How Can We Rid Childhood Obesity

How Can We Rid Childhood Obesity?
Childhood obesity is a pandemic that has reached worldwide distribution. A problem as rampant as this is having a direct negative correlation with education and the way kids learn in America. “More than one third of children and adolescents are overweight or obese” (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). For the next generation to succeed and someday be responsible for many of the leadership roles that run this country, there needs to be immediate action. Childhood obesity has a negative effect on development on education, it’s time to start educating children on the many ways to make healthy decisions that will ultimately come back and benefit the education system and learning process itself.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention classifies childhood obesity as a disease and psychological disorder meaning that it directly affects brain function. A child being overweight is classified as a body mass index at or higher than the eighty-fifth percentile and lower than the ninety-fifth percentile for those among the same age and sex. For childhood obesity, it is classified as a body mass index at or higher than the ninety-fifth percentile among the same ages and sexes (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). One without any knowledge or background of public health can conclude that if obesity directly affects brain function, that it must also affect leaning in school. According to Juliette Kellow’s research, the performance of 7000 children was investigated to find out if obesity affected learning in school. Results showed an unclear reason of how obese children performed significantly lower than those of the ‘normal’ weight. “There may be a link between self-esteem and learning. Being overweight may lower children’s self esteem, making it harder for them to concentrate in class so that they learn less. Possible health problems with obese children may affect attendance at school which in turn, will affect school performance” (Kellow). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obese children are at higher risks for heart disease, diabetes, bone and joint problems, problems with breathing during sleep and psychological problems (http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/obesity/facts.htm).
The amount of money needed to take care of childhood obesity are at immense numbers. It would force the public to spend nearly two hundred billion dollars each year in medical costs. “Researchers estimate that if obesity trends continue, obesity related medical costs, alone, could rise by $43 to $66 billion each year in the United States by 2030” (http://www.campaigntoendobesity.org/). Having the right education and programs that are directed at decreasing childhood obesity will eventually decrease health costs in the future for children who might develop future diseases. Although many programs have been established, many people disagree with these programs and believe that it is not up to the government to step in and aid the children but that it is the parents’ responsibility to keep their children healthy.
The examiner.com posted an article regarding childhood obesity, comparing the United States to the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom’s epidemic with childhood obesity is much worse that in the United States. Recently a law was passed on the ground of childhood obesity being a form of abuse and a disease onset by the parents. That said the responsibility of a child’s weight directly falls on the parents or legal guardians. This has become extremely controversial due to genetic and other factors. Ana Kasparian, chief editor of politics of education talks about a 40-year-old mother who weighed 322 pounds and had her new born taken away from her after giving birth for fear that the baby might grow up in a nutritionally unhealthy environment. “The government steps into murky waters when it tries to determine what should and should not be considered child abuse. If children are morbidly obese, should the government step in and remove the kids from their home? Are parents abusing their children by allowing them to become overweight?” (Kasparian). Recent research shows that some people think that taking children away from their parents and home may be extreme but many can agree that education and help is needed where obesity greatest. Children today are faced with more decisions about what to eat and drink than ever before. Due to the popular culture and enticing commercials, children are given many unhealthy choices. This results in choosing energy drinks filled with sugar and a plethora of unhealthy snacks such as Hot Cheetos. Media influence affects the choices children make and it is shown why generations are becoming more overweight. “Unless lawmakers put an end to the sale of sugared soda and high calorie foods in schools, it will be hard for kids to avoid unhealthy foods” (http://sitemaker.umich.edu/356.feld/home). The real challenge is finding where to begin to fix this problem.
Since childhood obesity is considered a disease that is out of control, there have been many campaigns that are promoting alternative lifestyles and healthy habits for children. A major campaign ongoing in the United States is the Campaign to End Obesity. On their website campaingendobesity.org, there are step-by-step programs that have been implemented in schools and communities to help curb childhood obesity. Although there are other programs developed towards ridding childhood obesity, this program works at the national level, “By bringing together leaders from across industry, academia and public health with policymakers and their advisors…” It makes the leaders aware of the change that needs to occur to reverse “one of the nation’s costliest and most prevalent diseases” (campaingendobesity.org). There is a constant gap between the United States’ and the United Kingdom’s education which can be largely related to diet and exercise in children and the government’s role in childhood obesity. These two countries’ public education system has been falling farther and farther behind other leading economic countries such as China, Japan and Canada for decades. Many argue that the government should be taking a stronger stand and start using education as a forefront to help educate children about diet and exercise.
Although California is trying to take a step in the right direction in resolving childhood obesity through its many programs, many states have no curriculum on diet and healthy eating habits. Furthermore some states do not require any form of physical education curriculum in the public education system. According to the National Association for Sport and Physical Education, only “6 states (12% - Illinois, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New York, and Vermont) require physical education in every grade, K- 12.” and only “9 states (18%) require elementary schools to provide students with recess” (http://www.aahperd.org/naspe/publications/shapeofthenation.cfm).
Many school districts suffer from economic problems where programs and resources may be too expensive or out of cost. Currently California has budgets for allocation for many types of programs which promote healthy diets to children. However, some argue that it is not up to the state, but responsibility falls on the parents and legal guardians to educate their children on childhood obesity. According to research done by Thomas Power, chair of the Department of Human Development at Washington State University, allowing children to eat whatever they want and nurturing their child to make meal time a pleasant experience leads to childhood obesity (http://researchnews.wsu.edu/health/322.html). The continued research had results that showed that having medium control, which is not too much control and not too little control, on the child’s food choices will render a positive effect on the child’s choices on foods. Including the child in preparing meals, having choices on healthy snacks and bringing the child along during grocery shopping will help the child to make healthier food choices.
