...How Can We Rid Childhood Obesity? Childhood obesity is a pandemic that has reached worldwide distribution. A problem as rampant as this is having a direct negative correlation with education and the way kids learn in America. “More than one third of children and adolescents are overweight or obese” (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). For the next generation to succeed and someday be responsible for many of the leadership roles that run this country, there needs to be immediate action. Childhood obesity has a negative effect on development on education, it’s time to start educating children on the many ways to make healthy decisions that will ultimately come back and benefit the education system and learning process itself. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention classifies childhood obesity as a disease and psychological disorder meaning that it directly affects brain function. A child being overweight is classified as a body mass index at or higher than the eighty-fifth percentile and lower than the ninety-fifth percentile for those among the same age and sex. For childhood obesity, it is classified as a body mass index at or higher than the ninety-fifth percentile among the same ages and sexes (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). One without any knowledge or background of public health can conclude that if obesity directly affects brain function, that it must also affect leaning in school. According to Juliette Kellow’s research, the performance of...
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...food restaurants than we do at home, this could cause a variety of health issues, like high blood pressure and obesity. Fast food contains a poor nutritional value and is contributing toward growing obesity among population in America. Although fast food is convenient, inexpensive, and is basically a cultural phenomenon, we as a society need to stop eating fast food because it has increased health problems and has taken away from family values, destroys the environment, and has created a food economy dominated by giant corporations. In the United States today, obesity has become an enormous problem. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 34% of adults in America are obese, while the number of obese children in America is at 17%. Undoubtedly, America has become an unhealthy nation, too busy with video games and cell phones to be concerned with nutrition and health. Obesity in America is the second leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. An estimated of 400,000 Americans deaths per year may be attributable to poor diet and lack of physical activity. The problem begins with our children they are easily influenced and raised by their families who serve as their role models. Fast food and advertising targeted at children successfully contributes to the obesity. Obesity can begin at a very young age. America is now filled with overweight children and medically obese. Nine million American children over the age of...
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...Childhood Obesity David Sholl Western Governors University Task 3 Childhood Obesity Part A: Description of the Problem The primary focus of the literature review will be childhood obesity among American children between the ages of five and eighteen years. Most parents are not aware that their children have problems until they become overweight. For instance, in a survey conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2011, about 49% of American parents believed that their children were of average size. However, after physical examinations, a team of physicians classified them as overweight. Central adiposity is one of the symptoms of childhood obesity. Children with excessive accumulation of fat around the abdominal area are either overweight or obese. Inability to cope with abrupt physical activities is another symptom. Numerous studies indicate that overweight children have diminished physical stamina because their bodies carry excess weight. Snoring is the other notable symptom of childhood obesity. As fat accumulates around the neck region, it obstructs the windpipe leading to snoring among children. Childhood obesity is now a pandemic in the U.S, and has become a national health crisis. One in every three children in America aged between two and eighteen years are considered overweight or obese. The life-threatening problems of obesity create a critical and compelling call for action that should not be ignored. According to numerous sources obesity is related...
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...Childhood Obesity Childhood obesity has become a serious health issue that needs to be dealt with. There are many factors that have led to this development and it is contributing to an increased number of new diabetes cases every year. This is a very technological society we now live in which has benefited the health of mankind in many ways; however it has led to obesity as well. Overweight Americans Americans are battling the bulge more so now than ever before. According to Moreno, Johnson-Shelton, & Boles (2013) “The prevalence of child overweight and obesity has increased dramatically over the last 3 decades across all sectors of the US population, leading to one of the nation’s greatest public health challenges” (p. 157). Technology, that which helps Americans is also making Americans less active, therefore becoming more overweight. Video games, iPads, smart phones are just a few of the tech gadgets that are available now. It is difficult to go anywhere and not see many, including children, playing with, talking on or simply using a piece of electronics technology. Along with all the mobile devices available, video games in the home run ramped across America as well. Irvine (2014) stated that...
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...Fast Food Cause Obesity There has been a rise in obesity in this country for the last forty years. Many scientists and doctors have begun to question whether there is any relationship between fast food and obesity. According to the available information the number of fast food restaurants has doubled since 1970s. (Currie, J et al 2009).Currie J et al (2009) observe that the rise in the obesity cases in the last one decade has been directly related to the rise in the number of people choosing fast food as their main menu. Fast food has been described as food which is prepared in hurry for people who have little time during meal times. These foods are very popular with the students and working people since they do not have enough time to sit and enjoy a full meal course. Fast food include the fries and burgers .These types of foods are usually prepared in hurry to meat the rising demand especially during the peak hours. The popularity of this type of food is pegged on the fact that they are always ready and can be taken within a short notice as opposed to the full meal course where one has to place an order in advance. Most of our cities and towns have fast food chains located on every corner and at the same time our television, newpapers and radio stations are filled with advertisements enticing us to sample the different products in offer in these joints. It is worth noting that most of these commercials are usually directed towards children and youth justifying the reason why...
