Child Obesity

Child Obesity
Nowadays, many of people still believe that childhood obesity happens to the only limited numbers of children.   However, it is not such a little problem, as it becomes serious problem everywhere in the United States.   Today, many parents spend more time at their work instead of having time with their children at home.   Also, children spend more time inside their home instead of playing outside.   However, children spend many hours at school so more responsibility should be placed on the American school system to help combat the problem of childhood obesity.  
What is child obesity? Obesity means “having too much body fat.  A child is obese if their weight is more than 20% higher than the ideal weight for a boy or girl of their age and height” (“Obesity”).   In recent decades, there has been a significant increase in child overweight and obesity prevalence rates in the United States.   According to the 1999-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination survey, “16 percent of children age 6-19 years are overweight … [N]ot only have the rates of overweight increased, but also the heaviest children in a recent NHANES survey were markedly heavier than those in previous surveys” (“Childhood”).   Also, the survey showed that there has been tremendous increase in childhood obesity statistics in the United States.   “In 2008, only one state (Colorado) had a prevalence of obesity less than 20%. Thirty-two states had prevalence equal to or greater than 25%; six of these states (Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia) had a prevalence of obesity equal to or greater than 30%” (ibid).   Childhood obesity and overweight increased rapidly and cause serious problems so everyone must be aware of the gravity of child obesity.  
Child obesity is not just a weight problem. It causes serious health problems.   Obesity research scientists are studying effects of obesity on children.   There are many effects of child obesity such as heart... [continues]

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