Running head: CHILDHOOD OBESITY

The Epidemic of Childhood Obesity in America

Lisa Ann Padilla
The University of Texas at El Paso

Author Note
This paper was prepared for RWS 1302/English 1312, taught by Professor Drapes.

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Abstract

In these past few years, government agencies, medical professions, teachers, and parents are
disturbed on the flourishing rate of childhood obesity in America. This literature review will
examine the causes of this horrendous disease, and it will also investigate the consequences of
the obese child regarding bullying in school or in their communities as well as health
consequences. This paper will provide possible treatments and preventions on how the United
States can help to slow down the progression of this relentless epidemic the nation is
experiencing of the youth population. Childhood Obesity in America is an important research
topic because it is essential that health educators and school officials educate the public on how
this disease would be detrimental as a long term status to their childrens health and how
important it is to prevent early and unnecessary deaths in the United States from the outcome of
this disease.

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The Epidemic of Childhood Obesity in America

A review of the Literature

For the first time in American History, the Nation is experiencing a generation of children
suffering from obesity. Obesity has become epidemic. But childhood obesity has spiraled out of
control. Over the past three decades, the childhood obesity rate has more than doubled for
preschool children aged 2-5 and adolescents aged 12-19. And, whats worse is that it has more
than tripled for children aged 6-11. These shocking statistics prove that childhood obesity is
growing at a rapid rate. (Source 1, pg. 5 (Dr. Oz Show. Sawyer, J. R.N., 2012, May 14).
This literature review will address and answer the following questions. What is
Childhood Obesity? Who is responsible for this childhood epidemic? What steps can the United
States take to initiate the prevention and how can they slow down the progression of this deadly
disease? And finally, what are the consequences of becoming an obese child through the eyes of
their peers, their community, the media and the nation? Sawyers (2012) study found the
following:
Its unfortunate that in todays busy society fewer families eat dinner together every
night. Also, fewer parents pack their children's lunches for school. When children are left
to monitor their own eating habits and choose their own lunch, it may not always be
nutritious. Parents need to pave a better road for their childrens health by packing
healthy lunches or making nutritious snacks fun. Nearly one-third of our children ages 419 eat fast food every day meaning an approximate weight gain of 6 pounds per year.
(Source 1, pg. 5). Regrettably, many parents use the fast food industry as their scapegoat
in not providing a good homemade meal at least twice a week for their children.

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What is Childhood Obesity?

Childhood Obesity is a chronic disease that is affecting more than half of the nations
children. A child is defined as obese if their body mass index-for-age (or BMI-for-age)
percentile is greater than 95 percent. A child is defined as overweight if their BMI-for-age
percentile is greater than 85 percent and less than 95 percent. (2014, Obesity Action Coalition)
Here is a study according the Obesity Action Coalition (2014):
The body mass index figure is a calculation of a basic height and weight measurement.
Plot a childs BMI-for-age percentile, you must first calculate his/her BMI. To locate a
BMI chart with weights and heights appropriate for children, please click the below link.
Once you calculate his/her BMI, find the age of the child on the bottom of the BMI-forage percentile chart (click on below link for boy or girl) and look to the left or right to
locate their BMI. Plot the point on the graph using a pen or pencil. Once you have plotted
the measurement, locate the corresponding shaded color on the bottom of the chart to
determine your childs BMI-for-age percentile. You are then able to find your childs
weight status by viewing the Weight Status Category table located to the right of the
chart. (2014, Obesity Action Coalition).
Who is responsible for this Childhood Obesity?
The general public simply cannot place criticism on children. Children learn by example,
they learn by their first role models. Whether their role models are their teachers, their favorite
cartoon or superhero character or their parents. Their parents need to take precedent and pay
attention to what their children are being exposed to. There are circumstances when certain

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situations is out of their parents control, however their parents need to supervise what their
children are consuming every day. According to the Obesity Action Coalitions Study:
Todays environment plays a major role in shaping the habits and perceptions of children
and adolescents. The prevalence of television commercials promoting unhealthy foods
and eating habits is a large contributor. In addition, children are surrounded by
environmental influences that demote the importance of physical activity. Today, it is
estimated that approximately 40 to 50 percent of every dollar that is spent on food is
spent on food outside the home in restaurants, cafeterias, sporting events, etc. In addition,
as portion sizes have increased, when people eat out they tend to eat a larger quantity of
food (calories) than when they eat at home. (2014, Obesity Action Coalition). Sadly,
according to: Childhood Obesity in America/This is Justice, this video precisely describes
my point as to what we are feeding our children as a nation.

