Childhood Obesity Research Paper

Obesity has been around for centuries and over the years it has become vastly more common in our society. Originally obesity was not as much of a problem as it is now, but over the past few decades it has transformed into a serious issue in the United Sates and even across the globe. It has turned into such a widespread issue that the World Health Organization has even labeled it as a global epidemic in 1997 (Spruijt-Metz 129). Childhood obesity specifically has become a major issue as obesity rates in young children have tripled over the past 30 years alone (Spruijt-Metz 130). This has a huge impact on our society because childhood obesity is a common indicator of adult obesity and this leads to an increased chance for harmful health problems

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, “Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and tripled in adolescents in the past 30 years,” (“Childhood Obesity Facts”). The monumental question that researchers seem to be asking is why the increase now? Childhood obesity has become a paramount problem in the United States in recent years due to various social, biological and technological factors that ultimately requires immediate assistance in order to promote a healthier lifestyle for children as they transition into adulthood.

Obesity is an epidemic in the United States. Not only is it one that impacts millions of adults, it also impacts children. Studies show that close to 40% of Americans are obese and 20% of children are obese as well. The best way to focus on changing the narrative is through being the change you want to see. Start with your family. Healthy eating, adequate amounts of rest and lots of water are some of the most important parts of the journey to health. Furthermore, it's really essential to begin a habit of consistent exercise. Consider these four options for exercise and enjoy them with the whole family.

Statement of Health Problem: Childhood obesity has been a significant problem across our nation for decades, and can be clearly associated with insufficient nutrition, health, and wellness. Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile for adolescents within the same age group ("Defining Childhood Obesity"). The most recent data show that the national childhood obesity rate for those between 2-19 years old is 18.5% ("The State of Childhood Obesity"). This equates to nearly 1 in 5 school age children being classified as obese ("Childhood Obesity Facts").

I will be researching childhood obesity in the United to states because I want to better understand the cause's and how it can be prevented.  I have chosen to research childhood obesity to help my readers understand the influence they may have in children's lives and in their future. By asking questions such as, when does the onset of child hood obesity occur, I hope to find out what social institutions play the biggest role. With social institutions comes the question of relevance of socioeconomic status, and the impact that has. I lastly will be asking the question of the long term effects of childhood obesity. My goal is to understand why so many

Childhood obesity has become one of the greatest health challenges in the world and will more than likely go on to be the country’s most important health problem in the future. It occurs when children have excess body fat due to their poor nutrition and unhealthy eating habits. Childhood obesity is a serious problem in the United States that is putting children at risk for poor health. Like many other serious health conditions, childhood obesity can have immediate and long-term effects on a child’s health.

In the last hundred years, childhood obesity has gone from nearly nonexistent, to something we deal with each and every day (Larson, June 2010). In just the last decade however, it has tripled. Seeing children running in their yards used to be something normal, but now, it is something rare. Instead, 25% of our children are watching over 4 hours of television a day. Childhood obesity has become more common over the years, and it is only going to continue. Becoming involved with your children, and encouraging them to exercise will reduce their risk.

Childhood obesity is a growing problem in America and it is important to develop a plan to combat the issue. My plan is to stop childhood obesity in its roots by encouraging schools to promote healthy eating and exercise. I would institute programs in schools (via contacting government officials, making presentations to schools, etc.) to educate kids about the proper nutrients they need to maintain a healthy diet. Many high schools require a health class, but I think we should also require students in fifth or sixth grade to take a health class that introduces them to basic health information. By creating classes that inform students of the benefits of eating healthy early on, such eating habits will improve. Schools should also have stricter requirements on school lunches. There should be government regulations

Childhood obesity has doubled in children and quadrupled for adolescents in the last thirty years. Obesity and overweight rates in children are higher among families living below the poverty line. The diabetes rate is higher in children living in poverty. Families that are living in poverty cannot afford the fresh produce and healthier foods due to the rising cost.

Today, I feel that the food that is being served in America’s schools has had a considerable contribution on the epidemic of obesity in our country. If the government were to intervene in regulating the guidelines for lunches served in schools, I believe this epidemic would decline significantly. This being said, I understand the difficulties that this type of change entails, and the amount of funds it would take to implement. In my opinion, however, I feel as though this change is necessary to the education of our future generation on healthy eating habits and the importance of a balanced meal. It is become noticed that parents in today’s age have a hard time adhering to a healthy diet for themselves, let alone their children, and this could be a step to remedy that and give incentive to parents to feed their children and families in a more suitable manner.

I chose this topic of childhood obesity because it is a something that I see every day. If a child is obese it is the parents fault. An obese child faces health risks and some have self-esteem problems.

Heart Disease. Breast Cancer. Lung Cancer. These issues are well known and attention about these issues is made aware to our society. For example, PSAs, special awareness months, and well known charities have dedicated themselves to these issues. Childhood obesity is a huge issue among our children that has not had as much luck in being at the forefront of the public’s mind as the aforementioned health issues. Childhood obesity is a growing health issue in the United States. Studies have shown that it affects more than 30 percent of the children within this country. It is now known as the most common chronic disease of childhood. The number of cases has tripled

Obesity is the condition of being grossly fat or overweight. It also can be an abnormal accumulation of body fat. Being obese as a child seems to increase the chance of being obese in adulthood. Childhood obesity beginning as early as 2 years of age can affect health in adulthood, as these children are at increased risk of becoming obese adults. Also, the children would be more likely to develop chronic disease. Some adulthood statistics are about 68.8 adults are considered obese. About 8 percent of women are considered to be obese. These statistics are the years 2009-2010. I received this information from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health.../health-statistics/.../overweight-obesity-statistics.aspx. The statistics below show the percent of children that are considered to obese between the age 2-19.

In the U.S. there is more than 3 million cases of childhood obesity a year.

Parents are the role models of their children. Parents spend most time with their children under a normal circumstance; therefore they are the most influential figure in their childhood. According to the study from Healthy Day Reporter, “As if working mothers don't have enough to feel guilty about, a new study suggests that the more time they spend working, the heavier their children become.” (Behen, 2011, P.1) Parents need to spend more time with their kids to watch and teach them what to eat right. Good habits are easier to form while they are still young. More importantly, to educate them what a balanced diet is so that in the future when parents are around their children, they can trust them to make the right decision. One other very crucial aspect is the communication between parents and