Childhood Obesity

Childhood Obesity - One Size Does Not Fit All

Alison Namba

English 201

Professor Paula Sebastian

December 3, 2006

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Outline

Thesis: Eating habits and activity lifestyles have dramatically declined in the last fifty years, therefore, every institution and individual should be doing his or her part to combat the war against obesity.

I. Obesity defined from the Webster's dictionary.

A. Statistics about obesity and how it is affecting our society.

B. The difference between obesity and being overweight.

C. How to calculate an individual's Body Mass Index (BMI).

II. The history of Americans and our change of weight during the last few decades.

A. Statistics on average man/woman.

B. Important factors and statistics that have changed over the years.

III. Cause of obesity in America

A. Behaviorial - Due to the lack of time and money, kids often follow whatever options are given to them by their parents.

B. Socio-economics - Where people live and work has an impact on what is consumed.

C. Environment - Physical inactivity and sedentary behaviors impact how kids are influenced and sold on certain products.

D. The inability to get the recommended amount of sleep during the night.

E. How convenient fast food has become, and the limitation of healthy food.

IV. Effects of obesity in America

A. The type of health conditions that arise from being obese or overweight.

V. Prevention of obesity - what can I/we do?

A. Ideas on how an individual may prevent the spread of obesity.

B. How the Federal government and communities can take action.

VI. Conclusion - An epidemic of large proportions.

A. Everyone must take a stand against obesity, otherwise, it will lead to deplorable or deadly consequences.

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Childhood Obesity - One Size Does Not Fit All

At the age of 10, Benji weighed in at 140 lbs, which was approximately double his calculated ideal weight. At the clinic, the nurse learned Benji spent three hours watching television each day after school. After turning off the TV, he would go in search of a suitable snack. On an ordinary day, there were cookies, candy, or possibly some leftover dessert in the house. Benji's parents would return from work, usually bringing dinner from a fast-food restaurant. He would consume what was given to him, proceed with homework, perhaps play some video games, and go to sleep. Sadly, the breakfast routine consisted of consisted of a sweet roll or donut. Benji would purchase french fries and a hot dog or hamburger for school lunch, a glass of milk, and whatever dessert he could find--sometimes gathering his friend's desserts. His daily diet was usually supplemented by several high-calorie snacks between meals.

The anecdote demonstrates a frightening trend among our younger generation; their energy intake (calories consumed) exceeds energy expenditure (metabolism and physical activity). Poor eating habits and physical inactivity are critical behaviors leading the charge to our decline of a healthy society. America is confronted with an epidemic that threatens our nation's health, economy, and future. Obesity alone claims nearly 300,000 lives each year; therefore, if the current trend continues, it will surpass tobacco use as America's leading health problem and number 1 killer. Deaths due to poor diet and physical inactivity have risen by 1/3 in the past 10 years, and these habits

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are the leading preventable cause of death. Nearly 2 out of 3 American adults are overweight or obese, which is a 50% increase from just a decade ago. Today over 15% of American kids are overweight or obese. Furthermore, more than 9 million children, one out of every seven kids, are at-risk of weight-related chronic disease. Obesity is a globally growing problem, not only affecting the United States, but worldwide; it could jeopardize our wellbeing, financial system, and drown our hopes. If we continue down the path, as we are today, we will be the wealthiest nation, the most creative, and the laziest!

Obesity and overweight are defined by body mass index (BMI), a direct calculation based on weight in kilograms and height in meters (BMI=Weight/Height2). (See BMI graph below.)

BMI Values for Adults*

25.0 - 29.9 Overweight

30.0 - 39.9 Obese

40.0 or higher Extremely obese

*Children's obesity is calculated on growth charts, physical development, age, and gender. Their measurements are different than adults and the terms are "at-risk" and "overweight". (Salinsky 4)

The term obese refers to an excess amount of body fat. In contrast, overweight refers to an increase in body weight from an excess accumulation of stored body fat, muscle, bone, and water. Case in point, bodybuilders or athletes with a lot of muscle can be overweight without being obese. Hays quotes Paul Zimmet, Chairman of the International Congress on Obesity, called obesity a "pandemic and as big a threat as global warming and the bird flu." (Hays 1) A dangerous trend is

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among our current population; the obesity rate has risen 50% in the last twenty years and has become widespread and a common threat to humanity; however, certainly not a new issue, it has been a topic of concern since the early 1950's.

The 1950's directed the kitchen as the heart of the home, but today we classify the television or entertainment room as such. People ate more meals