...Obesity is termed to be a medical condition with excess fat within the body. Various reasons such as medical conditions or the types of food being ingested can cause it. Obesity also increases the chance of getting various diseases one that is common is heart disease. It can also cause certain types of cancer. Obesity has a drastic effect on a person’s lifestyle such as their mobility and just any type of daily activities. It has already been proven that obesity is already a leading concern around the world. An overall growing issue is child and teen obesity. Overweight children are most likely to experience all the health issues explained before. This research will focus on the hazards of child and teen obesity and how it became a concern through out the United States. Research has shown Child and teen obesity in the United States has grown considerably in recent years. Between 16 and 33 percent of children and adolescents are obese. (American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry). While, Obesity is known to be easiest medical conditions to recognize it is still most difficult to treat. Unhealthy weight gain due to poor diet and lack of exercise is responsible for over 300,000 deaths each year and annual cost to society for obesity is estimated at nearly $100 billion (American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry). Overweight children are much more likely to become overweight adults unless they adopt and maintain healthier patterns of eating and exercise (American Academy...
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...6 Project: Childhood Obesity Johnnie Howie Kaplan University CM220-03 Professor Thompson April 8, 2014 Childhood Obesity Childhood Obesity is a major issue because of the numbers that this disease has reached in the past year. There are genetic factors that are paired with lifestyle changes. Childhood obesity in the United States has tripled over the past thirty years. A large number of obese children and adults has been the result of these changes over the last decade. This disease has doubled in children and adolescents in the past 30 years. Many public and private schools are playing major roles in establishing safer eating for school aged children and staff. Schools also teach classes that give the children the opportunity to choose a healthier lifestyle. They also offer physical education and practice healthy eating. It is very important that the teachers and other staff are aware of health risk. Communities should also fight to prevent this epidemic from growing and permanently affecting our children which will be our future country. The government and market failures have impacted the increase in childhood obesity. Tariffs, food subsidies, and welfare laws have added to this problem. Obesity is having excess body fat and is a result of calorie imbalance. This disease is easy to recognize and is very difficult to treat. The health effects can be long term if not prevented at an early age. Studies also show that obesity can be inherited; therefore...
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...CHILD OBESITY IN THE UNITED STATES THESIS: Childhood obesity is a public health crisis that is reaching epidemic levels, and society must attack the problem at its source through committed action by parents and through government policies aimed at promoting prevention. I. INTRODUCTION A. Obesity in children has escalated and so has the obesity in adolescents. B. Obesity in childhood leads to health problems throughout life. C. Solutions to this problems are continuously being created and implemented. II. DEMOGRAPHICS A. The past several decades have seen a dramatic increase in childhood obesity. B. A third of the children in the United States suffer from obesity and some being overweight. III. HEALTH CONCERNS OF OBESITY A. Child obesity can lead to a host of physical conditions and diseases. B. Along with physical problems also mental problems occurred. C. Obesity rates has led to the diagnosis in children of diseases and conditions that had previously considered to be featured only among adults. IV. PREVENTION A. Prevention of child obesity is important to prevent a national disaster occurring due to increased obese adults. B. Parents have a very direct role to play in determining children’s food choices....
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...Childhood Obesity CuShena Buck ENG 122 Instructor: Jason Romero 1/23/2012 The topic I chose is childhood obesity because I have family members struggling with childhood obesity. I have found in doing my research that overweight and obesity in children are significant public health problems in the United States. The number of adolescents who are overweight has tripled since 1980 and the prevalence among younger children has more than doubled. According to the 1999-2002 NHANES survey, 16 percent of children age 6-19 years is overweight. Not only have the rates of overweight increased, but the heaviest children in a recent NHANES survey were markedly heavier than those in previous surveys (ASPE, 2012). Obesity disproportionately affects certain minority youth populations. NHANES found that African American and Mexican American adolescents ages 12-19 were more likely to be overweight, at 21 percent and 23 percent respectively, than non-Hispanic White adolescents (14 percent) .In children 6-11 years old, 22 percent of Mexican American children were overweight, whereas 20 percent of African American children and 14 percent of non-Hispanic White children were overweight. In addition to the children and teens who were overweight in 1999-2002, another 15 percent were at risk of becoming overweight In a national survey of American Indian children 5-18 years old, 39 percent were found to be overweight or at risk for overweight. Being overweight during childhood and adolescence increases...
