...Causes and effect of childhood obesity Introduction: Nowadays the majority of children all around the world suffer from being overweight or obesity. In the United States of America in particular, there exists the highest proportion of childhood obesity in the world. These figures are continuing to grow in this country as well as in other developed and developing countries. In addition, almost 25% of children suffer from being clinically overweight while a staggering 11% of children are clinically obese in the States according to the latest statistics (Dehghan et al, 2005). Obesity in childhood is defined as an excess of fat in the child's body. Body mass index (BMI) can also be used to define obesity in childhood and adults. This sort of measurement can classify obesity into different categories, for example, normal weight, underweight, overweight, obesity, obesity class 1, obesity class 2 and obesity class 3 (Onyike et al, 2003). The major problem of childhood obesity is that is has become one of the most serious nutritional issues in the world.. The obesity epidemic has been spreading since 1971 in both developed and developing countries, especially in the United States of America (Dehghan et al, 2005). In recent years, the obesity epidemic has grown rapidly in these counties. There are several influences which are responsible for the increase in the rate of childhood obesity in the States. For instance, consumption of fast food which contains a large amount of calories...
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...Childhood Obesity in the United States of America Tolulope Adedokun Introduction to psychology Dr. Michael Gawrysiak November 28, 2014 Table of contents Abstract …………………………………………………………………………………………… 3 Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………. 4 Causes of Obesity ………………………………………………………………………………… 4 Heredity …………………………………………………………………………………. 4 Social Environment ……………………………………………………………………… 5 Social Status …………………………………………………………………………….. 5 Birth Weight …………………………………………………………………………….. 6 Effects of Obesity ………………………………………………………………………………… 7 Health Effects ……………………………………………………………………………. 7 Mental Effects …………………………………………………………………………… 7 Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………………………. 7 Solutions to Childhood Obesity in The United States of America ………………………………. 8 References ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 9 Abstract Childhood obesity has reached epidemic levels in developing countries especially in the United States of America. Twenty five percent of children in the US are overweight and 11% are obese. Overweight and obesity in childhood are known to have significant impact on both physical and psychological health. This paper describes the causes, effects, and solutions to childhood obesity in...
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...RUNNING HEAD: CHILDHOOD OBESITY 1 Childhood Obesity C. Kevin Barr SOC120 John Meeks February 8, 2013 CHILDHOOD OBESITY 2 Childhood Obesity and the Health Concerns Obesity is such a hot topic in America today and childhood obesity and the ethical arguments over obesity has greatly increased over the last 10 years. Health problems that occur from this deadly disease is something that no one wants to talk about. When people think about health, what usually is discussed is cancer or heart disease. Not many people really think about one of the biggest issues out there that is really not taken very seriously and that is obesity. In America there are hundreds of thousands of children that are overweight. Obesity is a disease, a disease associated with many other health issues, including congestive heart problems, diabetes among other physical and mental complications associated with this disease. We will discuss throughout this paper how one of the classical theories would help resolve the problems that are associated with the dangers of childhood obesity, then discuss the perspective of society and how it relates to relativism in today's world. There are many arguments about how childhood obesity starts, who's to blame for allowing this to happen and societies ethical and moral obligation associated with fixing the problem. Who or what is to blame for the...
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...Linda Linn November 10, 2010 Childhood Obesity Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition that has reached epidemic proportions in many developed countries throughout the world, with America having one of the highest rates of overweight children. The consequences this issue has for the children involved can be serious in a number of aspects of their lives. Not only does this issue affect a child physically, it can also have detrimental effects on a child’s psychological and emotional wellbeing. Childhood obesity also has adverse outcomes for society economically in a number of ways. The causes of obesity are multi-factorial, however some aspects create greater worries for health professionals. Obesity is largely the result of caloric imbalance, too few calories expended for the amount of calories consumed. Perhaps the most important contributing factors are lack of exercise and unhealthy diet and eating habits causing this caloric imbalance. It is also mediated by genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors. According to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years. The prevalence of obesity among children in America aged 6 to 11 years increased from 6.5% in 1980 to 19.6% in 2008. The prevalence of obesity among adolescents aged 12 to 19 years increased from 5.0% to 18.1% (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention). The physical effects that obesity has on children can lead to...
