Obesity Affecting Children in America

Introduction

Childhood obesity in the America has been labeled an epidemic. Since 1970, the proportion of children classified as overweight has more than doubled for all age groups. This study aims to explore the issue of obesity in the United States. The research study is constructed to explore obesity in children and explore diverse dimensions of the problem in order to provide a platform to formulate different strategies to counter obesity. Obesity in the United States and other countries are an important and rising public fitness crisis. Obesity is growing in United States with an increasing rate. Obesity amongst adults, young people, and children is gradually more encountered in medical settings, and a responsiveness of present etiological models, evaluation strategies, and involvement methodologies is essential for the optimal organization of this significant health problem. Between 5 to 25 children per hundred are obese in USA. It comprises 15% of the children population. Obesity is an increase in excess body fats which leads to the growth of the body weight.

Childhood obesity is a weight-for-height in excess of 120 percent. It is a chronic disorder which has multiple causes. Obesity is increasing in United States with a growing rate. Between 5 to 25 children per hundred are obese in USA. It comprises 15% of the children population. Obesity is an increase in excess body fats which leads to the growth of the body weight. Childhood obesity is explained as a weight-for-height in excess of 120 percent. It is a chronic disorder which has multiple causes.

A consensus has emerged during recent years that one of the best methods for clinically defining obesity is the body mass index (BMI). The formula for BMI is weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters (w/h2). Despite its widespread use, there are limits to BMI as a measure of weight status. For instance, it cannot be used as a specific indicator of the level of body fat on the individual, and it is influenced by factors such as age, gender, and exercise status (i.e., sedentary vs. active). Older individuals tend to have a higher percentage of body fat than do younger individuals for a given BMI, and people who work out regularly. Prevalence statistics reported during the past few years reveal an astonishing increase in the level of overweight and obese individuals in the United States (Flegal, 1723-1727).

Today, more than one-third of children in the United States are either obese or are at risk of becoming obese in their future. There are several factors contributing to this trend. Studies suggest that the marketing of low- nutrient and high- calorie food products is a significant contributor to this epidemic (Stunkard, 452-456). Food marketers typically use innovation, joined with the theme of fun and entertainment, to construct child-targeted products. For example, children's foods are signaled by their unusual product names, cartoon character images, inventive flavors and by their suggestion of excitement and play on the packaging. It is estimated that the food marketing industry ...