Many of the habits formed during this timeframe will last well into adulthood (Schwarz & Peterson, 2010). One out of every six adolescent is overweight and one out of every three is at risk. Since the 1980’s, the rate of overweight youth has steadily increased. Obesity rates vary by race/gender. For adolescents ages 12 to 19, non-Hispanic black girls and Mexican-American boys have the highest rates of obesity, 29.2 percent and 26.7 percent respectively.
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.
Like many other maladies, weight problems are often associated with social standing and economic well-being. Children from lower socio-economic backgrounds are more at risk in becoming obese than those of higher socio-economic. Similarly, kids in isolated communities, especially in inner cities are at greater risk than those who live in the mainstream/suburban geographic areas. Families in communities that are poorer or socially or geographically isolated have a relatively poor access to healthy food, and often remain unaware or unable to access facilities with that provide opportunities for increased physical activity. Historical trends in childhood obesity clearly show that the increase in obesity parallels increases in family poverty and community disruption.
The cost is expected to sky rocket well into the 800 billion dollar range by 2020. Obesity is also known to be a large contributor to diabetes, nearly 17 million Americans with diabetes and 16 million with pre-diabetes. Diabetes cost
In 2002, obesity statistics show that twenty two percent U.S. preschoolers were overweight (“Child”). Sixteen percent of children in the United States aged 2-19 are considered overweight (“Childhood”). Most recent numbers show that 16 percent of children aged 6-11 are obese; these statistics have doubled since the early 80’s. According to Diane W.
Running Head: CHILDHOOD OBESITY Childhood obesity has risen 85 percent in the past 30 years. That is a huge increase which makes for a huge increase in adult obesity. The percent in type 2 diabetes and heart disease has also increased in children and adults. . At present, nearly 8% of children 4 to 5 years of age in the United States are overweight.
Obesity in Middle Childhood Cori Rosenthal University of Phoenix BSHS 361 Child Development Penelope Jeffries, M.A. November 17, 2010 According to the Center for Disease Control, in 1980 6.5% of children aged six to 11 obese, compared to 19.6% in 2008. Seventy percent of obese children aged five to 17 had at least one of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease as well as an increased risk of joint problems, sleep apnea and social and psychological problems related to bullying and low self-esteem (Childhood Obesity, 2010, para 3). Obese children have an increased risk of becoming obese adults more likely to have heart disease, type two diabetes, stroke, osteoarthritis, and certain types of cancer (Childhood Obesity, 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 problem of childhood obesity in the United States has grown considerably in recent years. Between 16 and 33 percent of children and adolescents are obese. If one parent is obese, there is a 50 percent chance that their children will also be obese. However, when both parents are obese, their children have an 80 percent chance of being obese (Obesity In Children and Teens par. 1).
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.