And it is not surprising that childhood obesity is a good indicator for the likelihood of obesity into adulthood. What is surprising, however, as Galvez (2003) points out, is that "studies on obesity consistently report a higher prevalence of obesity in African Americans and Mexican Americans compared with the white, non-Hispanic population" (p. A684). The etiology of childhood overweight is multifaceted, but is seemingly always tied to socioeconomic factors. Poor nutritional choices and a sedentary lifestyle cause obesity, but it is societal stressors that lead to these inadequate choices. Such stressors include increased exposure to television advertisements for unhealthy foods, unsafe neighborhoods which inhibit outdoor play and exercise, and limited availability of healthy, fresh foods in low socioeconomic residential areas (Galvez 2003).
Obesity, having excessive amounts of body fat, impairs health and has serious physical and mental consequences. (http://www.bmicharts.org, 2011) Causes of childhood obesity There is a variety of factors associated with causing childhood obesity. Although genetics can affect weight, evidence shows that lifestyle choices and environmental factors have the largest impact. Little physical movement and/or consuming too many calories can result in considerable weight gain. These sedentary lifestyles contribute greatly to childhood obesity.
When finding the cause of obesity, genetics, behavior, biological, and cultural factors all are included. There are medical factors that could lead to obesity, which are not likely. Poor eating habits, overeating, the lack of exercise, medication, low self-esteem, stress, and depression are a few examples of causes of obesity. Many children aren’t in control of what they eat and drink. Parents are to blame for that.
He is considered obese when his body mass index is at or above the ninety-fifth percentile for children his age and sex. Body mass index is determined by using the child’s weight and height and indicates how much body fatness a child has (Basics, 2012). There are many immediate and long-term health risks and emotional issues that a child faces when he is considered obese. Children who are obese are more susceptible to high cholesterol, high blood pressure, pre-diabetes and are at risk for bone and joint problems, and also sleep apnea. Also, a child who is obese is more likely to be obese during adulthood.
There are several contributing factors involved with obesity in children and many components that may influence its development and onset including family lifestyle, family history, psychological factors, socio-economic factors, and many more. Obesity does not happen overnight; it is the result of a chain of bad habits, poor nutrition, and lack of exercise (Zeratsky, 2011). In today's fast paced society, time management has become extremely important. This may be a factor that contributes to why some children have poor nutrition; they are simply not eating healthy because there may not be ample time to cook nutritious meals (Zeratsky,
Child obesity simple occurs when the child eats more calories that the body burns up. Chances are if one parent is obese, there is also a 50 percent chance their child can also become obese. However, when both parents are obese theirs is an 80 percent chance of the child being obese. Although certain medical problems can lead to obesity, less than a percent is caused by physical problems. The obesity in childhood is also related to poor eating habits, lack of exercise, family history of obesity, medical illness, and depression or other emotional problems.
4). Ebbeling (cited in Banwell, Kinmonth, Dixon, 2010, p. 127) explains “Childhood obesity increases the risk of diseases, preconditions and complications across cardiovascular, neurological, endocrine, musculoskeletal, psychosocial, pulmonary, renal and gastrointestinal systems, along with a raised risk of adult morbidity and mortality”. Obesity can be prevented through many lifestyle changes, but the Determinants of Health such as social, socioeconomic and cultural can affect an individual or
Social discrimination and low self-esteem are also heavy consequences of being overweight (Marcus and Baron). Professor Jeffrey Schwimmer recently conducted a study in which obese children were asked to evaluate their quality of life. The results showed that children who are overweight typically rate “their quality of life with scores as low as those of young cancer patients on chemotherapy” (qtd. in Marcus and Baron). The study shows how heavily the extra pounds weigh on a child’s mind, but not only children are affected.
Some of the major factors that lead to obesity are genetics, environment and behavior (Estarbrooks, Paul). Our genes control majority of our weight related metabolic process, such as blood glucose metabolism, fat-storage, and hormones (P. Kendall). The studies show that children tend to have very similar weight problems as their biological parents and it’s mostly due to the inherited genes that control the metabolic process (Estarbrooks, Paul). Even though genes have larger effect on metabolism, they cannot be completely responsible for the dramatic increase in number of obese children in the United States. The most significant cause of childhood obesity is behavioral and environmental factors (Hubert, HB).
Cody Dilsaver Ms.Martin English 110 11/3/14 Childhood Obesity in America Childhood obesity has developed into one of the biggest problems America faces today. Around the world, America has developed a reputation of obesity, something we should be humiliated of. It wasn’t like that 30 years ago; our society has developed a lifestyle accustomed to binge eating and immobility. Portion sizes have increased, fast food has become a cheap and convenient alternative for dinner, and children’s social lives have deformed into web-based. The responsibility to prevent and repair childhood obesity is primarily on the shoulders of parents, government, and children themselves.