Breastfeeding and Childhood Obesity Annie Jo Jones ENG 122 Craig Smith October 3, 2011 Breastfeeding and Childhood Obesity Childhood obesity rate is on the rise, and is the most serious health challenges of the 21st century. Taking in too many calories and not exercising is the result of childhood obesity. The number of obese children and adolescents has more than tripled in the past 30 years (Curry, 2011). In addition, approximately one-third of children and adolescents are obese. Obesity is causing children to develop diseases, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and strokes.
Psychological explanations for Anorexia One psychological explanation for Anorexia Nervosa (AN) are cultural ideas. It is a widely held belief that western standards of attractiveness are an important contributory factor to the development of AN. Numerous studies have found reported that many teenagers, especially girls are dissatisfied with their body image. The National diet and nutrition survey found that 16% of 15-18 year old girls were currently on a diet. Challenge for this explanation is found by Hoek et al who set out to test the view that AN is rare in non-western countries.
For thousands of American’s healthy eating habits is second nature. Many choose healthy foods to prevent disease, prevent obesity, and promote longevity. However, many Americans have formed poor eating habits early, and the rate of obesity, healthcare costs due to disease, and health complications continues to rise. Healthy eating provides a better quality life because healthy foods and nutrients have been proven to fight against disease and prevent obesity. The Obesity rate today among adults and adolescents versus 20 years ago is devastating.
Fat America – Bigger Isn’t Always Better Obesity in American culture has rapidly evolved into a serious problem. To date, approximately one third of the population is obese – that is approximately 72 million Americans (Obesity Society). Weight has not only risen to an all time high in adults - it has also become predominant in children and adolescents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over the past three decades, childhood obesity has more than doubled for kids aged 2-5 years old and adolescents aged 12-19 years old. It has also more than tripled for children aged 6-11 years old.
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).
During pregnancy, women gain lots of weight. They gain weight because they eat a lot so the baby could be healthy, and also because pregnancy makes women eat more than usual. After pregnancy females find it very difficult to go back to the shape they were in before the pregnancy. Not losing weight after a pregnancy is a major contributor to
Advertising has been proven to increase eating disorders in women. The average woman model weighs up to 25% less than the typical woman. That is 15-20% below what is considered healthy. This is why the number of people with eating disorders is increasing; this unhealthy weight is becoming “the new normal”. Today 8 million Americans suffer from eating disorders, approximately 90% of them are young women, which is the age group proven to be influenced most by the advertisement of a woman’s body.
We also used the medias covers, which speak by themselves. Results, limitations According to some experts, it appears that teenage girls relate to icons such as models to build their style and personal life. The young generation’s obsession of being ultra thin results in the constant exposure to size-zero and the idea that it is the only synonym of beauty. Once this status is put into their mind, these girls have a potentially high risk of eating disorders. Recommendations The situation about eating disorders has become critical and it is primordial that the WHO establishes new rules and laws to the fashion industry.
Another 49 percent exceeded recommended intakes of dietary cholesterol; subsequently, these individuals were more likely to show early signs of atherosclerosis. Aim for a Healthy Weight According to the American Heart Association, experts convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) have said that obesity is rapidly increasing and is a threat to the health of populations worldwide. These W.H.O experts also noted that obesity affects adults and children alike. It's been found out that children between the ages of 5 and 17 who were overweight were 2.4 times more likely to have elevated total blood cholesterol levels than children of normal weight. The study also indicated that of those children who were overweight, more than half had at least one risk factor for heart disease.
Obesity is a phenomenon that reached an epidemic level among children in developed countries. Many factors are behind that; and obesity, of course, has tremendous effects on children’s health as well as on their psychological state. Some of the consequences of obesity are used to be frequent among adults, but nowadays, children have it. In a journal article reporting a study done by Stephen R and Daniels, in addition that now children are having their parents’ diseases, the phenomenon is increasing in high frequency, and the types of diseases include high blood pressure, early symptoms of hardening of the arteries, type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, polycystic ovary disorder, and disordered breathing during sleep, another point made by Daniels and Stephen is that the obesity destroys the human body, but if it starts from the childhood, it actually accelerate its effects which in his turn causes the heart attack, or stroke, to start in childhood. Another point made by Daniels is that the effect of obesity doesn’t stop at this point, but it may go to the extent to reverse the stable increase in life expectancy which makes of obesity one of the most public concerns; thus efforts are being made to determine what causes obesity among children(Stephen, & Daniels, 2006, p 47-67).