Obesity In Children

Obesity has become a prevalent health problem in modern society for both children and adults. Nearly 35% of adults in the United States are estimated to be overweight or obese; concurrently one-third of American children are thought to be overweight or obese. Estimations have shown that by the year 2030 nearly 85% of adults in the United States will either be overweight or obese. This epidemic seems to be due to a variety of different factors, however, one of the leading causes of obesity in children, as well as adults, is inactivity. Children under the age of six have been found to spend at least two hours a day playing video games or watching television, and the amount of inactivity in children has been shown to increase with age. The best
The time spent watching the television is not the only contributor for obesity in adolescents. The content presented on the television has an adverse effect as well. The study showed that the commercials shown on television have a negative effect on obesity as well. Children and adolescents view a 4400 to 7600 of food ads per day, and less than 165 of these ads promote good nutrition. These ads have been shown to be affective in getting children to request more junk food. The amount of time spent using modern technology not only effects the amount of physical activity being performed by an individual, but it also influences the nutrition of individuals. Good nutrition is imperative to a healthy life and obesity prevention for both adolescents and adults. Physical activity has a direct relationship with healthy weight as well as other health outcomes of children. Encouraging all children to increase physical activity will help to prevent excess weight. Nutrition and physical activity during years of growth increases the likelihood of healthy