Childhood Obesity : A Obesity
Childhood Obesity: A Review to Prevent the Risk Factors of Childhood Obesity in Our Community.
The rates of childhood obesity Worldwide are alarmingly high! Obesity is a global nutritional concern and leads to horrible consequences on our children and becomes a worldwide pandemic. Worldwide estimates of obesity are as high as 43 million, and rates continue to increase each year. In this study, people will find healthy tips to prevent childhood overweight or obesity to help children in our communities. Child's obesity can make kids in our communities at high risk for diseases like heart problems, asthma, type 2 diabetes. Genetic, behavioral and environmental factors are a cause of obesity on children in the United States. Parents and...show more content...
Childhood obesity is not an immediately lethal disease, but it leads to significant risk factors associated with a range of serious non–communicable disease during adulthood (Shree, 2013). Parents in our communities should engage their children in physical activities. Parents and children should play outside frequently to enjoy time together. This activity may help children to be more active and reduce the risk of obesity. Parents can educate their children to have healthier eating habits, improving physical activities, avoiding fatty food and learning about the importance of a balanced diet to prevent future problems of obesity. Giving to your children a snack sized zip lock bag with their snack for school or afterschool program can create healthier eating habits. The best way to prevent obesity should be teaching parents and children to eat healthier and practice physical activities. Children with obesity have a high risk for discrimination, bullying, low self–esteem and depression (Nigg, 2016). Obesity can make you feel invisible! In his article, Nigg tries to explain the importance of the use of strategies for a good living program for our children. A high percent of children in rural areas in the United States have bad habits of eating and ending overweight or obese. Parents report that their children watch TV for more than 2 hours per day that a doctor recommends. The
Childhood Obesity In America Essay
Why is it that America, deemed to be the most developed and advanced country in the world, has the largest epidemic of childhood obesity? Obesity is a frequent topic of discussion, and extensive research and studies to find the root of this disease. So why are some American children, despite the knowledge of the importance of health, variety of food that is available, and health awareness at schools, are still gaining excess weight? Lack of proper nutrition and sedentary lifestyle of some American children may be contributing to the rise of childhood obesity in the United States.
Currently, the definition of obesity, determined by the Body Mass Index (BMI) scale, considers a child over the 95th percentile to be obese. Childhood obesity affects 17% of the children in the United States, and according to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention, 12.7 million American children will have the prevalence of obesity. Roberto Ferdman argues in his article in The Washington Post that "American kids are still far more likely to be overweight than kids in most other countries." Some children are more likely to become obese based on their race or gender. "The prevalence of obesity among non–Hispanic Asian youth (8.6%) was lower than among non–Hispanic white (14.7%), non–Hispanic black (19.5%), and Hispanic...show more content...
The reasons for this epidemic might be the lack of proper nutrition and sedentary lifestyle of some American children. To end this epidemic, different courses of action are available to take to prevent the next generation of kids from being obese. By improving the health of American children, the economy is also benefiting from future workers that are healthy and active. A healthy and successful America can be reached by having healthy children who might be running America in the next decades to
Childhood Obesity Essay
There was a time when chubby children were considered cute. It was assumed that their baby fat would melt away and a healthy adult would emerge. We now know that childhood obesity can be very harmful for our nations children. Not only can obesity cause health problems but also psychological problems. In observing the causes of childhood obesity, hopefully we can slow down the epidemic.
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the number of obese children ages 6–19 have tripled to 16% over the last twelve years. That is an alarming figure. One of the main causes is lack of physical activity. This may seem like an obvious cause, but it seems to be the one our youth have the most problems with. Physical education is being...show more content...
The age old saying, "You are what you eat" still rings true today. Fresh fruit and vegetables have been replaced by french–fries and hamburgers. Children today do not know how to eat healthy. We, as a nation, spend hours and hours bombarding children with fast food commercials, sugary cereal commercials and cavity causing drink commercials. We than spend a fraction of that time telling kids these things are healthy only in moderation.
