Understanding the significant complex factors of the growing childhood obesity epidemic is quite important; not only for the improvement of the future generation’s health, but also for the healthcare system. Over the past three decades, overweight rates in our country have tripled to 17%. Childhood obesity has become one of the major issues, although it could be managed within health communities and federal government in the United States of America. Food marketing is both battling childhood obesity, but also causing it through for example, advertisements. In this essay I will discuss the causes as well as how to prevent obesity in young kids. One of the major contributions made by the government was the campaign started by First Lady Michelle Obama called “Let’s Move”, where she fights for the matter of the children of America through personally exercising with them, workshops and encourages the public that parental influence should not be ignored.
In medical studies, obesity is defined as a person having more than 20 percent body fat then their healthy range. Ideal weight takes into account height, age, sex, and build of a person. Obese children are at risk for numerous health problems during their youth and into adulthood. Obese children are more likely to have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and Type 2 diabetes. “ Calling obesity an epidemic is one of the greatest threats to America’s health and economy” (Hellmich). 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 causes of obesity are complex and include genetic, biological, behavioral and cultural factors. Obesity in childhood and adolescence can be related to many things such as poor eating habits, lack of exercise, family and peer problems and the list continues. But with proper nutrition, exercise and support, children can lose the weight and develop healthy habits for life.
Statistically nowadays, 12.5 million children are overweight, which as I mentioned before, makes more than 17%. Decades ago children did not have so much access to television, computers and video games like they do now. That is one of the major impacts of why now children are obese. Then, the few entertainments kids could have had was playing sports outside, biking, swimming etc. Now, it is hard for parents who are working to freely allow their kids to play outside - they rather have them watch television or browse through the internet knowing they are safe at home. But what they don’t know is that this sedentary type of lifestyle will cost their children’s health, and after all, physical appearance. Today, obesity also contributes to psychological disorders like depression, bipolar disorder and social impairments. Even though we live in a country where we have so much diversity, there is still discrimination - against those who are obese for example - kids get picked on at school, playground and other public places.
Everyday we hear about how childhood obesity is on the raise and is making the new generation's life span shorter and shorter but people have come around and organizations in the U.S. and around the world are tackling the problem. First Lady Michelle Obama calls to fight childhood obesity, disregarding the aspect of physical appearance, but rather the quality of life. She launched “ Let’s Move”, a campaign to change the way we raise our children within the next generation. This campaign has a website that’s more than helpful for parents, teachers, physicians, coaches and kids to get involved. “Let’s Move” is going to have a major impact on children as well as adults because of it’s helpful tips and strategies on beating obesity in children. The most appealing part about this growing campaign is the recognizable food pyramid project which will offer tools to help the next generation put dietary guidelines into practice. The Federal Government will be involved with local officials and leaders in the business to provide more nutritious food in schools as well as more physical activities and access to more affordable and healthier foods for families with low income. Obama says, “We know we have the tools, we know we have the resources to make this happen” (Benac).
The most commonly asked questions parents should ask themselves is what is your child eating on a typical day? How much activity is your child getting? Are you willing to change your family’s lifestyle to help your child lose weight? These are all questions parents should be aware of when it comes to their children. The good news is that parents have a major influence over their child’s lifestyle and weight. Research has given us a lot of information about how parents can help their child reach a health weight. Even Michelle Obama, who began the “Let’s Move” campaign, admits as much. “ Before coming to the White House, the president and i lived like most families: two working parents- too busy, not enouph time, and i found myself unable to cook a good meal for my kids. Going to fast food more than i’d like, ordering pizza, and i started to see the effects on my family, particularly my kids” (Obama). Parental influence cannot be ignored, because children generally spend more time with their parents than with anybody else. With this major issue, not only Michelle Obama but also the government is hoping that parents and guardians take this new enforcment seriously and stricly follow through them. After all, this is for the best benefit of the children of our future generation.
