Our children's health also known as Dia-besity
Rebeca Felipe
ENG 122
02/13/2012
Ashley Rutledge
Our children's health also known as Dia-besity
Keeping children healthy and active is hard enough, but it takes the effort of the parent to enforce certain rules that will keep the child from becoming obese. The obesity rate in children is increasing rapidly in the United States and it’s only getting worse. What can a parent do? It is as simple as making time. There are some factors that play into the health of a child and some parents have forgotten it. Obesity is no longer about culture or financial stability; it is about the lack of knowledge and understanding that people have towards health.
Was there ever a time when diabetes was ever mentioned like it is now? What about high blood pressure, high cholesterol? These health issues are more common and rapidly increasing at an alarming rate. According to the centers for disease control, about one third of U.S adults (33.8%) are obese. 17% (12.5 million) of children and adolescents aged two to nineteen years are obese (centers for disease control, 07/2). Since 1985, the rate of obesity has increased dramatically and continues to rise. These staggering numbers are what scare a lot of parents, but is it enough? There are so many things that a person can do to modify their diets and even exercise. The older generation must start to understand that this disease (obesity) is something that affects everyone internally and externally.
Recently, we have heard about children as young as nice attempting to commit suicide. Even with children that are two to three hundred pounds live in silence because the schools cannot provide the equipment to make the heavier child comfortable. Schools are cutting programs like physical education and our children are not getting the exercise that they need. Bullying in school is becoming something that can be very serious. There are children that are always struggling...
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
In his essay “too much of a good thing”, Greg Crister discusses that issue, citing statistics on the frightening increase in the rates of childhood obesity in particular, especially in the industrialized West. He argues that parents can help prevent obesity in their own homes…
- 997 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Are you aware that one out of every five (5) children in the United States considered either overweight or obese (BusinessWeek, 2005)? Alternatively, those on average of one in every three adults are also considered obese (Mayo Clinic, 1998-2009)? Obesity has risen dramatically and at an alarming rate within the past few decades, almost tripling since the 1960’s. An average of 25 to 30% of children are affected by obesity and overweight each year and yet, this condition remains to be under diagnosed and untreated (Moran, 1999). In order to reverse this devastating epidemic one must better understand the causes, affects, and the ways of preventing obesity before it is too late. Obesity can and should be prevented to better the lives of our, children and, ourselves; obesity not only affects ones health but mental and physical well-being as well.…
- 3078 Words
- 13 Pages
Powerful Essays -
I would like to thank you for the excellent work that district U-46 has accomplished over the year in academic results, but there is still more that can be improved. According to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academics (IMNA), “About nine million children over six years are considered obese” (Monghan). Obesity taking over about 20 percent of a person’s body is considered a disease because it is associated with so many health problems, like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, asthma, and etc. Children are starting to get diseases and health problems that have previously been seen in adults such as: type 2 diabetes and asthma. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “Approximately 300,000 deaths a year in this country are currently associated with people being overweight and obesity” (Satcher). Also, “Obesity incidences among American children have dangerously climbed from 5% in the 1980s to 15.3% in 2000” (“Fighting”).…
- 1303 Words
- 6 Pages
Best Essays -
Obesity has a deep impact in the life of a child, physically, and mentally as well. An obese child is at risk of having health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, and strokes as an adult, if he or she is not treated in an early age. An overweight child can be a target for bullying at school, making his or her social life poor, creating anxiety, depression, and lowering their self esteem. The parents play an important role in the life of an obese child. does not matter if the child is obese because a genetic factor, or just because his or her does not have a proper eating habit, the condition it is treatable. Encourage the child to follow a healthy diet, being an example for him or her, and being supportive, are examples of how a parent can be involve in the life of an obese child. Taking obesity in a child seriously, and trying to find ways to improve this condition, are the first steps to a better future in an obese child's…
- 276 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
