The wage of obesity is more illness and the result could be death if left untreated. Although adults are responsible for their own intake and their access to exercise, children look to their parents for this knowledge. This is especially true for the children in San Diego County. Their lack of exercise and unhealthy eating habits caused rising rates of obesity that are fueling the increase of health care and prescription drug costs. The government stepped in with new and innovative programs to help parents learn the value of nutrition and pass their knowledge on to their children.
“It will take combined efforts by schools, government, and parents to reverse these trends.” (Berger, 2004, p.216) The problem of obesity must be addressed as early as possible before it gets to late to reverse the tragic factors that arise from poor eating habits and lack of physical activity. “We need to change lifestyles during preschool; this is the time when children are developing their lifelong
It not only leads to physical problems but emotional as well. It’s well known that kids who are overweight are often the target of bullying at school and activities. Implementing a program which could help both the physical and mental health of the child should also be the focus to create an overall well balanced individual. The cost of healthcare and the general burden of having sick and unhealthy people in the community will also improve. One knows that if we don’t take care of the medical burdens that obesity creates the costs will continue to soar leaving little for future generations to come.
There is no way that people have to live like this. There are some things the government can do. Putting a higher tax on fatty foods might help with the rate of obesity. Really though, the only thing that can really cure obesity is getting the people who are obese now to help them get healthy. The biggest problem to this is getting the person that is obese to realize that they have a eating disorder.
The likelihood that they will have to pay later for expensive health care because of these junk foods will take their toll on the body. Living a healthy lifestyle based on organic and natural foods should be the goal for all Americans, but sound nutritional education may be required for some communities that need to transition away from the instant, over processed, salty and fatty foods. To live a healthy lifestyle food has to become accessible so the purchasing and preparing nutritious foods for one's family becomes a way of life. Alexandra says she spends hours each day thinking about, shopping for, and preparing food. She is a disciple of Michael Pollan, whose 2006 book The Omnivore’s Dilemma made the locavore movement a national phenomenon, and believes that eating organically and locally contributes not only to the health of her family but to the existential happiness of farm animals and farmers—and, indeed, to the survival of the planet.
How do Community Psychologists address this issue? What programs are showing positive results, and what programs are failing? Lastly, what are some possible approaches for new strategies to fight this epidemic? These are all exceedingly important questions that need to be answered in order to facilitate a change in the rates of obesity within American children.
Because we are discussing children and their obesity their patterns are largely influenced by their parents the food choices provided has to improve. The parents are part of the environmental factors. There must be a balance between caloric intake and calories burned. If there is a decrease or lack of exercise obesity will not improve. Low income can promote obesity, it puts families at higher risk because when making due with small amounts of money to obtain nourishments that are simpler to cook and more
The calories and sodium that is these dinners are often high and causes not only weight gain but also water retention and blood pressure issues. Time seems to be a factor and the lack of fresh fruit and vegetables. The verdict is still out on the effects of the steroids injected in the animals before consumption. Those chemicals that make animals and vegetables mature faster, what happens to the people who ingest them. Could the chemicals have the same effect on the host who take them in.
Child obesity in America: A fight that we must win Child obesity in America Childhood obesity in America is a major health problem. The childhood obesity facts have the potential to affect many physical and psychological problems in children. An increase in weight gain as a child grows is normal as long as they are within the limits of their body mass index. When the increase in body weight is more than what is considered healthy body weight, then children will be considered obese. Some of the childhood obesity facts are type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
A Critical Review of “Raising Healthy Children: Moral and Political Responsibility for Childhood Obesity” Using current research and public health strategies, Purcell (2010) analysed and criticized an up to date approach in addressing childhood obesity. This study aimed to provide the highlights of research studies findings and recommendations for prevention and treatment of childhood obesity in North America. Purcell (2010) emphasized that this public health issue has become an epidemic, but until now, the solution remained intangible. Prevention and strategies need to be put in place urgently to slow down and reverse this upsurge in obesity. Encouraging individuals to make healthy choices may have some impact, but because of the magnitude of the issue according to Purcell (2010), it is insignificant.