Our children's nutritional education is almost nonexistent. Ask a fifth grader what the food pyramid is and you're likely to receive the same blank stare as I did. Most children have no idea what a balanced meal is because they may have never received one. Schools provide nutritional meals at lunch, but there is no enforcement when it comes to eating your fruits and vegetables. Lets face it, children eat what's familiar. If they haven't had it at home they are probably not going to eat it at school. If there are no vegetables at home, they are not going to eat them at school. Home life definitely sets the tone for a child's eating and exercise routines.
Children are like sponges and they will mimic anything a beloved adult will do. We, as the adult nation, are generally out of shape. We have become more reliant on convenience foods that hold little nutritional value. With the rising cost of produce and the recent FDA safety scares it might
Causes of Child Obesity Essay
In the United States, children around the country are becoming extremely overweight. Statistics shows that 1 out of every 3 children is either overweight or obese. This number is staggering and scary. Being overweight is associated with many health problems such as diabetes, heart disease and many more. More children in our society are becoming plagued with diseases that are associated with weight everyday. Our children are the future! And I know that may sound corny, but it's true. We need to keep our kids active, healthy and strong, so they can live long and prosperous lives.
The primary reasons why our children are overweight.
The reasons are children are becoming overweight, is primarily contributed to having access to video...show more content...
This is becoming a big factor as to why our children are becoming overweight.
Another reason why our children are gaining weight at a record pace is from lack of exercise. In this day in age, with the many advancements of video gaming systems, computer games, portable DVD players and handheld games, it's more easier for a child to watch a DVD or play a game rather than play outside. Unfortunately, most children our choosing to play their video game, aside from playing hide and seek outside. Who could blame them? If you had something fun to do that did not require you to move, many people would do that, because it's convenient. Conveniences are taking over our society! Moreover, because of this, we as parents have to step up and say enough is enough.
How we can help our children?
The first way we can help our children is by reducing the amount of time spent in front of the television, video game or computer. Allow your child to explore the outside more often without the need of taking their hand–held game with them. If you live in a poverty–stricken area or an area that you would not want to send your child outside to play in, which is very common in this day and age. You; the parent need to arrange time to take them to the park. Give your child a chance to run around in the sun or play in the sprinklers on a hot summer day.
In addition, we as parent can also change the simplest things that our
Childhood Obesity: A Case Study Essay examples
Introduction
In the past three decades, rates of childhood obesity have increased precipitously. Between the years and 1980 and 2000, the prevalence of obesity has increased from 6.5% to 19.6% among 6 to 11 year old children and 5.0% to 18.1% among 12 to 19 year old adolescents x(National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 2010). This condition is accompanied by many physical and psychological consequences for these children. There are two common postions in the debate about the causes of this condition. One belief of the cause of childhood obesity is that it is a question of "personal responsibility" or in the case of children, of "parental responsibility." That is, increasing rates of obesity are due to...show more content...
In these circumstances, when parents attempt to limit children's ingestion of these foods, they may be inadvertently be reinforcing the children's desire to consume these unhealthy nutriments (Birch & Fisher, 1998). Other investigators have concluded that when parents leave food selection to the preference of the child, the children often choose a sizable quantity of food of meager nutritional value (Klesges, Stein, Eck, Isbell, & Klesges, 1991).
Case Study
Kayla Matos–Galos, a 4–year–old girl from Land O'Lakes, Florida, is significantly obese, weighing nearly 105 pounds. The author has been asked to create a plan for the mother of Kayla, Ms. Luz Matos, to help her daughter improve her eating habits and overall health. Ms. Matos was advised that the goal of treatment should be weight maintenance as opposed to weight loss. This plan permits the child to increase in height but not in weight, resulting in a decrease in BMI–for–age into a healthier range. Ms. Matos was additionally informed that this will not be an easy task and that a considerable amount of effort should be made in maintaining Kayla's weight. Kayla needs to increase her physical activity in addition to eating a healthy diet (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research [MFMER], 2010b).
