Childhood Obesity

The United States is dealing with an increasing epidemic of child obesity in our society. In the past years, Americans have changed there eating and exercise habits drastically for the worse. Children become the victims of obesity because of the lack of a nutritional diet, and exercise. Some claim that the media is to blame for the epidemic while others feel it is the parent's responsibility. This eating disorder should be taken as a serious matter especially when children's health is at risk. The evidence suggests that childhood obesity has been linked to future medical and psychosocial disorders. The American people need to start taking preventive measures to help decrease the rate of obesity in our youth.

According to the American Heritage College Dictionary, Obesity is the condition of being obese; increased body weight caused by excessive fat (Pg. 940). Being overweight is a large build up of adipose tissue, which is stored cellular fat. Obesity was never a big issue until recently, when studies have shown increasing rates in adults and children. "The number of children who are overweight has doubled in the last two to three decades; currently one child in five is overweight" (NIH Pg 1). These statistics are mind-boggling considering a large increase in such a short time period. These numbers are prevalent in predicting future statistics on obese children in the United States. One child in five translates into 15 percent of Americans aged 6 to 19 that are overweight (Greaser Pg 1349). These statistics will only increase in years to come if nothing is done about it now.

Genetics do play a role in a person involving weight gain, but there is not much we can do to change our gene makeup. "Now there are two potential explanations for this. Either 50 percent of the population has the genes that make them susceptible to obesity, and the environmental factors are acting on this 50 percent; or 50 percent of the population is exposed to specific factors that are driving obesity that are not shared by the rest of the population" (Symp. Proc. Pg.16). Regardless of genetic makeup, we need to start changing the poor eating habits and lack of physical activities encountered in every household. Children look up to parents as role models. If a parent adopts a bad lifestyle of eating unhealthy food and little or no exercise, their child will see this as being their lifestyle of choice. The environmental issue is also a huge concern of child obesity. Unsafe streets, parks, and neighborhoods keep kids from playing outside and detrimental to a child's ability to lose excess pounds. With this information, any child is susceptible of becoming overweight and threatens an unhealthy lifestyle.

One major concern is the increase of American's becoming a fast food society. McDonald's, Burger King, and Taco Bell to name a few, have become an easy source of a quick food fix for the whole family. "Today take-out food accounts for over 30 percent of a family's food expenditures on a daily, weekly, or annual basis; across all spectrums of socioeconomic class" (Symp. Proc. Pg 18). This percentage is forever increasing every year with more variety of fast food restaurants to choose from. Whatever happened to preparing a nutritious homemade meal? It seems as though families do not have enough time anymore to make homemade meals. These fast food joints entice children by creating kid's meals that come with toys. This is how they target the child to eat their meals. Some may call it smart target marketing and to others promoting poor eating habits. It should be up to the parent to put their foot down and create better diet choices for their children.

Some critics feel that the environmental factor is also involved in child obesity. Not all children experience growing up in an unsafe neighborhood, but a good percentage of them do. Mostly inner city children have limited resources to release their extra energy after school or during the summer. It is unfortunate for children to have to live in fear of playing outside, but is reality for many. For children that live in better areas do have opportunities to play outside whether it be in a park or a yard. "According to the National Recreation and Park Association, 75 percent of Americans live within a two-mile walking distance of a public park" (NIH Pg2). Every year more children would rather stay inside instead of playing outside. "Park and recreation departments and other community-based organizations receive assistance from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute on providing activities for kids and adults that encourage healthy lifestyle choices" (NIH Pg2). This program would provide a prevention method to help control children obesity. These programs help kids to become more physically active and a good way for children to stay healthy.

Others are quick to blame the media for contributing to children obesity. They use special marketing techniques to target a specific audience. Almost all children shows have commercials for junk foods and fast food restaurants. These advertisements use vibrant colors and extra incentives such as free toys, to make the child believe they need the product. "Excessive advertising of junk foods - especially to children - is exacerbating the obesity problem in the United States and requires further regulation, according to a new report by a group of health advocates" (Higgins Pg11). These food companies do not care for the well-being of kids. All they have in mind is to sell their products to children. This type of propaganda needs to be regulated to a minimum so that children can have a brighter future with fewer health risks to be concerned about.

Schools are also a deciding factor of children's eating behaviors. Schools are always speculated on because it is suppose to provide structure for children. Most schools offer junk food and soda through vending machines to children. "An increasing number of schools are also encouraging healthy lifestyle behaviors. More nutritious choices in cafeterias and vending machines, such as salad bars and baked food rather than fried, encourage kids to try items other than sodas, candy bars and French fries" (NIH Pg3). The cafeteria food that provides children with meals follow a strict a dietary guideline. For the most part, these meals are nutritious and from the main food groups. Consuming nutritious healthy food has been reported to helping a child learn more throughout the school day. Since schools see children every day, they realize the major problem in overweight children and how it has become a serious public health issue. Most schools have stopped the sale of junk food and other items that are high in calories and fat.

It is a parent's