Argumentative Essay On Childhood Obesity

“I WANT MY TABLET NOW! YOU ARE SO MEAN MAKING ME QUIT PLAYING! GIVE ME MY TABLET” These were the words overheard at a daycare in Missouri. The student who uttered them was 4 years old and had been playing ON the tablet all morning. The teacher wanting the boy to join the other children for circle time was the one who told the boy it was time to put the tablet up, when he refused she took it and placed it onto a bookshelf. As stated by Computer Hope “the word computer was first recorded in 1613, it was used to describe a man who could do calculations or “computations”” (Computer Hope, n.d.). Since then computers have morphed into what we know now as desktops, laptops, iPads and so many other names. These devices can be seen everywhere, almost …show more content…
instead of outside climbing trees or riding their bike. In an article written by Krysteena Stephens M.A, and Victoria Dunckley M.D. “An Overlooked Factor in the Childhood Obesity Epidemic” wrote “In the last 30 years’ childhood obesity, has tripled with 1 in 3 children being considered overweight or obese.” (Dunckley and Stephens, 2013) Even though there a many contributing factors leading to childhood obesity such as larger portion sizes and decrease of nutritional value in foods, another key factor is over usage of iPad or other devices. When playing most electronic devices children are in a sedentary position with the only occasional breaks to use the rest room or get a drink. Stephens and Dunckley also went on to say that “children today spend an average of 8 hours per day on tablets, iPad or other electronics, when the American Association of Pediatrics recommends only 2.” Children have no self-control when they see or do something they like they will continue to do it without thinking of consequences. The over usage they spend on electronic devices is 3x times what is recommended, that children could be spent outside burning calories. This however, is not the only reason electronic devices should be