Preview

Social Media And Childhood Obesity

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
244 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Social Media And Childhood Obesity
Pediatric obesity is a critical problem throughout the Western world. Its primary causes are dietary choices and sedentary behaviors of school-age children, developing adolescents and college-age youth. Observation of the images posted throughout social media of overweight or obese children and adolescents provides an illuminating method by which to comprehend the extent of the problem. Whether posted by family, friends or strangers wanting to shame and ostracize, viewing these images provides an enlightening anthropomorphic pictorial view of the magnitude of the problem.
Subsequently, one of the fundamental factors involved in these behaviors, and which deserves comprehensive research and examination, is the symbiotic relationship between extensive television viewing, unhealthy dietary choices and childhood obesity. If a young person views more than two hours of television, there exists the increased likelihood their primary food choices will be comprised of those deficient in nutritional value.
…show more content…
Galson (2008) in a comprehensive examination of measures concerned adults might utilize in order to create a solution to the childhood obesity crisis when he stated that: “The increase in childhood obesity is partly attributable to an increasingly sedentary lifestyle and poor nutrition” (Galson, 2008, p. 258). If not addressed and resolved early in a child’s life, the resultant consequences from those behaviors can culminate in a lifetime of adverse health and medical difficulties, many of which could result in a reduced lifespan for the

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Powerful Essays

    Are you aware that one out of every five (5) children in the United States considered either overweight or obese (BusinessWeek, 2005)? Alternatively, those on average of one in every three adults are also considered obese (Mayo Clinic, 1998-2009)? Obesity has risen dramatically and at an alarming rate within the past few decades, almost tripling since the 1960’s. An average of 25 to 30% of children are affected by obesity and overweight each year and yet, this condition remains to be under diagnosed and untreated (Moran, 1999). In order to reverse this devastating epidemic one must better understand the causes, affects, and the ways of preventing obesity before it is too late. Obesity can and should be prevented to better the lives of our, children and, ourselves; obesity not only affects ones health but mental and physical well-being as well.…

    • 3078 Words
    • 13 Pages
    Powerful 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
  • Powerful Essays

    Since its introduction to American culture, television, and especially cable, has changed the way most people spend their time, in the same way videos and video games have revolutionized the past decades. Television has consumed society so much that a vast number of people watch it while doing everything; reading, falling asleep, socializing, and even eating. Children are especially inclined to spend hours on end in front of the television, which is a major change from the 1950's and 1960's, when children occupied their time playing outside. Dr. Thomas Robinson found in his article "Does Television Cause Childhood Obesity?" children between the age of two and seventeen years spend an average of three waking years of their life watching television, which does not include the time spent watching videos, playing video games, or using a computer (2). In addition, a study by Dr. Joseph Mercola, contained in the article "TV Watching, Childhood Obesity Linked," found that a quarter of US children watch more than four hours of television daily. With so much time devoted to television, children are disengaged from…

    • 2661 Words
    • 76 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Over the past thirty years obesity has continued to increase, and become a threat to the health of many children. Since the 1970s obesity has doubled in children from the ages of 2-5, and young adults between the ages of 12 and 19. The most significant increase is seen in children between the ages of 6-11 where the numbers have tripled; approximately 9 million children over the age of six are obese.... [tags: Obesity Overweight Children Young…

    • 2524 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Weight of the Nation

    • 415 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Health in the early childhood can have serious consequences later on in life. The Bogalusa Heart Study, in which Cindy participated in, shows that overweight and obese children have risk factors for heart disease even at a young age. Obesity is a problem that has emerged over the last 30 years. it threatens our nation's social, economic and physical health but obesity is often preventable. Although obesity popularity rates appear to be leveling off there are still too many Americans who are overweight or obese and who continue to develop health problems as a result. In order to end the epidemic, everyone must be part of the solution.…

    • 415 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Best Essays

    Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition that affects millions of children and adolescents. This disease is a growing public health concern that must be addressed at the prevention level as opposed to the treatment level, as healthcare has traditionally held its focus. The costs associated with this epidemic continue to rise to astounding levels. These costs are not only monetary, but more importantly, they are the costs associated with the loss of the ability to live a healthy life. While treatment is undeniably important in taking care of our nation, efforts must be made at multiple levels to prevent the problems our country is going to continue to see if we do not.…

    • 4665 Words
    • 19 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Good Essays

