Vanessa Salazar
Professor Barbara Finch
Writing 95, Essay #3
18 November 2014
Audience: Parents
A Growing Epidemic
What does our future hold in the hands of youth disabled by obesity and related health ailments? “The number of adolescents who are overweight has tripled since 1980 and the prevalence among younger children has more than doubled” (Bishop 1). Today in the United States, a growing epidemic is occurring. The number of obese individuals in the United States has increased dramatically over the years, generally in children. Many fail to address that childhood obesity is a problem. Numerous children are becoming victims of health problems due to the lack of good nutrition and physical activity. America’s children are now widely exposed …show more content…
“Children today spend as much as four and a half hours each day watching television and are influenced by the programming and advertising they see” (Carroll 1). Instead of going outside for walk or going to the park, children seem to be more interested in technology. They would rather be on their cell phones and electronic devices than actually go outside. It is crucial for children to get at least half an hour of physical activity in their schedule every single day, but how is this possible if they cannot even leave their devices for a couple minutes? The problem is that the parents are not enforcing the disciplinary actions that are necessary. The parents of these children should restrict the amount of time that their children put into technology and media. Even though the children might object to the restrictions, it sets an example for them to follow. Children need an example to follow in life and they look up to adults, particularly their parents. In the same way, children can receive the genetics of their parents. This meaning, that a child may have the genetics of obesity. Particularly, childhood obesity can be genetically transferred. It is more common for a child to be obese if both their parents are obese. It is also common for obesity to be genetically transferred if the person’s grandparents and parents are all …show more content…
"Childhood Obesity." U.S Department of Health and Human Services. Aug. 2005. Web. 12 Nov. 2014.
Carroll. "Media and Childhood Obesity." Home., Sep.2008 Web. 8 Nov. 2014.
"Childhood Obesity: Emotional Effects And Sedentary Lifestyles | Mollen Foundation Preventing Childhood Obesity." Mollen Foundation Preventing Childhood Obesity RSS2. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2014.
"Diabetes Complications." American Diabetes Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Nov. 2014.
Feature, R. Morgan GriffinWebMD. "High Cholesterol Risks: Heart Attack and Stroke." WebMD. WebMD, 30 May 2005. Web. 08 Nov. 2014.
Kaneshiro, Neil K., Dr. "Causes and Risks for Obesity - Children: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia." U.S National Library of Medicine. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2014.
“Overweight Among Children and Adolescents 6–19 Years of Age” Infoplease.com. N.p.,n.d. Web. 7
Professor Barbara Finch
Writing 95, Essay #3
18 November 2014
Audience: Parents
A Growing Epidemic
What does our future hold in the hands of youth disabled by obesity and related health ailments? “The number of adolescents who are overweight has tripled since 1980 and the prevalence among younger children has more than doubled” (Bishop 1). Today in the United States, a growing epidemic is occurring. The number of obese individuals in the United States has increased dramatically over the years, generally in children. Many fail to address that childhood obesity is a problem. Numerous children are becoming victims of health problems due to the lack of good nutrition and physical activity. America’s children are now widely exposed …show more content…
“Children today spend as much as four and a half hours each day watching television and are influenced by the programming and advertising they see” (Carroll 1). Instead of going outside for walk or going to the park, children seem to be more interested in technology. They would rather be on their cell phones and electronic devices than actually go outside. It is crucial for children to get at least half an hour of physical activity in their schedule every single day, but how is this possible if they cannot even leave their devices for a couple minutes? The problem is that the parents are not enforcing the disciplinary actions that are necessary. The parents of these children should restrict the amount of time that their children put into technology and media. Even though the children might object to the restrictions, it sets an example for them to follow. Children need an example to follow in life and they look up to adults, particularly their parents. In the same way, children can receive the genetics of their parents. This meaning, that a child may have the genetics of obesity. Particularly, childhood obesity can be genetically transferred. It is more common for a child to be obese if both their parents are obese. It is also common for obesity to be genetically transferred if the person’s grandparents and parents are all …show more content…
"Childhood Obesity." U.S Department of Health and Human Services. Aug. 2005. Web. 12 Nov. 2014.
Carroll. "Media and Childhood Obesity." Home., Sep.2008 Web. 8 Nov. 2014.
"Childhood Obesity: Emotional Effects And Sedentary Lifestyles | Mollen Foundation Preventing Childhood Obesity." Mollen Foundation Preventing Childhood Obesity RSS2. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2014.
"Diabetes Complications." American Diabetes Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Nov. 2014.
Feature, R. Morgan GriffinWebMD. "High Cholesterol Risks: Heart Attack and Stroke." WebMD. WebMD, 30 May 2005. Web. 08 Nov. 2014.
Kaneshiro, Neil K., Dr. "Causes and Risks for Obesity - Children: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia." U.S National Library of Medicine. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2014.
“Overweight Among Children and Adolescents 6–19 Years of Age” Infoplease.com. N.p.,n.d. Web. 7