Childhood obesity is on the rise among American children and has become one of the most prominent health issues of the twenty-first century. Studies published in the Los Angeles Times found that over fifty percent of today’s children are on the path of becoming obese by the time they reach thirty-five (Healy B2). Therefore, it is imperative to present the causes of this obesity epidemic, and to discuss the responsibilities that parents have in order to prevent and resolve childhood obesity. In addition, childhood obesity is defined as a medical condition in which a child is considerably overweight according to their age and height.
This research paper touches on childhood obesity with hopes of saving a child’s life by shedding light on the dangers of obesity and demonstrating ways in which parents can make a difference. For example, obesity prevention is a major health challenge among American children, and if it is not addressed early enough then severe health risks can occur, including death. Although some parents may argue that it can be difficult to make healthier lifestyle modifications, it is to the benefit of their children as studies have found that parents who practice healthy habits are less likely to have overweight children.
Extensive research and sources aid in supporting the debate that childhood obesity is a serious rising issue in America, however with proper education and support from parents, children will acquire greater life expectancies. In order to conduct a solution for childhood obesity, parents must first understand its causes which include lack of physical exercise, unhealthy eating patterns, and environmental factors.
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Childhood obesity has several causes that require attention from parents however, a decrease in physical exercise is one of the factors most prone to obesity. American children fail to meet the daily recommendation of exercise therefore, children are packing on layers of fatty tissue more than ever. According to USA Today, the average child watches twenty-five hours of television per week (Werner 62). As a result, children are spending more time watching television and playing video games rather than going outside and being active. For instance, parks and playgrounds are no longer filled with children as they used to be.
Instead children are playing sports from the comfort of their home in front of a video game console or watching a non-stimulating program in front of a television set. The comfort and accessibility of television has become detrimental to children’s health and in order to conduct a solution, parents must take authority and encourage their children to be active. In addition, crime statistics have increased, and neighborhoods have become unsafe therefore, more children are confined to the inside of their homes.
As a result, parents may feel more inclined to pick up their children from place to place rather than allowing them to walk or ride a bicycle without supervision. Unfortunately, not every household is equipped with a backyard thus, limiting opportunities for physical exercise. However, parents may argue that these sedentary activities aid in keeping their children bust and out of their way, or that not everyone had the privilege of having a backyard, especially while residing in a city.
Although some of these arguments may be valid, James Hill, director of the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of Colorado claims, “Without increasing physical activity in the population, we are simply promoting unsustainable levels of food restriction. This strategy hasn’t worked so far and it is not likely to work in the future” (Werner 62). This quote highlights the demand for an increase in physical activity, and those actions begin with parents taking responsibility by restricting television time and by incorporating an exercise program to their child’s day. By attempting these simple yet effective modifications, parents will help their child to improve their cardiovascular conditions, burn more calories, and become one step closer at conducting a solution for childhood obesity.
Additional causes lead to childhood obesity including the inadequacy of a nutritional diet in which parents must become knowledgeable of in order to prevent medical issues, or further complications later on in life. Unhealthy eating patterns such as increase in high fat and sugary foods have proven to be detrimental to a child’s health. As a case in point, American children eat more processed foods and abundant amounts of refined sugars. For example, soda and other soft drinks are packed with refined sugars making it nutritionally worthless, and one of the most harmful food products available in America.
In fact, Walter Willet, head of the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, Massachusetts, told, USA Today, “When we look at overweight and obesity, sodas and sugary beverages stick out like a sore thumb as a cause” (‘Soda Taxes: Should the government impose soda taxes?’). In addition, the convenience of fast-food has become just as harmful to children’s health, and also a contributor to youth obesity. For instance, studies presented in Nations’ Health found that thirty percent of children are consuming fast-food on a daily basis, which results in an increase in sodium, saturated fat, and insulin levels (Krisberg 23).
Moreover, fast-food is high in calories, and is often consumed in excess which is why it is associated with poor nutrition and increased risk of obesity among children. Additionally, children today are exceeding their daily calorie intake and overloading on portion sizes, causing them to become more susceptible to diseases such as type two diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and high cholesterol. Furthermore, parents may claim that they cannot afford to buy organic foods because it is more expensive therefore, it is cheaper to continue buying unhealthy food. On the contrary, children will pay a heavier price for extra pounds as their life will become at risk due to continual unhealthy eating patterns. Also, there are governmental assistance programs available to low-income families where parents are encouraged to buy nutritious food rather than processed foods (‘Food Stamps: Are current restrictions on what Americans can buy with food stamps adequate?’).
