...Case Study 2 Two out of three adults and one out of three children in the United States are overweight or obese and the rising consumption of sugary drinks has been a huge contributor to this issue. I definitely think the government has a right to intervene when they already control so much of our healthcare finances. The nation spends an estimated $190 billion a year treating obesity-related health conditions when they could be prevented. Children in particular are consuming more sugary drinks and participating in fewer activities leading to weight gain. The board of health has the legal authority and the responsibility to tackle the leading cause of a growing childhood obesity epidemic. The restriction of sugary soft drinks should pertain to all and not just to those who are overweight or obese. With children being at greatest risk it is important to see their parents and others around them practicing healthy habits as a means to lead by example. Soft drinks don’t just put you at risk for obesity but also other disease such as a diabetes, heart disease and gout and other health related issues. Obese children also experience a greater risk of psychological health problems including discrimination and low self-esteem. These effects may be compounded in adulthood, leading to profound health care and public health costs. I personally like the “nanny state” tactics. If the government isn’t going to enforce policies in regards to population health then the problem will continue...
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...Childhood Obesity Childhood obesity has become a serious health issue that needs to be dealt with. There are many factors that have led to this development and it is contributing to an increased number of new diabetes cases every year. This is a very technological society we now live in which has benefited the health of mankind in many ways; however it has led to obesity as well. Overweight Americans Americans are battling the bulge more so now than ever before. According to Moreno, Johnson-Shelton, & Boles (2013) “The prevalence of child overweight and obesity has increased dramatically over the last 3 decades across all sectors of the US population, leading to one of the nation’s greatest public health challenges” (p. 157). Technology, that which helps Americans is also making Americans less active, therefore becoming more overweight. Video games, iPads, smart phones are just a few of the tech gadgets that are available now. It is difficult to go anywhere and not see many, including children, playing with, talking on or simply using a piece of electronics technology. Along with all the mobile devices available, video games in the home run ramped across America as well. Irvine (2014) stated that...
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...When having a child even at a young age its important to get them on a sleeping schedule. A case studied tested of 1,138 children sleep duration pattern measured at age’s 2.5 years and every year after that until 6 years old. The sleeping pattern can be a risk factor to obesity in children with environmental factors controlled. According to Touchette et al.’s (2008) “the relationship between sleep duration patterns and BMI was tested using multivariate logistic regression models to control for potentially confounding factors”. The results of this studied showed 4 sleep duration patterns shown through out the children. These four sleeping duration patterns according to Touchette et al.’s (2008), “short persistent (5.2%), short increasing (4.7%),...
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...Obesity has become a serious health concern, not only in the United States, but globally. What’s even worse is when children become overweight and obese. They are likely to stay this way during adulthood and will develop other diseases and disabilities. Even though obesity rates are higher in adults, in countries like the US, China, and Brazil, the rate is escalating more rapidly in children. Child obesity has also been steadily affecting many low- and middle-income countries when traditional diets are being switched to Western food ways. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of 2015, is is estimated that there are over 42 million overweight children who are under the age of five. Out of this number, 35 million live in...
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...The 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 (8). The most recent data show that the national childhood obesity rate for those between 2-19 years old is 18.5% (1). This equates to nearly 1 in 5 school age children being classified as obese (2). The figure below visually represents the prevalence of obesity among youth aged 2-19 years by sex and age in the United States between the years of 2015-2016. Consequently, childhood obesity is a major threat to children's health in the USA and is "regarded as the most common prevalent nutritional disorder of US children and adolescents, and one of the most common problems seen by pediatricians" (3). However, treatment and prevention of obesity are considered the primary responsibility of the individual children and their parents, and public health guidelines and economic policies for the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity are often not taken seriously (4). The Consequences:...
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...Poverty and Welfare on Childhood Obesity1 Poverty and Welfare on Childhood Obesity Paul D Stasiak Self Study Childhood obesity has become a growing concern in the eyes of many Americans, yet not every parent can identify if their child or one they care for is overweight. Understanding dietary intake for our children is a very important. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2014), childhood obesity has more than doubled and young adult obesity has quadrupled in the last 30 years (p. 1). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention define being overweight as having an excess body weight for a given height, specifically as having excess body fat. The number of obese children today is higher than it has been in the past. However, times are changing and the fast food companies are growing more and more popular each and every day. This paper will examine the research which states that a child is more likely to be obese as an adult if they were obese all throughout their adolescent years and poverty’s effect on childhood obesity. According to Feeding America (2013), 45.3 million Americans were living in poverty (p. 1). This number is very high considering the 318.9 million that are living in America. The unemployment rate in January of 2015 was 5.7%. As a result of unemployment or living in poverty conditions, some families have resorted to buying less expensive food options for their children in order to...
