Childhood Obesity In America Essay
According to the CDC, “The percentage of children who are overweight has more than doubled, while rates among adolescents have more than tripled since 1980.” (Wechsler, 2004). Childhood obesity in America is becoming an increasingly severe problem. Conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and depression are becoming more prevalent as a result of obesity. The childhood obesity pandemic in America can be traced to several causes, however, topping the list is public school systems and their inability to provide quality nutritional and physical education for their students. Intense focus on standardized tests has placed less emphasis on the broader view of a healthy mind and body (Story, 2008) Childhood obesity is caused by the following
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Factors such as unhealthy food choices on school campuses, lack of physical activities in schools, and inadequate health education for America’s youth are the main causes of childhood obesity in America. Although public schools could have a large impact on creating a healthier generation of children, many more accomplishments would have to occur in order to see a complete reformation. Firstly, the American culture would have to be completely revolutionized. Supersized meals and poor exercise habits would have to be abolished in order to see drastic changes. Secondly, parents would have to embrace the health and fitness ideals their children are being taught at school. Healthy, nutritious meals and exercise patterns could not stop once school is dismissed. Parents would have to adopt these principles and implement them into their homes. Finally, legislation would have to be passed that integrates health education and physical fitness classes as core subjects. These specific changes would create bright children that are eager to learn. Also, healthy minds and bodies would allow children to reach their full potential academically, socially, and physically. As John F. Kennedy once said, “Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual
Factors such as unhealthy food choices on school campuses, lack of physical activities in schools, and inadequate health education for America’s youth are the main causes of childhood obesity in America. Although public schools could have a large impact on creating a healthier generation of children, many more accomplishments would have to occur in order to see a complete reformation. Firstly, the American culture would have to be completely revolutionized. Supersized meals and poor exercise habits would have to be abolished in order to see drastic changes. Secondly, parents would have to embrace the health and fitness ideals their children are being taught at school. Healthy, nutritious meals and exercise patterns could not stop once school is dismissed. Parents would have to adopt these principles and implement them into their homes. Finally, legislation would have to be passed that integrates health education and physical fitness classes as core subjects. These specific changes would create bright children that are eager to learn. Also, healthy minds and bodies would allow children to reach their full potential academically, socially, and physically. As John F. Kennedy once said, “Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual