...One afternoon in the school lunch line, Jessica was thinking out loud. “Should I get the brussel sprouts, or the cheetos? I know the cheetos are delicious, but the brussel sprouts are healthier, i'll get those.” Childhood obesity is on the rise in the U.S and many people think that banning cafeterias from selling junk food is the best solution to this problem. However, Public schools should not ban the selling of unhealthy food in cafeterias because, kids will still find a way to get junk food. Plus, it could have a negative effect on the school, and junk food is not the only reason for childhood obesity. Banning junk food will not stop kids from getting their delicious treats. Many kids pack their lunch from home, and can bring whatever food they want. For one thing, kids could just go home and eat even more unhealthy food than they were getting at school, which could lead to even bigger and longer binges. Also, when people define junk food, something different comes to everyone's mind. Some people consider pizza and cheeseburgers junk food. Would they take these away too? I think it's good to allow yourself some pleasurable foods every once in awhile, just don't overdo it....
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...Childhood obesity is a huge problem in today’s world, with more that 1 in 5 teenagers in America being classified as obese. This is twice as many adolescents compared to 30 years ago and that number is still growing. People recognized this growing problem and numerous actions have been taken to try and fix this. One popular solution is online nutritional education programs and online food tracking. It is very quick and simple to use these online programs and it is also something that is available on a phone or computer, so it really resonates with all adolescents. The study I read about was trying to provide evidence that these online programs really are making a difference. They started by getting three groups of adolescents, a control group who used no program at all, a group...
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...School-based Prevention of Childhood Obesity Issue With half of all school-age children (age 2-19) identified as Obese or Overweight (Institute for Alternative Futures, 2008, p. 1) the issue of unhealthy weight has become a critical concern. The market has failed to foster among children the habits required to maintain healthy weight. Therefore, it is essential that the local schools implement programs designed to reduce this occurrence. Specifically, the school district should focus on: 1) healthy eating education, 2) physical activity among students, 3) an emphasis on nutrition in meals offered to students. Background Obesity is widely recognized as one of the USA's leading public health problems. “Body Mass Index (BMI), which is a calculated value based on calculations using weight and height, is used to differentiate between the overweight and the obese. Adults with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 are defined as overweight; adults with a BMI of 30 or above are considered obese.” (Buckle, 2011) Obese and overweight people experience chronic illness, poor health, and more than 100,000 preventable deaths each year. For the average affected individual, obesity has a much greater impact on health status and health care costs than either smoking or heavy drinking. In general, it can be say that root causes of Childhood Obesity are: 1) Families are living in poverty: Low-income communities have the highest rates of overweight and obesity. Low-income communities are often...
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...Obesity, and more specifically childhood obesity, has recently been receiving a great deal of attention by society, but the severity of the obesity crisis seems to be less understood. Obesity in the United States has been deemed a “critical public health threat” (Wang et al., 2008, p. 620) for three reasons. First, overweight children are more likely to grow up to be overweight or obese adults. Second, obesity among adults causes health related problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, several cancers, and other health related issues that can result in premature death. Third, in 2000, the United States spent $117 billion dollars towards obesity (Wang et al., 2008, p. 620). Considering this chain of events often begins in childhood, reducing obesity in children could dramatically change the frequency of obesity in the future. Jamie Oliver, celebrity chef and advocate for stopping the obesity crisis, (2010) suggests that the frequency of obesity in children is related to three main external factors: the home, the school and, what he refers to as ‘Main Street’– corporations and businesses in the food industry. In the United States, it is estimated that 31 million children each day each breakfast, lunch or both at school and spend half of their days of the year there (Oliver, 2010). This substantial amount of time spent and meals eaten at school indicates the vast impact the school has on children. Obesity, in simple terms, is essentially caused by a caloric imbalance...
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...rising obesity rate amongst school aged children and the need for better quality foods, not less expensive easy-access meals, raises an important question: “Should changes be made to the regulations for foods that are served in public schools or should responsibilities lie exclusively on educating parents about making better food choices for their children?” Parents and the community have a responsibility to help prevent childhood obesity by empowering children with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed in the fight. The World Health Organization presented key facts and figures on childhood obesity to include a few of the following: • “The number of overweight or obese infants and young children (aged 0 to 5 years) increased from 31 million globally in 1990 to 44 million in 2012. In the WHO African Region alone the number of overweight or obese children increased from 4 to 10 million over the same period. • The vast majority of overweight or obese children live in developing countries, where the rate of increase has been more than 30% higher than that of developed countries. • If current trends continue the number of overweight or obese infants and young children globally will increase to 70 million by 2025”. (World Health Organization, 2014). While these statistics are staggering there are numerous things not only parents but communities, doctors, farmers, schools, local and state organizations and corporations can do to assist with the fight against childhood obesity...