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...Childhood obesity is a growing problem in the U.S and around the world. This is a problem that should be addressed at all levels of a child’s life. The best action that can be taken is to inform people of the problem, and to give them the knowledge to fight obesity in kids. The number of kids affected by obesity is roughly 20% of kids ages 6-11 today in the US (Ferry, 2012). Obesity can cause many other health issues within a child's life such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and also self-esteem issues. B. Annotated Bibliography Ferry, R. (2012). Childhood Obesity. Retrieved March 21, 2012, from http://www.emedicinehealth.com/obesity_in_children/article_em.html According to the above website, majority of the information given within the article is common sense when it comes to parents making the correct food choices for their children. This article gives many good facts about the number of kids affected by this problem. For example, “Although rare in the past, obesity is now among the most widespread medical problem affecting children and adolescents living in the United States and other developed countries (Ferry, 2012). In the article Ferry discussed how technology has affected the activity level of children. Furthermore, the lack of parental guidance has caused children to be less active. Instead of children going outside and playing sports they are inside playing on their computers, and watching television. About 15% of adolescents (12-19...
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...June 29, 2011 Childhood obesity has become one of the most predominant health problems facing our nation today. Its prevalence in the United States is such that it is considered an epidemic that has a powerful, adverse impact on the well-being of our society. Childhood obesity affects all aspects of a child’s life; most significantly by contributing to poor health and negative social perceptions by society. Extensive research of this issue has identified numerous causal and risk factors associated with obesity. Given the multifaceted nature of the problem, and its severe implications for the future health and well-being of affected children, I believe that the most effective solutions will be achieved through programs that focus on prevention efforts. This thesis begins with a definition of the obesity epidemic, followed by a discussion of research into the multiple causal factors associated with childhood obesity. Particular emphasis is placed on prevention and intervention programs in the school environment, as many of the efforts to address childhood obesity have been school-based. This thesis also concludes the causes of obesity, environmental factors, biological, genetic, and dietary behaviors, the cost of obesity, and so much more. Recent studies and surveys provide clear evidence that children and adolescents are becoming overweight and, more significantly, obese at increasingly younger ages. Statistical evidence demonstrates that obesity has become a true epidemic...
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...ages about obesity; its detrimental effects on the body, short and long term, and how to avoid associated problems, using a healthy varied eating plan and incorporating a daily exercise schedule. The health risks of obesity are the same for all people and the interventions for weight loss are also the same. These interventions are basic, eat healthy and be active. But educating communities and enabling them to make these changes are not basic tasks in themselves. It takes knowledge, planning, creativity and time to ensure that this teaching is effective. Proposed Community Teaching What is obesity? “Obesity is defined as an abnormal increase of fat in the subcutaneous connective tissue. This means that there are a lot of fat cells gathered in the tissue under the skin. Eating greater amounts of food than the body can use for energy causes this deposition ("Obesitynursing care," 2012). Why? And what is it related to: • Weight 20% higher than optimum body weight • Observed/reported eating patterns that are dysfunctional, food eaten is more than body requirements • Social/economic status • Psychosocial factors Physical /mental health problems associated with Obesity • Metabolic syndrome, this is a combination of conditions that includes: high cholesterol, high blood glucose levels, high blood pressure, and central obesity. • Coronary heart disease, the risk factors are increased with obesity • Diabetes type 2 was normally seen in adults, but due to the obesity epidemic it...
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...Childhood Obesity Family-based treatment is more effective than individual treatment for childhood obesity diagnoses in America. Childhood obesity is a medical condition in which a child has excessive body mass index for the child’s age and height. Childhood obesity is a growing problem which has led to an epidemic in America. There are several contributing factors which lead adolescents to be diagnosed with pediatric obesity. Some American medical professionals are focusing on preventing and diminishing pediatric obesity with individual treatment, however, according to the American Heart Association, If parents are unhealthy, children are likely to be unhealthy too” (American Heart Association, 2011). Family-based treatment regulates the effects of childhood obesity over the long term versus individual treatment for adolescents and teenagers, which is a short term solution. Childhood obesity affects one in three children and teens in the United States, causing the rate to triple since 1963 (American Heart Association, 2011). Pediatric obesity involves children two to twenty years of age, where the child or teen has excessive body fat for their age and sex. Excessive body fat occurs when energy ingested is more than energy burned off by a child or teenager. A few symptoms of child obesity are sleep apnea; when a child or teen stops breathing in his or her sleep for a short period of time, hip or knee pain, difficulty in breathing such as; asthma, headaches, skin conditions...
