Childhood_Obesity_in_America

Childhood Obesity in America Jane Smith GEN 499: General Education Capstone Instructor: CT Rowley May 21, 2012 Childhood Obesity in America There is a growing concern for children in America and obesity. With today’s generation of processed foods, fast food, and technology that keeps kids from being physically active we are seeing an increase of children who are overweight or obese. As a parent of a child who is on the edge of becoming overweight, I have decided to reach this epidemic and find the root of the problem and hopefully a solution. Let’s first look into how we have come to this problem with our children and then we will look at some solutions and ideas to help our children on a path back to a healthy weight. You are what you eat, or so I have been told. If this is true, what are our children' Sugar filled, processed, and high calorie counts are the ingredients in most pre-packaged foods. Of course these are easier to grab and eat than let’s say preparing a healthy fruit salad. With the rise of working mothers came the generation of prepackaged meals like TV dinners and frozen entrees. I am just as guilty as anyone else for preparing these meals and serving them to my children. Have you notice the portion increase when eating out at a restaurant or fast food joint' It seems like over the past couple years what we used to consider a medium size is now the small size and what used to be the large size is now the medium' Children are usually taught to finish what is put on their plate but when you have bigger meals at a restaurant this becomes a problem. Years ago there were no “super-size” or “king-size” options when ordering or buying food. Why do you think that manufactures today think we need so much food' It makes me really start to believe that the scenario from the animated picture “Wall-E” could come true. If you go to the grocery store and walk down the snack isle, or should I say isles, you would be amazed of all the products aimed towards kids with their colorful packaging and familiar cartoon characters on the packages. Let’s face it when we are grocery shopping and your kid is screaming for some sort of snack with their favorite cartoon character on it you are probably going to just say yes to quiet them and you can get on with your shopping in peace. The advertisements aired during your child’s television programs also make these unhealthy snacks appealing and tempting. While we are on the topic of children’s television, can you believe all the channels dedicated to children that air 24 hours a day' When I was growing up we had PBS in the morning, a few cartoons on after school and Saturday morning cartoons. When these shows were not on television we were outside playing. Children need to be using their imagination and being creative instead of sitting in front of the television all day. Computers and video games are also guilty of keeping our kids inactive and not getting enough physical activity. With the technology today games on the computer and through game consoles are so much fun that kids rather live in the virtual world rather than reality. Back in the day you could only take so much playing Pong before it got old, but now games have missions to complete and internet connection so you can play against people across the world. This is the area I believe my own son has fallen victim to this trap of rather playing video games than going outside to play with his friends. So I bet you are wondering how we can reverse this epidemic when there is all this temptation out there to lure children to lead unhealthy lifestyles. First off you can lead by example. If you are always plopped in front of the television or your computer you should unplug for awhile and suggest something active you all can do as a family. Going on a walk, bike ride or even just passing the Frisbee back and forth is a great form of exercise and also is great family bonding time. Second, you are the parent and you are ultimately buying the food that comes into the house or that is ordered while eating out. Cut out the junk food and buy only healthier options and there will be no option to reach for that cookie. I am sure your child will resist at first but when they get hungry enough that piece of fruit in the basket will sure start to look appealing. In our house we have ice cream once a week. I used to have ice cream every night after dinner and the pounds were piling on fast. The whole family looks forward to Friday night when we get to splurge on yummy ice cream. There is no reason that sweets in moderation should be outlawed because once a week is not going to make you fat and also denying yourself is only going to lead to binge eating. When ordering out ask your children what they would like to eat. It just makes common sense to help your child make smarter choices when ordering rather than letting order the double whopper with bacon when they are only 11 years old. Third, if your child’s weight is really a concern for you then you might want to set up an appointment with their pediatrician. Your child’s doctor is going to know what the healthy weight range is for your child’s age and height. The doctor can help suggest how to maintain their weight in a healthy way. No child should ever be put on a diet or be pushed beyond their means to lose the weight. Maintaining a healthy weight for a child is treated much differently than adults. You need to be extremely careful with this subject. Childhood obesity can lead to health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, and asthma later in life. Finally, take a cue from the White House and First Lady Michelle Obama with the Let’s Move campaign. The epidemic of childhood obesity in America has caught the attention of the First Lady and she is ready to help get American kids back on the right path. Today one in three children in America is overweight or obese. The program gives parents information to help foster and support healthier choices for their children. The program also is encouraging schools to provide healthier options during school lunches. Of course the program would not be complete without the motivation to get kids more physically active. Let’s Move needs not only parents to get involved but also elected officials from all levels of government, schools, doctors, and faith based groups to ensure the most success from this program. Of course change is not going to happen overnight but together we can make a difference in our children’s future health and quality of life. In conclusion, you can see the growing concern of American children and obesity. Take a look around next time you are out in public, I am sure you will start to notice the one in three children that are overweight or obese. We need to set better examples for the next generation to follow or the future generation is going to be in bad shape (literally). It is not going to happen overnight but change will come if you set good examples for your children in physical and eating habits. I am sure that everyone could benefit from eating healthier and getting off the couch for a bit of exercise or what I like to think of family bonding and making memories. No child is going to remember that time they watched that same ole cartoon but they will remember the time you took them for a hike and you spotted that cool turtle. References (2011). Retrieved from USA Government website: http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/basics.html A qualitative study of the causes of obesity and how it is measured can be found at this website. This website offers tips to maintain a healthy weight and how to start on a path to reach your ideal weight. You can find out the health risks associated with childhood obesity that can affect a child today and later on in life. Benac, N.. (2010). First lady aims to trim American waist sizes. Canadian Medical Association. Journal, 182(9), E385-6. Retrieved May 7, 2012, from Research Library. (Document ID: 2061822661). The first lady, Michelle Obama, has launched a “Let’s Move” campaign aimed towards children to promote healthy living. She has taken on the American schools, manufactures, parents, politicians, and doctors to take a good look on the statistics of today’s youth and why childhood obesity is becoming an epidemic. Besmartbewell.com. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.besmartbewell.com/childhood-obesity/what-is-it.htm This three minute video tells the story on how today’s generation became obese. Thirty years ago teachers saw maybe one or two students who were obese in school. Today teachers see numerous students who are obese. Children are eating processed foods and spending more time in front of technology then they were even just 10 years ago. Birch, L., & Ventura, A.. (2009). Preventing childhood obesity: what works' International Journal of Obesity, 33(S1), S74-81. Retrieved May 7, 2012, from ProQuest Health and Medical Complete. (Document ID: 1679663471). The rate of childhood obesity has greatly increased since the 1970’s. There have been many programs designed to help fight childhood obesity but few actually have been successful. There is a new multiphase program that is designed to help win the battle of childhood obesity. Gary, J. K. (2010, April 10). Childhood obesity- is it out of control' Retrieved from http://childhood--obesity.blogspot.com/ An online blog maintained by Michael Adams on childhood obesity. The blog offers tips for helping your child maintain a healthy weight. Thoughts and opinions expressed on the causes of childhood obesity.