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...Childhood Obesity ENG 122 Childhood Obesity Obesity is a serious medical condition that is defined as an abnormal constant accumulation of excess body fat that are usually twenty percent or more of a persons average body weight, according to PubMed Health (Obesity in Children) September 2011. Children are the biggest targets of this deadly disease of being overweight. In the U.S. childhood obesity has been on an alarming high rate, which has been impacting the health of American people. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2004, childhood obesity is one of the most significant health issues in the American Society and the second leading cause of preventable deaths in the U.S. Childhood obesity is a very serious disease that impacts many children and should not be taken lightly, its time that people put forth the effort to take preventive measures in the cure of the deadly disease. More focus is needed to help prevent childhood obesity from everyone parents, guardians and the government. People need to be aware of the risk and consequences of being obese and overweight in children before it is to late and their children become one of those statistics. Therefore, everyone toward fighting this deadly disease of childhood obesity needs a greater attention to put this to the forefront of government issues. According to PEW Research Centers 2011, children and teenagers are developing diseases that have been linked to adults...
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...Obesity in America Rough Draft Jeremy Stewart ENG 122 English Composition II Instructor: Jennifer Chagala October 02, 2014 Obesity in America It is a shame that more people die in the United States from eating too much food, while in other countries people die from not having enough. Obesity is a rising health epidemic across the nation, and it is a duel responsibility of the government as well as society to do all that they can, starting in the individual home to encourage healthy eating in order to reverse this development and preserve the next generation. Obesity has officially become an epidemic in America. It is debatably one the most noticed public health problems that America faces today. In 2009,...
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...Outline Topic: Childhood Obesity in the United States General Purpose: To inform Specific Purpose: To inform the audience about the childhood obesity epidemic in the U.S. Thesis Statement: While there are many causes of childhood obesity, the two main culprits are eating too much and exercising too little but there can be solutions to these causes. Organizational Pattern: Topical Introduction I. Take a look around you the next time you go to the mall. A. Take a look around you the next time you go to the stores. B. What you will see is what has seemingly become the new trend among children. C. What you will see has become a big problem- literally, and is growing each year. II. The topic I am speaking about is childhood obesity. A. Today, about one in three American kids and teens is overweight or obese. B. According to the article “America, 100 Percent Fat” by Martica Hearner, the current generation of children is the first ever to be predicted to die younger than their parents. (Heaner, Martica. “America, 100 Percent Fat.” MSN Health and Fitness.) III. Today, I will discuss the two main causes of childhood obesity: eating too much and exercising too little, as well as solutions that could be made to reduce these causes. Transition: We’ll start off by looking at how eating too much contributes to childhood obesity. Body I. Eating too much has commonly been recognized as a major culprit in regards to childhood obesity. A. The Center...
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...are linked with obesity; a preventable, curable, and manageable disease that hundreds of thousands of people face all around the world. The only thing worse than having to face these health issues as an adult, is having to face them as a child. Childhood obesity is becoming an epidemic in America today. This issue is leading to an unhealthy future for individual kids, but also for society as a whole. As the population has become more obese we have seen a rise in all kinds of health issues. Childhood obesity has been on a steady rise over recent years and this could cause a health crisis in the future. There are several causes to childhood obesity that can be overcome leading to a healthy life. The major causes of childhood obesity are a limited amount of physical activity, family behaviors, and unhealthy food choices. A lack of physical activity is one of the main causes of obesity. This has been a growing problem among children in recent years. “Obesity is a disorder of energy balance. It can occur only when the number of calories being consumed exceeds the number of calories burned, and usually an excess of this kind has to last for months or years of obesity is to develop” (Reilly, 2007). A lack of physical activity has led to the consumption of more calories than are burned off in children. There are many causes for this shift. A study done in the United States validated the relationship between hours of television watched each day and childhood obesity. “The findings showed...
