...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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...Obesity – A Social Problem Society is an integral part one “self”. Social problems are the root cause for many other problems. Being obese is not anymore a personal problem. It is ripened into a huge social problem. Let’s brush up the problems caused due to Obesity in today’s modern world. This is an age of modern living, superior technology, luxurious day-to-day, exaggerated money and last but not the least trending obesity. Growing number of cases of obesity has made it into a fully grown social problem. Child obesity is a much talked about topic in today’s era. What could be the cause of this? The modernization of our living has took us to the top of the ladder on one side and it drenches us in a hollow pit called obesity. The changing life style has brought us into a world of the so called junk foods. These foods are considerable only if there is adequate amount of physical activity. White-collar jobs make us stagnate in a place. Though there is stagnation at work, we could take up initiatives for physical work outs. Rising percentage of obese cases is a red signal for us to stop and think. Obesity knows no boundaries. Any individual who shows least care for his fitness is subjected to obese. Though dumb, people are adjudged by appearances. Here comes the play of the society in the individual. An obese individual faces a social apathy. Child obesity is still worse. Obese children are highly prone to clownishness. When a child faces this kind of ridicule, he/she is subjected...
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...Social problems are the root cause for many other problems. Being obese is not anymore a personal problem. It is ripened into a huge social problem. Let’s brush up the problems caused due to Obesity in today’s modern world. This is an age of modern living, superior technology, luxurious day-to-day, exaggerated money and last but not the least trending obesity. Growing number of cases of obesity has made it into a fully grown social problem. Child obesity is a much talked about topic in today’s era. What could be the cause of this? The modernization of our living has took us to the top of the ladder on one side and it drenches us in a hollow pit called obesity. The changing life style has brought us into a world of the so called junk foods. These foods are considerable only if there is adequate amount of physical activity. White-collar jobs make us stagnate in a place. Though there is stagnation at work, we could take up initiatives for physical work outs. Rising percentage of obese cases is a red signal for us to stop and think. Obesity knows no boundaries. Any individual who shows least care for his fitness is subjected to obese. Though dumb, people are adjudged by appearances. Here comes the play of the society in the individual. An obese individual faces a social apathy. Child obesity is still worse. Obese children are highly prone to clownishness. When a child faces this kind of ridicule, he/she is subjected to be grown with a disturbed “self”. With this disturbed “self”...
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...Junk Food In the essay “How Science Supports Junk Food Addiction,” the author, Cynthia Andrzejczyk, explains junk food companies’ efforts to perfect the taste of their foods and create an addiction for their products. In 1999, a meeting between the biggest junk food companies took place to discuss the problem of obesity in America. Despite the severity of the problem, Stephen Sanger, the CEO of General Mills, stated that his companies worry “was not about good nutrition; it was about what tasted good” (qtd. In Andrzejczyk 375). This statement ended all efforts to make food healthier. When it comes to taste, junk food companies have it down to a science. Junk food companies have hired specialists to increase the desirability of certain foods. One of these specialists is Howard Moscowitz, a Harvard graduate with a degree in Experimental Psychology (Andrzejczyk 375). Moscowitz’s main goal is getting certain foods to their maximum “optimization” and “bliss point”” (Andrzejczyk 375). The “bliss point” of a food is the best version of itself. This bliss point is normally the culprit for fast food addiction. It gets you to the point where you need to eat more because it tastes so good. Potato chips are deemed as the “perfect junk food” (Andrzejczyk 375 . However one of the biggest issues, associated with potato chips, was people deemed them unhealthy. In 1957, potato chip sales were dropping off. Ernest Dichter, a psychologist, found that the reason for this drop off was that...
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...The Blame Game The blame of childhood obesity has become a silent war in America against the Big Food Corporations and the World Health Organizations. The article, Junk Food Nation, written by Gary Ruskin and Juliet Schor provides a deeper insight of this subject matter. They believe the correlation between what is driving the Administration’s policy to support Big Food cooperation’s instead of World Health Organizations is large infusions of cash. The article explains how, although obesity in America’s youth is a developing concern, it is often down-played and blamed on other factors such as lack of exercise. Blaming other factors, and providing expert analysis of the situation makes it difficult to place blame on any one cause of the epidemic. The ideal solution to the concern at hand would be acknowledgement of the problem, and genuine efforts from the government/Big Food cooperation’s to work together for the betterment of the health of the youth. One would expect as obesity is a continuing rising issue in today’s society that cooperation’s would ban together to save our youth from the sting of being over-weight. However, this criterion was barely met. The government scratched the surface of the issue by acknowledgement that obesity was an issue. Ruskin indicated, “Kraft announced it would no longer market Oreos to younger children, McDonald’s promoted itself as a salad producer and Coca-Cola said it won’t advertise to kids’ under12.” Some cooperation’s even...
