focused on the first five years of a child’s
Genetics plays a major role in obesity; inherited genes sometimes contribute to the accumulation of fat in the body. Over 200 genes have effect on the weight having repercussions from physical activity, food choices and metabolism. Therefore, genes may increase the vulnerability of a person to become obese. Family eating patterns and social tendencies can also trigger obesity. Moreover, environmental circumstances such as availability of food high in calories and fat and the increase of the portions and combination selections in meals contribute to the development of fat accumulated for years in the body (Whitney & Rolfes, 2011, pg. 277).
Marcus, Lauren, Ph. D., and Amanda Baron, M.S.W. "Childhood Obesity: A Growing Problem." Www.aboutourkids.org. NYU Child Study Center, May 2004. Web. 27 Oct. 2013.
Childhood obesity is an increasing problem here in the United States. According to Schuab and Marian (2011) “Childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions” (P.553). The prevalence of child obesity and overweight has increased over the last 30 years all over the United States, becoming one of the biggest public health challenges (Moreno, Johnson-Shelton, & Boles, 2013). The purpose of this paper is to give a background of the obesity epidemic, a review of current policy, and make a policy recommendation.
Although inherited conditions have been linked to childhood obesity, they are rare. However it has been noted that children with obese or overweight parents are more than likely to be obese themselves, the reason for this as described by Heaton-Harris (2007) is because of the length of time it takes to break a bad habit. Unless the parents are correctly informed of healthy diets themselves the problem will continue from an ill-informed childhood into adult hood. Other probable causes are numerous ones. Fast food and processed foods becoming more read...
Institute of Medicine. (n.d.). Retrieved Jan 10, 2011, from Childhood Obesity Prevention Actions for Local Government: www.iom.edu/Activities/Childhood/LocalObesPrevention.asp
Childhood obesity is a serious medical problem that affects children. Obesity is a medical term, commonly defined as being extremely overweight, which is only half the case. (www.wikipedia.com) Many parent’s ask if their child is obese, or at risk of becoming overweight, and they ask what to do about it. MD, Dennis Clements tells parents: “Obesity is a family event, not an individual event”.