...Childhood Obesity Kendall Stubbs Western Governors University WGU Student ID #428887 Childhood Obesity Weight in children is a critical well-being issue in the United States. The overall life expectancy of Americans is declining for the first time in many years. Changes need to be made inside the home, in order for this issue to be resolved. The number of overweight adolescents has tripled subsequent to 1980, and the commonness among more youthful children has doubled. Looking at long term outcomes, overweight teenagers and children have a seventy percent possibility of becoming overweight or obese adults (Bishop, 2005). Childhood obesity has been one of the fastest emerging public health issues in the United States over the last few years. It is becoming a big problem and an important issue for a variety of reasons. To begin, there is a general lack of exercise due to technology; advertising and commercials for unhealthy foods that focus on children. Because fast food is cheaper and more convenient than eating healthy, it is becoming a more acceptable option for Americans today. Parental influence, along with the examples that they set for their children is another major concern to childhood obesity. Childhood obesity, television time, video games, and internet usage are undeniably related. Children spend approximately seven and a half hours per day with media. Four and a half hours of this time is spent watching television (Wethington 2007). There was...
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...Responsibility: Childhood Obesity Name Here Devry University Parental Responsibility: Childhood Obesity Obesity causes approximately 300,000 preventable deaths that come with an annual price tag of 161.3 billion dollars a year (Hojjat, 2015). Childhood obesity has become a worldwide epidemic that is leading to a multitude of severe health and emotional problems in children. As this epidemic has progressed, society has gone through many changes that have brought about new acceptable behaviors. These changes include an increase in single parent households and/or both parents requiring working outside the home. In return, 680 billion dollars a year are spent on meals purchased from fast food restaurants, resulting in higher caloric intakes ("America's Best & Worst Fast Food," 2014). Schools have faced budget cuts affecting their physical fitness and food and nutritional programs. Children's entertainment has moved indoors in front of the television, computer, and video games, decreasing physical activity contributing to obesity. For the first time in modern American history, today's children may be the first generation to live a shorter life than the previous generations (Hojjat, 2015). In addition, it is important to keep in mind that complications from can obesity can also decrease a child's quality of life. Figure 1&2. ("NSCH 2011/12:Weight status of children based on Body Mass Index for age BMI-for-age, Nationwide") There has been a rise in childhood obesity over the...
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...English 101 2 May 2012 Childhood Obesity on the Rise Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic in the world, and is showing no sign of slowing down. Obesity is a vicious cycle that starts with simply carrying an extra five or ten pounds and leads to obesity in no time. There is less of an urge to go out and get in shape. People see it and want it, but aren’t taking the right steps to do so. With the growing attraction for television, video games, and computer use combined with the easy capability to get highly fattening foods in a quick low price, it looks like it’s going to be a problem for a long time to come. This fast food problem has become an accepted means of a meal. In his book True Enough, Farhad Manjoo examines the Committee on Food Habits and their research on how Americans think about food. Manjoo states that, “even for something as fundamental as eating, people look to others to determine the reality around them. You eat to live, but what you eat is more a cultural choice than a mere act of biological survival” (49). There is a big controversy over whether or not obesity is a genetic disease. That debate gets more and more intense as the rates of childhood obesity rise. Some people believe it is a disease because it comes genetically for biological reasons. Other people believe it is not a disease at all, rather it is a chosen lifestyle combined with bad eating habits and the environment for which they live in. I believe that childhood obesity is caused by a variety...
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...high. Obesity has been described as an epidemic and the government is finally starting to take a role in preventing it. A recent research conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that thirty-three states had a prevalence of obesity less than or equal to 20% and nine a prevalence equal to or greater than 30%. Concerns have raised due to the fact that obesity is one the major factors of many diseases, including cardiovascular disease, certain types of cancer and type II diabetes (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2010). People don’t usually consider this issue although they should, the fact that this isn’t important for most Americans should be a concern because anybody could be at risk. One of the major reasons argued to contribute to obesity is advertising. Advertising is extremely influential in American culture and goes beyond television. Fast food industries usually use television, banners, radio advertisements and different media to sell their products. However, how advertising of food contributes to the epidemic of obesity is still a dispute. A recent systematic research that compared television food advertising to children in different countries showed that marketing generates positive beliefs about advertised foods and influences children’s food preferences, purchase request and consumption (Television Food Advertising to Children: A Global Perspective, 2010). This means that even though the reasons of how advertising affects...