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...Running head: Childhood Obesity in America: A Super-sized Problem That Plagues Our Society 1 Childhood Obesity in America: A Super-sized Problem That Plagues Our Society Elizabeth Widmeyer Western Governors University Childhood Obesity in America: A Super-sized Problem That Plagues Our Society 2 Childhood Obesity in America: A Super-sized Problem That Plagues Our Society Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic in America's society that is having an astronomical impact on the health of our children and our health care system. But, what exactly does it mean to label a child obese? According to Mayo Clinic (2014) “Obesity is a complex disorder involving an excessive amount of body fat.” Body fat is measured using the body mass index (BMI). A child's BMI is calculated by dividing their height by their weight. The calculation would then be graphed with their age in months to determine their growth percentile (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2001). A child is considered obese if they are in the 95th percentile or higher . A child who falls in the 85th - 95th is considered overweight and is at risk of becoming obese (KidsHealth, n.d.). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2014) there are 12.5 million Americans between the ages of 2 to 19 that are obese. Race, physical activity level and eating habits are three main components that can lead to obesity in children. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services...
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...There is an epidemic in America and it is called “Childhood Obesity.” “Obese,” from the Latin word “obesus,” means “grow fat by eating.” (Dalton, 2004) This term’s origin suggests that overeating is the major cause of the obesity epidemic. Teaching obese children to eat less is essential. But modifying behavior is no simple task, and eating too much is not the sole cause of obesity. Other factors play a role and must be understood in order to reverse this epidemic and produce healthier children. The growing number of obese children in America are victims of an epidemic just as surely as if they were infected by a virus. Americans tend to think of an epidemic as an outbreak of a contagious illness. But to physicians the sudden increase in obesity rates that have occurred in the twentieth century is every bit as unexpected as an outbreak of a new infectious disease and has triggered an alarm that might greet the rising of polio. Julie Gerberding, the director of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in the fall of 2003, declared obesity the number one health threat facing America. (Okie, 2005) The causes (nature) of this epidemic are complex and include genetic, biological and behavioral factors. These include, but are not limited to poor eating habits, overeating, the lack of exercise, family history of obesity, cardiac, endocrine or neurological problems, life changing events or stress, along with family or peer problems and low self-esteem or emotional...
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...Introduction to Research Paper: Childhood Obesity 1. the specific question you propose to answer for your final research paper ~What are the causes and consequences of childhood obesity and how can it be either prevented, or solved. 2. your working thesis statement ~Childhood obesity is a major cause of disease and health risks, including death, in America and we need to work together to solve this epidemic. 3. an overview of what you currently know about the issue ~Childhood obesity is now considered an epidemic in the United States. It is effecting many children in the population, causing things such as high blood pressure, diabetes and death. And, this issue that is causing so many problems, is preventable. There are currently some cities and towns that are working to create initiatives to encourage children to go outside and play, instead of sitting in front of the TV or computer. I think that this effort should be rewarded and needs to become a more common and continental initiative. Also, there is a huge problem with these overweight and obese children getting bullied and picked on in school. This just causes the children’s self-esteem to be lowered and could possible cause thoughts, or attempts, of suicide. Obese children shouldn’t be rewarded for being overweight, but the need to be encouraged to lose weight, but this has to be done in a subtle manor; telling someone they need to lose weight isn’t going to help. The key is to almost trick the children into losing...