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...Childhood Obesity Fast food restaurants should be required to provide or offer healthy alternatives for their kid’s meals. Having healthy alternatives for children’s meals would allow them to receive a nutritionally balanced meal even when it is necessary to dine out. Childhood obesity is becoming prevalent in today’s world and society needs to start taking some responsibility; starting with what foods that are offered when having to dine away from the home. Eating habits begin at a very young age. If healthy alternatives were available in all kids’ meals in fast food restaurants, parents would be at ease when ordering the kids meals for their child(ren). Growing up as an overweight child can lead you to wonder if even small differences in menu selection could make a difference in the decisions you make when choosing to dine out even as an adult. In this paper I am hoping to show the importance of providing a nutritionally healthy meal to children to provide for a healthier future. Dining out is becoming routine in today’s fast-paced world; the convenience of fast-food makes it hard to pass up on a busy day, but at what cost are people willing to sacrifice nutrition for convenience. The childhood obesity rate is almost 15% in the United States (Tom Harkin 2008). Childhood obesity puts children at a grave risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other health related issues that can affect their lives as an adult. Small changes in how fast-food restaurants market their children’s...
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...Running Head: MCDONALD’S AND OBESITY Case Study #1: McDonald’s and Obesity Monica Cassetta Central Michigan University-- MKT 560 February 1, 2014 Introduction Obesity is an ongoing problem not only in America, but seen all over the world. There are many assumptions in regards to why this has been on the rise in recent years, and who is to blame for this. Obesity and over-weight adults, as well as children, has become increasingly common, as well as seen. With over 1 billion overweight adults with 400 million of them being obese, and with 155 million children being over-weight worldwide (Cateora, Gilly, Graham, 2013), this issue needed to be addressed. With that said, the big question is, how do we stop this rise as a whole. An ongoing issue and example to today’s obesity is fast food chains i.e. McDonald’s, and how they advertise. And though McDonald’s is one of the leading companies in the fast-food chain industry across the globe, people have been outraged with their marketing and campaigns to eat their unhealthy menu items. Thankfully, even with the bad publicity McDonald’s had and has received on numerous occasions, they are still able to have a constant growth within their company. Question #1: When it comes to fast-food industries, marketing and advertising is the key to their success. They typically use the 4P’s of marketing which are, product, price, place, and promotion. “Having accurate research is essential in creating the right marketing” (Business...
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...Canyon University: HCA 240 07/22/2012 Monica Stults This paper is about the world of obesity and how it affects the individual, the community, the population and the healthcare industry. Most Unites States residents expect to live long healthy lives. The economic impact of obesity and its associated health issues can a will have a tremendous impact on the Unites States Healthcare System. The impact will affect both profit and non-profits organizations with its rising health insurance cost, transportation cost, and its increased human capital cost. Obesity is an epidemic that pays no attention to the economic status of the individual and is no longer just a disease diagnosed just in adults. Obesity has spread from one side of the United States to the other touching adults and children alike. Today’s children are living with an epidemic that will surely shorten their lives. Obesity in children can affect virtually every organ system in the child’s body causing many medical conditions from high blood pressure to diabetes. Obesity varies across the United States touching each and every culture. Recent increases in obesity likely result from the interaction of biological, social, and cultural factors within an environment char¬acterized by limited opportunities for physical activity and an abundance of high-calorie foods. In today’s society more than 12.4 percent of all children residing in the United States between...
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...Pregnancy: The Fight to Survive Sociology Research Paper Tri-County Technical College November 24, 2014 ABSTRACT Objectives: To research the causes of death during childbirth and infancy in nations around the world. To examine related health concerns of birth rate, death rate, birth defects, and how access to medical care in different nations contribute to the birth and survival of the fetus. Reviewing statistics of birth rates in all income nations and the overall affect on the population. Applying the Social Conflict theory as it relates to views on pregnancy. Explore different ideas on how to change declining birth rates and promote better health care for all nations. Key Words: Pregnancy, birth rates, death rates , birth defects,social conflict, health care associated with pregnancy. INTRODUCTION In December of 2013, The World Health Organization (WHO) conveyed a consultation on improving the measurement of quality of maternal, newborn, and child care in health facilities. This annual report proposed 19 core indicators for reporting on the quality of MNHC care in nations around the globe. While some key interventions have increased over the past decade, little progress has been made in the quality of care in some health care facilities around the world. The amount of health care coverage provided to mothers, newborns, and children in low income nations is very minimal compared to high income nations particularly in the United States where health care and food...