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...The Impact of Television Food Advertising on Childhood Obesity Lara Klein Abstract Childhood obesity is a growing problem around the world, especially in the United State that is notably harmful as its effects are not only temporary but can have long term effects that can be taken into adulthood. Children’s food preferences are influenced by television advertising that focuses directly at children. It is furthermore concluded that children exposed to high amounts of television advertisements make poor food choices which leads to poor food consumption. Among other factors, parental influence is also critical and can change a child’s behavior towards food advertisement and food choices. Parents should look out to communicate advertisements’ effects to their children, and restrict the amount of time their children spend in front of the television. Moreover, governmental restrictions should be implemented to avoid persuasion of buying unhealthy foods to children at younger ages. The Impact of Television Food Advertising on Childhood Obesity INTRODUCTION According to Bacardi-Gascon and Jimenez-Cruz (2015), childhood obesity is a very serious topic in the United States these days, causing long term economic and social costs due to serious health problems, as well as an increase in morbidity and mortality. Research conducted by Bernhardt, Wilking, Gilbert-Diamond, Emond and Sargent has shown that the more television children watch, the likelihood that they are obese increases...
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...Advertising and Childhood Obesity 1 The Link Between Advertising and Manufacturing Tactics and Childhood Obesity Author School Name Advertising and Childhood Obesity 2 Childhood obesity has become an epidemic in the United States, thanks in part to fast food advertising and manufacturing tactics, and this has resulted in more children diagnosed with diabetes, high cholesterol and long term psychological problems. Humans have continually adapted to the ever-changing variables in our environment. One of the most vital of these variables is food. Long ago, the frequency and quantity of our food intake were directly dependent on what we could hunt or forage. Today, in most first world countries, food is no longer a precious commodity to be saved and stored. Fast and convenient foods are never more than a few minutes away. These low-hanging fruits are in fact, far from being simple fruits. They are cheap, tasty, addictive, processed and nutritionally devoid - and they are being marketed directly to children. It's these advertising and manufacturing techniques that are largely contributing to the epidemic of childhood obesity here in the United States. A disturbingly high number of children are being diagnosed with a host of food-related problems such as diabetes, high cholesterol, and long term psychological issues. Thanks in part to the highly effective advertising and manufacturing tactics used by fast food giants, American fast food culture has spread...
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...Food product choice can be overwhelming and is not made any easier with the influence of media advertisements by companies that want to sell their food products to us. There are many factors that we as consumers must take in to consideration. Do we accept that the advertisement is true, should we trust what is shown to us or should we research the product and compare the cost and nutritional value to other products on the market? Evidently, it’s up to consumer to make a decision on what they eat, nevertheless if we’re frequently exposed to food advertisements every time we read a glossy magazine or watch TV then we may be influenced in what we choose, especially when the advertisement is directed toward children . In this essay I will outline some influence towards one’s food choices and the links between media and children obesity and the effects television food commercials have on children’s food preferences. Food choices are influenced by vast quantity of interrelating factors and theory “it is not solely determined on physiological or nutritional” (Shepherd, 1999, p. 807). Other factor that may influence food choices are biological for example hunger, appetite and taste and then there economic and physical this may be prejudiced by the cost of the food and a individuals income the availably of food choice or education or the skill needed to cook the food. Psychological reason may have a effect on the food we eat for example what type of mood we in. when a we are stress...
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...Is the Influence of Media on Our Food Choices a Good Thing? Food product choice can be overwhelming and is not made any easier with the influence of media advertisements by companies that want to sell their food products to us. There are many factors that we as consumers must take in to consideration. Do we accept that the advertisement is true, should we trust what is shown to us or should we research the product and compare the cost and nutritional value to other products on the market? Evidently, it’s up to consumer to make a decision on what they eat, nevertheless if we’re frequently exposed to food advertisements every time we read a glossy magazine or watch TV then we may be influenced in what we choose, especially when the advertisement is directed toward children . In this essay I will outline some influence towards one’s food choices and the links between media and children obesity and the effects television food commercials have on children’s food preferences. Food choices are influenced by vast quantity of interrelating factors and theory “it is not solely determined on physiological or nutritional” (Shepherd, 1999, p. 807). Other factor that may influence food choices are biological for example hunger, appetite and taste and then there economic and physical this may be prejudiced by the cost of the food and a individuals income the availably of food choice or education or the skill needed to cook the food. Psychological reason may have a effect on the food we eat...
