Statistics show that a child with two obese parents has an eighty percent risk of becoming overweight, and a child with normal size parents has only a forty percent chance of becoming overweight. Another risk factor is meal patterns, shipping breakfast slows the metabolism down which slows down the process of digestion. Eating too much fast food is the highest risk to take for meal a choice. Watching television or playing video games instead of playing outside or exercising is a bad choice. Childhood obesity is often the result of genetics and environmental factors.
Many people may not realize the seriousness or negative effects of obesity, however, the obesity can create many health problems in the long run and you can take simple steps to avoiding the extra calories and weight. Whether if it’s engaging in a physical activity instead of staying home and playing a game console, eating more fruits to create a balanced diet instead of going through a drive through, or even cooking more at home to avoid buying a greater amount of processed foods, this will all be small steps to creating a healthier lifestyle. Americans must become aware of the dangers of obesity and work together to get the world back to a healthier
And when taking a look at the statistics of obesity in children and adolescents in the United States, 18.8 percent of 6 - 11 year old children are obese, 17.4 percent of children ages 12-19 are obese (www.cdc.gov). Childhood obesity is associated with many different health related problems and issues. They may experience health risk and may be at risk for other health related problems as adults. Obesity in children and adolescents are psychosocial. Many obese children are discriminated against at an early age and can be targeted for bullying, low self-esteem, having a lack of social skills, and can hinder academics; these issues can persist into adulthood.
The finding was that on average energy dense food cost $1.76 per 1000 calories, while low energy nutritious food cost $18.16 per 1,000 calories. (“Dope, A High Price for Healthy Food”) This basically shows that unhealthy food are a better bargain for people who are tight on money. The bad thing about it is that the prices for healthy food are continuing to rise while “junk food” is relatively the same or a tad bit lower. America's low income families are therefore In a cycle where since they can't afford healthy food they eat bad, which in turns leads to bad health which leads then leads to high insurance and medical bills which ultimately causes them to get poorer or remain at the bottom of the pyramid. Why is healthy food so much more expensive than regular food?
(1)“Studies have shown that there are, in fact, healthier alternatives to these school lunch programs.” Although these programs are more expensive for the school, they are nutritious and well worth putting a little more money into changing. I think public schools should provide healthier school lunch programs for their students. (2)”According to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, an organization that works to improve the nutrition of school lunches, a nutritious school lunch can help prevent your child from gaining an unhealthy amount of weight.” The numbers of children that are overweight keep sky rocketing as well as the number of children developing diabetes. More and more children are eating unhealthier by the day. (2)”Studies have shown that school lunches have tons of saturated fat and calories in their pizzas, cheeseburgers, chicken
The increase in “eating out” dining may be a contributor to the overweight problem in children and adolescents. Fact: foods from restaurants and fast food eateries tend to be higher in fat and saturated fat than foods prepared at home (Newby). Fast food restaurants are one of the most convenient methods of "eating out" dining, but do not provide proper nutrients to children’s diets. Is lack of time and a busy lifestyle a factor to blame for the rise in childhood obesity or should the finger be pointed in another
While fast food is convenient and sometimes even more affordable than preparing a meal at home, overindulgence in such behavior is directly linked to adverse health problems. On the other hand, with the economy the way it is and the over accommodating fast food establishments offering one dollar food items, who is ultimately accountable for the obesity problem? I interviewed five of my friends regarding
“.. The center said 26 percent of schoolchildren are overweight” (p.10). What this quote says is that parents are not careful with their child eating habits. The number of overweight children in the United States has increased dramatically in recent years. Approximately ten percent of four and five year old children are overweight.
It’s sad to say that Obesity now affects 17% (12.5 million) of all children and adolescents in the United States. “In 2007-2008 the results from NHANES, using measured heights and weights, indicate that an estimated 16.9% of children and adolescents aged 2-19 years are obese. This is triple the rate from just one generation ago”. (Ogden 2010) Parents shape their children’s dietary practices, physical activity, sedentary behaviors, and ultimately their weight status in many ways. (Lindsay
In teens ages 12 to 19, prevalence rates have tripled (5 percent to 17.6 percent). This has significant implications for the life expectancy of obese youth who are likely to experience higher rates of hypertension, elevated cholesterol, and Type 2 diabetes than their parents. This may be the first generation to have a shorter life expectancy than the one immediately before them. (APA, 2004) According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the prevalence of obesity has more than doubled among children ages 2 to 5 (5.0% to 12.4%) and ages 6 to 11 (6.5% to 17.0%). (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2006) In response to the dramatic rise in childhood obesity, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and other organizations have advocated increasing the amount of time that elementary school children spend in physical education (PE) classes.