(Spaulding, C. (2013, April 18). Childhood Obesity in America/This is Injustice).

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What steps can the United States take to initiate the prevention and how can the Nation
can slow down the progression of this deadly disease?
The steps that the Nation can take are easy to prevent this appalling disease. According to
Nemets (2005) finding on childhood obesity:
The average child gets less than 15 minutes of vigorous activity per day, spending most
of their waking time on the computer, watching television or playing video games. A
large chunk of youth aged 10-19 have a negative outlook or attitude towards physical
activity, and that needs to change. Regular exercise produces more endorphins, resulting
in happiness. A nutritiously fed, active child would be happier and focus more in school.
(Nemet et al., 2005). The first lady Michelle Obama had established a nutritional program
nationwide regarding how children eat during school. This program is very successful
and has brought down the obesity rate in children who are participating in the program.

USA. Gov. CDC (2014, August 13).

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What are the consequences of becoming an obese child through the eyes of their peers,
their community, the media and their nation? Parents do not want to see their children go through
this horrible experience. They do not want them to feel the pain, anguish or the obsession of
feeling the pressure of needing to be the same size as their peers.
The media views obesity and a negative stigma. They perceive obesity as a gross
obsession and that people who are obese are fat because they are lazy, have no goals and have no
ambition in life. This is simply not true. Sometimes people have a medical condition which
people have no control over their body and therefore leaves them with excessive weight. Obesity
Action Coalitions study finds:
Battling childhood obesity can often be a difficult task for any family. Compounding this
task is often the presence of stigma or weight bias. Childhood obesity stigma can often
lead to children feeling secluded, alone and helpless. It is important for parents to
recognize if their child is being bullied. Bullying can occur in many forms such as
verbally at school, online and more. With todays increase in social media, children are
even more exposed to bullying than ever before in history. (2014, Obesity Action
Coalition).

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In a survey conducted between October 10, 2014 and November 10, 2014, the following results
were gathered as shown in figure 1. :

Figure 1.

The results of the survey show that an outstanding eighty-five percent of children eat fast
food at least once per week, sixty-five percent of children care about what they consume, yet
sadly only thirty-three percent of children believe exercise is important to them. This confirms
what has been presented in previous information.
This literature paper has confirmed, explained and answered the questions of childhood
Obesity. Education, training and prevention are the leading tools in utilizing the battle to slow

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down the progression and to stop childhood obesity in its tracks so that children can lead a long
and healthier lifestyle.

Peter K. Fitness, 2014

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References

Dr. Oz Show. Sawyer, J. R.N. (2012, May 14). Curbing Childhood Obesity. Retrieved from
http://www.doctoroz.com/blog/jodi-sawyer-rn/childhood-obesity
Jackson, C.G. (2013, July). Childhood Obesity: Causes, Management and Challenges. Nova
Science Publishers, Inc.
Nemet, D., Barkan, S., Epstein, Y., Friedland, O., Kowen, G., Eliakim, A. (2005, April). Shortand Long-Term Beneficial Effects of a Combined Dietary-Behavioral-Physical Activity
Intervention for the Treatment of Childhood Obesity. Apr2005, Vol. 115 Issue 4, pe443e449. 7p. 1 Diagram, 5 Charts, 1 Graph
Padilla, Lisa (2014, October). Survey Monkey: The Epidemic of Childhood Obesity in America.
Imgflip.com pie chart Figure 1.
Spaulding, C. (2013, April 18). Childhood Obesity in America/This is Injustice
Retrieved from
http://youtu.be/1Yb77kDq-Zo
USA. Gov. CDC (2014, August 13).
National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and

TB Prevention, Division of

Adolescent and School Health and National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and
Health Promotion, Division of Population Health. Childhood Obesity Facts Retrieved
from http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/obesity/facts.htm
USDA. Haven, J. (2014, March 27) 11:30 a.m.. Good News about Early Childhood Obesity
Rates. Acting Director, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion.

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Wnpt videos (2010, November 19). Obesity/Childrens Health Crisis/NPT Reports
Retrieved from http://youtu.be/SCFMRBrCMGc

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