Essay On Childhood Obesity In America

Children Obesity in America Over the past few decades’ children obesity rates in America have tripled. Approximately one in three children in America is overweight or obese (Obesity by the number). Childhood obesity has increased drastically gaining the attention of health care professionals and parents ().The main concerned is that childhood obesity will then lead to adult obesity causing serious health problems. Childhood Obesity is a devastating epidemic happening in children today. Obesity is defined as excessive accumulation and storage of fat in the body (Obesity Information). Obesity is measured by body mass index (BMI) a common scientific way to screen whether a person is underweight, normal, overweight, or obese (Cause and symptoms). Due to the physical changes that occur during growth and development of the child, the BMI is measured by their height, weight and gender. How did we get here? The …show more content…
First, off it can lead to serious health problems such as, heart disease, type II diabetes, and high cholesterol. In ages 5 to 17, 60 percent of obese children had at least one CVD (Cardiovascular disease) risk factor (Health consequences). These types of health problems that used to only affect adults are now affecting children at such a young age and could be the first generation to live shorter lives than their parents. Lastly, Childhood obesity can have a social and psychological toll on their life. Overweight children are more likely to have depression and low self-esteem. It can also be hard on them to make friends and easier to get teased on or bullied at some point in their childhood life. “ Negative feelings can interface with academic performance and other aspect of their personal life”( Davis.) That is devastating a child who cannot live their life to their full potential because of serious health complications, or cannot enjoy their childhood without feeling insure within