...Childhood Obesity In today's society childhood obesity is considered to be an epidemic. The increase in obesity is not caused by the change in the gene pool, but rather by the change in the environment. This causes vulnerable populations to express the obesity phenotype (Stune, 1999). One in seven children ages 6-17 are considered to be obese. Most nutritionists will say that this is do to the lack of parental guidance. A child's parents should teach their child proper eating habits so that they won't run across problems in the future (Tomlin, 1999). According to the article Facts about childhood Obesity and Overweightness, obese children are statistically not active, and their diets are high in fats and low in energy foods, like carbohydrates . Most doctors will calculate a child's body mass index (BMI), to figure out just how overweight a child is. If a child's BMI is over 30, they are considered obese. In order to calculate one's BMI, you would divide the your weight in kilograms by the square of your height in meters (Mokdad, 1999). What causes obesity? Weight gain among children is likely due to a combination of factors including: poor dietary habits, genetic makeup, family lifestyle, socioeconomic status, and a child's ethnicity. Obesity is more prevalent among Hispanic, African-American and American Indian children, particularly girls (Mayohealth.org 1997). Overweight children are not necessarily overeaters. Unfortunately, much of the food they...
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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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...Obesity has become an epidemic in American Society. Since the nineteen eighties childhood obesity rates have tripled and have started in earlier in age. In high school students obesity rates have risen by fifteen percent. In four states obesity rates for adults have exceeded thirty five percent. Obesity is being portrayed as being beautiful, which people should be comfortable in their own skin, but the health effects that obesity causes is far from beautiful. Nearly seventy eight million adults and almost thirteen million children are obese in the United States. In the 1950's the percentage of obese adults was only ten percent, and has now risen to thirty five percent. An adult is averaged to weigh twenty six more pounds more than...
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...Group: AD228 4B Topic: CHILDHOOD OBESITY Central Idea: I. Causes of Childhood Obesity II. Effects of Childhood Obesity III. Prevention of Childhood Obesity Submitted to: Pn. Mastura Misdan Submission Date: 6th November 2015 Color Coding ARTICLE 1 GENERAL INTERNET JOURNAL ARTICLE 2 GENERAL INTERNET ARTICLE ARTICLE 3 GENERAL INTERNET ARTICLE ARTICLE 4 GENERAL INTERNET ARTICLE Bibliography Internet Sources Journal Mahshid Dehghan, Noori Akhtar-Danesh, and Anwar T Merchant, P. R. (2005). Childhood obesity, prevalence, and prevention. Nutrition Journal 4:24 Article Childhood Obesity Causes & Consequences. (2015, June 19). Retrieved November 5, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/causes.html Childhood Obesity Facts. (2015, August 27). Retrieved November 5, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/obesity/facts.htm Obese Youth over Time. (2015, September 27). Retrieved November 5, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/obesity/obesity-youth.htm Obese Youth Over Time. (2015, September 22). Retrieved November 5, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/obesity/obesity-youth-txt.htm Childhood Obesity Facts. (2015, June 19). Retrieved November 5, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/childhood.html Childhood obesity. (n.d.). Retrieved...
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...------------------------------------------------- Cause & Effect Essay ------------------------------------------------- Diana Diaz Mr. Radcliff- Comm 105. 8/12/10 The Leading Causes Of Childhood Obesity When a child is above normal weight for his or her age, a child can be considered obese. According to The Center of Disease control one of seven children is obese (CDC, 2010). Children who have an obesity problem suffer from being rejected and teased at school by other children. Obesity contributes to physical and psychological issues in children; there are several causes leading to child hood obesity. One of the causes of childhood obesity is the lack of exercise. Children rather stay at home and play videogames instead of going outside and exercise. Because technology has advanced so much, T.V. has become a priority in a child’s life. Sports and outdoor games are not an option for children any more, when they can just stay home and watch their favorite show on T.V. show or even play video games that stimulate their mind. The use of electronic devices in children such as using the computer, watching T.V. and playing video games has influenced children to leave outdoor activities. Children are not thinking about their looks or staying healthy, they are becoming sedentary because all the technology that they can use to keep them occupied. Eating too much causes childhood obesity. Children who stay at home get bored and start snacking much more, most of the...