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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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...Daniela Magana Professor deCastro English 101 December 16, 2013 The Solutions to Childhood Obesity “Over the past three decades, childhood obesity rates in America have tripled, and today, nearly one in three children in America are overweight or obese. Children with childhood obesity face many health problems like type two diabetes, high blood, pressure and are at risk for many types of cancers. The lack of children’s physical activity today is one of the major factors that lead to obesity as well as eating unhealthy diets, the increased food portions and the lack of information about healthy choices. Dr. Anand, the Executive Director for the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, describes the prevalence of obesity as being “at epidemic proportions” (Center for Nutrition Policy & Promotion, 2008, pg. 2). This statement was made in 1998. Since then, the rates of obesity have continued to rise dramatically and if we don’t do anything to stop it these numbers will keep rising. Many people think that dealing with obesity is only the parent’s responsibility, but what we need to realize is that it is not only the parents responsibility, fighting this epidemic has also become the responsibility of our schools and communities. Obesity education needs to be in our homes, schools and our communities to raise awareness of the causes, as well as the risks. We need to take action in helping reduce this health problem which is affecting more and more children each day. Parents...
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...Chunlin Du Breastfeeding, Health Lifestyle and Government Support ——Best Way to solve Childhood Obesity Problem Childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century (Global Strategy on Diet). According to the research report from World Health Organization (WHO), the childhood obesity prevalence has increased at an alarming rate. Globally, in 2010 the number of overweight children under the age of five is estimated to be over 42 million. Close to 35 million of these are living in developing countries (Global Strategy on Diet). Extreme obesity among American children is much worse than previously believed. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in the United States, childhood obesity affects approximately 12.5 million children and teens (17% of that population). Changes in obesity prevalence from the 1960s show a rapid increase in the 1980s and 1990s, when obesity prevalence among children and teens tripled, from nearly 5% to approximately 15% (Figure 1) (Popovic 42). Source: T. Popovic, "CDC Grand Rounds: Childhood Obesity in the United States." MMWR: Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report 60.2 (2011): 42-46.Web. 28 Mar. 2012. Compare with the numbers of obese children, the more worrying things are health issues of childhood obesity. Obesity poses a significant public health threat to children for reasons that affect both their current and future health. Immediate health effects included: obese youth are more likely...
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...Conquering Childhood Obesity Robin Rickards Chamberlain College of Nursing Childhood obesity has become prevalent not only in the United States, but around the world. Many factors contribute to childhood obesity. These factors include the imbalance of caloric intake with actual calories used, genetics, behavioral and environmental. Body mass index (BMI), is a measure of weight in relation to height. If the weight is higher than what is determined by the CDC (Center for Disease Control), a child is considered overweight or obese. For children, obesity is defined as having a BMI at or above the 95th percentile for children the same age and sex. BMI is also a useful index for cardiovascular risk. It has been established that childhood obesity has many factors to it, but what percentage of it is due to parents allowing their children to become a product of their environment? The imbalance of caloric intake with actual calories used for growth, development, metabolism, and physical activity is one of many factors involving childhood obesity (Karnik, Kanekar, 2011). Genetics play a part, by altering body fat content and absorption of energy. “Heritability of obesity from parents also influences obesity in children.” (Karnik, Kanekar, 2011). The behavioral factor of childhood obesity is directly correlated to lack of physical activity. A lot of children spend a great deal of their time indoors watching television, playing video games and being on the computer. Television...
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...Childhood Obesity – State of Oregon Legislation and Federal Legislation Ann Klinger DeVry University HSM410 Health Care Policy Professor Patricia Devin Week #7 February 23, 2013 Childhood Obesity – State of Oregon Legislation and Federal Legislation Summary On June 21, 2004 Senator Ron Wyden, along with U.S. Senator Bill Frist, introduced to the 108th Congress Senate Bill S.2551 entitled Childhood Obesity Reduction Act. This bill was to “combat childhood obesity for children in Oregon and throughout the nation, and urged that Congress take the lead in curbing the epidemic by passing the Childhood Obesity Reduction Act. The legislation, would establish a Congressional Council on Childhood Obesity to promote the following activities and to encourage every U.S. elementary and middle school to develop and implement a plan to reduce and prevent obesity, promote improved nutritional choices, and promote increased physical activity:” ("Wyden combats childhood," October 2004 Press Release). United States Senate bill S.2551 failed, but all 50 states and the Federal government are continuing to make efforts to reduce childhood obesity. My paper will review legislation the State of Oregon has implemented to reduce childhood obesity. I will provide an overview of Federal government legislation that has been implemented to reduce childhood obesity. Statistics report, “since 1980 obesity has more than doubled among children ages 2 to 5, and youths 6 to 11 rates have grown...
