The Effects Of Obesity On American Children : Causes, Effects, And Prevention

Curbing Obesity in American Children: Causes, Effects, and Prevention The average classroom looks much different than it did thirty years ago; in that time, the number of American children considered obese has more than doubled in children and quadrupled among adolescents (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015). This incredible rate of growth is alarming, as overweight children run a higher risk of developing elevated blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease depression, and numerous other health conditions (Mahmood, 2015, p.8). The United States could then be said to be in the midst of a health crisis, but while genetic conditions do exist that can play a role in obesity, the majority of these cases are preventable. As a result, effort needs to be directed towards establishing educational programs for parents, teachers, and students alike that outline proper eating habits as well as potential side effects of failure to adhere to a nutritious diet. A person is considered obese if they have a body mass index (BMI) in excess of 30 (Mahmood, 2015, p.6). Given that the body mass index chart is not 100 percent accurate, health care providers measure waist circumference and complete a triceps skinfold test, to facilitate a program specific to that patient’s needs. Provided that, there are so many different perspectives in regards to obesity, it is evident that people do not have a clear understanding of what it is. Therefore validating, the need for higher-quality