    Obesity occurs when an individual has more body fat then what is considered healthy for their height. People who have excess body fat are more likely to develop health issues then non-obese people. Sadly, obesity has become an epidemic in our nation, spreading throughout both the adult and adolescent communities. “Recent studies have shown that 17 percent of the nation’s 6- to 19-year-olds are obese, and that more than a third are overweight. Those rates have about doubled in the past three decades,” (Hotakainen 2012). Unquestionably, there have been many changes in our culture over the last 30 years. Technology and modern conveniences have transformed the way people work and play in the 21st century. Currently, many young people find themselves trying to keep up with schedules that, in most cases, leave little time for healthy choices. Thus, many children find it difficult to maintain their ideal body weight. Undeniably, there are many different lifestyle factors responsible for the obesity issue affecting our American youth today.…

    • 822 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The increasing rate of childhood obesity across the world has been described as the epidemic of the 21st Century. Factors such as changing dietary habits and the increase in sedentary lifestyles have added to the problem of childhood. The American centre for disease control defines being overweight in…

    • 2457 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Obesity in America

    • 947 Words
    • 4 Pages

    3. Malkinson, Terrance. “Childhood and Adult Obesity.” Iee USA Today’s Engineer Today. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Reuters, 29 Oct. 2003 http://www.todaysengineer.org/2003/Nov/worldbytes.asp…

    • 947 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    This shouldn’t come to a surprise to most, that America holds the number one position for obesity. (Wintrup) Not only Americans as a whole but the children. More than one of five children between the ages of 6 and 17 are considered overweight. This is something that needs to change immediately. There are too many health risks at stake for these young children including: diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, and poor academic performance. (Alan) In 2005 a study found that children today may have shorter lives by two to five years than their parents because of obesity. (Palmer) Childhood obesity alone is not the only issue facing children today, although being overly large may prevent the child from living life to the fullest. However, the co-morbidities relating to childhood obesity are the real killers. Hypertension, type 2 diabetes, respiratory ailments, sleep apnea, and depression are just some of the common problems linked directly to obesity in children (Henry). Others…

    • 549 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Obesity in America

    • 2583 Words
    • 11 Pages

    In the United States today, obesity has become an enormous problem. In the last 3decades, the number of people overweight has increased dramatically. A study done by theCenters of Disease Control showed that since 1980, one third of our adult population has becomeoverweight. America is the richest but also the fattest nation in the world, and our obese backsides are the butt of jokes in every other country (Klein 28). The 1980s were a time whenAmericans suddenly started going crazy over dieting, jumping onto the treadmills, and buying prepackaged non-fat foods. However, while all of that was going on, the number of obeseAmericans began to increase. According to a report in the Journal of the American MedicalAssociation, 58 million people in our country weigh over 20 percent of their body’s ideal weight.The article “Fat Times” states, “If this were about tuberculosis, it would be called an epidemic”(Elmer-Dewit 58). The eating habits of society have steadily become more harmful and havestarted to produce gluttonous children, over-indulgent adults, and a food industry set too muchon satisfying our appetites.Obesity can begin at a very young age. Many children in our society are overweight,setting themselves up for serious health problems later in life. Type 2 diabetes, high bloodcholesterol, high blood pressure, and heart problems are just some of the risks. Children who areoverweight also tend to feel less secure, less happy, and be stressed more than normal weight…

    • 2583 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Good 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
  • Better Essays

    Childhood Obesity In America

    • 2726 Words
    • 11 Pages

    If you look around an average classroom, school, or playground you will see that far too many children are stricken with obesity. Obesity, or excessive weight and body mass to an unhealthy extent, can be found all across the world and is increasing in popularity. The United States is no exception to this trend and in fact is one of the most rapid growing countries in obesity today, containing the highest percentage of obese persons. Obesity has become an epidemic that has had a great impact on the youth in our society. Without necessary changes being made to the way we handle childhood obesity, the trend will only continue for the worst.…

    • 2726 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    Obesity In America

    • 1099 Words
    • 5 Pages

    One in every three children in the United States is overweight or obese. (Solving Obesity 3) Childhood obesity has always been a problem in the United States, and continues to be a factor in the lives of many young children. This happens in many other countries around the world, but tends to be much more prominent inside the United States. The growing obesity in children is posing serious problems to their health, and will affect them for the rest of their lives. This leads to having one third of all children be predicted to develop diabetes in their lifetime. (Solving Obesity 3) This problem could no longer be ignored, it is ruining the lives of americas children and…

    • 1099 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    Childhood Obesity Epidemic

    • 1146 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Analysis of Research Report Paper As a parent, do you worry if your child is at the right weight for his/her age and height? Ever wonder what health risks being overweight might bring? Do worry if your child is getting the right amount of physical activity? Are you on top of keeping up with your child’s physical? The questions mentioned are questions committed parents should be concern about with their children. But unfortunately, there are parents not as concerned as others. In the United States, there are many contributing factors, such as poor habits starting at home, lack of physical activity, and timeless TV or computer time, to childhood obesity that can cause future complications, such as diabetes, and other chronic diseases. However,…

    • 1146 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays