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Combating Childhood Obesity

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Combating Childhood Obesity
Charles Mullins
ENG 122
Prof. Busby
November 26, 2012

Combating Childhood Obesity
Childhood obesity is an important issue in today’s American society. The Center for Disease Control states that childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years (CDC, n.d.). Certain genetic factors paired with changing lifestyles and culture has produced kids who are generally not as healthy as people were just a few decades ago. Widespread obesity has been the extreme result of these changes. I chose this topic because it is one that is close to my heart. I struggled with obesity through most of my childhood, and I constantly look for ways to prevent my children from suffering the same fate. Childhood obesity can cause a wide range of health problem in children. These can be immediate effects such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure, or long-term effects such as heart disease, stroke, or type 2 diabetes (CDC, n.d.). School systems have been said that they are able to combat childhood obesity. However, many children only eat one meal at school. Although many people have opinions on what can be done about this issue, one thing is constant. The combat against childhood obesity must start at home, which is the foundation of the formation of all children. This can be done by teaching children how to increase physical activity and healthy eating.
Obesity in America rose 11 percent between 1991 and 2003, especially among African-Americans and young Mexican-Americans (James). Another study was conducted comparing the time period of 1988-1994 and 1999-2000. Between these two periods, the percentage of overweight children had gone up an average of 4.1 percentage points for groups of kids between the ages of two and 19. The most extreme cases were found among Mexican-Americans and African-Americans (Ogden). This can be

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