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...Childhood Obesity 1. Problem identification and overview 1. Problem identification The problem issue of childhood obesity is regarded in a very serious light by nursing and healthcare profession. It is considered to be “…the most common prevalent nutritional disorder of US children and adolescents, and one of the most common problems seen by pediatricians”( Childhood Overweight. NASO). However, it is also important to see this problem in the large problem of obesity in the country. The problem of obesity has become an increasingly serious concern for medical and healthcare authorities in recent years. The rate of obesity in developed countries like the United States has shown an alarming growth in the last decade and this has concomitant implications for healthcare professionals, including the nursing profession. The seriousness of the issue at stake is underlined by many experts in the field; for example, the claim that obesity is "... poised to become the nations leading health problem and No. 1 killer" and is "already the cause of 400,000 deaths a year...or 45 per hour..." (Hearne. S. et al, 2004) Central to the increase of general obesity is the severity of childhood obesity. There has been an alarming increase in obesity among younger children and adolescents and this has placed the emphasis on policy that focuses particular attention to this problematic area. Figure 1: The following table provides details about the increase in the prevalence...
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...Advocacy Program on Childhood Obesity Name: Institutional Affiliation: Date: Part 1: Childhood Obesity Statistics and studies on childhood obesity indicate that obesity disproportionately affects individuals from racial minority groups and that the prevalence of the condition is increasing among such populations. Childhood obesity is a significant health issue that has numerous consequences on the affected persons and their families. The increase in childhood obesity incidences among minority populations arises from economic, cultural, and political conditions that have had an impact on the environments in which children from such groups grow. According to Caprio, Daniels, Drewnowski, Kaufman, Palinkas, Rosenbloom, & Schwimmer (2008), minority populations such as Native Americans, Mexican Americans, and African Americans experience higher prevalence rates of childhood obesity than other ethnic groups. For instance, non-Hispanic whites had 14.1%, non-Hispanic blacks had 20.2%, and the Hispanics recorded 22.4% of childhood obesity (Ogden et al., 2014). The prevalence of childhood obesity also depends on other factors such as the literacy levels of the household heads and the gender and age of the children. Members of minority populations experience numerous challenges accessing affordable health care, healthy foods and live in neighborhood environments that predispose them to obesity. Although childhood obesity is caused by several factors, the...
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...Meneely, Mikel Professor Michael Begnal ENG 104 March 16, 2016 Kids These Days Childhood obesity plagues more children in America than ever before, and it continues to grow in number year by year. In order to avoid letting childhood obesity numbers continue to grow, there needs to be changes in certain aspects of children’s lifestyles. This increase over the years can be attributed to many factors including unhealthy, calorie-filled school lunches and children not receiving enough exercise. Childhood obesity poses a very real threat to the health of younger generations and can lead to dangerous, life-threatening health issues later in life. In the rise of child obesity, children are at more risk of diabetes and other heart diseases that could not only affect them in the short and long term. In response to this issue, child obesity should be combated by offering healthier choices for school lunches, and allowing a full hour for recess. All of these could be accomplished by allowing more funding from the Department of Education, and this would allow more funding to state educational funds. Decreasing child obesity would be important for children in the long run because it would decrease their chance of developing type-two diabetes and early heart diseases. Obesity is the root cause of countless diseases, conditions, and illnesses, some of which are even life-threatening. Adulthood obesity has been linked to many deadly diseases. Some examples include heart disease, diabetes...
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...How Can We Rid Childhood Obesity? Childhood obesity is a pandemic that has reached worldwide distribution. A problem as rampant as this is having a direct negative correlation with education and the way kids learn in America. “More than one third of children and adolescents are overweight or obese” (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). For the next generation to succeed and someday be responsible for many of the leadership roles that run this country, there needs to be immediate action. Childhood obesity has a negative effect on development on education, it’s time to start educating children on the many ways to make healthy decisions that will ultimately come back and benefit the education system and learning process itself. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention classifies childhood obesity as a disease and psychological disorder meaning that it directly affects brain function. A child being overweight is classified as a body mass index at or higher than the eighty-fifth percentile and lower than the ninety-fifth percentile for those among the same age and sex. For childhood obesity, it is classified as a body mass index at or higher than the ninety-fifth percentile among the same ages and sexes (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). One without any knowledge or background of public health can conclude that if obesity directly affects brain function, that it must also affect leaning in school. According to Juliette Kellow’s research, the performance of...
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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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