Research Paper

Childhood Obesity
Eric Poradish
December 5, 2011
Matthew Minicucci
Eng 122 
Youths today are facing more issues then they have in the past.   Drugs and Alcohol were two of the biggest issues that have been problems for adolescents for years.   In the past 10 years another issue has risen to become just as big of a problem if not bigger.   This issue is obesity. Obesity is causing long term health conditions physically and socially. What are the causes and effects of obesity in children?
Approximately 17 percent of children from ages two to 19 are classified as obese in the United States, and it seems the number of obese children seem to be getting higher every year.   The Center for Disease states the number of obese children has tripled since 1963.   (www.cdc.gov)   With more and more children being obese health risks are also on the rise such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and elevated blood cholesterol levels.   When children have these types of medical conditions health cost for parents, insurance companies and state funded medical assistance is much greater.   It is estimated that $3 billion per year in direct medical cost accrue for childhood obesity.   (www.reboot.fcc.gov)
Genetics is not the only role that is played into having obese children.   In past generations children were outside playing, helping around the house or being more active than the current generation.     The current generation of children is living with technologies that pull them inside causing them to be stationary.   Television, computers and video games are the biggest cause of having children stationary and not active.   There is a study that suggests for each hour a child is playing video games or watching television it could double their risk of obesity. (www.children.webmd.com)   There are video companies that are making children to become active while still playing however this type of games still does not compare to playing outside getting their heart rate up and... [continues]

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