Childhood Obesity, an Epidemic
Have you ever wondered why there are so many overweight kids? Milwaukee and all other cities across the United States are dealing with childhood obesity. Childhood obesity has nearly tripled across the United States in the last 30 years (WISN), making it an epidemic (Sawyer). We have to ask ourselves why our children are becoming obese. Are they not getting the exercise that they need? Are parents becoming too busy to make healthy meals for their children? Has this new society of electronics caused our kids to become sedentary and disinterested with physical activities? Childhood obesity is a serious issue that needs to be taken care of immediately; we adults can’t let these innocent children hurt themselves any longer.
Childhood obesity is when the child has an excess of body fat. This excess of fat directly affects the health and well being of a child. To measure how much body fat one has, you use an instrument that indicates the amount of body mass index (BMI) a person has. If someone has a BMI over 30 they are considered obese. If the number is too high for a certain height and weight a person is considered over weight or worse obese. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), says that 17 percent of children and adolescents, ages 2-19 are considered obese (Childhood Overweight and Obesity). The CDC says children that are overweight before eight years of age have an increase risk of having a more severe obesity as adults.
There are many causes of childhood obesity. The main cause is because people eat more calories than they burn (Causes and Consequences). Some say children are becoming too sedentary. They enjoy playing video games, watching T.V. and playing on the computer. All these activities don’t increase heart rate, which don’t burn many calories. These children on a regular basis need to become more proactive and get a move on it, literally. They could go for walks, ride a bike to a... [continues]
Have you ever wondered why there are so many overweight kids? Milwaukee and all other cities across the United States are dealing with childhood obesity. Childhood obesity has nearly tripled across the United States in the last 30 years (WISN), making it an epidemic (Sawyer). We have to ask ourselves why our children are becoming obese. Are they not getting the exercise that they need? Are parents becoming too busy to make healthy meals for their children? Has this new society of electronics caused our kids to become sedentary and disinterested with physical activities? Childhood obesity is a serious issue that needs to be taken care of immediately; we adults can’t let these innocent children hurt themselves any longer.
Childhood obesity is when the child has an excess of body fat. This excess of fat directly affects the health and well being of a child. To measure how much body fat one has, you use an instrument that indicates the amount of body mass index (BMI) a person has. If someone has a BMI over 30 they are considered obese. If the number is too high for a certain height and weight a person is considered over weight or worse obese. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), says that 17 percent of children and adolescents, ages 2-19 are considered obese (Childhood Overweight and Obesity). The CDC says children that are overweight before eight years of age have an increase risk of having a more severe obesity as adults.
There are many causes of childhood obesity. The main cause is because people eat more calories than they burn (Causes and Consequences). Some say children are becoming too sedentary. They enjoy playing video games, watching T.V. and playing on the computer. All these activities don’t increase heart rate, which don’t burn many calories. These children on a regular basis need to become more proactive and get a move on it, literally. They could go for walks, ride a bike to a... [continues]
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