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Childhood obesity causes and solutions
Childhood obesity causes and solutions
Childhood obesity causes and solutions
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Who is to Blame for Childhood Obesity? Childhood obesity has recently become a major problem not only in the Unites States, but all around the world. No one knows the real reason as to why childhood obesity has recently become a major epidemic, but it has been found that the environment that the children live in plays a factor in the child’s weight status. Not only that but, some people believe that fast food and their million dollar industries is the reasons why so many children are obese. Whereas others have found that it all relies on their parents, that they, the parents, are the reason why their children are the way they are. Some even say that it’s the school’s fault because they do not teach the children how to live a healthy lifestyle. Whatever it is, it need to be fixed so that we can have a healthier America. At the same time that I believe that the parents play a big role in the weight status of their children, I also believe that schools play a factor in the recent outbreak of childhood obesity. Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the last thirty years, it has recently become one of the major health issues in children. Children who are obese have a greater chance of getting other major health issues such as; heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer. Not only does this child have a greater chance of getting other major health conditions but they also have a greater chance of getting anxiety and depression because these children get bullied for being overweight. It affects these children as they are children but also as they grow older. According to the article “What is Childhood Obesity”, “Children who are considered affected by obesity are seventy percent more likely to cont... ... middle of paper ... ...ype of food they are eating. Home is the primary food source for children and that where children should learn on the type of food to eat. Children that know what food are good for their body can benefit them a lot. Knowing the type of food can help them be healthier in life and will not have any health conditions because of the food choices they make. In my perspective I believe that parent should take inconsideration of what food they give to their children and also the weight of their children. It will benefit them in many different ways and will save them money by not taking them to the hospital for health problems. Everyone should be more aware of children being obese because if everyone took part on helping their kids be more healthy it would make a different not just on the type of foods but also just being active can make a difference in their children lives.
Conclusion: Childhood obesity is an ongoing battle in the 21st century, but is slowing getting better. If high schools changed their diet plan and made more healthy choice for lunch, it would teach students to make the healthier choice. Having a healthy diet benefits students in all the right ways to feeling good about themselves to being able to focus longer and do better in school. If America wants to have a bright future then the high sodium and fat meals need to be changed in order to have an attentive future. Diet is everything and affects every part of our lives and young student’s lives as well. Changing the diet would be and is worth it. The parents need to talk to their children and teach through example what it means to live a healthy life style so they can follow in their footsteps. Students need to learn the healthy choices to do better in school.
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.
The nation is suffering from a new epidemic from a program that had good intentions. The obesity rate for children has distantly increased over the past years and is continuing to grow. In the past thirty years, obesity has more than doubled in children and has tripled in young adults. This problem has both immediate and long-term effects in health and well-being in children and adolescents. The ...
In middle childhood, approximately 40% of obese 7 year olds remain obese as adults, according to Epstein, Wing and Valoski (1985). Childhood Obesity is a major concern as it not only can have related social issues where children can get bullied, but can result in serious diseases in adult life such as Diabetes and heart conditions (McDevitt & Ormrod, 2010). It is because of these alarming facts and figures that it is even more important to instil the benefits of physical activity and eating habits in children.
As more children are diagnosed with suffering from childhood obesity, the argument of who is to blame arises. When discussing who is in the wrong about the ever rising amount of obese children, the most common source of blame is either the children’s own parents or outside influence. Outside influences consist of a wide range of establishments such as the government, companies, economics, and the education systems. Stating that outside sources have no influence on the growth and development of children would be ignorant and wrong, but ultimately, it is the parent’s responsibility to provide a healthy yet, happy life for their child. The debate of who is blame for childhood obesity come down to agency versus structure, or more basically stated, freedom versus structure. By definition, the word agency refers to “the capacity of individuals to act independent and to make their own free choices” (Barker, 2003, p.448). The act of conceiving and furthermore, giving birth and raising a child is an act of independence. This act of independence places the responsibility of having a child solely upon the parent. Before the conception of a child, parents must understand the
Within the past three years obesity among children has tripled. Childhood obesity is considered the number one health threat in America. Childhood obesity has become a major issue facing America. And today over “nine million” (Selicia 4, May) United States children are overweight and obese. Sadly “2 million” (Tanner 2005) of these children are at risk for type 2 diabetes. Obesity has become a burden to the United States economy and it is costing America “$147 billion” (Holden, 2010) a year.
