Childhood Obesity In America
Childhood Obesity in America
Introduction
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 …show more content…
of concern over the future of children as well as the society at large. As the American population continues to become more obese more problems are being experienced in terms of health issues. Over the years, there has been an increase in childhood obesity and this could result in a serious health crisis for the America’s future. However, one thing is clear, that childhood obesity is an issue that can be managed and also controlled through a change in lifestyle which includes exercising as well as healthy eating in every child’s daily activities.
Causes of Childhood Obesity There are several factors that have been identified to have contributed to the rise in childhood obesity in America. Some of the factors those factors include the following:
Advertisements
Advertisements are often aimed at influencing people to make purchases that sometimes are unnecessary. People often make purchasing decisions based on what they see or hear through print or visual media as well as from friends. The advertisers have taken this advantage and are using it to confuse children into believing that fast foods are the best. Children are easily influenced when they see interesting food products on televisions and would want to try everything (Flegal, 2847). This has greatly contributed towards childhood obesity considering that many children would prefer to taste what they see being advertised as good and sweet.
Fast Food The other factor is the fast foods that children like the most. Fast foods are tastier, cheap and readily available (Jebb, 38). Children prefer these fast foods to healthy foods because of the taste. Moreover, children are impatient and many are the times they will influence their parents to buy them fast foods. However, despite the belief that these foods are tastier and even cheaper, the end result of consuming large amounts of these has serious implications on the health of children.
Lack of exercise Lack of exercise and involvement in physical activities is also a major factor that has contributed to the high rate of obesity among American children. Children are supposed to engage in physical activities from time to time as one way of keeping healthy (Johnson, Delva, & O’Malley, S195). However, many children currently do not engage in exercise due to the poor school systems which do not encourage physical activities (Flegal, 2847). Parents have also become quite lazy in encouraging their children to exercise. The children have been left to make their decisions on what they want to do rather than parents providing the guidance that is much needed. The schools have remained to be institutions where only matters of the brain is the major concern rather than looking at bringing up a healthy society.
Technology
It is also important to note that technological growth has been experienced across the world. This includes computer games for children as well as television watching has increased quite a lot (Flegal, 2848). Children spend too much time in front of computers and televisions avoiding exercises hence increased risks of obesity (Johnson, Delva, & O’Malley, S197). When the children are left with at the mercy of technology, they become redundant to an extent they also become lazy of taking care of themsleves which eventually means no activities and the end result if obesity.
Lack of government action The government has also been reluctant in its efforts to encourage schools to adapt a system that promotes physical activities (Jebb, 38). It is the role of any given government to protect its people from harm even with food products or even information. The US government has done quite little in terms of curbing ads that promote unhealthy foods hence increasing the risk of children suffering from obesity. Furthermore, provision of education and information on the best healthy practices has been minimal on the part of the government hence many are left at the mercy of the advertisers. The advertisers use this chance to provide incomplete and most often inaccurate information to the people especially children who are easy to sway as long as they make sales.
Genetics
The other cause of children obesity in America is the issue of genetics. Obesity is a health problem that can also be inherited from family linage (Flegal, 2850). Children, parents as well as the government at times are not to blame for the problem of children obesity in America. Genetics is a complex issue that can be addressed by experts in the same field. There are children that become obese as a result of their genes which they inherit from their family linage. This however calls for research on how genes are connected with being obese so that those that are affected in this way can be helped to protect the future generation of children whose parents carry the genes of obesity.
Negative Impacts of Childhood Obesity Childhood obesity is also associated with several health complications which put the health of children at risks as well as the future of the American nation in terms of its workforce (Jebb, 39). The impacts of obesity in children are quite numerous but are classified into various categories including health problems, psychological problems, as well as social problems. These are discussed below:
Health Problems There are several health issues and complications that result due to obesity such as Diabetes in children. Diabetes is one of the problems that are faced by children as a result of childhood obesity. Furthermore, due to being overweight, the risk of diabetes due to imbalance in blood sugar is increased. Death is also a possibility as a result of diabetes (Bowman, Gortmaker, Ebbeling, Pereira, & Ludwig, 113). It is also important to note that children that are obese are at high risk of suffering from diabetes at their adult age unless treatment is sought at an early age.
Heart Diseases The other health problem is heart diseases. Children should live healthy lives but due to poor healthy eating habits, there is an increased risk of suffering from heart attacks and other heart diseases (Jebb, 38). When the children eat unhealthy foods and live poor lifestyle with lack of exercise, the chances of them suffering from heart problems is increased and even at times they will suffer heart attacks at an early age.
