A rising epidemic that continues to retain its grasp on American youth is that of childhood obesity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have estimated that roughly 18% of children ages 6-11 are obese (cdc.gov, 2015). With nearly a fifth of this entire demographic being overweight, one must wonder what is being done to rectify this problem, and moreover, what can be done going forward to prevent it. From a diet and exercise standpoint, it may seem very cut and dry; that is to say that if children would just eat healthy and exercise properly, this problem would essentially solve itself. However, it is not so simple from a behavioral perspective. Behavioral modification is the key according to Leonard Epstein
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This could potentially help children divulge how they view their own bodies and how to keep their bodies healthy. It is a sense of the mind influencing the physicality of the body. With a growing climate of unhealthy food as a very lucrative business in today’s culture, the odds are not exactly in favor of children that are exposed to this extravagant lifestyle. “The sheer availability and accessibility of unhealthy foods in modern western societies guarantees that difficult self-regulation situations will occur”(De Ridder et. al., 2014, pg. 159). In essence, training children in self- regulating techniques could be the answer; however, this process starts at home. It is contingent upon not only the child, but the family as well. Children would be at odds against the world without a network of support and self- regulation can be reinforced by this support system. Conclusively, there is no definitive answer when it comes to reducing child obesity and maintaining a gradual decrease. The answer lies inside of those who wish to find it through means of distancing themselves cognitively from thoughts and behaviors that are not supportive of it. Childhood obesity, and obesity in general, is not something that will be solved overnight. However, it can be controlled in a manner that will require
This could potentially help children divulge how they view their own bodies and how to keep their bodies healthy. It is a sense of the mind influencing the physicality of the body. With a growing climate of unhealthy food as a very lucrative business in today’s culture, the odds are not exactly in favor of children that are exposed to this extravagant lifestyle. “The sheer availability and accessibility of unhealthy foods in modern western societies guarantees that difficult self-regulation situations will occur”(De Ridder et. al., 2014, pg. 159). In essence, training children in self- regulating techniques could be the answer; however, this process starts at home. It is contingent upon not only the child, but the family as well. Children would be at odds against the world without a network of support and self- regulation can be reinforced by this support system. Conclusively, there is no definitive answer when it comes to reducing child obesity and maintaining a gradual decrease. The answer lies inside of those who wish to find it through means of distancing themselves cognitively from thoughts and behaviors that are not supportive of it. Childhood obesity, and obesity in general, is not something that will be solved overnight. However, it can be controlled in a manner that will require