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...Dr. Pattillo Craft of Language 11/04/12 Childhood Obesity in America: According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention just over 1/3 or 35% of adult Americans are obese (Data and Statistics). Approximately 17% of all children from the age 2 to 19 are obese. The number of children that are obese has tripled since the 1980s (Data and Statistics). America has become one of the most obese nations in the world. Many obesity related health conditions that once thought applicable only to adults are now being seen in children (Daniels). Obese children have developed conditions of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and nonalcoholic liver disease (Daniels). Obesity is mainly caused by low nutrition diets, and the lack physical activity. These are the two main problems that lead to obesity, but they are not at the root of childhood obesity. Low nutrition diets and low physical activity are only the results of a bigger problem. In America the major causes for childhood obesity are the fast food industry, Parental teachings, and the lack of sports and activities. There are ways to prevent childhood obesity, but it will have to start with the parents and government reforms. This world is completely different than it was thirty years ago. America’s culture has been turned into a more upbeat society that has put many families into dangerous situations. Unlike thirty to forty years ago, majority of households in America require both parents to work. Studies done by the NCPA...
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...Negative Impacts of Fast Food America is one the countries that have the most oversize population in the world and every day one of four Americans visits fast food restaurants. Fast food is usually packed with fat, sugar and salt which make it so unhealthy. There are many different reasons people go to fast food restaurants rather than eating at home. People eat at fast food restaurant because it is convenient, cheap, tasty and quick. We no longer live in the good old days when women would stay home to cook, clean, and take care of the kids. Women have invaded the work industry by taking over jobs that in the past only men would have, and now share those jobs with men. Nowadays, most of the women are really busy to go for grocery shopping, come back home, unpack the food, and then cook it; so they prefer to go to fast food restaurant like McDonald’s. Many families are choosing fast food restaurants instead of fancy restaurants in this bad economy situation, because fancy restaurants charge much more money than fast food and people would rather eat at those places with family only on special occasions. However parents know that the fast food doesn’t have good nutrition balance for their children. In addition, some people who don’t have families and they live by themselves visit fast food because of their busy schedule. They are too busy to cook. In conservation with one of the poll on mid March, she says that she works full time and she goes to school part time, so she doesn’t...
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...healthiest lunch, but in all honesty, this is what I felt like eating in the short amount of time I had to grab a “lunch”. I thought it was pretty ironic that while I was reading about all these “unhealthy” food options, I was eating them. This obesity epidemic has carved its way so deep into our lives, there is possible room to improve, but it’s difficult to come up with some miracle solution to make it disappear. Kelley Brownell suggests that the legislature should get rid of food advertising especially ones pointed at children watching television and also eliminating soft drinks and unhealthy snacks from school vending machines (Newman, 2004). I do favor Kelly Brownell’s suggestions but it is obviously easier said than done. I understand that food advertising is something that children see often when watching television and it does often times persuade children to decide to get up and look for something to snack on. But what is the point of getting rid of these advertisements when they could already have it in their pantry? If we get rid of these foods at school, how would we know if the kids aren’t just going to go home and eat them? Both The ABC News “Obesity in America” clip and Taubes Reader’s Digest article both suggest that the major dietary enemy in childhood obesity is refined carbohydrates. Taubes suggests that pasta, bread and rice should be cut from our diet (Taubes, 2012). I do agree with him to a certain extent although, I don’t think these items should be absolutely...
