Childhood Obesity

Introduction

Today, In the United States childhood obesity has become an epidemic. One out of three children is considered overweight or obese. The main enablers consist of watching TV or engaging video games while consuming fast foods instead of nutritious, home-cooked meals. On average, a child will spend four hours a day playing video games while munching on potato chips and a high calorie soda. This type of activity is directly linked to terrible grades in school, reading fewer books, and exercising less (Wexler, 87). Obese children are plagued with medical conditions stemming from high blood pressure to diabetes and most of them will develop low self esteem and depression which will continue into adulthood. From fast food to electronics, quick and easy is the reality of today's busy families. Childhood obesity in America can be reduced if a sedentary lifestyle and reduction of junk food is integrated into a child's day. The childhood obesity problem can be controlled if US public schools are doing their part to prevent it.

Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity is a state where surplus body fat negatively influences a child's health Imagine being an obese child in grade school who just wants to be like the rest of his friends and reside his life to the fullest (Heinberg, 47). While all of the other children are regularly playing out-of-doors and taking part in sports, an obese child feels left out and begins an unhealthy lifestyle that can only lead to unhappiness.

Childhood Obesity Factor

Majority of American Children are not doing enough exercise. This is due to several reasons. One is that many people spend hours in watching TV and working on computer, either for doing homework or as a hobby. In fact, spending more than 2 hours per day watching television regularly has been the major factor of overweight and obesity condition occurrence (Poston et al, 361). Many children bear from obesity because of the blend of factors. The poor diet is the foremost component, which is generally initiated by the poor food that is accessible to today's schools and restaurants. Many of the foods that are assisted today are full of preservatives and are more fattening than they have ever been.

The main contributors of inactive lifestyle consist of the Television and Video game. A child, through TV, absorbs thousands of commercials featuring junk food/ fast foods. The same child, by high school, will have spent more time playing video games than they have in the classroom (Rohan et al, 368). This will contribute to poor grades, aggressive behavior, and the inability to act socially with other peers. These numbers will continue to rise until parents and school officials incorporate ways to counteract this lifestyle.

Another contributor to childhood obesity is the enormous amounts of junk food or fast foods consumed on a daily basis. Fast food obesity is a problem because fast food meals contain low quality carbohydrates, high levels of saturated fat, and added sugars. According to research, there are nearly one-third of U.S. children aged 4 to 17 ...