Fighting Childhood Obesity
Final: Fighting Childhood Obesity
Mary E. Mendes
ENG/122
December 3, 2012
Ebony Gibson
Final: Fighting Childhood Obesity
Final Project Draft: Childhood Obesity
Growing up as a child and adolescent in the United States is met with many obstacles including exposure to domestic violence, proper education, lack of proper nutrition and other socioeconomic issues within the family unit. One particular issue that has begun to grow is childhood obesity which can lead to many health and social issues that carry on into adulthood. This epidemic stems partially from genetics but mostly from a combination of things like a lack of tools to educate parents and children on healthier life choices. As this issue reaches a critical point, changes are being set in motion to combat its cause and overall affect. While childhood obesity is not an issue for some parents, they should educate themselves in order to assist their children in making healthier decisions regarding food and physical activity. Making these necessary changes can potentially improve the child’s mental and emotional health and removes certain medical problems later in life resulting in a healthier adult.
According to the Mayo Clinic, obesity is defined as having an excessive amount of body fat over what is considered to be healthy. Determining whether a child is obese is determining what is a normal weight for their height and weight. For children and adolescents, obesity is particularly troublesome not only for their health now and in the future but for their self-esteem in their formative years. Self-esteem is so crucial to the development of a young person’s mind, body and soul. It is what helps them to become well-rounded and contributing members of society.
Children and adolescents have different body types at all stages of development. Just because a child carries a few extra pounds does not mean they are in any danger of becoming obese or having long-term health problems. With certain ages come
Mary E. Mendes
ENG/122
December 3, 2012
Ebony Gibson
Final: Fighting Childhood Obesity
Final Project Draft: Childhood Obesity
Growing up as a child and adolescent in the United States is met with many obstacles including exposure to domestic violence, proper education, lack of proper nutrition and other socioeconomic issues within the family unit. One particular issue that has begun to grow is childhood obesity which can lead to many health and social issues that carry on into adulthood. This epidemic stems partially from genetics but mostly from a combination of things like a lack of tools to educate parents and children on healthier life choices. As this issue reaches a critical point, changes are being set in motion to combat its cause and overall affect. While childhood obesity is not an issue for some parents, they should educate themselves in order to assist their children in making healthier decisions regarding food and physical activity. Making these necessary changes can potentially improve the child’s mental and emotional health and removes certain medical problems later in life resulting in a healthier adult.
According to the Mayo Clinic, obesity is defined as having an excessive amount of body fat over what is considered to be healthy. Determining whether a child is obese is determining what is a normal weight for their height and weight. For children and adolescents, obesity is particularly troublesome not only for their health now and in the future but for their self-esteem in their formative years. Self-esteem is so crucial to the development of a young person’s mind, body and soul. It is what helps them to become well-rounded and contributing members of society.
Children and adolescents have different body types at all stages of development. Just because a child carries a few extra pounds does not mean they are in any danger of becoming obese or having long-term health problems. With certain ages come
References: John, A. M., Charles, J. G., Stephen, R. D., & Wang, P. (2012). Race, childhood insulin, childhood caloric intake, and class 3 obesity at age 24: 14-year prospective study of schoolgirls. Obesity, 20(3), 597-604. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/oby.2011.126 Mooney, B. (2012). Childhood obesity: time to wake up to the facts. World Of Irish Nursing & Midwifery, 20(7), 41-42. Wojcicki, J. M., & Heyman, M. B. (2012). Reducing Childhood Obesity by Eliminating 100% Fruit Juice. American Journal Of Public Health, 102(9), 1630-1633. doi:10.2105/ AJPH. 2012.300719 Willis, T. A., Potrata, B. B., Hunt, C. C., & J. (2012). Training community practitioners to work more effectively with parents to prevent childhood obesity: the impact of HENRY upon Children 's Centres and their staff. Journal Of Human Nutrition & Dietetics, 25(5), 460-468. doi:10.1111/j.1365-277X.2012.01247.x