Obesity in children Is obesity a disease? Some think it is not so important. Worse, we are seeing an epidemic problem of obesity in our children. Obesity is an excess of body fat that frequently results in a significant impairment of health. Obesity results when the size or number of fat cells in a person's body increases.
The longer a child has been obese, the less likely it is that the problem will spontaneously resolve. Childhood obesity is a multi-dimensional disorder requiring dieting, exercise, and behavioural modification as primary modes of intervention. Family patterns of exercise and eating play significant roles in the etiology and management of obesity in children. Why has excessive weight become such a problem for modern-day societies? Like many other maladies, weight problems are often associated with social standing and economic well-being.
It’s amazing how many health conditions and disease can be linked to childhood obesity. I hope through my research project I can enlighten some of us to educate our children. With enough encouragement we will be able to say the number of obese children in the United States is down. Why should America be concerned with childhood obesity? People who are obese are more likely to have health problems such as: high blood pressure, raised cholesterol high insulin levels, impaired glucose tolerance, type two diabetes, heart attacks, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, kidney problems and polycystic ovary syndrome.
At present, nearly 8% of children 4 to 5 years of age in the United States are overweight. Whereas, in general, the increases in prevalence cross the entire pediatric population, girls have been more affected than boys (Williams, C. L. 2001). Childhood is a critical period for shaping a healthy lifestyle. More kids are obese due to the lack of activity and the increase of calories. The average American parent(s) work a full- time job and that leaves less time to cook dinner; making
The importance of Body Mass Index (BMI) Obesity is the accumulation of adipose (fatty) tissue in the body. This is now considered by the world health organisation to be a public health problem, hence it is a good practise to monitor and be aware of service user’s body mass index (BMI).There can be a genetic predisposition to gain weight, the risk is increased when parents themselves, or close relatives are obese. Also inadequate physical activity often combined with ‘bad eating habits’ cause an imbalance in the amount of energy taken in and expanded. It is also important to look at other factors such as hormonal imbalance and the ingestion of medication e.g. corticoids and antidepressants.Previously considered as an aesthetic problem, obesity is now regarded as a real illness.
“Science shows that genetics play a role in obesity” (OAC). Some cases of childhood obesity are in children whose parents are obese or have been. “Estimates say that heredity contributes between 5 to 25 percent of the risk for obesity” (OAC). Obesity can not only be blamed in the hereditary genes, but also the eating habits that the parents enforce at their home play a big role. Children need to have healthy eating habits promoted at their home.
The Modern Plague: Obesity With one of the highest obesity rates in the world, many Americans are affected by this disease, however, they continue to make poor choices in regards to their health. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that over 65% of U.S. adults were overweight, 32% were obese, and about 5% were extremely obese (Marchiondo). Considering that more than half of our population is at risk for obesity, Americans do not seem very distraught. Even with all the dieting techniques, negative depictions in the media towards heavier individuals, advanced technology to help combat obesity, and being one of the world’s most developed nations in terms of resources
These lifestyles range from sedentary habits, bad eating habits, and lack of exercise. Firstly, statistics have it; that child obesity has increased 30% in the last 20 years. These are staggering results that come out of the lifestyle that parents have chosen for their kids. Having the TV babysit for hours does no one any good. The average American child watches TV, plays video games in front of a TV and also staring in a computer screen a good part of the day.
Obesity is the most common medical condition-affecting children in the United States. The lack of sleep, genetic factors, parent’s influence, dietary habits, and physical inactivity cause children to be obese around the world. The first cause of their obesity is lack of sleep. According to Jeff Barnes, a study showed that children that lack sleep could be at risk of being obese. Barnes also stated that when you do not sleep, a hormone called
The economic cost of supporting and increasingly overweight population with more diseases is another concern (U.S. obesity). Childhood obesity has not only prominent immediate effects but dangerous long-terms effects on children’s health and wellbeing. The effected children can more likely to have risk factor, cardiovascular disease, such a high cholesterol and high blood pressure. In a population based sample of 5 to 17 years old, 70% of obese youth had one risk factor for cardiovascular disease. (Journal of Pediatrics,