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...The New England Journal of Medicine: Incidence of Childhood Obesity in the United States General Summary: Childhood Obesity is a growing epidemic in the United States. Prevalence data has been documented; however, gaps in the incidence study still exist. Thus, a study was conducted on data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health in order to track the incidence of obesity. The National Center for Educational Statistics selected a nationally representative cohort using probability sampling. Children who were starting kindergarten in the fall semester of 1998 were followed up until they reached the eight grade for data collection; cumulative incidence shows the 9-year risk of obesity. Variables were selected such as height, weight, parent-reported age, sex, race, ethnic group, socioeconomic status, and birth weight. Study showed that although the prevalence of obesity increased with age, incident obesity was highest at the youngest ages and declined through eighth grade. The lowest cumulative incidence according to socioeconomic factors was among children from wealthy families and the highest was among children from the middle socioeconomic quintile. Importance of Article: Childhood Obesity is an important concern for the community and this article does a great job detailing why. Childhood Obesity affects more than 30 percent of children, making it the most common chronic disorder for children. Today, more and more children are being diagnosed with diabetes...
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...David Zinczenko in his essay “Don’t Blame the Eater” confronts the topic of adolescent obesity and its correlation to the daily consumption of fast-foods. The author reveals that he too, at one point, fell victim to the “golden arches”. The author’s personal narrative revealed that after eating fast-food twice a day he weighed two-hundred and twelve pounds standing at only five foot ten. I sympathize with the author about the ever increasing numbers of childhood obesity, the money in which is donated to childhood obesity research, and the misconception of nutrition labels of prepared foods. The author used valid statistics to acclimate the reader to his point of view. He believes that the problem should not just be assumed by the consumers...
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...Results and Conclusion: Childhood Obesity Kimberly March HCS 465 April 24, 2013 Dr. Chris Motley Results and Conclusion: Childhood Obesity Childhood obesity is a public health crisis in the United States and internationally. The occurrence of childhood obesity has increased rapidly over the years. This paper will show how the results of the data collection method, the data analysis procedure, and conclusion of applying the background and methodology of the research process to problems in health care with an emphasis on childhood obesity. The following questions will be answered from the Syllabus University of Phoenix (2010): Data Collection In what way are the data collection procedures appropriate for this study? In what way were appropriate steps taken to protect the rights of subjects? In what way is the data collection tool used to support the reliability and validity of the study? Data Analysis In what ways are the data analysis procedures appropriate for the data collected? In what ways are the data analysis procedures appropriate for answering the research question or questions, for testing the study hypothesis or hypotheses, or both? What are the key distinctions between qualitative and quantitative data? Conclusion Summarize the findings of the study. Identify the strengths of the scientific merit of this study. What are weaknesses? Identify the major limitations of the scientific merit of this study? What are its weaknesses? Explain if...
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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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...rise of childhood obesity and how it has doubled in children and tripled in adolescents in the past 30 years. Lowell (2004) has studied and shown how the fast food is major factor in childhood obesity in the United States. There is emphasize on the fact that fast food and snacks with high amount of fats and sugar are the major role of obesity among children. Prevention and treatment programs has the opportunity to influence the health of children and decrease the rise of obesity by providing effective tools in nutrition, education, and physical activities (Cohen, Hazell, Vanstone, Plourde, Rodd &Weiler, 2013). In lowering the rise of obesity in children the fast food industry should begin to take on a responsible attitude towards how the food is prepared, pricing of vegetables labeling of salt, fat sugars levels particular; portions sizes (reducing them), and how its market (Lowell, 2004). Fast food restaurants serve more processed foods, which consumes more fats, sugars, and carbohydrates. The fast food industry provides less fruits and non-starchy vegetables. The food industry felt it is a personal responsibility not the industry. However, the industry must review how the obesity in children is a factor and threat within the United States. The fast food industry can see to find a way to eliminate the increasing number by providing accurate truthful information on their labels, and this can begin by making small changes to its products. The purpose of the study is for...
