Biology of Health and Disease | Childhood Obesity | Healthy Choices |

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The book entitled Your Child by David Pruitt, MD. focuses on the increase of

childhood obesity in the United States. The book explains that between 16 and 33 percent

of children and adolescents are obese. Obesity is among the easiest medical conditions to

recognize but most difficult to treat. Unhealthy weight gain due to poor diet and lack of

exercise is responsible for over 300,000 deaths each year. The annual cost to society for

obesity is estimated at nearly $100 billion. Overweight children are much more likely to

become overweight adults unless they adopt and maintain healthier patterns of eating

and exercise (David Pruitt, 1998).

The causes and risk factors associated with childhood obesity are discussed in an

article by the NIH (National Institutes of Health) entitled Healthy Weight, Healthy Child,

which cites poor eating habits, overeating, binge eating, and lack of exercise as the

leading cause of unhealthy weights among children and adolescents. There are many

societal factors that contribute to childhood obesity. Poor eating habits can be learned,

but are also the result of poor socioeconomic factors. Fast foods are not only easier, but

cheaper. The cost of a cheesburger and french fries is marginal and can be purchased in a

matter of miutes, compaired to the time and cost of a sit-down meal prepared at home

which can be a significant investment in both time and money. There is also a factor of

education. Families of lower socioeconomic bachgrounds may not have the nutritional

knowledge necessary to make healthy food choices. Support for these children and their

families is vital to their success.

Activity level is another contributing factor in the fight against child hood