In today 's society it is so easy to get caught up in the day to day duties of life; people often forget that their eating habits could be the death of them. The children of today are the children of the future, therefore raising them to make healthy eating choices in their childhood could prevent them from becoming part of the 20 percent of children that are obese. Over the past 30 years childhood obesity has more than tripled in the United States. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, obesity in children is one of the easiest medical conditions to recognize but most difficult to treat. Due to a poor diet and lack of exercise children can run the dangerous risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes which go hand and hand with severely overweight children. Kids who are unhappy with their weight may also be more likely to develop eating disorders. Diagnosing and treating overweight and obesity in children as early as possible may reduce the risk of developing serious medical conditions. In the United States alone, over 300,000 deaths each year can be attributed to this disease (American Academy of Child, 2008). In 2005 a study found that children today may lead shorter lives by two to five years than their parents due to obesity (USA Today, 2011). Overweight children are much more likely to become overweight adults unless they adopt and maintain healthier patterns of eating and exercise both at home and in school. Schools are a major cause of child obesity becoming an epidemic and it is time to take a closer look at how childhood obesity and the school system can be directly related. Removing nutrition in school lunches, lack of education toward…
- 2570 Words
- 11 Pages
Best Essays -
America: land of the free and the home of the brave, and recently, the home to a growing waistline. As for any other country, America is prone to an assortment of problems like immigration, debt, or foreign affairs, but one issue that is rather hard to overlook, quite literally, is the obesity epidemic. The extra pounds have become a common sight in America’s society, “men are now on average seventeen pounds heavier than they were in the late seventies, and for women that figure is even higher: nineteen pounds.” (Kolbert). Obesity does not just affect adults in this way either, the child population has been getting bigger as well, according to the numbers on the scale, “the proportion of overweight children, age six to eleven, has more than doubled, while the proportion of overweight adolescents, age twelve to nineteen, has more than tripled.” (Kolbert). This issue has been a major concern to doctors and scientists for decades and in recent years, has even has the American Medical Association recognizing obesity to be a disease (Pollack). That is a highly debatable claim because obesity itself is a preventable lifestyle, avoidable and curable to all (or at least most) of its sufferers. For some of the populaces, obesity is not a choice, rather genetics, but for the majority of the obese population, the extra weight is caused by an unhealthy diet and sluggish lifestyle, and for these certain individuals, through a lot of work and discipline, the return to a healthy lifestyle is not as impossible as it may appear. It is time for America to tip the scales back in the right direction.…
- 2311 Words
- 6 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Child Obesity Everywhere you look there is a fast food joint. In America it’s all about convenience, but convenience has become hazard to our health. When we as adults have unhealthy eating habit, we hurt ourselves and our children. As a parent it’s important to set good eating habits and be active. There are plenty of statistics available that prove child obesity in America is at epidemic levels. One third of the nation’s children carry to much weight. There are lots of reasons why child obesity in America is on the rise. Doctors say there are two causes in creating obese children. First the children and teens are not eating the right kind of foods. Second, America’s children are getting less and less exercise. These two things are creating…
- 290 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Health care organizations in partnership with government agencies admit that the obesity epidemic in America is out of control and requires intervention to address causes for obesity, and solutions to correct this problem. The obesity epidemic in America raises health concerns for citizens suffering from obesity because unhealthy body weight causes other health problems. Health care providers believe that community and environmental factors causes people to eat unhealthy foods, which place those individuals at risk for chronic health conditions. Many people believe that “Obesity is almost always due to a combination of genetic predisposition, lifestyle, and environment” (Arial, Newell, Silvey, & Zlot, 2007, p. 1). Health problems associated with obesity include high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, heart disease, depression, asthma, and high cholesterol. The consequences of obesity lead to chronic health conditions, and premature death, which reduces the quality of life for some obese people. The media, health care providers, and the government awareness actions raise attention to the epidemic by informing the public of obesity problems via television, e-mail, and billboard advertisements. Health care providers offer health/wellness programs to encourage parents to join the battle against childhood obesity, adult obesity. The design of intervention exists to eliminate and resolve problems, however; “The intensity of interventions required to treat obesity is likely to vary among individuals” (Arial, Newell, Silvey, & Zlot, 2007, p. 1).…
- 2298 Words
- 66 Pages
Best Essays -