There are many questions arising regarding how improving cafeteria food will benefit in helping rid of childhood obesity. To answer some of these questions, there must be a division of the politics that are involved with trying to reach an agreement toward the implementation of healthier dietary food in the public education system. The USDA started a free and non-profit program in 1994 called Choose My Plate. Their goal is “to improve the nutrition and well-being of Americans…” (http://www.choosemyplate.gov/) by advancing and promoting dietary resources for all Americans through conducted and proven research and a study in nutrition and public consumer. The consumer economics portion is a major component of this program that has been appealing to many district administrators. This is because it specializes in conducting resources to demographic areas where economics must be considered when choosing a healthy diet. (http://www.choosemyplate.gov/)
My Pyramid is a program also sponsored by the USDA. It educates children on the food pyramid and all the daily food groups which should be included in a 2000 calorie diet. Some people argue that it is too expensive for the government to implement products and programs like this into the public education system, however, others argue that the cost is too high not to implement these types of programs. The problem will only grow and become increasingly devastating if nothing is done to help obesity in children. The question now renders towards the effectiveness of these programs. According to the USDA, “students are beginning to notice the difference in their overall health and way they feel” (http://www.choosemyplate.gov/).
Some of the programs discussed previously would be beneficial, however without truly altering the cafeteria food at most schools, these programs may not stand to last a prolonged period for being truly effective. The costs of completely changing the menu in most schools may be out of the question due to budgetary costs. However small steps can be taken and if goals are formed, there is no telling where the public education system can go with reversing childhood obesity. The education system can educate parents with pamphlets about fruits and vegetables and other nutritious foods for the child’s meals and snacks to replace chips and crackers. Parents should educate their children on the benefits of water rather than juice and soda. Also they should restrict the time their children spend watching television and increase the time they spend exercising to at least one hour a day.
It is important for parents to know that children will respond better to the new lifestyle changes they are implementing. By encouraging and educating children about a healthy lifestyle, parents, teachers and medical professionals need to remember to give credit to the child that is actively trying to change their habits. Starting children at a young age with healthy eating and getting adequate exercise on a daily basis will also help to prevent diseases. Most importantly, education is the way to prevent future obesity. The “American Journal of Public Health” classifies childhood obesity in America as something that is uncontrolled and a disease that is growing constantly. According to the Campaign to End Obesity, childhood obesity is the reason that the present generation of youth is foreseen to have a shorter lifespan than their parents (http://www.campaigntoendobesity.org/). If something is not done, it will continue to grow and affect the way children live and learn. Works Citied
“Childhood Obesity Facts.” Center for Disease Control and Prevention. August 6, 2013. http://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/childhoodobesity/. Accessed: March 26, 2014
This website gave information on childhood obesity. It states the most recent statistics of childhood obesity in the United States. It also states the immediate health effects and the long term health effects of a child continuing with obesity. It also describes the ways to prevent childhood obesity.
Kellow, Juliette BSC RD. “Obesity Affecting Education. Weight Loss Resources. https://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/children/obesity-affecting-education.htm. Accessed: March 26, 2014.
This article elaborates on a research study that was done with 7000 American student from when they first entered school in kindergarten till they were in the third grade. It followed these students to see if obesity affected their education. The results were not too clear on whether obesity affected their education, but results showed that having low self-esteem from being obese affected their concentration in class, resulting in lower grades.
“Obesity in the News.” Campaign to End Obesity. http://www.campaigntoendobesity.org/. Accessed March 27, 2014.
This website talks of an ongoing campaign to end obesity. It elaborates on what actions hospitals and school are doing to end obesity. It also gave statistics of how much it would cost if childhood obesity was not prevented.
Kasparian, Anna. “Is the Lack of Health Education Leading to Childhood Obesity?” Examiner.com. October 26, 2009. http://www.examiner.com/article/is-the-lack-of-health-education-leading-to-childhood-obesity. Accessed: March 27, 2014.
This article talks about how a woman’s baby was taken away from her after having C-section to remove the baby. The baby was taken away from her by the government for fear that the baby would be raised in a nutritional unhealthy family. But it also elaborates how education is sparse to the public. It also provides resources that people can visit to seek educational information on obesity prevention.
Barnard, Kathy & Linker, Sarah. “Parenting Practices Influence Childhood Obesity” Washington State University. http://researchnews.wsu.edu/health/322.html. Accessed: March 28, 2014.
This article elaborates on the different parenting practices that can influence childhood obesity. The different parenting practices are the low control, medium control and high control. Research showed that the medium control practice resulted in healthy positive food choices by the child.
Gollust, Sarah E., Jeff Niederdeppe, and Colleen L. Barry. "Framing the Consequences of Childhood Obesity to Increase Public Support For Obesity Prevention Policy." American Journal of Public Health 103.11 (2013): e96-e102. Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition. Web. 27 Mar. 2014.
This article was written based on research that was done on two internet based surveys to determine what causes childhood obesity and the consequences that span from childhood obesity. It also asks the public to help with this epidemic to rid of childhood obesity.
Wang, Youfa, and Hyunjung Lim. "The Global Childhood Obesity Epidemic And The Association Between Socio-Economic Status And Childhood Obesity." International Review Of Psychiatry 24.3 (2012): 176-188. Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.