Childhood Obesity

In today’s large demand for easy and quick answers, we find that in the long run, many of them backfire and cause catastrophic consequences. Today all one sees on the media are new gimmicks that are supposed to make life better, easier, and faster than before. For example, fast food is one way that makes life for many easier with its easy accessibility and low cost. Unfortunately, these high calorie fast foods are causing a major problem for many young people who now face concerning the problem of childhood obesity. We can see that childhood obesity is a great concern we should look at because it is increasing more and more each year and also because it can cause fatal health consequences along the way when theses obese children grow up. One blame falls on the easy and quick answers like fast food, video games, television, internet, cars, and so many others that make life better, but at the same time they are causing many young people to become obese. The blame also falls on the parents and the kids because they have slipped into the mindset of “taking the easier way out” and have ignored all advice that has been provided concerning this problem Also because the bad use they are giving these things because too much of anything is always bad for you.. To solve this problem, parents and kids should make better healthy choices.

Childhood Obesity is a great concern that should be dealt with because the numbers are increasing greatly. For example, The Center for Disease Control and Prevention states, “Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years” (cdc.gov). This shows that childhood obesity is a major problem because it is increasing rapidly through the years. In addition, “The percentage of children aged 6–11 years in the United States who were obese increased from 7% in 1980 to nearly 20% in 2008” (cdc.gov). This also shows that childhood obesity is a big problem because the number of small children being obese has increased greatly over the years. Additionally, small children are starting out their lives with a problem that is going to affect their healthy indefinitely. Furthermore, “childhood obesity is responsible for over 300,000 deaths each year” (justthink.org). This shows that the increasing numbers of childhood obesity is a major problem because it is responsible for a large amount of deaths each year. It is horrible to see parents outlive their children.

Childhood Obesity is a great concern that should be dealt with because it causes immediate health problems. For example, The Center for Disease Control and Prevention states, “Obese youth are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure. In a population-based sample of 5- to 17-year-olds, 70% of obese youth had at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease. (cdc.gov). This shows that childhood obesity leads to big health problems because they lead to cardiovascular disease that can affect the rest of their lives. In addition, “Obese adolescents are more likely to have prediabetes, a condition in which blood glucose levels indicate a high risk for development of diabetes” (cdc.gov). This show that childhood obesity can also lead to other health problems such as diabetes and this can affect the rest of their lives because they will have to live a life where they have to keep controlling their blood glucose levels. Furthermore, “Children and adolescents who are obese are at greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem” (cdc.gov). This shows that childhood obesity can also cause other health problems that can affect the way they go about their lives because they are overweight. Furthermore, this also shows that childhood obesity can also cause social and psychological problems that can cause the child to grow in isolation.

   Childhood obesity is a great concern that should be dealt with because it causes long term health problems. For example, The Center for Disease Control and Prevention states, “Children and adolescents who are obese are likely to be obese as adults and are therefore more at risk for adult health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, several types of cancer, and osteoarthritis. One study showed that children who became obese as early as age 2 were more likely to be obese as adults” (cdc.gov). This shows that childhood obesity can have long term affects like diabetes. In addition they state, “Overweight and obesity are associated with increased risk for many types of cancer, including cancer of the breast, colon, endometrium, esophagus, kidney, pancreas, gall bladder, thyroid, ovary, cervix, and prostate, as well as multiple myeloma and Hodgkin’s lymphoma” (cdc.gov). This shows that childhood obesity does not only affect them as children, the long term affects can cause them to go through many pains throughout their lives.

            Childhood obesity is a major problem that with the right steps can be prevented. For example, The Center for Disease Control and Prevention gives examples by stating, “Healthy lifestyle habits, including healthy eating and physical activity, can lower the risk of becoming obese and developing related diseases” (cdc.gov). This shows that with easy steps like healthy eating, and physical activity we can reduce the number of children that are obese. This also shows that many of these things can be controlled by the parents, so they have to do their part to help their children make the right healthy choices. In addition, The Center for Disease Control and Prevention continue on  by stating, “The dietary and physical activity behaviors of children and adolescents are influenced by many sectors of society, including families, communities, schools, child care settings, medical care providers, faith-based institutions, government agencies, the media, and the food and beverage industries and entertainment industries” (cdc.gov). This shows that there are many other factors that influence the children so there are many areas in which we can help, not just the parents but everyone else. Schools could help by offering more nutritious meals; the community can help by getting everyone active so children can get the physical activity they need; the media can help by encouraging more for the children to do by way of physical activity, etc. Furthermore, The Center for Disease Control and Prevention states, “schools play a particularly critical role by establishing a safe and supportive environment with policies and practices that support healthy behaviors, Schools also provide opportunities for students to learn about and practice healthy eating and physical activity behaviors” (cdc.gov).This shows that schools play a big role in influencing children because that is the place they go to learn most of their week. So would it not be obvious that schools should encourage children to make more healthy choices?  There are many ways in which we can help solve this problem and it all starts with teaching these children how to make the right healthy choices.

            Childhood obesity is a major problem that can cause problems in many ways. The growing numbers show that this is becoming more and more of a problem that has to be dealt with as soon as possible, if we want to see children live older than their parents. Childhood obesity can cause immediate health issues like cardiovascular diseases and long term issues like diabetes which can all be very debilitating. This problem can be solved by encouraging parents and many other factors that influence children to help them make the right healthy choices like eating right and doing physical activity.  

Works Cited

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,

15 Sept. 2011. Web. 20 Apr. 2012.

\<http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/obesity/facts.htm>.

"Childhood Obesity In America." Help and Videos about Childhood Obesity. Web. 20 Apr.

2012. <http://justthink.org/about/childhood-obesity-in america/? gclid=CM6zl__t268CFQ1vhwoddFLeDA>.