This shouldn’t come to a surprise to most, that America holds the number one position for obesity. (Wintrup) Not only Americans as a whole but the children. More than one of five children between the ages of 6 and 17 are considered overweight. This is something that needs to change immediately. There are too many health risks at stake for these young children including: diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, and poor academic performance. (Alan) In 2005 a study found that children today may have shorter lives by two to five years than their parents because of obesity. (Palmer) Childhood obesity alone is not the only issue facing children today, although being overly large may prevent the child from living life to the fullest. However, the co-morbidities relating to childhood obesity are the real killers. Hypertension, type 2 diabetes, respiratory ailments, sleep apnea, and depression are just some of the common problems linked directly to obesity in children (Henry). Others…
- 549 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
In the United States today, obesity has become an enormous problem. In the last 3decades, the number of people overweight has increased dramatically. A study done by theCenters of Disease Control showed that since 1980, one third of our adult population has becomeoverweight. America is the richest but also the fattest nation in the world, and our obese backsides are the butt of jokes in every other country (Klein 28). The 1980s were a time whenAmericans suddenly started going crazy over dieting, jumping onto the treadmills, and buying prepackaged non-fat foods. However, while all of that was going on, the number of obeseAmericans began to increase. According to a report in the Journal of the American MedicalAssociation, 58 million people in our country weigh over 20 percent of their body’s ideal weight.The article “Fat Times” states, “If this were about tuberculosis, it would be called an epidemic”(Elmer-Dewit 58). The eating habits of society have steadily become more harmful and havestarted to produce gluttonous children, over-indulgent adults, and a food industry set too muchon satisfying our appetites.Obesity can begin at a very young age. Many children in our society are overweight,setting themselves up for serious health problems later in life. Type 2 diabetes, high bloodcholesterol, high blood pressure, and heart problems are just some of the risks. Children who areoverweight also tend to feel less secure, less happy, and be stressed more than normal weight…
- 2583 Words
- 11 Pages
Good Essays -
Obesity in America is not new and in many cases, obesity tends to strike younger aged children. Obesity among young children often starts from unhealthy eating habits. What parents put on their children’s plate is significant and essential to their health. It is important to develop healthy eating habits when a child is young so that those skills can stick with them throughout their lifetime. Unfortunately, obesity in America is out of hand and the problem is only getting worse. There are health issues associated with obesity such as cancer, heart disease, and even diabetes. It is important to stop the problem while people are young so that these health risks are limited and not life threatening. For many years, schools have been trying to…
- 2002 Words
- 9 Pages
Better Essays -
One in every three children in the United States is overweight or obese. (Solving Obesity 3) Childhood obesity has always been a problem in the United States, and continues to be a factor in the lives of many young children. This happens in many other countries around the world, but tends to be much more prominent inside the United States. The growing obesity in children is posing serious problems to their health, and will affect them for the rest of their lives. This leads to having one third of all children be predicted to develop diabetes in their lifetime. (Solving Obesity 3) This problem could no longer be ignored, it is ruining the lives of americas children and…
- 1099 Words
- 5 Pages
Better Essays -
Obesity in America is on the rise now, with 72-million people contributing to this new “epidemic.” People need to start taking care of their bodies or they could possibly lose their lives to the leading cause of death in America—heart disease. Believe it or not, this epidemic isn’t just effecting the human population. Twenty-five percent of cats and dogs are now heavier than they should be. With excess weight usually comes many kinds of physiological, behavioral, social, environmental and economic problems. Childhood obesity rates have nearly tripled since the 1980’s, and current research shows that almost one-third of children over two years of age are already overweight or obese ("Obesity In America: What 's Driving The Epidemic."). To put a stop to this epidemic, we need a solution that goes far beyond simply eating less. This obesity epidemic is responsible for more than one hundred sixty-thousand additional deaths each year in America now. Currently, 72% of men and 63% of women are overweight (White).…
- 2237 Words
- 9 Pages
Better Essays -
Obesity rates in America have sky rocketed more in the past ten to thirty years, than ever before. On average about thirty six percent of adults age twenty and over are obese (as reported from 2009 to 2010) in the United States. However, the percent of adult’s age twenty and over who are overweight (including those who are obese) is at a (estimated) staggering sixty nine percent. The amount of obese American adults is becoming a huge health concern nationwide, but the amount of Americans in general (specifically children) is at a disturbing, unhealthy, all time high.…
- 940 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
the public schools, the rise in obesity in school aged children can be seen. According to The…
- 1531 Words
- 5 Pages
Better Essays