Preview

Child Obesity

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1471 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Child Obesity
Child Obesity

Child obesity has become a serious problem in America, and it is still on the rise. The amount of children with child obesity has more than tripled in the last 30 years at an alarming rate. It is now estimated that 1 in 5 children in America are overweight. And with this comes both long and short term impacts on these children. Those impacts are not only physical, but mental as well. Some studies suggest that the rise of obesity is the result of a society that does not support children and families effectively. Over the past 20 years, children have become neglected. Children need the correct guidance to live a healthy lifestyle. And adults need to be better educated to be able to do so. There needs to be changes made in our society to address this situation and to prevent the statistics from getting higher. The consequences of a child being obese are extremely serious. There are the short term physical effects such as blood lipid abnormalities, orthopedic and pulmonary problems, and high blood pressure. Children are also likely to enter puberty earlier than non-obese children, resulting in a shorter stature. There are many long term physical consequences as well. One of the long term consequences that needs to be avoided the most is the 70% risk of its persistence into adulthood. Among some other long term consequences are coronary heart disease, various cancers, and angina. Then there are the psychological effects child obesity has on an individual. And most often, obesity in children is a psychological disability. They have a hard time in school due to the hostile

social environment. Therefore a child will dislike and avoid school. Obesity often results in social isolation, negative body image, low self-esteem, and delayed psychological development. And unfortunately heath educators in the school system do not address weight for children as they would for racism or sexism. Therefore an obese child is not educated,



Cited: Mellin, Laurel. “Combating Childhood Obesity.” Journal of the American Dietetic Association 93.3 (1993): 265-267. Health Reference Center Academic. Gale. Web. 3 May 2011. Troiano, R.P. & Flegal, K.M. “Overweight Children and Adolescents: Description, Epidemiology, and Demographics”. Pediatrics, 101(1998): 497-504. Health Reference Center Academic. Gale. Web. 6 May 2011. Strauss & Pollack. “Epidemic Increase in Childhood Overweight.” Journal of the American Medical Association (2001): 286. Health Reference Center Academic. Gale. Web. 3 May 2011. Lopez, Luciana. “Leaner Lunches.” The Oregonian. 27 September 2004, Sunrise Edition: B01. LexisNexis Academic. Web. 3 May 2011. Carmona, R. H. “The Growing Epidemic of Childhood Obesity.” Journal of the American Medical Association (2004, March 2): 289. Health Reference Center Academic. Gale. Web. 6 May 2011. McCarthy, Claire. “Strong Medicine.” Newsweek. 22 March. 2010: 49. Acedemic OneFile. Gale. Web. 3 May 2011.

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Ogden CL, et al. Prevalence and trends in overweight among US children and adolescents, 1999-2000. JAMA. 2002;288(14):1728-1732.…

    • 952 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    First, lets take a statistical look at this worldwide epidemic. The scope of childhood obesity must be examined through information provided over a period of time. In 1997 the World Health Organization declared obesity to be a global epidemic. In 2001 the US Surgeon General published a call to action to prevent and decrease the disease ( US Dept, of Health and Human Services. 2001). Yet, 11 years later America is still battling the epidemic of childhood obesity. Within the last 3 decades childhood obesity rates have tripled. In 2006 it was estimated that 46.4% of American children would be obese or overweight by 2010 (Wang, and Lobstein. 2006). The scope of childhood obesity is widespread. It is a global epidemic that must be fought with the full knowledge of the nature of its source.…

    • 1521 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Besides health related issues, children and adolescents have an increased risk of mental health issues that may lead well into their adulthood. A study at the university of Medicine and Dentistry found that, “obese children between the age of 13-16 years old are four times likely to experience low self-esteem, which leads to sadness, loneliness, and depression and are more likely to become smokers and drink alcohol”.…

    • 664 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Koplan, J., Liverman, C.T., Kraak, V.I., & Institute of Medicine, (.(U.S.). (2005). Preventing Childhood Obesity: Health in the Balance. Washington, D.C.: National Academies Press.…

    • 1245 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    If you were to take a walk through the neighborhood park twenty years ago you would see happy, healthy children running all around. If you were to walk in that same park now, you would more than most likely find half the number of children and a good number of them would be considered overweight. Childhood obesity is a very dangerous epidemic with potential catastrophic effects on the health of our future. This report will analyze what causes childhood obesity and what can be done by schools, parents, and communities to help our children grow up happy and healthy.…