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... What are some effects of child obesity? Child obesity has become an epidemic problem that is affecting the whole world. In the U.S, obesity has caused children many health problems and conditions. Some of the health problems that obesity causes are diabetes, asthma and heart diseases. These complications can be caused by a series of factors that can be contributed by TV, computer games, lack of safe playgrounds and other factors that encourage children to be sedentary (Collins, 2002). From the factors mentioned before, the things that are attacking the kids of this generation are mainly the video and computer games. In addition to affecting the health of the kids it is also affecting the economy. Because the costs of health insurance premiums are going up, companies refuse to pay for such services. In addition child obesity is an issue that in most cases begins in the household. Justification: Studies show the impact that child obesity has caused in society. (CBS News, 2002) declared “A dramatic increase in diabetes and other diseases related to childhood obesity in the United States has added millions of dollars to health care cost”. From that article it is clear that child obesity is causing a tremendous problem to the economy, thus making it insufficient. The cost of medicine, treatments and operation is the reason why it is causing and contributing to the economical problems. Obesity has been a major cause for conditions...
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...Obesity on children Lauri Gavilano EN1320 09/02/2014 Obesity on children Obese children and teenagers face a high risk of potential health problems as they get older, bad eating habits formed during childhood may lead the child to be overweight, with worrying consequences in adulthood, mainly for health. The consequences of childhood obesity, the result of fat accumulation in the body are related to the development of diabetes and cardiovascular problems. It also affects in the mental and social development due to social discrimination and low self-esteem. The first changes to occur in obese children are usually emotional or psychological. However, childhood obesity can also lead to more severe physical consequences and can be life threatening, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, sleep problems, cancer and other diseases. Obesity has a very important role in the development of bad physical health of the child; according to a study by Centers for disease control and prevention (CDC) noted that about 15% of children and adolescents are now overweight (Riccairdelli & Schwimmer, 2012). There are many factors that contribute to childhood obesity but most common are lifestyle issues like lack of activity and too many calories from food and drinks. The lack of activities has a big impact on gaining weight, also the family history and socio economic factors. The consequences of childhood obesity are not only physical but also psychological. Obese...
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...Childhood Obesity Danielle Borde ENG122: English Composition II Instructor: Peter Kunze July 29, 2012 Childhood Obesity Childhood obesity is an issue that has become more evident of a problem as the years have changed. I am interested in the facts as to how a child becomes obese and if there are any ways to either prevent it or overturn it. I want to prove that obesity weighs more heavily on nature rather than nurture. There are specific genes that some people have and some people don’t have that attribute to becoming obese. I know the schools are doing a lot to keep kids more fit and active these days. First Lady Michelle Obama has played a huge role in helping over turn childhood obesity. Her goals for her “Lets Move” campaign are, better school nutrition, better labeling of high calorie foods and drinks, growing support for farmers markets, and educating moms and dads to instill better eating habits (Christina, 2010). I believe this will be a very productive program. It has been said in the past that nurture was the main factor in becoming obese. This has become less of a factor since scientists have been looking more closely at the genes. Genes account for more than three quarters of the difference between children’s waistlines, with factors such as diet and exercise playing a much smaller role (MNT, 2008). A man named Nikhil Dhurandhar discovered a gene by the name of adenovirus-36(Ad-36), which causes fat cells to grow. Dhurandhar and his team...
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...Childhood Obesity ENG/215 May 5, 2014 Childhood Obesity Introduction Over the recent decades, obesity has grown into major health problem in the United States. Obesity rates have increased over the past thirty years. With over 31 percent of the population obese, the United States has become the fattest country with the highest rate of obesity in the world. Obesity is not only an adult problem, it has now become an epidemic among children and teenagers. One out of every three children in the United States is obese. Eating habits that children learn when they are young affects them in later in their life. Obese children are more likely to become obese adults than healthy weight children. Childhood obesity can lead to many health problems that include diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure to name a few. These health problems cause a rise in health care costs. There are factors that play a role in causing these health issues, but there are also simple solutions to solve this epidemic among the young. The Effects of Advertising and the Media One of the factors that contribute to childhood obesity is the media and their way of marketing and advertising, especially towards children. Children spend more time watching television and using a computer than previous generations. Children from the ages of eight to 18 use media every day, and spend on average 44.5 hours per week using a computer, playing video games, and watching television. "Most children...
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