Child obesity is a very serious problem and it can become very dangerous, it affects 17% of all children that is triple the rate of just one generation ago child obesity occurs when children have excess body fat in relation to their body index as a result of the adoption of unhealthy eating behavior at an early age, making them clinically unhealthy.
Consumption of unhealthy foods is the primary reason causing obesity in children. Fast food has become the go to the meal in today’s hectic family life. What parents don’t realize is how unhealthy fast food is for their family and how horrible it is to eat on a daily basis. Fast food isn’t only unhealthy for you; it can also cause you to gain weight which can cause obesity. However, some people argue that not necessarily will it affect your weight but that is a matter of individuality, each person’s metabolism works at a different pace but everyone’s health will be affected.
Fast food restaurants make their establishments kids friendly offering children’s attractions and entertainment. Which attracts families to go there so their kids can play and have a good time an also get a fast cheap meal. What they don’t understand is how unhealthy and bad the food is for the kids and themselves. Fast food is loaded with grease, artificial preservatives, and high fructose corn syrup and other things that are very harmful for the body.
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Another cause of child obesity is lack of physical exercise. In the past children enjoyed outdoor activities such as sports, walking, physical exercises, and just being outside in the fresh air. However, technology took over children’s activities with internet, computer game, television, chatting etc.. children have adopted sedentary lifestyles where they spend most of their time using electronic devices. In addition, very few children today walk to school they use public or school transportation, and this also increases their chance of obesity. It’s not that technology is the cause of obesity but the fact is that when kids use their time to play games or watch tv instead of doing physical activity that can lead to obesity.
While children watch tv they are exposed to advertisements of unhealthy food. According to a report in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association in 2008, nine out of 10 food advertisements shown during Saturday morning children’s programming are for low-nutrient foods that are high in fat, sodium and added sugars. (Paula, Elle) When a child see’s these advertisements it makes them demand from their parents to buy these unhealthy foods.
Food and Advertising companies that manufacture junk and fast food claim that advertising foods to children doesn’t lead to child obesity. According to them, obesity in children results due to lack of self-discipline among parents and children. They claim that parents should control their children’s intake of these foods. However, even though there is a smaller consumption of harmful substances they still are unhealthy.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Childhood Obesity
- World Health Organization – Obesity and Overweight
- National Center for Biotechnology Information – Childhood Obesity: Causes and Consequences
- Mayo Clinic – Childhood Obesity
- KidsHealth – Healthy Eating During Childhood
- KidsHealth – Healthy Habits for Kids