The success of this plan is contingent upon the commitment of Ms. Matos to helping Kayla adjust to these changes. The most efficacious method to treat
Argumentative Essay On Childhood Obesity
Childhood obesity has now reached an epidemic in several parts of the United States. As a result, children now have a higher risk to have numerous chronic and acute medical problems. Several of the long–lasting medical problems a child might face as a result of obesity could eventually result in death. In addition to chronic medical problems, childhood obesity has severe psychosocial effects on an individual such as low self–esteem and depression. Childhood obesity is a serious problem that is caused by a numerous amount of factors that can eventually lead to severe health complications. The cause of childhood obesity is widely debated. There are some who believe childhood obesity is caused by socioeconomic factors while others believe it is caused by media marketing junk food to children. As a response to this ongoing debate, food markers, mainly fast food, try to defend themselves by blaming childhood obesity on physical inactivity and the lack of parental influence on a healthy diet. Despite what many researchers may believe, childhood obesity is caused by a combination of key factors. According to a well–written article by Erica Roth, Childhood Obesity, she along with other doctors believes that obesity could be caused by many different factors. Some may include "family history, many psychological factors, and lifestyle" (Childhood Obesity). However, the causes of childhood obesity are not limited to these life threatening factors, childhood obesity is almost always
Obesity Among Children And Children Essay
Obesity among children ages 6–18 in the United States Obesity is a major issue not only in the United States, but also around the world. It is dangerous, and it can lead to many health problems. Obesity can causes short and long term health problems; children with obesity are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, and to develop pre–diabetes. Research shows that, "In a population–based sample of 5–17–years–old, 70 percent of obese children had at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease" (Childhood Obesity Facts). Obesity is a stage in which a person is extremely overweight, due to poor diet, or the lack of physical activity. It is also a serious medical condition that affects children and adolescents. It occurs when a child is well above the normal weight for his or her age and height." ("Obesity"). Children ages 6 to 18 are likely to become obese because at that age they do not know much about their health. A child will eat whatever their parents put on the table for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, because they have no control over their own meal. Sometimes children make their own decision on what they want to eat for lunch or dinner, but it is not always the right decision, because they do not know which food is good or bad for their health. Research shows that "Over the past three decades, childhood obesity rates in America have tripled, and today, nearly one in three children in America is overweight or obese" (Let's move). There
Childhood Obesity Essay
Introduction Obesity is on the rise in America. News articles and scientific reports unanimously agree that America is becoming the most overweight country in the world, and other developing countries are not far behind. In addition, these countries' children are now becoming as overweight as their parents and other adults. Unlike these adults, children seldom have the knowledge and control over their lifestyle to contribute to either health or obesity. Prominent researchers in the field exemplify the need for quick action. They state, "The effects of childhood obesity on morbidity and mortality indicate that effective prevention and therapy for childhood obesity are likely to have a significant impact on adult disease"...show more content...
Being overweight can have both psychological and physical ramifications. Obesity is linked to diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, total mortality and certain cancers in adulthood (Harlan 2). Research published in the New England Journal of Medicine states that "obesity present in young women was associated with an adverse impact associated with an adverse impact on household income, education, and rates of marriage, poverty, and college completion" (Gortmaker 1008). Reducing the incidence of obesity will benefit these parts of society as well.