In addition, studies published in FoodReview states, “Parental nutrition knowledge is essential for monitoring eating habits of children, identifying high-calorie foods and understanding the long-term risks of obesity” (Variyam 18-22). This quote acknowledges the critical role that parents have in reducing childhood obesity. Moreover, when conducting a solution for youth obesity in the American household, parents should eliminate junk foods, cook home meals, restrict sugary beverages, and limit serving sizes.
Environmental factors have also been attributed to overweight and obese children in which parents should become aware of in order to present an effective solution. For instance, children are exposed to community environments that do not foster healthy habits such as junk food advertisement. Children are surrounded by junk food ads on billboards, television screens, transportation, and the internet. Food advertisement has caused a devasting effect on children’s health and not enough advertisements promote healthy eating.
In fact, research published in the Chicago Tribune mentions, “Children eight to twelve years old are exposed to an average of twenty-one television food advertisements each day, commercials that predominantly push candy, snacks and other unhealthy foods contributing to childhood obesity” (Hedges 2007) For these reasons, it is encouraged by health experts to enhance childhood environments by incorporating physical activity and promoting balanced diets. However, Parents may argue that they don’t have the time to regulate and monitor all aspects of their child’s day, or that they can’t control what the community chooses to advertise.
In order to conduct a solution for childhood obesity, parents must first understand its causes which include lack of physical exercise, unhealthy eating patterns, and environmental factors. With over fifty percent of today’s children overweight, it is imperative to present the causes of this obesity epidemic, and to discuss the responsibilities that parents have such as encouraging physical activity, offering nutritional food choices, and promoting healthier lifestyles for their children.
Extensive research and sources aid in supporting the debate that childhood obesity is a serious rising issue in America; however, with proper education and support from parents, children will acquire greater life expectancies. Parents play a vital role in the prevention of childhood obesity therefore, it is critical that they are aware of the dangers of obesity and take immediate action in all aspects of their children’s well-being. Furthermore, this topic is important as it is an opportunity to call for prompt action from parents, and to put an end to the prevalence of childhood obesity.
Works Cited
- ‘Food Stamps: Are current restrictions on what Americans can buy with food stamps adequate?’ Issues & Controversies, Infobase Learning, 12 July 2010, http://lib-ezproxy.lbcc.edu:2107/recordurl.aspx?ID=2257. Accessed 4 Dec. 2018.
- Healy, Melissa. ‘Reducing Obesity Starts with Mom.’ Los Angeles Times, 08 Jul. 2018, pp. B.2. SIRS Issues Researcher, https://sks.sirs.com.
- Hedges, Stephen J. ‘Study shows Junk Food Advertisements Target Kids.’ Chicago Tribune (Chicago, IL), 28 Mar. 2007. SIRS Issues Researcher, https://sks.sirs.com.
- Khoo, Adrianna. ‘Food for Thought: What Parents can do to Prevent Childhood Obesity.’ Children’s Advocate Newsmagazine, 2001. SIRS Issues Researcher, https://sks.sirs.com.
- Krisberg, Kim. ‘Report Finds no Break in Fast Food Marketing to Kids, Teens.’ Nation’s Health, Jan. 2014, pp. 23. SIRS Issues Researcher, https://sks.sirs.com.
- ‘Obesity Prevalence among Low-Income, Preschool-Aged Children..’ Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Jul. 2009, pp. 769-773. SIRS Government Reporter, https://sks.sirs.com
- ‘Soda Taxes: Should the government impose soda taxes?’ Issues & Controversies, Infobase Learning, 18 Dec. 2009, http://lib-ezproxy.lbcc.edu:2107/recordurl.aspx?ID=2370. Accessed 4 Dec. 2018.
- Variyam, Jayachandran N. ‘Overweight Children: Is Parental Nutrition Knowledge a Factor?’ FoodReview, 2001, pp. 18-22. SIRS Government Reporter, https://sks.sirs.com.
- Werner, Doug. ‘Battling Childhood Obesity.’ USA Today (Farmingdale), Jul. 2017, pp. 62. SIRS Issues Researcher, https://sks.sirs.com.