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...In recent decades, the prevalence of obesity has dramatically increased pushing it to replace tobacco in becoming the leading cause of preventable deaths in the United States. Obesity triggers the offset of an array of medical ailments, most that are considered serious chronic diseases, that include hypertension, diabetes, asthma, orthopedic problems, sleep deprivation, and various forms of cancer including breast, cervical, ovarian, and prostate cancer. In addition to the detrimental effects of obesity on the medical prognosis of those affected, Obesity reduces the overall quality of life and can cause major psychological and emotional disorders such as severe depression and anxiety. Consequently, this radically increases healthcare costs to provide the necessary medical care and treatment needed in order to allow those afflicted by obesity to lead somewhat normal lives with chronic conditions. Obese people spend an average of 30% more in health costs and 70% more in medication costs when compared to their healthy counterparts (Ludwig). Obese people also spend a lot more on food as they require more foods that are high in “empty” calories to provide needed energy. Childhood Obesity, in particular, has become the main focus of increased attention in the media and among health organizations. In a statement made in n the documentary “Weight of the Nation”, concerns were voiced that this is going to be the first generation of children who are going to have a shorter life expectancy...
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...Running head: Childhood Obesity in America: A Super-sized Problem That Plagues Our Society 1 Childhood Obesity in America: A Super-sized Problem That Plagues Our Society Elizabeth Widmeyer Western Governors University Childhood Obesity in America: A Super-sized Problem That Plagues Our Society 2 Childhood Obesity in America: A Super-sized Problem That Plagues Our Society Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic in America's society that is having an astronomical impact on the health of our children and our health care system. But, what exactly does it mean to label a child obese? According to Mayo Clinic (2014) “Obesity is a complex disorder involving an excessive amount of body fat.” Body fat is measured using the body mass index (BMI). A child's BMI is calculated by dividing their height by their weight. The calculation would then be graphed with their age in months to determine their growth percentile (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2001). A child is considered obese if they are in the 95th percentile or higher . A child who falls in the 85th - 95th is considered overweight and is at risk of becoming obese (KidsHealth, n.d.). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2014) there are 12.5 million Americans between the ages of 2 to 19 that are obese. Race, physical activity level and eating habits are three main components that can lead to obesity in children. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services...
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...Running head: AMERICA'S AFFLUENCE AND OBESITY America's Affluence and Obesity Cassandra L Thomas American Intercontinental University Abstract The problem of obesity in America has risen to epidemic levels. Congress in 2002 charged the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to find ways to prevent this epidemic. The IOM appointed nineteen experts to handle this issue, experts in health, obesity, nutrition, physical activity, and public health. It has been determined that it is not just up to Congress but also the individual. ("Preventing Childhood Obesity:" 2005). This paper will take a look at how the affluence of America plays a part in this epidemic. (I.O.M 2004). America's Affluence and Obesity America’s Affluence and Obesity Since the beginning of America, folks have lived off the land. Vegetables, fruits were grown on lands free from pesticides and fertilizers. Animals used for food were allowed to eat what the land offered. People grew vegetable gardens, and traded with each other. They made their own preserves, from fresh fruits and vegetables. Fresh foods were in great abundance and there was very little waste. Then there came an educated generation that had no use or respect for the land. New Generation This new educated generation, felt they were much too educated to work the land, they went after the dollar, it became all about making money. Money to buy bigger houses, bigger cars, lusting the glamour, and glitter of Hollywood. The world became aware...
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...lifestyle-related deaths have also increased. As Webb and Whitney (2008) argue, consumers today value convenience so highly that they are willing to spend over half of their food budget on meals that require little or no preparation. They regularly eat out, bring home ready-to-eat meals, or have food delivered. This trend is mainly influenced by the media which promotes such behaviors through commercials and popular programs and movies. The media is a major source of information and misinformation on nutritional sources. The media through advertising promotes unhealthy foods rich in sugars, fat, salt as the ideal food choices. According to Fettling, members of the public are regularly bombarded by messages about food in all forms of media: television, the internet, radio, newspapers, and magazines. Many of these messages revolve around food manufacturers marketing their products in the hope that the public will buy them. The manufacturers use very clever techniques such as jingles and claims about a food’s special properties. Manufacturers spend a lot of money on advertising because it is a very effective influence on the food choices of viewers (Fettling 2005, 36). The effect of this advertising is very damaging on children and teenagers. This is firstly because children to do not understand that advertising is not necessarily meant to market a good product but might, instead, be intended for pursuing people to buy a product that has proved difficult to sell. New born babies...
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