Obesity

Parents Are To Blame for Childhood Obesity Childhood obesity has become a growing problem in America. Although there are many contributing factors to overweight children, parents are usually to blame. The parents of children are the ones who provide food for them, so they have direct control of what their child is consuming. They are the ones who need to make sure their child maintains a healthy weight by eating right and taking part in physical activity.
Obesity occurs when a person eats more calories than the body burns up. In most cases, a child is not considered obese until the weight is at least ten percent higher than what is recommended for the height and body type. Although certain medical disorders can cause obesity, most cases of obesity in children are caused by physical problems. Childhood obesity can lead to lifelong obesity. Although weight problems may run in a family, it is not hereditary. Children are not born obese. A child’s weight can be monitored and controlled by their parents. If a child is obese, I blame the parents. Children are young and impressionable. They eat what is provided in their home and exercise only based on what they are encouraged to do. If parents don’t encourage healthy eating and frequent physical activity, their children are most likely to be overweight or even obese. Several factors have led to the increase in childhood obesity. Most households in the United States are either led by two working parents or a single mother. Families are busy and time is an issue, so parents often turn to fast food or other quick and unhealthy meal choices. The parents themselves even eat unhealthy which sets a bad example for the children. The home environment can greatly influence a child’s eating behaviors. Parents should serve as role models for the children’s eating habits and participation in physical activity. Overweight children are more likely to later develop health problems such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and