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...Claudia Rawa Mrs. Donlan Advanced Composition 20 February 2016 Childhood Obesity in America Obesity is the condition characterized by the excessive amount of fat storage in the body. Childhood obesity is a major health concern in todays society. Obesity can lead to heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Also, self-esteem issues, which can lead to eating disorders, depression, and crash diets (Mayo Clinic Staff). Most children these days are classified as being overweight for their age. There are a numerous amount of causes of childhood obesity. Plenty of reasons, including genetic factors, calorie intake, and lack of physical activity are the prime causes of childhood obesity (“Cause and Effect: Obesity”). One of the contributing causes of childhood obesity is genetics. Genetic factors play one of the many roles in child obesity. Some individuals are more susceptible to inherit obesity diseases than others. Genes passed down from generations can directly cause obesity in children (Walley). A gene is a unit of heredity that is transferred from parent to offspring. These genes carry characteristics of the parental component, which may include obesity factors (“Behavior”). One of the genetic factors include metabolism. Metabolism converts food and drinks into energy into your body. People could have a fast metabolism or a slow metabolism, childhood obesity involves slow metabolism. Slow metabolism may be passed down through genetics...
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...Bibliography for Childhood Obesity Cuthbert C Cuffy DeVry University The many forms of interventions that are cur¬rently being used to prevent and control childhood obesity are not effective thus and a new paradigm shift is required. The complexity of fighting childhood obesity needs stepper legislation and changes in health policies. A multipronged, integrated and collective approach will be need to achieve acceptable results in today’s society with an added benefit of a reduction in the health care expense. Knight, Judith. Strauss, Richard. (1999). Influence of the Home Environment on the Development of Obesity in Children. Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, 103(6) pg e85. Retrieved from http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/103/6/e85 Strauss and Knight (1999) investigation of the socioeconomic factors and parental practice effects on children’s obesity, was conclusive in its negative influence. It was revealed that when a conscious effort was made by the parents of low income household income, develop a stimulating home environment the result was a lowest rate of childhood obesity development. The need for parental education in creating a stimulating home environment and increasing household income level was the key factors in future reduction of the rates of obesity in children My Assessment: This article, although provide a reasonable analysis to the effects of low income on the cause of death through childhood obesity...
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...In the United States, childhood obesity has become more and more serious problem. In children and adolescents who are 2-19 years old, the probability of obesity has been stable at around 17%. In the past decade, there were about 12.7 million children and adolescents affected by obesity (Childhood Obesity Facts, 2015). In recent years this ratio has declined, but because of defective eating and living behaviors, childhood obesity is still a problem that cannot be ignored. In order to solve this problem, balanced diet and exercise therapy are effective methods. The main cause of obesity in children and adults are similar, except to genetic reason, defective eating and living behaviors will also bring greater influence. Nowadays, people are concerned about supplement nutrition; however, improper intake can easily lead to nutritional imbalances. People could often see a variety of nutritional supplement advertisements, but some of them are not suitable for young children. If children eat those supplements for long-term, excessive intake of nutrients will cause the obesity. In addition, fast food and snacks are also another important reason for childhood obesity. Most of fast-food and snack mean high fat, high sugar, and high calorie, excessive consumption of these foods will make a significant increase in body weight. At the same time, many children spent a lot of time in front of television or computer screen. At least for these children, it takes up opportunities for physical...
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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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...Matthew Stark Sociology 422 Professor Bradshaw 5 May 2015 Childhood Obesity: Is there an elucidation? 1. Describe the Policy, Program or Topic: The growth in childhood obesity over the past several decades, together with the associated health problems and costs, is raising serious concern among health care professionals, policy experts, children’s advocates, and parents. Childhood obesity is defined “in terms of body mass index (BMI), which in turn is defined as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared” (Anderson). According to the Obesity Action Coalition “a child is defined as “affected by obesity” if their body mass index-for-age (or BMI-for-age) percentile is greater than 95 percent. A child is defined as “overweight” if their BMI-for-age percentile is greater than 85 percent and less than 95 percent.” BMI has become the frontrunner for measuring a child’s weight condition, but only a physician can best determine and diagnoses weight status in children. Obesity is not just a problem in the United States but around the world as well. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey have been recording overweight and obesity in children since the early 1960’s. During 1971–74 about five percent of children aged two to nineteen years were obese but it has increase significantly throughout the years. By 1980 and 1988-94, the numbers nearly doubled in children and between the years of 1998-2002, nearly fifteen percent of United States children have become...
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...Childhood Obesity page 1 Childhood Obesity in Health Care SOC 101 Week Five Assignment April 1, 2013 Childhood Obesity page 2 Childhood Obesity is a serious health and societal issue. Rising at extreme rates, one may call it an epidemic. Childhood obesity increases incidences of mortality later in life, causes asthma and type II diabetes, which was only found in adults. With these ill effects, childhood obesity is an issue that should not be taken lightly. Over the last fifteen years, obesity in children has increased fifty percent. While the cause of this is equivocal, and heredity may play a role, there are some contributing factors. The media, parents/caregivers, and schools are major influences which are, to some extent, responsible for this astounding inclination of obesity among children. Though parents should not allow the television to become their babysitter, some often do. Children, who are the most profitable sector in the media, are dragged into the unmerciful pull of the media. There are countless television programs and stations for children of all ages. With this wide variety, children are able to spend hours watching television which requires no physical...
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...Obesity has been an increasing problem across our whole nation over the last few decades. Since 1980 the number of young Americans who are overweight or obese has more than tripled (University of Rochester Medical Center). This disease has been rapidly growing and affecting countless lives, many of them people right here in Rochester, NY. Obesity is a growing concern and has begun to be a big problem among youth and children in our area. The national obesity rate in adolescents and children is 17% (University of Rochester Medical Center). For Monroe County as a whole, they are just below the national average at a 15% childhood obesity rate. The rate of the city however is a lot higher and is almost at 22%. According to a study done by the University of Rochester Medical Center, nearly 40 percent of children and teens living in Rochester’s city are overweight or obese (City Child Obesity Rate Almost Twice as Large as Suburban). The number lowers when looking at the suburbs of Rochester, but 25% of children are still obese or overweight in these suburban areas. We believe that these numbers are higher in the city due to a few reasons. The first and obvious reason would be due poor eating habits. These children are eating unhealthy meals and not getting a balanced diet that is resulting in extra weight gain. As a team we also realize that it is not just about and poor eating habits but also a lack of exercise. These children have not been getting an appropriate amount...
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...Childhood Obesity ENG 122 April 26, 2012 Childhood Obesity Childhood obesity is an ongoing problem that we will all face in our lifetime. We may encounter this from our own experience as being an overweight child, seeing it in our children, their friends or even in our grandchildren. We all need to have a better understanding of childhood obesity. We will start this journey by address a brief history of childhood obesity, short and long-term health concerns, methods for treating obesity, and prevention of obesity in children. The overall purpose will be to foster an understanding of the impact high-fructose corn syrup usage in the last 30 years has had in relation to the childhood obesity epidemic. Childhood obesity is not a new problem but it is becoming an epidemic in the United States. Dr. Fals (2009) writes, “this country has been struggling with obesity for well over 20 years now” (p. 1). Most of us can remember when there was maybe one overweight child in a classroom, now there are two to three instead. The National Center for Health Statistics has been conducting surveys since 1963 relating to obesity among children and adolescents in the United States (Ogden, 2010). This is the only organization that has solid scientific history and statistical data available. It appears that obesity was not tracked on a nationwide level prior to 1963. One reason may be that there weren’t enough cases of childhood obesity to raise any red flags up until the 1960s. Since...
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...World The Effects of Childhood Obesity A losing battle has risen in the arena of health affecting thousands, even millions of those that matter most, the children. This battle is childhood obesity. Childhood obesity is a growing concern in today’s society. Rising at extreme rates, one may call it an epidemic. The percentage of children and adolescents who are defined as overweight has more than doubled since the early 1970s (Marcus, 2003). With the vast amount of fast food restaurants and unhealthy foods along with the lack of exercise, obesity is hard to avoid. Usually the most delicious and easiest foods to prepare are the ones that are not so good for our well-being. Childhood obesity is formally defined as weighing at least 20% above the weight corresponding to the ideal weight for children of a specific height, gender, and age. 20%-40% over the ideal weight is considered mildly obese, 40%-100% over is considered moderately obese, and 100% over is considered severely obese. Some scientists classify children as overweight if their body fat is at least 25% for males and 30% for females (“So What Is Childhood Obesity?” 2010). Simply put, childhood obesity is consuming unhealthy foods and drinks without exercise to burn it off. None the less, it is extremely detrimental to today’s youth. Childhood obesity can have both physical and psychological effects. The physical effects are similar to those seen in obese adults. Some of the physical effects of childhood obesity...
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...Res/531 June 19, 2011 Dr. Ed Yancey Topic Childhood Obesity in the Mid-South is a growing disease. Description of Childhood Obesity Childhood Obesity is defined as children having the condition of being excessively overweight (The American Heritage, 2002). The Centers for Disease Control reports that this country has been struggling with obesity for well over 20 years now and regarding childhood obesity, it is no less daunting. Data from their surveys comparing the 1970's to the 2000's show that the prevalence of obesity has increased for children of all ages at least 3 times over to about 20% of our population less than 19 years old (adult obesity approaches almost 35% in some states). There is an eye-opening depiction of U.S. obesity trends by state and race/ethnicity over the past 4 years. Obesity appears to be most commonly seen in the African American, Hispanic, and Native American populations and in lower income families (CDC, 2009). Why this Topic This topic was chosen because there is an overwhelming increase of children who are suffering from this disease. Obese children are also more likely to become overweight adults. 70% of obese children had at least one Cardiovascular Disease risk factor, and 39% had two or more (Freedman, 2007). This paper will show why childhood obesity has become such an epidemic and what can be done to counter this disease. Description of Childhood Obesity Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition that affects...
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