    • 842 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Child Obesity in America

    • 2455 Words
    • 10 Pages

    Obesity is not just gaining a few extra pounds; it is the gaining of weight continuously and having weight at least 10% higher than recommended for one’s height and body type (Collins, 2011). Since obese children can gain more weight easily, studies from the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center proves that unhealthy eating habits are the main cause of childhood obesity trend.…

    • 2455 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Braunstein. D, G, M.D. (2010).Childhood obesity: An epidemic that 's growing up fast. Retrieved from…

    • 1040 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    Obesity In America

    • 1405 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Through mass media televisions, magazines, and commercials seem to have all focused on topics that are trending with debate within the U.S. such as abortion, legalizing of gay marriage, or even legalization of marijuana. All of which has taken away the attention of this rising epidemic other wise known as obesity. Overweight children are more likely to experience health problems that can drastically affect development through their adolescent years. The risks associated with obesity include asthma, sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, and a higher risk of obtaining chronic conditions like stroke; breast, colon, and kidney cancers. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist “Over the past 30 years, the prevalence of obesity has nearly tripled for the children 2 to 5 years of age and youth 12 to 19, and it has quadrupled for children 6 to 11 years of age.” It is a startling statistic that although we are continuously battling against obesity it seems as though our efforts have not made a significant achievement. Changes must be made in the current process of how we deal with this situation, going from government involvement, to the parents of young children, and most importantly how to transition the new information in to…

    • 1405 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Childhood Obesity

    • 1074 Words
    • 5 Pages

    According to the Center for Disease Control (Overweight and Obesity Data and Statistics), obesity in children has more than tripled in the United States in the last 30 years. This equates to one third of all children and adolescence in America being obese. This is an alarming trend as it paints a very morbid picture for the future of the nation. Obese children are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease and diabetes than children who maintain a healthy weight.…

    • 1074 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Childhood Obesity

    • 1344 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Much more startling than the rates in which this epidemic is occurring are the many physical and psychological consequences that accompanies it. Many obese children have a negative self-image and self-esteem, which in turn leads to lack of confidence. The chance of being ridiculed and discriminated by peers is much higher. These children have a higher incidence of cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, increased cholesterol levels, insulin resistant type 2 diabetes, asthma as well as shortness of breath and sleep apnea. The extra weight on the body can also cause discomfort on the musculoskeletal system causing muscle and bone disorders (Karnik & Kanekar, 2012). Unfortunately, if this is not corrected by diet and…

    • 1344 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Childhood obesity in the United States of America has become one of the major health concerns for the nation. Diabetes, cancer, psychological problems as well as heart diseases are just but a few of the many health problems that come with obesity in children. However, childhood obesity is an issue that is preventable, treatable as well as can be managed with great effectiveness despite many thousands of people across the world and in America continues to face this same problem. One of the worst things in life is facing issues such as health problems while still child as compared to when one is an adult. Childhood obesity has become an epidemic in the modern American society. This is creating a lot…

    • 2206 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Childhood Obesity

    • 346 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012). In 2008 more than one third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2012). Childhood obesity is not only a family problem; childhood obesity is a nation 's problem with severe health risk. Childhood obesity has both immediate and long-term effects on health and well-being of a child(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2012). Obesity not only affects a child 's health it can affect them socially. Children who are obese are less likely to participate in sports or any other physical activities. This lessens the amount of physical activity that a child needs causing more harm to a child.…

    • 346 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Childhood obesity has become a major problem in America. Obesity is a bigger threat in children than it was in the past. Obesity contribute too many of the physical and psychological disorders seem in children. Children are more likely to become overweight adults if they do not practice good eating habits and exercise. Over the past few years, obesity has been increasing at an alarming rate due to technology, unhealthy food choices and lack of physical activity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years. “The percentage of children aged 6 to 11 years who were obese in 1980 was 7 percent and by 2012 it had grown to 18 percent. The percentage of adolescents…

    • 263 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Child Obesity

    • 2561 Words
    • 11 Pages

    I. Child obesity is defined... as a child whose body mass index (BMI) for their age is more than 95%. (Obesity Action Coalition)…

    • 2561 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Bad Side of Advertising

    • 1438 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Torgan, Ph.D., Carol. "Childhood Obesity." June 2002. National Institutes of Health. 28 Feb. 2007. <http://www.nih.gov/news/WordonHealth/jun2002/childhoodobesity.htm>…

    • 1438 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays

Related Topics