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...Childhood Obesity ENG 122 Childhood Obesity Obesity is a serious medical condition that is defined as an abnormal constant accumulation of excess body fat that are usually twenty percent or more of a persons average body weight, according to PubMed Health (Obesity in Children) September 2011. Children are the biggest targets of this deadly disease of being overweight. In the U.S. childhood obesity has been on an alarming high rate, which has been impacting the health of American people. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2004, childhood obesity is one of the most significant health issues in the American Society and the second leading cause of preventable deaths in the U.S. Childhood obesity is a very serious disease that impacts many children and should not be taken lightly, its time that people put forth the effort to take preventive measures in the cure of the deadly disease. More focus is needed to help prevent childhood obesity from everyone parents, guardians and the government. People need to be aware of the risk and consequences of being obese and overweight in children before it is to late and their children become one of those statistics. Therefore, everyone toward fighting this deadly disease of childhood obesity needs a greater attention to put this to the forefront of government issues. According to PEW Research Centers 2011, children and teenagers are developing diseases that have been linked to adults...
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...A major component that leads to success in the food industry is marketing. The food industry is the best at manipulating and altering perceptions and persuading its customers that their product is a necessity. Big food corporations have had a major influence on the spread of obesity in America. Fed Up argues that if we want to see change we need to be the change. According to the film, kids watch an average of 4,000 food-related ads every year; that’s about 10 per day (Fed Up). Additionally, 98% of food related ads that children view is for products high in fat, sugar, and sodium (Fed Up). Fast food companies are targeting kids in their marketing strategies and it is leading to kids developing bad habits and ideas about food at an early age....
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...Obesity, a condition of an excessively high proportion of body fat, is associated with elevated risks of cancer to occur throughout the body. Obesity is also a risk factor for coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and other chronic illnesses. Americans currently have the cheapest food in history when measured as a fraction of disposable income. Along with the real decreases in food cost, per capita food availability has increased. Consequently, this smaller share of disposable income now buys many more calories, leading to the increase of obesity. The obesity epidemic has been fueled by historically low food prices relative to income. In the United States alone, an estimated 34,000 new cases of cancer among men (4%)...
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...World War Obesity The word obesity comes from the Latin root obesus which means eaten away or wasted away with fat. Today it is easy to see how the term came to be. Obesity is now a worldwide issue; however, it wasn’t always as common and widespread. In the mid 1900’s, America experienced a momentous technological turnover. Naturally, Americans adapted their lifestyles to continue to excel during this new era. Along with lifestyle shifts, most people’s diets changed as well. With these diet changes, obesity became a household term. It progressed to be a common diagnosis. The expanding of obesity resulted in an inevitable controversial debate on how to fix the issue. The general population was quick to point fingers, throwing the blame from...
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...Does Fast Food Restaurants Contribute to Obesity? Business Research Methods 642 Donna Wall September 10, 2012 Abstract Within the scope of this research paper I will present the contributions that fast food restaurants have on obesity. The paper will identify some of the causal effect that were discovered through surveys and research of recent studies that were related to obesity. A definition of obesity will be present as well. Does Fast Food Restaurants Contribute to Obesity? Obesity has become an epidemic in America. Fast food restaurants are everywhere you look. We hear fast food restaurants advertisements on the radio, on billboards along the highways, in magazines and commercials on our televisions. Every child that is of age to talk can easily identify the arch and relate that to McDonald’s. Americans all over America have become consumed by these advertisements and have become over weight due to their food selection at such restaurants. Obesity is the second leading cause of preventable deaths in America. For that reason alone obesity has become a topic that has been recently researched and discussed more and more over the last few decades. Researchers have thrived to develop a cause to such an increase in Americans that struggle with the problem of obesity. Are there variations between Americans who most often have home cooked meals than those who eat at fast food restaurants more that are often affected with obesity? Are there other contributions to food selection...
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...Epidemiology Study: Teen Obesity N J Nur 408 January 9, 2012 Felita Patterson, MPH, RN Epidemiology Study: Teen Obesity Teenage obesity is on the rise this country. In the last couple of decades, the world has changed in a startling and dramatic way. Computers, computer games, the Internet, and extended free time have pushed the numbers of teenage obesity to an alarming figure (Teen obesity, 2011). While there’s no one cause of obesity; the factors that can make someone obese are a variety of genetic, biological, behavioral, and cultural factors (AACAP, 2011). As the official website of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry explains, childhood obesity is often related to bad eating habits, overeating or binging, no exercise, family history, medical issues, stress or extreme life changes, family issues, low self-esteem, or depression (2011). Although a few extra pounds are not dangerous for most people; obesity is a serious health issue as it puts a definite strain on the human body. It can cause issues like an increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, breathing problems, trouble sleeping (AACAP, 2011). In fact, “Teenagers who have a weight problems now—that continues to increase or stay the same in terms of their weight—will likely have a much higher risk of premature death” (Gay, 2006)(p. 26). This clearly shows the tremendous and serious threat that obesity poses for teenagers. Demographical Data Every individual has an ideal...
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...101 2 May 2012 Childhood Obesity on the Rise Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic in the world, and is showing no sign of slowing down. Obesity is a vicious cycle that starts with simply carrying an extra five or ten pounds and leads to obesity in no time. There is less of an urge to go out and get in shape. People see it and want it, but aren’t taking the right steps to do so. With the growing attraction for television, video games, and computer use combined with the easy capability to get highly fattening foods in a quick low price, it looks like it’s going to be a problem for a long time to come. This fast food problem has become an accepted means of a meal. In his book True Enough, Farhad Manjoo examines the Committee on Food Habits and their research on how Americans think about food. Manjoo states that, “even for something as fundamental as eating, people look to others to determine the reality around them. You eat to live, but what you eat is more a cultural choice than a mere act of biological survival” (49). There is a big controversy over whether or not obesity is a genetic disease. That debate gets more and more intense as the rates of childhood obesity rise. Some people believe it is a disease because it comes genetically for biological reasons. Other people believe it is not a disease at all, rather it is a chosen lifestyle combined with bad eating habits and the environment for which they live in. I believe that childhood obesity is caused by a variety of determining...
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...Background Obesity is the accumulation of adipose tissues inside the body with the Body Mass Index (BMI) more than 30kg/m2. While people with the BMI between 25.0 to 29.9 kg/m2 are characterized as overweight (WHO, 2016). According to WHO, over the past 30 years mean the three decades, obesity occurrences have doubled up with the total amount of 1.4 billion people are overweight and 500 million obese worldwide (Bank of America Merril Lynch, 2012). With an estimation, the incidence of obesity will reach 50-60% of the population are obese in many countries by the year 2030. From National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS, 2011), the obese adult with aged 18 and above, has accounted 27.2% which equal to 4.4 million. Contradiction to the conventional wisdom, the epidemic obesity has threatened not only developed but developing country, which the obesity-related illness have marked approximately 115 million (WHO, 2016). Obesity increases risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart diseases, high blood pressure, cancer and sleeping apnea (National Institutes of Health (NIH), 2012). Obesity has ranked as the fifth global leading death (Al-Rethaiaa, Fahmy & Al-Shwaiyat, 2010). In addition, a report about Globesity done by Bank of America Merril Lynch (2012) stated the number of adult death is reported with minimum 2.8 million per year is contributed by obesity which need extra 40% of total health care cost than normal people. The numbers of obesity have escalating...
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...and medical issues are some of the most common issues of obesity. McLaughlin, Doctor at Centre for Military and Veterans’ Health, and Wittert, discipline of medicine at University of Adelaide in Australia, states that “data from the Global Burden of Disease Study suggest that excess body weight is the sixth most important risk factor contributing to the total worldwide disease burden” (693). Some people do not realize that it can impact a facet of life that many Americans take for grant it every day, national security. National security usually thought to be foreign terrorist or a nuclear attack, but decisions on the type of food given to children and the different options available have an impact that may not be noticeable. Obesity is affecting the military, even though it may not be noticeable now due to withdrawals from Iraq and Afghanistan. The people eligible to be recruited has been hugely affected due to the rising epidemic of obesity. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics the Department of Defense must recruit approximately 184,000 new military personnel every year to replace those who leave the service because of retirement or other reasons (Cawley 1349). There are fast food chains it seems like on every corner in most places. A lot of times there are multiples of the same fast food restaurants in the same small town, making more and more convenient for people to eat themselves to obesity. The urban community is impacted more prevalently than other...
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...Jump into a New You: Employer Funded Wellness Programs * Problem The obesity epidemic is one of the country’s most serious health problems. Adult obesity rates have doubled since 1980, while childhood obesity rates have tripled. Rising obesity rates have significant health consequences, contributing to diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and other serious diseased. These conditions put a major strain on the health care system and on employers as well. According to an article regarding obesity in America, a report from The trust for America’s health, Texas now has the 11th highest obesity rate in the nation (“Better Policies” par.2). Obesity rates are above 35 percent for the first time ever. As obesity rises to an all-time high in the United States, more and more employees are implementing workplace wellness programs. These programs range from simply offering information to workers, to subsidized healthy lunches, fitness education, and a company gym. I would like to propose that a gym membership be provided to all 32 employees of this company, in hopes that it will bring you lowered expenses in return in the form of better performing workers, lower absenteeism, and overall lower health care costs. Employees are the most valuable assets to any company. Here is why workplace wellness programs should matter to you. * Problem Analysis Obesity in America has been an ongoing, and widely publicized issue for years. According to the Surgeon General, nearly two out...
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