Furthermore, according to research by Price, "Overweight children are especially vulnerable to stigmatization because of the importance given to physical skills and appearance during the developmental years" (95). Additional research has looked at children's views toward other children who show a disability. Results showed that "depictions of obese children were consistently rated less positively than most of the other depictions of children, including children in wheelchairs, on crutches, with limbs missing, and with facial deformity" (95). With research showing these serious effects, ways to effectively reduce and prevent childhood adiposity (body fat) must be offered. Changes in diet, exercise, and the implementation of social programs are three presented here. Effect of Diet The first argument states that diet is the problem and should be addressed to control
Childhood Obesity Essay
Childhood overweight is viewed as the most widely recognized pervasive wholesome issue of US kids and young people, and a standout amongst the most well–known issues seen by pediatricians. Pediatricians deal with the physical, mental, and passionate prosperity of their patients, in each phase of improvement – healthy or in sickness. Childhood obesity expands the danger of numerous intense and interminable therapeutic issues and also mental issues, all of which can hold on into adulthood and unfavorably influence personal satisfaction. Corpulent children can experience the ill effects of orthopedic confusions, including anomalous bone development, degenerative sickness, and agony. Wellbeing issues identified with obesity are additionally
Childhood Obesity : The Prevalence Of Obesity
In recent years, the world's prevalence of obesity in children has increased alarmingly in most of the countries. It is estimated that 170 million of children under 18 years old are overweight, in the US there is a 30% prevalence of obesity, similarly 27% of children in Mexico are obese (OCDE, 2014; Gutiérrez et al., 2012). In some countries like East Germany, New Zealand, the Netherlands and Canada the prevalence of overweight children had risen by one percentage point each year (Wang & Lobestein, 2006). According to an OCDE report obesity rates have grown more rapidly with low socioeconomic and education (OCDE, 2014). Childhood obesity is of concern because obese children are more likely to keep excess weight in adulthood increasing their risk of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension or cardiovascular diseases (Currie et al., 2012). Currently, cases of children and adolescents with insulin resistance, diabetes, dyslipidemia or hypertension, obesity–related conditions have been reported (Pires et al, 2014; Sorof and Daniels, 2002). The causes of childhood obesity can be attributed to various factors such as a higher calorie intake, especially from fat and sugar, a marked decrease in physical and other social factors such as food advertising, sedentary lifestyles, agricultural and health policies, built in environment, transportation, food availability and education among others (WHO, 2015; Robinson, 1999). The World Health Organization also recognizes
Childhood Obesity In Children
The previous paper presented an overview about obesity rates in children. It looked at the health and economic issues that arose from obesity in our society. The prevalence, etiology, consequences and treatments for childhood obesity were explored. In the second paper the aim is to explore the theories and intervention strategies currently used to treat individuals, families and groups experiencing this condition. Research evidence will be presented to support the effectiveness of the current practices and policies to ameliorate this condition.
The paper will focus on the policies enacted and the new programs developed to ameliorate this problem, along with the feasibility of this change given the current social, economic and political...show more content...
People in the social work profession must also be active in their government showing support for initiatives on this issue. Theories about obesity are abundant; it is a complex condition with biological, genetic, behavioral, social, cultural, and environmental influences ( Sugarman, & Sandman 2007). Society views obesity very negative people who are obese are viewed as unmotivated and lazy, therefore, obesity may be due to a group of metabolic disorders. There may be more than one cause for the development and maintenance of body fat content. Body fat is primarily metabolic in origin indicating that some individuals may be genetically prone to obesity (Sugarman & Sandman 2007). There are a variety of factors that can lead to obesity, many of which social workers are qualified to handle. Therefore, social workers must assist with research to help policy makers understand the various causes of this
Obese Children
Today, comparatively nine million youngster over the age of six are examined to be obese. Throughout the years, rates of childhood obesity have increased among children ages 6 to 11. Obese children are progressively developing severe medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, a disease correlated with obesity that was once referred to as "adult onset" diabetes. Obese children also have a greater risk for developing health complications later in life, including heart attack, stroke, and hypertension. In addition, they face mental health risks, as teasing about weight and personal appearance may lead to isolation and depression. Strategies like cutting out TV and sugar–sweetened drinks may help reduce a child's weight or prevent future weight
Child Obesity Research Essay
Child Obesity Having obese children is a problem. The question resumes, why? Are children less active? Are they not eating the right things? Or are they a product of their parents lifestyle? Whatever the answer maybe, we must find it quick. Obesity in children Is becoming an epidemic. And the African American population is leading the way. According to WE Can!, a program of the National Institutes of health 31.7 percent of children between the age of 2–19 years old are overweight or obese. Including an African American population of 35.9 percent. This number is more than the 29.3 percent that represent the White children in the same age category. Following my intital research on Child Obesity, I found a study, by (Young–Hyman, Herman, Scott, Schlundt, 1999), examined the care giver perception of children's obesity. The method od this study screen 111 families in a diabetes prevention study. Care givers completed a health awareness questionnaire that assessed their perception of the child's weight, eating habits, appearance, exercise habits, and health risk. Additionally, the care givers gave each participant's family history of obesity, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. The results supported that 44% of the care givers saw their child's weight to be a problem. The substantial number of parents who saw their child's weight as a problem is deveasting. Parents are not adjusting their childrens lifestyle, and consequently a change in lifestyle will be more difficlut
Childhood Obesity In Children Essay
Childhood obesity is one of today's major health concerns. Not just in the United States, but around the world. It can lead to serious health problems in children which include high cholesterol, diabetes, tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), excessive eating, and other major health problems. Obesity in children can bring all kinds of problems, even death if the case is severe. It's caused by many problems in today's society like the way we eat, exercise and decide to spend our time. From fast foods to a sedentary lifestyle, choosing an unhealthy path can lead to childhood obesity.