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...Childhood Obesity Statistics and Facts According to research, Childhood Obesity results in high percentage of Obesity at adult stage as much as 70 percent. What is worse is that this rate is on increase and almost doubled in the last three decades. Let us have a look at more intriguing Statistics and Facts about childhood Obesity Obesity is a major problem, not only in America, but also in most countries, both developed and developing. This is a major concern for the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) in America and the WHO (World Health Organization) because childhood obesity statistics show that obese children and especially those in the teenage years have a 70% chance of being obese as adults. What is worse is that percentage increases to 80% if either one or both of the parents are obese as well. This is a major concern because obesity is the cause of many major health concerns later in life. This does not only affect the person themselves, but those who love them and society in general as this causes health insurance to rise and eventually decreases the number of people who are fit to work, thus putting a strain on the economy. This article will present the results of research on obesity, and childhood obesity facts and obesity statistics. Childhood Obesity Statistics In 2004, there was a research report written about a study that lasted from 1999 to 2002 entitled "Prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents: United States" conducted by...
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...Have you ever wonder what are the causes to the great increase of childhood obesity in the past 30 years? Childhood obesity is a very serious problem and becoming very dangerous. Childhood obesity affects 17% of all children that is triple the rate of just one generation ago. children are becoming are very obese at young ages and they are getting diseases and unhealthy conditions very young. Obesity is now the second most preventable death in the U.S. Up to one out of every five children in the U. S. is overweight or obese, and this number is continuing to rise. Childhood obesity has greatly increased and they are three main things that have caused this, they are the increase of fast food, increase of technology, and change of family habits. These three things are the main reason why childhood obesity has been increasing so much in America, and it is becoming a very dangerous problem. Fast food has become a huge part of America in the last 30 years. Families lives have became very busy and fast food is a very easy way for parents to feed their children when they don’t have time to cook a meal. What parents don’t realize is how bad fast food is for people and how horrible it is to eat on a daily basis. Every day, nearly one-third of U.S. children aged 4 to 19 eat fast food, which likely packs on about six extra pounds per child per year and increases the risk of obesity.( www.cbsnews.com/2100-204_162-591325.html) Fast food is made with tons of preservatives and...
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...Childhood Obesity David Sholl Western Governors University Task 3 Childhood Obesity Part A: Description of the Problem The primary focus of the literature review will be childhood obesity among American children between the ages of five and eighteen years. Most parents are not aware that their children have problems until they become overweight. For instance, in a survey conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2011, about 49% of American parents believed that their children were of average size. However, after physical examinations, a team of physicians classified them as overweight. Central adiposity is one of the symptoms of childhood obesity. Children with excessive accumulation of fat around the abdominal area are either overweight or obese. Inability to cope with abrupt physical activities is another symptom. Numerous studies indicate that overweight children have diminished physical stamina because their bodies carry excess weight. Snoring is the other notable symptom of childhood obesity. As fat accumulates around the neck region, it obstructs the windpipe leading to snoring among children. Childhood obesity is now a pandemic in the U.S, and has become a national health crisis. One in every three children in America aged between two and eighteen years are considered overweight or obese. The life-threatening problems of obesity create a critical and compelling call for action that should not be ignored. According to numerous sources obesity is related...
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...Childhood Obesity Family-based treatment is more effective than individual treatment for childhood obesity diagnoses in America. Childhood obesity is a medical condition in which a child has excessive body mass index for the child’s age and height. Childhood obesity is a growing problem which has led to an epidemic in America. There are several contributing factors which lead adolescents to be diagnosed with pediatric obesity. Some American medical professionals are focusing on preventing and diminishing pediatric obesity with individual treatment, however, according to the American Heart Association, If parents are unhealthy, children are likely to be unhealthy too” (American Heart Association, 2011). Family-based treatment regulates the effects of childhood obesity over the long term versus individual treatment for adolescents and teenagers, which is a short term solution. Childhood obesity affects one in three children and teens in the United States, causing the rate to triple since 1963 (American Heart Association, 2011). Pediatric obesity involves children two to twenty years of age, where the child or teen has excessive body fat for their age and sex. Excessive body fat occurs when energy ingested is more than energy burned off by a child or teenager. A few symptoms of child obesity are sleep apnea; when a child or teen stops breathing in his or her sleep for a short period of time, hip or knee pain, difficulty in breathing such as; asthma, headaches, skin conditions...
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