High Blood Pressure High blood pressure is also part of the health problems that children suffer from when they are obese (Jebb, 38). The amount of sugar in the blood when children are obese is often high and which often result in high blood pressure. Children face a lot of difficult when they suffer from high blood pressure and this also puts their life in danger of dying.
Short lifespan The lifespan of people in the world has drastically reduced and life expectancy has been put below 70 years in many countries across the world (Flegal, 2849). Every human being expects to live longer when they maintain a healthy lifestyle. However, due to childhood obesity, the lifespan of children is shortened (Flegal, 2849). This implies that despite a life expectancy of more than 60 years, many of the children that suffer from obesity and do not receive treatment at an early age face death before their prime age. The chances of living longer are reduced as a result of obesity hence this is a serious national issue that must be addressed.
Psychological problems The American society is filled with people from different backgrounds.
Children are often the most affected when they face stigmatization from their peers and people in the society. Childhood obesity brings with it feelings of being inadequate when other children tease as well as discriminate against those that are obese (Jebb, 38). This has negative psychological impact on their lives. This is even coupled with low self-esteem as another psychological problem. Children need to feel good about themselves and build their self-esteem to face life challenges (Johnson, Delva, & O’Malley, S201). However, due to childhood obesity, children will suffer from low self-esteem and also affecting their future as adults. Moreover, feelings of embarrassment also increase in children that are obese and as such they do not want to get involved with other people in the society. Childhood obesity also causes children to feel embarrassed and this can have a long lasting impact on their education and academic performance (Jebb, …show more content…
39).
Social problems Social problems are also p[art of the negative impacts that come with being an obese child in the American society.
Some of the social problems faced by obese children include discrimination when they attain adulthood age and are looking for jobs as well as trying to get into relationships. Childhood obesity also has negative impacts on the future lives of children. When children become adults and still remain to be obese, they may face discrimination in terms of job placements as well as their personal relationships with people of the opposite sex (Jebb, 40). Moreover, children that are obese also find it hard to engage with others in leisure activities such as bicycle racing, swimming among many other activities (Johnson, Delva, & O’Malley, S204). In addition, there is an issue in selecting their clothing. One of the necessities in life is clothing. People like fashionable clothes and children are no exception. However, due to childhood obesity, they find problems in purchasing clothes that can fit them well (Jebb,
40).
Control and Management of Childhood Obesity It is important that control and management should be put in place over childhood obesity. Some of the aspects of control and management that can be put in place to ensure that obesity in children is managed include the following:
School System The current schooling system does not look after the health of the children based on the kind of meals they provide. As a result of economic issues and lack of enough resources, the schools provide diet that is cheap yet very unhealthy hence increasing the risk of obesity. However, it is important that schools should have a meal plan that offers healthy foods to the children (Flegal, 2850). This will go a long way in ensuring that children remain healthy even when at school. The same should be replicated in terms of physical education that must be made a mandatory in all schools even it is a fifteen minutes PE. Physical education is also very important. The school system should encourage PE as part of the curriculum (Jebb, 41). This can also be implemented with the help of the government. Furthermore, healthy lifestyle education is important because it helps building new and positive attitude among the children towards healthy lifestyle. Therefore, they should be educated on importance of healthy living.
Role of Family The family also has major role to play in the control, and management of obesity in children. One way of doing so is through exercise. The family has a role in control and management of obesity. Parents and guardians should encourage their children to engage in physical activities (Johnson, Delva, & O’Malley, S200). Moreover, the parents and guardians must also ensure they provide children with healthy foods at all times (Burdette, Whitaker, 46).
Government
It is the role of the government to protect the children and the American society at large from ads that promote unhealthy living and eating. Through its regulatory authorities on marketing and advertising, the government should put a ban on fast foods and other unhealthy products for children (Johnson, Delva, & O’Malley, S205). When the government puts in place policies and laws regulating and governing ads that impact on health, it will go a long way in ensuring that advertisers are honest and provide full information on their products. This will allow parents and guardians to make informed purchasing decisions on what food products are best for the health of their children and in the long run control obesity.
Conclusion
Currently in America, obesity is an epidemic that needs to be controlled and managed accordingly. However, it is a health problem that is controllable, curable and also easily managed. There is need for more physical activities, healthy foods as well as change in lifestyle of the American families in the fight against childhood obesity. Parents, school management and the government must play an active role in ensuring they help children live healthy lives. Children must be made to understand that despite the tempting fast foods which are unhealthy, there are serious and dire consequences. Therefore, children need a change in their attitude towards healthy foods for a better current and future American society.