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...Childhood Obesity in the United States of America Tolulope Adedokun Introduction to psychology Dr. Michael Gawrysiak November 28, 2014 Table of contents Abstract …………………………………………………………………………………………… 3 Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………. 4 Causes of Obesity ………………………………………………………………………………… 4 Heredity …………………………………………………………………………………. 4 Social Environment ……………………………………………………………………… 5 Social Status …………………………………………………………………………….. 5 Birth Weight …………………………………………………………………………….. 6 Effects of Obesity ………………………………………………………………………………… 7 Health Effects ……………………………………………………………………………. 7 Mental Effects …………………………………………………………………………… 7 Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………………………. 7 Solutions to Childhood Obesity in The United States of America ………………………………. 8 References ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 9 Abstract Childhood obesity has reached epidemic levels in developing countries especially in the United States of America. Twenty five percent of children in the US are overweight and 11% are obese. Overweight and obesity in childhood are known to have significant impact on both physical and psychological health. This paper describes the causes, effects, and solutions to childhood obesity in the...
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...Childhood Obesity Jennifer Beam ECE 214 Barbara Hollinger August, 18 2014 Childhood obesity is at an all-time high. Studies suggest that “Between16 & 33% of children and adolescents are obese” due to the over use of chemical additives and preservatives in food(American Academy of Child and Adolescent Pediatrics, 2008) Additives and preservatives are added to food to enhance color, flavor, and appearance. Those additives are known to cause cancer, diabetes, obesity, and death among children. There are documented cases of an increase in the rates of childhood obesity. Children with high body mass indexes are faced with numerous health problems, including but not limited to, diabetes, cancer, depression and autoimmune diseases. Obesity rates have increased in the United States, Recent data report that obesity in children has tripled, from approximately 5% in the 1960s to 17% in 2007–2008 (Ogden & Carroll, 2010). People generally assume malnutrition comes in the form of lack of food but eating too much “fake food” can cause you to be malnourished as well. The most beneficial food choice is to buy organic food that will not last more than a week or so and to avoid packaged, overly processed food. The most common side effect from malnutrition is the chemicals in processed food alter the blood sugar levels and raise insulin levels artificially. Continued elevation of insulin trains the body to depend on the fake insulin, therefore requiring more and more...
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...Do parents need to take control of childhood obesity? Looking at Childhood Obesity Statistics and Various Causes RJ Mcckleene Western Governors University WGU Student ID# 109456 Do parents need to take control of childhood obesity? Childhood obesity has been increasing over the last 2-3 decades at an alarming rate. The U.S. Surgeon General says that in the last two decades the percentages of overweight children has tripled (“Surgeon General’s call”, 2012). Being obese can affect more than just health. For a child, being obese can cause physical, social, and psychological damage, and can ultimately affect the child’s overall quality of life which can follow the child into adulthood (Maziak, Ward, & Stockton, 2007). The food industry has not made significant improvements to production or food marketing toward children. Therefore parents must take control of childhood obesity to help with a better future for America’s youth. Research suggests that childhood obesity rates will continue to rise because children are targeted by marketing strategies, the food industry is not showing signs that substantial changes to marketing and production targeting youth that are needed will happen any time in the near future and also because the evolution of society has aided in creating a sedentary lifestyle. Health and government officials have seen alarming statics in the increase of childhood obesity rates. The increase and health concerns have had severe enough increases...
