Argumentative Essay On Childhood Obesity

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United State and developing countries. Based on the diet recommendations established by the United States Department of Agriculture, only 2 percent of children have a healthy diet. According to the CDC if a child is in the 85th to less than 95th percentile they are considered overweigh, and any child above the 95th percentile is considered obese. The Oxford Journal states that “The availability of abundant, energy-rich processed food in the last few decades, has resulted in a sharp rise in the prevalence of obesity in westernized countries.”(Walley) Childhood obesity can be the result of five different things; they are an unhealthy diet, insufficient exercise, excessive snacking, advertisement, and some genetic factors. Childhood obesity have been referred to as “one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century.”() Obesity can cause severe damage to nearly every system in a child’s body.

Not only does watching TV take away from children’s physical activity time, it also promotes bad nutrition. According to WebMd, “The average teen in the U.S. sees about 15 food ads per day, which unknowingly can affect how you eat.” Unfortunately, nearly all food advertisements viewed by children are products that are high in fat, sugar or sodium, and are often low in fiber. A study by researchers at Yale University found “that kids eating a snack while watching TV ate 45% more during and after food