Introduction
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 …show more content…
of concern over the future of children as well as the society at large. As the American population continues to become more obese more problems are being experienced in terms of health issues. Over the years, there has been an increase in childhood obesity and this could result in a serious health crisis for the America’s future. However, one thing is clear, that childhood obesity is an issue that can be managed and also controlled through a change in lifestyle which includes exercising as well as healthy eating in every child’s daily activities.
Causes of Childhood Obesity There are several factors that have been identified to have contributed to the rise in childhood obesity in America. Some of the factors those factors include the following:
Advertisements
Advertisements are often aimed at influencing people to make purchases that sometimes are unnecessary. People often make purchasing decisions based on what they see or hear through print or visual media as well as from friends. The advertisers have taken this advantage and are using it to confuse children into believing that fast foods are the best. Children are easily influenced when they see interesting food products on televisions and would want to try everything (Flegal, 2847). This has greatly contributed towards childhood obesity considering that many children would prefer to taste what they see being advertised as good and sweet.
Fast Food The other factor is the fast foods that children like the most. Fast foods are tastier, cheap and readily available (Jebb, 38). Children prefer these fast foods to healthy foods because of the taste. Moreover, children are impatient and many are the times they will influence their parents to buy them fast foods. However, despite the belief that these foods are tastier and even cheaper, the end result of consuming large amounts of these has serious implications on the health of children.
Lack of exercise Lack of exercise and involvement in physical activities is also a major factor that has contributed to the high rate of obesity among American children. Children are supposed to engage in physical activities from time to time as one way of keeping healthy (Johnson, Delva, & O’Malley, S195). However, many children currently do not engage in exercise due to the poor school systems which do not encourage physical activities (Flegal, 2847). Parents have also become quite lazy in encouraging their children to exercise. The children have been left to make their decisions on what they want to do rather than parents providing the guidance that is much needed. The schools have remained to be institutions where only matters of the brain is the major concern rather than looking at bringing up a healthy society.
Technology
It is also important to note that technological growth has been experienced across the world. This includes computer games for children as well as television watching has increased quite a lot (Flegal, 2848). Children spend too much time in front of computers and televisions avoiding exercises hence increased risks of obesity (Johnson, Delva, & O’Malley, S197). When the children are left with at the mercy of technology, they become redundant to an extent they also become lazy of taking care of themsleves which eventually means no activities and the end result if obesity.
Lack of government action The government has also been reluctant in its efforts to encourage schools to adapt a system that promotes physical activities (Jebb, 38). It is the role of any given government to protect its people from harm even with food products or even information. The US government has done quite little in terms of curbing ads that promote unhealthy foods hence increasing the risk of children suffering from obesity. Furthermore, provision of education and information on the best healthy practices has been minimal on the part of the government hence many are left at the mercy of the advertisers. The advertisers use this chance to provide incomplete and most often inaccurate information to the people especially children who are easy to sway as long as they make sales.
Genetics
The other cause of children obesity in America is the issue of genetics. Obesity is a health problem that can also be inherited from family linage (Flegal, 2850). Children, parents as well as the government at times are not to blame for the problem of children obesity in America. Genetics is a complex issue that can be addressed by experts in the same field. There are children that become obese as a result of their genes which they inherit from their family linage. This however calls for research on how genes are connected with being obese so that those that are affected in this way can be helped to protect the future generation of children whose parents carry the genes of obesity.
Negative Impacts of Childhood Obesity Childhood obesity is also associated with several health complications which put the health of children at risks as well as the future of the American nation in terms of its workforce (Jebb, 39). The impacts of obesity in children are quite numerous but are classified into various categories including health problems, psychological problems, as well as social problems. These are discussed below:
Health Problems There are several health issues and complications that result due to obesity such as Diabetes in children. Diabetes is one of the problems that are faced by children as a result of childhood obesity. Furthermore, due to being overweight, the risk of diabetes due to imbalance in blood sugar is increased. Death is also a possibility as a result of diabetes (Bowman, Gortmaker, Ebbeling, Pereira, & Ludwig, 113). It is also important to note that children that are obese are at high risk of suffering from diabetes at their adult age unless treatment is sought at an early age.
Heart Diseases The other health problem is heart diseases. Children should live healthy lives but due to poor healthy eating habits, there is an increased risk of suffering from heart attacks and other heart diseases (Jebb, 38). When the children eat unhealthy foods and live poor lifestyle with lack of exercise, the chances of them suffering from heart problems is increased and even at times they will suffer heart attacks at an early age.