Daniel Weintraub wrote an article in The Sacramento Bee exclaiming his concern for childhood obesity, criticizing the “blame game”, and whom he believes is not taking enough responsibility for this horrendous epidemic that is sweeping our nation. Weintraub states that, “Parents -- not the fast food companies, not the government-- are in the best position to fight the epidemic of overweight children.” I agree that parents play a vital role in establishing healthy eating choices and exercise habits. However, I also strongly believe that fast food companies and the government should share the responsibility of keeping our nations children healthy. I suggest that a system should be created which implements and reinforces responsibility amongst all three parties. All three parties have played a role in getting our children in this unfortunate situation, and all three should help our children to become healthy, active, productive members of society.
Obesity is ordinary, serious and costly. More than 78 million of U.S. population are obese. Among obese adults, female obesity rates are higher than male obesity rates. This is also seen among adults that are critically and morbidly obese. Meanwhile, boys and girls ages 2 to 19 have similar obesity rates. However preschool boys have a higher obesity rate than preschool girls. The reverse is true among ages 6 to 11 where girls' obesity rates more than double to 17.9 percent and the rates among boys increase to 16.4 percent. Likewise, childhood obesity has serious psychosocial effect, such as low self-regard, lower quality of life, and discouragement.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past forty years. As of today, 20% of American children ages 6-19 years old are obese (CDC, 2017). Approximately 50% of these children will be obese as adults. Obesity is known to be the leading cause of many chronic diseases such as heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure. The presence of these conditions may lead to poor quality of life affecting physical, emotional and social health. In addition, children with obesity are bullied more than those with healthy weights and may have negative psychological impacts (CDC, 2017). The World Health Organization defines health-related quality of life as “an individual's
Child obesity is a big concern in the United States. As a country we can agree that child obesity is increasing and somehow getting out of control. Who is to blame for this increase parents, schools, the media, fast food restaurants? Regardless of who is to blame we need to focus on the problem and in ways to help decrease childhood obesity. It is cheaper to buy foods that are not very nutritious because they are cheaper than healthier foods, plus they taste better. Children will choose the food that they know taste better but if we teach them to eat right we will make them choose the food that is better for their health.
Parents are not teaching children how to eat healthy. They feed them cheeseburgers, chicken fingers, and fries. Kids are not being exposed to a regular diet of health fruits and vegetables. Now some people are just naturally overweight, but being “overweight” is not the same as being “obese.” Someone who is overweight has reached a maximum weight limit for their height. When someone goes beyond this maximum limit, then they are considered “obese” (Kiess 1). Research shows that “obesity is generally defined as the abnormal or excessive accumulation of fat in adipose tissue” (Kiess 1). The increase in childhood obesity today is mainly the fault of the parent because they are unable to tell their children “no” when it comes to junk food (Kiess 104). Parents are the one buying all the food that comes into the house. They are the ones buying the sugary drinks and chips. They are the ones allowing the children to “have what they want.” Because parents are not teaching their children how to eat healthy, we will continue to see childhood obesity increase. Unfortunately, overweight children will be the ones who suffer because statistics show children who are overweight are more likely to become obes...
Throughout these past decades, the problem of childhood obesity has gone in parents ears and out of the other. Parents are ignoring the obvious problem in front of them, and their kids are suffering for it. These children will grow up and live difficult lives with many obstacles because of their parents' choices. Obese children face both long-term and short-term physical and emotional effects. The cause of this is the parents refusal to change their lifestyle. Childhood obesity continues to affect the lives of children on an emotion and physical level because parents are not feeding their kids properly.
People know that obesity is one of the biggest health concern across the country which leads to major health problems. For example, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and lastly obesity. Children on the other hand, are more at risk because it is so easy for them to gain weight and to mistake their weight as something that stays with them only as a child; but it can in fact stay with them till their adult life. If nothing is done, it can result in heart disease but, they are also at risk for some forms of cancer and even dementia.
If parents don't start becoming responsible for their children's health and weight issues there is no stopping the rise of childhood obesity. If obesity rates continue to rise, our healthcare system will continue to be strained with caring for people with complications of obesity and everyone will suffer, even those that have chosen to live healthy lifestyles will be affected. Not only will more strain on the healthcare system cause health insurance premiums to increase, but all taxpayers will end up footing the bill for obese, public health recipients. If parents begin to make better healthier choices for themselves and their children, it will break the cycle of obesity, and it will have positive effects on their lives, as well as our country.
As a nutrition and health student, I am aware of the impact of childhood obesity. It can be socially debilitating and ultimately,