Obesity in children has become a very complex issue. Approximately 17 percent of children from the age of 2–19 are obese (CDC 1). One of the major causes of childhood obesity is inadequate eating. In today's society fast foods have dominated our way of living. Fast food chains like McDonald's, Burger King, Pizza Hut, and Domino have inserted themselves into the modern world. Children are more inclined to eat foods with too much sugar, salt and fats than eat fruits and vegetables (CDC 1). They are consuming unhealthy foods moderate in calories while not spending adequate amount of time exercising or being active. Maintaining a...show more content...
Children spent more time consuming high calorie meals and less time burning those calories by doing any type of physical activity. Computers, televisions, and video games keep children inactive and at a higher chance of being obese, leading to health problems in their future. With the over usage of cars, kids walk less and less leading them to an inactive lifestyle. They spent hours watching TV and eating instead of exercising and maintain a healthy diet. Places like parks are less frequently visited by children of all ages leading them to a sedentary lifestyle. Kids usually spent more time inside their homes in their bed doing nothing, than outside playing with other kids and
Child Obesity Thesis
Obesity in America is higher than ever before, and obesity is not only effecting adults but also children. Children obesity is becoming a serious problem, and needs to be taken care of. The purpose of my paper is to compare and contrast the causes and effects of child obesity. My role as an investigator is to locate and evaluate a variety of secondary sources. My intended audience is for the parents of children to show what can be done differently to better avoid obesity in children. My preliminary thesis is parents are partly to blame for the rise in child obesity in
Childhood Obesity In Children
Obesity is the condition of being grossly overweight. For the past decade child obesity has been stable 17%, affection 12.7 million children of the ages 2–19 years old. The beginning of an unhealthy life is first learned at home. When children begin to start learning about different food and portion size they look to their portion size they look to their parents. Starting children off on fast food at a young age to teach them, that is okay for example to have fries all the time instead of vegetables. With parents not taking responsibility for not teaching their children healthy eating habits school meal programs. The research Mary Eberstadt of ("Hoover Institution, a public policy research center devoted to advanced study of politics, economics,...show more content...
Obese children are finding it harder to participate in sporting events and in gym class with other kids. Not only is their weight a problem, but mental health is also affecting children's performance at school. "Today's youth spend many hours participating in sedentary activities like watching large amounts of TV. Additionally, we eat more fast food and vending machine food than we had in the past. Health, physical educators, wellness specialists, and parents can play vital roles in reducing obesity rates in children and adolescents." According to physical activity and childhood obesity: strategies and solution for schools and parents. Children are finding it hard to work with other children in certain actives due to their weight. Most children are tormented and ridiculed for being obese. This can lead to depression and eating disorders like overeating or developing anorexia or bulimia at very young ages. Schools are working on programs to help kids get healthy and learn about healthy eating. Schools are taking action to fight against obesity by and the other issues it causes by taking some steps to help the cause. By taking out unhealthy snacks in the vending machines, schools are creating programs where kids can learn about healthy nueatrtion and work out. These are just come steps that school are taking to help obese children. When children
Child Obesity Among Child Essay
Childhood obesity is a rapidly growing, widespread epidemic, affecting children on a global scale. In the past two decades the childhood obesity rate has increased exponentially around the world. Though, the most rapid increases has been seen within established Western societies and wealthier countries, developing countries have also seen a spike in childhood obesity. Obesity, affects children from a myriad of demographics, such as socioeconomic status, race, gender, and age. In order to put the brakes on the runaway obesity train, prevention and healthy life style innovations, must be at the forefront for all peoples involved with children's well–being.