High Blood Pressure High blood pressure is also part of the health problems that children suffer from when they are obese (Jebb, 38). The amount of sugar in the blood when children are obese is often high and which often result in high blood pressure. Children face a lot of difficult when they suffer from high blood pressure and this also puts their life in danger of dying.
Short lifespan The lifespan of people in the world has drastically reduced and life expectancy has been put below 70 years in many countries across the world (Flegal, 2849). Every human being expects to live longer when they maintain a healthy lifestyle. However, due to childhood obesity, the lifespan of children is shortened (Flegal, 2849). This implies that despite a life expectancy of more than 60 years, many of the children that suffer from obesity and do not receive treatment at an early age face death before their prime age. The chances of living longer are reduced as a result of obesity hence this is a serious national issue that must be addressed.
Psychological problems The American society is filled with people from different backgrounds.
Children are often the most affected when they face stigmatization from their peers and people in the society. Childhood obesity brings with it feelings of being inadequate when other children tease as well as discriminate against those that are obese (Jebb, 38). This has negative psychological impact on their lives. This is even coupled with low self-esteem as another psychological problem. Children need to feel good about themselves and build their self-esteem to face life challenges (Johnson, Delva, & O’Malley, S201). However, due to childhood obesity, children will suffer from low self-esteem and also affecting their future as adults. Moreover, feelings of embarrassment also increase in children that are obese and as such they do not want to get involved with other people in the society. Childhood obesity also causes children to feel embarrassed and this can have a long lasting impact on their education and academic performance (Jebb, …show more content…
39).
Social problems Social problems are also p[art of the negative impacts that come with being an obese child in the American society.
Some of the social problems faced by obese children include discrimination when they attain adulthood age and are looking for jobs as well as trying to get into relationships. Childhood obesity also has negative impacts on the future lives of children. When children become adults and still remain to be obese, they may face discrimination in terms of job placements as well as their personal relationships with people of the opposite sex (Jebb, 40). Moreover, children that are obese also find it hard to engage with others in leisure activities such as bicycle racing, swimming among many other activities (Johnson, Delva, & O’Malley, S204). In addition, there is an issue in selecting their clothing. One of the necessities in life is clothing. People like fashionable clothes and children are no exception. However, due to childhood obesity, they find problems in purchasing clothes that can fit them well (Jebb,
40).
Control and Management of Childhood Obesity It is important that control and management should be put in place over childhood obesity. Some of the aspects of control and management that can be put in place to ensure that obesity in children is managed include the following:
School System The current schooling system does not look after the health of the children based on the kind of meals they provide. As a result of economic issues and lack of enough resources, the schools provide diet that is cheap yet very unhealthy hence increasing the risk of obesity. However, it is important that schools should have a meal plan that offers healthy foods to the children (Flegal, 2850). This will go a long way in ensuring that children remain healthy even when at school. The same should be replicated in terms of physical education that must be made a mandatory in all schools even it is a fifteen minutes PE. Physical education is also very important. The school system should encourage PE as part of the curriculum (Jebb, 41). This can also be implemented with the help of the government. Furthermore, healthy lifestyle education is important because it helps building new and positive attitude among the children towards healthy lifestyle. Therefore, they should be educated on importance of healthy living.
Role of Family The family also has major role to play in the control, and management of obesity in children. One way of doing so is through exercise. The family has a role in control and management of obesity. Parents and guardians should encourage their children to engage in physical activities (Johnson, Delva, & O’Malley, S200). Moreover, the parents and guardians must also ensure they provide children with healthy foods at all times (Burdette, Whitaker, 46).
Government
It is the role of the government to protect the children and the American society at large from ads that promote unhealthy living and eating. Through its regulatory authorities on marketing and advertising, the government should put a ban on fast foods and other unhealthy products for children (Johnson, Delva, & O’Malley, S205). When the government puts in place policies and laws regulating and governing ads that impact on health, it will go a long way in ensuring that advertisers are honest and provide full information on their products. This will allow parents and guardians to make informed purchasing decisions on what food products are best for the health of their children and in the long run control obesity.
Conclusion
Currently in America, obesity is an epidemic that needs to be controlled and managed accordingly. However, it is a health problem that is controllable, curable and also easily managed. There is need for more physical activities, healthy foods as well as change in lifestyle of the American families in the fight against childhood obesity. Parents, school management and the government must play an active role in ensuring they help children live healthy lives. Children must be made to understand that despite the tempting fast foods which are unhealthy, there are serious and dire consequences. Therefore, children need a change in their attitude towards healthy foods for a better current and future American society.