Childhood Obesity: A Growing Epidemic

Imagine being in a room with a group of children. If we paid close attention, one in the group would likely be overweight. Did we pay attention to that at least one in the group is more than likely overweight? That child in the group is at risk of health problems. Studies now show that the rate of overweight children has tremendously increased to one in five children between the ages of 6 and 16. Childhood obesity has become a growing epidemic with many health risks associated with childhood obesity. Families today, are now spending less time focusing on healthy lifestyle. While unhealthy foods have become more convenient, more effort in healthy eating will help prevent childhood obesity. Eating nutritious foods is vital to a healthy
And today’s busy families have fewer free moments to prepare nutritious, home-cooked meals. From fast food to electronics, quick and easy is the reality for many people in the new millennium”. Children today spend more time with electronics, be it the television, computer, or video game. Before the world became more dependent on these electronics, kids were involved in more outdoor physical activities. Last week while babysitting a two year-old girl, she wanted to run around and play outdoors. It wasn’t convenient at the time, so I whipped out my iPhone and found a cartoon on youtube.com for her to watch. I realized that I too am a culprit that deprived a child of exercise. “The value of physical activity to normal growth and development, including the health and well-being of children and adolescents is undisputed” (Hills, King and Armstrong 2007, p.
This greatly affects academics and creates social and eating disorders, especially in young girls. Boys are more so teased and bullied by their peers, which leads to depression and the risk of substance abuse. For boys and girls, childhood obesity causes behavior and learning problems. Information from the Mayo Clinic website (www.mayoclinic.com/health/childhood-obesity/DS00698/METHOD=print&DSECTION=all) says, “Stress and anxiety also interfere with learning. School-related anxiety can create a vicious cycle in which ever-growing worry fuels ever-declining academic