Obesity In Children Research Paper

Child obesity has been steady on the rise. Is it child obesity or a form of child abuse? There are instances that children become overweight due to health issues, medicines, or genetics. However, more often than not parents are a major contributing factor. Society is in such a rush to get things done in our hectic lives that we tend to shove our kids in front of the television with a fast food, sugary sodas, and fattening snacks. Considering the side effects of obesity, are we being abusive by contributing or even encouraging this kind of eating habit? Statistics show that excessive weight in children and youth is linked to earlier as well as higher death rates when a child reaches adulthood. Former Surgeon General Richard Carmona
So when a child starts to show signs of obesity we are obligated to seek medical advice and follow any suggestions, diets, or exercise regiments. Obesity isn't something that has just popped up it is old news. When these suggestions are blatantly ignored, it is then that it becomes abuse. In 2008, the Child Welfare League of America reported that many state courts have expanded their definition of medical neglect to include morbid obesity and then ruled that certain children were victims of neglect because of their
Diabetes is a very serious disease. Sometimes children are born with it however; it can be brought on by poor diet and lack of exercise. This means that they will have to prick their finger several times a day to record blood sugar levels. It can lead to the use of Insulin daily just to control it. Diabetes alone has its own side effects exhaustion, poor concentration, amputation, vision loss, gum disease, and kidney failure. How can we know this and not call it abuse. We are guilty more often than not of allowing a child to sit in front of a television, computer, or game system for extended periods of time instead of encouraging more active pass time. We have to take a stand against these bad habits that we created in today’s youth. One way to help is by enrolling them in a sport; take them skating, ride bikes as a family. “It’s certainly easier to start preventing childhood obesity very early on,” said Gillman. “It may be more difficult as kids get older, but we do need to continue making changes throughout their