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...Childhood Obesity ENG 122 April 26, 2012 Childhood Obesity Childhood obesity is an ongoing problem that we will all face in our lifetime. We may encounter this from our own experience as being an overweight child, seeing it in our children, their friends or even in our grandchildren. We all need to have a better understanding of childhood obesity. We will start this journey by address a brief history of childhood obesity, short and long-term health concerns, methods for treating obesity, and prevention of obesity in children. The overall purpose will be to foster an understanding of the impact high-fructose corn syrup usage in the last 30 years has had in relation to the childhood obesity epidemic. Childhood obesity is not a new problem but it is becoming an epidemic in the United States. Dr. Fals (2009) writes, “this country has been struggling with obesity for well over 20 years now” (p. 1). Most of us can remember when there was maybe one overweight child in a classroom, now there are two to three instead. The National Center for Health Statistics has been conducting surveys since 1963 relating to obesity among children and adolescents in the United States (Ogden, 2010). This is the only organization that has solid scientific history and statistical data available. It appears that obesity was not tracked on a nationwide level prior to 1963. One reason may be that there weren’t enough cases of childhood obesity to raise any red flags up until the 1960s. Since...
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...Abstract The problem of childhood obesity in the United States has grown significantly in recent years. Between 16 and 33 percent of children and adolescents are obese. Obesity is among the easiest medical conditions to recognize, but most difficult to treat. Unhealthy weight gain due to poor diet and lack of exercise is responsible for over 300,000 deaths each year. (cite) In my research paper, I first will examine the differences between overweight and obesity. Next, I will discuss the contributing factors of obese. In discussing this I will break down all the contributing factors and tell how they all play a role in obesity. I will also talk about the trends of obesity and how they affect children and teens. I will also address what organization CDC is working with to fight obesity and how they plan on accomplishing this. Lastly, I will tackle the impact obesity will have on health care especially teen obesity. Obesity rates in the United States are among the highest in the world. Obesity amongst children has more than tripled in the past 30 years. The prevalence of obesity among children aged 6 to 11 years increased from 6.5% in 1980 to 19.6% in 2008. The prevalence of obesity among adolescents aged 12 to 19 years increased from 5.0% to 18.1% in 2008. Overweight and obesity are both labels for ranges of weight that are greater than what is generally considered healthy for a given height. (cite CDC website). The terms also identify ranges of weight that have been...
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...Biology of Health and Disease | Childhood Obesity | Healthy Choices | | The book entitled Your Child by David Pruitt, MD. focuses on the increase of childhood obesity in the United States. The book explains that between 16 and 33 percent of children and adolescents are obese. Obesity is among the easiest medical conditions to recognize but most difficult to treat. Unhealthy weight gain due to poor diet and lack of exercise is responsible for over 300,000 deaths each year. The annual cost to society for obesity is estimated at nearly $100 billion. Overweight children are much more likely to become overweight adults unless they adopt and maintain healthier patterns of eating and exercise (David Pruitt, 1998). The causes and risk factors associated with childhood obesity are discussed in an article by the NIH (National Institutes of Health) entitled Healthy Weight, Healthy Child, which cites poor eating habits, overeating, binge eating, and lack of exercise as the leading cause of unhealthy weights among children and adolescents. There are many societal factors that contribute to childhood obesity. Poor eating habits can be learned, but are also the result of poor socioeconomic factors. Fast foods are not only easier, but cheaper. The cost of a cheesburger and french fries is marginal and can be purchased in a matter of miutes, compaired to the time and cost of a sit-down meal prepared at home...
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...Childhood Obesity Debbie Daniels ENG 122 English Composition II Paul Wiltz August 20, 2012 As defined by the American Association of Pediatrics, “Obesity is an excess percentage of body weight due to fat that puts people at risk for many health problems. In children older than two years of age, obesity is assessed by a measure called the Body Mass Index (BMI).” (Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Overweight and Obesity, About Childhood Obesity, aap.org) It seems as though childhood obesity is very common in today’s society. The increase in obesity has occurred since 1976-1980. “Among preschool children aged 2-5, obesity increased from 5.0% to 10.4% between 1976-1980 and 2007-2008 and from 6.5% to 19.6% among those aged 6-11. Among adolescents aged 12-19, obesity increased from 5.0% to 18.1% during the same period” (Ogden, Cynthia, Ph.D., and Carroll, Margaret, MSPH, Division of Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, Prevalence of Obesity Among Children and Adolescents: United States, Trends 1963-1965 Through 2007-2008, cdc.gov 2010). Being overweight as a child will result in health concerns that carry over into adulthood. We all know that it is important to eat healthy well-balanced meals that provide the vitamins and minerals needed for our bodies. This paper will argue that childhood obesity does not revolve around fast food restaurants, but the responsibility of the child’s parents to initiate healthy eating habits and regular exercise. There are many causes of obesity...
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