How can we stop obesity in America? Amy Mcgregor English 122 Jared Kline 11/07/11  One of every three children in America is now considered overweight or obese, and childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years (Sim & Ahmad, 2011). But while the connection between genetics and obesity has been established, the problem is usually caused by multiple genes interacting with environmental and behavioral factors which start this epidemic in a child’s life.
Nutrition has become an important word thanks to | |the involvement of the USDA in our daily food requirements, and the FDA’s involvement in determining what is and is not dangerous| |for us to consume. | |What is the connection between nutrition and health? | |There is a big connection between nutrition and health. With a poor nutrition your health will automatically jeopardize your | |health. A good nutrition ensures that a person stays healthy.
Childhood health promotion intervention plan Student name Institution affiliation Introduction Childhood obesity prevalence rates have doubled up in the last decade and according to WHO about 170 million children under 18 years are considered to be overweight or obese. Childhood obesity is mostly associated with poor objective and subjective health which often find its way into adulthood. This in turn leads to soaring health care costs due to the health complications related to obesity thus affecting economic growth. Due to these consequences, government and other concerned social institutions are focusing their attention on preventing childhood obesity (Kaplin, 2011). Health promotion to combat childhood obesity is therefore needed to avoid childhood obesity and the medical risks associated with obesity.
The prevalence of obesity among adolescents aged 12 to 19 years increased from 5.0% to 18.1%” (Childhood Obesity). To some it may not sound very serious, but children that are obese have a very large risk to suffer from many other health problems. “Obese youth are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure. Also children and adolescents who are obese are also at a greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem”(Childhood Obesity). Not only does it put them at risk when they are younger, obese children also tend to become obese when they are adults, causing them to have the same, if not more serious health problems.
When it comes to the topic of obesity, most of us will readily agree that something has to be done to end this crisis and better the heath of our country’s people. Where this agreement usually ends, however, is on the question of what role our government should play in the effort to end the obesity epidemic. Whereas some are convinced that the government should be doing more to end obesity, others maintain that the government should not intervene. In an article entitled “What You Eat is Your Business” by Radley Balko, Balko argues for less government intervention. Balko thinks the government must make obesity a personal responsibility.
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. Not all children will have these health problems but doctors are finding these problems in children and the children are getting younger. As a whole childhood obesity puts children in harm’s way and the future of America. And that is why the cycle must be reversed. We owe to the country and the kids who live
Adolescents Obesity and Intervention Strategy Adolescents Obesity Intervention and Prevention Strategy According to Schwarz and Peterson (2010) “adolescents’ obesity in the United States has many important implications for both the health and well-being of the individual and society.” The negative health consequences of obesity include many diseases, chronic health disorders, psychological disorders, and early death. This contributes to billions of dollars of health care costs each year. The healthcare costs due to the adolescent obesity rate are estimated at more than $14 billion per year. The direct and indirect cost totals more than $140 billion dollars annually. The United States spends six to 10 percent of healthcare on costs caused by obesity compared to 2 to 3.5 percent in other western countries (Schwarz & Peterson, 2010).
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,
The United States has an epidemic of childhood obesity. The statistics show that children in the U.S are becoming obese and this problem has grown throughout the years. Parents are usually concerned about protecting their children from the flu and the common cold. Even though they are doing well in protecting their children from such illnesses, they should also try to inform themselves about childhood obesity and the health problems that obesity can bring. Childhood obesity is an epidemic in the United States.
As a Parent, it can tack $19,000 onto the total of raising each child. The issue is childhood obesity, and it is only accelerating as a percentage of children in both America and all western nations of the world. Childhood Obesity is an issue relevant to all who consider themselves part of American society and it has profound adverse effects economically, physically for those afflicted with the issue, and mentally for those who live an obese childhood or within the family unit of a household with at least one obese child. The scope of the issue is massive and the impact of the consequences dire in many accounts. There is hope to reverse course and change the way of American-western living, and it starts with understanding the size and