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...Today’s session is on obesity issues. I will explain the causes, mechanisms, and treatments involved with obesity. After my explanation I will open the floor to questions and I will try to answer them to the best of my knowledge. Obesity rates are up in most of the world. In Ohio in 2010 the obesity rate was 29.2%. It jumped to 30.1% in 2012. That is .9% increase in two years. According to the Center for Disease Control, more than 1/3 or 34.9% of adults are obese. Obesity occurs more often in non-Hispanic blacks with an obesity rate of 47.8%. Genetics do play a role in obesity. There are at least 100 human chromosome loci that are linked to obesity. Although genetics is part of the reason for obesity, it is certainly not the entire reason. Exercise and diet are crucial in the fight against obesity. There are three ways to burn excess energy. The first is basal metabolic rate, the next is diet-induced thermogenesis, and the last is NEAT (non-exercise activity thermo-genesis). NEAT is “generated by activities such as fidgeting and the maintenance of posture and muscle-tone”. Pinel (2011) Additionally, another factor that adds to the obesity epidemic is that manufacturers substitute flavors such as salt, sugar, and fats, for nutrients. The company would rather make money off of pleasing the taste buds instead of keeping the product at its healthiest, optimal level. Junk food does not have to be completely cut out but it does need to be eaten in moderation. Obesity is a contributing...
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...Health Advocacy on Childhood Obesity Janeane Horan Walden University August third, 2014 Introduction According to the Center of Disease Control approximately 17% (or 12.5 million) of children and adolescents aged 2—19 years are obese. Since 1980, obesity prevalence among children and adolescents has almost tripled (CDC, 2012). Today’s nurses are faced with a growing trend in overweight and obese children and have the responsibility to be the patient advocate and help. Health promotion is one of the most important aspects of nursing, and no matter what setting a nurse is in; they have the power to provoke change. Childhood obesity will be discussed in detail throughout this paper. Public policy needs to address the arising concern that childhood obesity has on today’s society. Creating an advocacy program based on two effective childhood obesity programs; The Power Up Initiative and Coordinated Approach to Child Health (CATCH) can do just that. The potential community-based advocacy program in this paper will address what needs to be included in school and after school programs to promote health and prevention of obesity. The program will also need to have a specific plan on what and how to educate local pediatricians and nurses regarding childhood obesity. What is it and what is the cause? Obesity is defined as an excessive accumulation of fat in the body (Mckinney, E., James, S., Murray, S., Ashwill, J., 2009). Fat is accumulated in the body when there is a combination...
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...Food addiction is a major leading cause in obesity during this time. Many people think that food addiction is not a big deal since it is not as harmful as drugs or alcohol, but in reality, it can be just as bad. While some people believe that fast food is the only thing leading to obesity, others may say that TV- advertisements, and the promotion of unhealthy foods is what causes addiction, leading to obesity. There is, in fact, such a thing as unhealthy food addiction. In the Article “Food addiction plays a major role in obesity epidemic” Dr. Valerie Taylor stated, “Compulsive and out of control tendency to eat plays a fundamental role in causing obesity,” This statement from Dr. Taylor proves that the tendency to eat, also known as food addiction, is a major role in leading to obesity....
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...WHAT DETERMINES OBESITY IN TODAY’S SOCIETY ITT Technical Institute 200 Ballardvale Street, Suite 200 Wilmington, MA 01887 978-658-2636 What Determines Obesity in Today’s Society The Abstract Why is there such an issue with obesity in the United States? To determine this there have been many studies in which I will present three if the studies I found in this report, along with my own observation and mailing surveys. Some of the major findings that I noticed that came up over and over are that the serving sizes in most restaurants are too big, TV ads that show fatty foods to influence people to want to try them, and why is fast food being served at schools? The Introduction “What Determines Obesity in Today’s Society?” In this research paper there are findings from three different studies on obesity and how it can affect a person’s health and well-being. Some of the questions that have been asked are “why are serving sizes so big?” ”Why are there so many TV ads showing fatty foods?” “Why is fast food being served in schools?” The importance of this study is to make people more aware of what they are eating and help them make better life choices. Literature Review From the three different studies on obesity and how it can affect a person’s health and well-being. In the first study “Why we’re so Fat” it states things like our serving sizes are too big, and there are many TV ads showing fatty foods. The second study “Obesity in the United States: Public...
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...The Weight of the 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...
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...Zachery Yates English 103 Dr. Stephen Clifford 10 March 2011 Educating a Child Inside and Out “Just say NO!” This is an exclamation that we begin teaching our children in an attempt to keep them safe from harm. “Say no to drugs!” “Say no to strangers!” Our attempts in protecting children from any of the evils of the world usually fall back to having them, “Just say NO!” But, how does this protect them from the pitfalls and dangers of childhood obesity? How can we teach them to say “no” to unhealthy food or habits that are instilled upon them from their school meals, education or classmates’ influences? How can we protect their self-esteem from being damaged from childhood teasing? How can we protect them from the onset of adult disabilities while at an adolescent age? The value of an education has always been deemed as “priceless” but our current education system is allowing one of the key components of a healthy life, inside and out, to be overlooked. The missing piece in our children’s education system is the emphasis being placed on physical fitness. Today’s children are required to proficiently pass certain benchmarks in the areas of Reading, Writing and Math. But, these components are not enough to protect our children and educate our children for the eventual road to adulthood. Physical fitness needs to be recognized as one of the essential areas of childhood growth and education. It must be treated with as much importance as the current mental benchmarks of Reading...
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