Lifestyle of a Crime Scene Investigator

Childhood Obesity an American Epidemic

Today, children and adolescents battling obesity has become an epidemic and is continuingly growing for the past two decades. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “The percentage of children aged 6-11 years in the Unites States who were obese increased from 7% in 1980 to nearly 18% in 2010 and from 5% to 18% with adolescents of 12-19 years of age”. Obesity is defined as an excessively high amount of body fat in relation to lean body mass. Children that are overweight or obese are at high risks of developing health problems as well as mental health issues. Children that are obese are more likely to increase their risk of cardiovascular disease such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure. In a population based sample of 5-17 year olds, 70% of obese youths had at least one of the risk factor for cardiovascular disease (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). Diabetes is another health issue among obese children. Children are more diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, but Type 2 diabetes is brought on by obesity and inactivity. Type 2 diabetes found in children used to be very rare and a child developing this type of disease is growing rapidly. Researchers from the SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Study released data showing that “Type 2 diabetes in 10-19 year olds has increased 21% between the years of 2001-2010 (Gebel, PhD). 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”. Obesity does not happen overnight. Our children are taught poor eating habits, the lack of education on nutrition, and are less active than ever before, thanks to the increase of technology today, children are becoming “couch potatoes”. Children are eating foods with no nutritional value, excess amounts of sugar and processed foods. Parents, especially which have low income tend to buy high calorie foods because they are cheaper than the healthy “real” foods. School lunches also contain high calorie selections. Gym or recess time has been minimized as well. We can’t forget the hours of videogames; computers, and social media, such as Facebook, that is preventing our children to be more active outdoors. How do we stop our children from becoming a statistic of obesity? It starts at home. Parents need to teach their children about nutrition. Showing them the nutritional values on the food items, limit sweet snacks and encourage them to eat fruits and vegetables. Reduce or even better eliminate soda as a choice of drink. “Rising consumption of sugary drinks has been a major contributor to the obesity epidemic. A typical 20 ounce of soda contains 15 to 18 teaspoons of sugar and up to 240 calories” (Harvard School of Public Health). Having 240 calories just in a drink for a child is absurd. Switching to water or low fat milk is a much better alternative. Michelle Obama, our First Lady, started the “Let’s Move” campaign. “Let’s Move” is about putting children on the path to a healthy future during their earliest months and years. Giving parents helpful information and fostering environments that support healthy choices. Providing healthier foods in our schools, ensuring that every family has access to healthy, affordable food, and, helping children become more physically active (Obama). While obesity is a growing mental and health issue among our children we as a country have the ability to help prevent it and all risk factors that come with it. “ Childhood obesity isn’t a simple discrete issue…it robs our children of the energy, the strength, and stamina they need to succeed in school and in life” and Mrs. Obama also states, “ Obesity isn’t a problem that can be solved overnight, but with everyone working together, it can be solved”.