Running Head: Childhood Obesity

Childhood Obesity in Todays Society Rennell Joseph Salgado Austria ENG 122 April MacGrotty Jun 13, 2011

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Childhood Obesity in Todays Society In todays society parents have gotten complacent when it comes to raising their children. This complacency has led to childhood obesity. The prices of eating healthy can contribute to childhood obesity as well. Parents have forgotten the importance of physical fitness and eating healthy when it comes to their children. As a parent and a person who stays physically fit year round, I chose to write about childhood obesity because I see that it is an ongoing and increasing problem in todays children and the parents that raise them. Childhood obesity is a continuing pandemic in the United States caused by lack of both exercise and proper nutrition, among other things.
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1. Childhood obesity is a continuing... This works as a basic thesis. However, this is not an argumentative claim. [Anna Vamos (TA)]

There are many factors that contribute to childhood obesity, behavior being one of them. Children have more access to higher calorie foods and drinks that dont necessarily fit into nutritional guidelines (United States Department of Agriculture, 2005). This is due to an increase of meals eaten outside of the home and well as consumption of bigger portions (United States Department of Agriculture, 2005). The U.S Department of Agriculture (2005) recommends that children ages 2-3 eat at least one cup of vegetables a day and children 4-5 eat 1 cups daily. Although, the USDA (2005) website doesnt specify how much children are actually consuming, it does state that kids are not eating the correct amount of healthy foods and are over consuming unhealthy foods. When it comes to the consumption of food, making the right food choices start at home and in the school. The U.S. Department of Health and Human services (n.d.) suggests looking at labels when making healthy food choices. They say that looking at the nutritional values as well as the suggested serving size is a way to determine the amount that should be consumed. They also

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suggest that limiting the consumption of fatty and sugary foods will also decrease the chances of increased weight in children as well as other health problems. According to their website, just because a food is low fat or non-fat does not necessarily mean that it is low calorie. Because it may be high in sugars or other nutrients which increase the amount of calories, it can still be unhealthy (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d.). It is recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (2005) to use smaller bowls, plates, and utensils for children. It is also suggested to encourage children to start with smaller portions as they can always get more if needed. (United States Department of Agriculture, 2005) A chart on the USDA (2005) website gives helpful tips for families to eat right. The tips include making half of your grains whole, eating dark and orange vegetables, incorporating fruits during meals as well as for snacks, and eating more lean proteins. (United States Department of Agriculture, 2005) Another behavioral factor that contributes to children being overweight is their level of physical activity. Children are given less opportunities to stay physically active due to unsafe or inconvenient places to play or stay active, as well as little or no physical activity during school on a daily basis (Center for Disease Control, 2011). According to the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (2008), it is recommended that children get a minimum of 60 minutes of daily aerobic exercise, but in 2007, only 18 percent of students met this recommendation in grades 9-12 (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2008). In a chart provided by the USDA (2005), some tips for families to exercise are having fun as a family by playing sports together and walking or playing with your pets. Another suggestion is to establish a routine in which time is set aside every day to carry out family based activities like

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riding bikes, swimming or even simply taking a walk. Giving gifts that encourage physical activity such as a basketball, a skateboard or a bike is also another idea. (United Stated Department of Agriculture, 2005) The decrease in physical activity has cause an increase of inactive behavior such as, watching television, playing video games and playing on the computer. This inactive behavior contributes to children being overweight due to the excessive consumption of food in front of the television (Bellows & Roach, 2009). The lack of physical activity during this time also causes low metabolic rate (United States Department of Agriculture, 2009). Other factors that contribute to Childhood Obesity are genetics, environment, and sociodemographics (Bellows & Roach, 2009). Although each factor plays a certain role with the increase of childhood obesity, there are still ways to decrease children becoming overweight. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (2009) suggests many ways to increase and promote physical activity at home, at work and during play. Some of their suggestions were riding bikes, even joining extracurricular sports or outdoor activities. Engaging in activities with children is also a way to encourage a physical lifestyle, according to research at the University of Colorado (Bellows & Roach, 2009). Along with childhood obesity also comes many health risks that affect children now as well as long term health risks that will affect children later. According to the Center for Disease Control (2011), children suffering from obesity are more likely to have high blood pressure and high cholesterol, both which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Obese children are also likely to have type 2 diabetes, asthma and sleep apnea, joint problems, as well as many other health problems. (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011)

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Children suffering from obesity are at greater risk for having social and psychological problems that can carry on into adulthood. Also, the obese children have a more likely chance that the obesity will carry on into adulthood and will be more severe. (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011) Preventing and decreasing childhood obesity can start in the home and schools. Teaching kids the importance of staying physically fit as well as encouraging healthy eating habits is a great way to instill a healthier lifestyle. Knowing how much of certain foods children should consume daily as well as how much physical activity is recommended will also help with the increasing problem of childhood obesity. Being a good role-model and participating in staying active and eating healthy will help to show children how important and easy it can really be.

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References Bellows, L. & Roach, J. (2009). Childhood Overweight. Retrieved from http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/foodnut/09317.html Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009). Overweight and Obesity. A Growing Problem. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/problem.html Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009). Overweight and Obesity. Contributing Factors. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/causes.html United States Department of Agriculture. (2009). MyPyramid: Food Intake Patterns. Retrieved from http://www.mypyramid.gov United States Department of Agriculture. (2005). Tips for Families Retrieved from http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/resources/mpk_tips.pdf United States Department of Agriculture. (2009). Inside the Pyramid: Tips for Increasing Physical Activity. Retrieved from http://www.mypyramid.gov/pyramid/physical_activity_tips.html U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2011). Eat Right. Retrieved from http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan/eatright/index.htm

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Basics of Childhood Obesity: What are the consequences of childhood obesity? Retrieved from http://cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/basics.html

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