Obesity In Society

One out of three kids are considered overweight in the United States (Obesity Youth). Today’s society faces many challenges, one of which is childhood obesity. Childhood obesity has become a major epidemic in today’s society. Obesity to an average healthy individual may seem like no big deal, but in reality it is the second leading cause of mortality in the United Sates. Childhood obesity is a problem that needs to be controlled now before it escalates into our future as a society as a whole. This epidemic can be helped by empowering caregivers, providing healthy food in schools, creating access to healthy and affordable food, and increasing physical activity in our lives.
Years ago, obesity was not nearly as prevalent in society. The numbers …show more content…
Carol Merlone the superintendent of Ansonia Public Schools stated that childhood obesity is a public health crisis that is negatively impacting our communities’ children (Yale). The obesity rate for children between ages two and five increased forty-three percent over the past decade (Toporek). Studies show that by the age of six one of five children are overweight (Obesity In). The number of overweight infants almost doubled. Prenatal care plays a role when it comes to a child being obese. The weight of a women while she is pregnant and the amount of weight she gains during her pregnancy can help determine if the baby will be overweight at birth. A choice that parents can make regarding their child’s weight is whether or not the child is breastfed (“Preface”). Children who are breastfed have a reduced risk of being obese. As the child gets older, studies have shown that watching television can become a problem regarding their weight. It has been shown that children who watch more television tend to be heavier than a child who watches minimum to no television. William Dietz is the director of the Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity, at the centers for disease control. He states that almost any other activity exerts more energy than watching television does …show more content…
Being overweight as a child can cause the child to have a high risk of heart problems as they age. As a parent or caregiver, they should care about their child’s health and being overweight is a part of their health. This is a serious problem that parents and caregivers should be aware of and should be trying to prevent in their children. A child being obese can actually reduce life expectancy by eight years (“The Ticker”). Genetics may impact the child’s weight, but there are ways to help the child maintain a healthy weight despite genetic issues. Helping a child maintain a healthy weight when genetics contribute to the issue, makes the issue harder to manage, but is still a manageable