Childhood_Obesity

Childhood Obesity - Cause and Effect Childhood obesity is becoming a significant problem in the United States. The percentage of children with obesity has tripled over the past 30 years. According to a study performed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2008, more than one-third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, June 2012). Overweight children are more susceptible to becoming overweight adults placing them at risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease or diabetes. Lack of physical activity and bad eating habits continue as the main reasons of the increasing problem of obesity in children. Much of the blame is placed on the education system; however, the blame should fall onto the shoulders of the parent or the guardian of the children. Childhood obesity stems from the imbalance of calories ingested versus the calories used. Typically, obesity occurs when a child does not use the calories consumed through energy activities (Karnik & Kanekar, 2012). As a child is developing through the adolescent years, patterns and habits form. These patterns and habits prepare a child for adulthood. Children who fall into a cycle of inactivity and bad eating habits will continue to do the same into their adult years. It is imperative that the parent or guardian pay close attention to the warning signs signaling the patterns and habits leading to obesity. Lack of physical activity is the leading reason for the obesity problem. As a child, I recall not staying inside our home during daylight hours. Children were playing up and down our street, pickup baseball games were a normal occurrence and not one person wanted to go home when the street lights began to illuminate the neighborhood. In recent times with the advent of the video game, children are apt to sit in front of the television set during the daylight hours instead of playing outside. The National Football League has recognized the magnitude of this problem and created a program to aid in the fight against childhood obesity – NFL Play 60. The program encourages children to get at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. According to "Play 60" (2012), “Our players recognize the value of staying healthy and it's important that young fans also understand the benefits of exercise. NFL PLAY 60 is a significant tool in ensuring children get their necessary, daily physical activity.” The diet of a child contributes to the problem of obesity. As mentioned earlier, in today’s world, children are prone to sit in front of the television set than play outside. The television is a powerful tool. Not only can it educate and stimulate a young mind, it can also lead a child astray. Advertising campaigns on television contain powerful messages aimed toward the younger generation. The bulk of all advertising on television comes in the form of sensationalism. Companies spend millions of dollars on research and with the results, know exactly when children are in front of the television. Food products marketed by the advertisers include fast food, candy, and soda. The aforementioned products contain high calories with no nutritional value. Again, patterns and habits formed during the adolescent years continue into the adult years. Obesity leads to health issues and large hospital bills. Overweight and obese children continue to be at risk of heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, arthritis, and bone/joint problems. Costs associated with obesity among children and adolescents continue to rise. In a study conducted by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, an estimated $237 million dollars was spent from 2004-2006 on hospital costs associated with obesity, up from $127 million during 2001-2003 (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2009). Assessing blame appears as a common thread between the education system and parents. Demands on adults through careers and extracurricular activities pave the way for a child’s unsupervised activities, increasing the chances of obesity. Education systems play a vital role in a child’s development; however, the parent or guardian must accept the responsibility and educate his or her child on the dangers of obesity.