Childhood Obesity: Who's to Blame? Essay Example
Childhood Obesity: Who’s to Blame?
In the article “The Battle Against Fast Food Begins in the Home,” Daniel Weintraub argues that it is the parents, not anybody else, who are responsible for teaching kids healthy eating and exercise habits. He also states that, “It’s the fault of the parents who let their kids eat unhealthy foods and sit in front of the television or computer for hours at a time.” His argument that parents are to blame for childhood obesity is correct to a certain extent but he fails to realize that fast food company’s marketing and advertising to young children also plays a big part in the problem. Parents are naturally responsible for their kids eating habits. They have a huge impact on whether their kids want to eat healthy or unhealthy, or whether they want to watch TV or get up and go exercise. Obesity may not seem to be such a big deal as a young child, but it will become a problem as a young adult. Personally, I think parents are to blame because they have a choice. They can either cook a nice healthy meal for their children or they can just go out and buy something from a fast food restaurant because it’s quicker and easier. As a child, this was never a problem for me because, when needed, my parents were always able to cook at home for me and we would only go out to eat once in a while or on special occasions. This has really had a positive impact on my health and my life today. My parents also did the best they could to keep the junk food and sweets out of the house. Having something that may not be so healthy was okay, here and there, considering my brother and I were involved in sports at a very young age. Some claim that they can’t be there 24/7 to cook nutritious meals for their children all the time, but here’s why they are wrong. We all know eating less fast food and other unhealthy foods will lead to a healthier lifestyle, but it doesn’t stop there. Eating healthy is just a start. Developing healthy exercise habits is just
In the article “The Battle Against Fast Food Begins in the Home,” Daniel Weintraub argues that it is the parents, not anybody else, who are responsible for teaching kids healthy eating and exercise habits. He also states that, “It’s the fault of the parents who let their kids eat unhealthy foods and sit in front of the television or computer for hours at a time.” His argument that parents are to blame for childhood obesity is correct to a certain extent but he fails to realize that fast food company’s marketing and advertising to young children also plays a big part in the problem. Parents are naturally responsible for their kids eating habits. They have a huge impact on whether their kids want to eat healthy or unhealthy, or whether they want to watch TV or get up and go exercise. Obesity may not seem to be such a big deal as a young child, but it will become a problem as a young adult. Personally, I think parents are to blame because they have a choice. They can either cook a nice healthy meal for their children or they can just go out and buy something from a fast food restaurant because it’s quicker and easier. As a child, this was never a problem for me because, when needed, my parents were always able to cook at home for me and we would only go out to eat once in a while or on special occasions. This has really had a positive impact on my health and my life today. My parents also did the best they could to keep the junk food and sweets out of the house. Having something that may not be so healthy was okay, here and there, considering my brother and I were involved in sports at a very young age. Some claim that they can’t be there 24/7 to cook nutritious meals for their children all the time, but here’s why they are wrong. We all know eating less fast food and other unhealthy foods will lead to a healthier lifestyle, but it doesn’t stop there. Eating healthy is just a start. Developing healthy exercise habits is just