According to the authors of the article, Too Many Kids Are Too Heavy, Too Young, an estimated 43 million preschool children were overweight or obese in 2010, a 60 percent increase since 1990 (Harvard, 2016). North America is leading the way in obesity rates. The U.S. has some of the highest obesity rates in the world. The largest increase in the U.S. has been seen in non–Hispanic black boys. In Canada, childhood obesity is greater amongst the Aboriginal groups living outside the...show more content...
First, of the regions discussed in the article, reliably, the wealthier countries showed higher rates of obesity than poorer countries. Next, as the rate of obesity increased; the rate of underweight children decreased. For example, in Latin America and South Asia the rate of pre–school children who are underweight has decreased, yet this does not mean malnourishment is not an issue. Lastly, reliable data is scarce, this is due to factors like, the definitions amongst organizations that measure childhood obesity vary, and many countries do not nationally survey their population. Therefore, tracking childhood obesity rates globally is difficult. Though, it is difficult to track the exact numbers of obesity globally, there is no refuting the fact that obesity is a global health
Children And Obesity
31% of children aged between 2 and 19, according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), are overweight. Half of this population is considered to be obese. The rates of obesity, however, vary by age. 8 percent of children between 2 and 5 are obese. Among those between 6 and 11, 18 percent of these children are obese (Segal, Rayburn, & Alejandra, 2016). Finally, 21 percent of those 12 and 19 years are obese. As mentioned before, obesity among children between 2 and 5 are decreasing. But those among age groups 11 and 19 are increasing. This may explain the constant rate of obesity among children.
Variation in Gender, Race and Ethnicity
The prevalence of obesity appears to have levelled off since 2003. However,...show more content...
Research shows that in 2012, the prevalence of the overweight and obese children is greater among the publicly insured that those who are privately insured. The prevalence among both is 42 percent and 27.3 percent respectively. Among those who are uninsured, the prevalence of overweight children increased from 32.4 percent to 37.6 percent between 2007 and 2012 (Segal, Rayburn, & Alejandra, 2016). Health insurance is correlated with better health conditions.
Factors Associated With Overweight and Obesity
Obesity is considered to be caused by different factors including genetic, environmental, and behavioural. Other factors can be mitigated at the individual and family level. Such factors include the amount of energy intake, the amount of physical activity, and sedentary behaviour. Obesity results from positive energy, where one takes in more calories burned. Research shows that the quality of diet remains poor among children with poor socioeconomic status. The overall diet quality, however, in the United States still remains poor. The prevalence of sugary drinks and food in children's diet is a significant factor. The dietary guidelines for Americans claim that solid fat intake and added sugars are above the healthy recommendations (Government of the District of Columbia Department of Health, 2014). Intakes of essential nutrients such as calcium, potassium, dietary fibre
Childhood Obesity In Children Essay
Child obesity affects 30% of the children in the United States, nearly three times what it was fifty–two years ago. Obese children are more likely to have health problems that were once strictly adult concerns. These include type 2 diabetes, asthma, Non–Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD; can cause liver damage and scarring), cancer, hypertension, and high cholesterol, as well as other health concerns. Kids who are obese are more likely to be obese as adults. Childhood obesity is also linked to both higher and earlier death rates in adults.
Kids are considered obese when their BMI (body mass index) is 30 or above. BMI was only used to measure obesity in adults but has now become a common way to measure it in children; before there was a simple measurement use called weight–for–age. BMI measures height and weight (in kilograms and square meters). Weight–for–age was based around percentiles; it measured a percentage of the child population and what they are expected to weigh for their height and age. A child was obese under the weight–for–age measurement if they were at or above the 95th percentile. In other words, they...show more content...
Those from poorer families are at a greater risk to be obese in adolescence. Those lower income families don't have the money available for them to go out for sports. Also responsible are parents who buy foods that are high in sugar and fat because those foods are a lot cheaper and more convenient. Picky eaters do not help matters; they can refuse to eat fruits and vegetables, making it impossible for them to do anything but gain weight because the only foods they will eat are the ones contributing to their obesity. Also, there is less research being done by parents to see what their kids should be eating and no monitoring to see what they do eat. Daily portion size and caloric intake, has dramatically