Over the years many have believed junk food to be the main cause of childhood obesity; when in reality it only plays a small part in it. What really plays a major part in the childhood obesity epidemic are school, physical activity, and most importantly family influence. The CDC reports that over 17% of children are obese, and for years many have believed that junk food was the main cause of childhood obesity, but recent studies have found otherwise. Many recent studies have found that junk food only has a small impact on the childhood obesity epidemic. Researchers from Duke analyzed eating patterns in children ages 7, 10, and 13, and found that junk foods only played a small part in a child’s weight gain. At the end of the study they found
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There are many things that can be done to help end childhood obesity; such as an increase in physical activity, a change in school lunches, and a change in food consumption in the home. Physical activity plays a big part in a child’s life. Many kids today spend more time in front of a television than they do outside getting exercise. That is a huge problem, and one of the main reasons why many children re obese. A study done by the YMCA of the USA found that 74% of children ages 5 to 10 didn’t get enough exercise on a daily basis. This could be because of many reason, but often parents and children feel that in order to complete the sixty minutes a day you have to do a vigorous exercise; when in reality you don’t. According to the Federal Occupational Health walking, biking, and jumping rope among other things are all good easy ways for a child to get exercise. Like mentioned previously school lunches are also a contributor in the childhood obesity epidemic. If school would cut back on the processed foods and start using more locally grown products then the percentage of obese children in the United States would essentially decrease. Since 2012 the USDA has implemented new nutrition standards for school meals. It includes adding more fruits and vegetables, more grains, and low-fat dairy products. Even before this new standard had been put in place some school districts already had similar standards, and experienced amazing results. A study from Bridging the Gap found that states who already had regulations on school lunches did see a decline of overweight children within their student population. Meaning that since the USDA has put this regulation in place that in the coming years there should be a decrease in the percentage of overweight children. Sure the USDA has new regulations on school lunches, but if children
There are many things that can be done to help end childhood obesity; such as an increase in physical activity, a change in school lunches, and a change in food consumption in the home. Physical activity plays a big part in a child’s life. Many kids today spend more time in front of a television than they do outside getting exercise. That is a huge problem, and one of the main reasons why many children re obese. A study done by the YMCA of the USA found that 74% of children ages 5 to 10 didn’t get enough exercise on a daily basis. This could be because of many reason, but often parents and children feel that in order to complete the sixty minutes a day you have to do a vigorous exercise; when in reality you don’t. According to the Federal Occupational Health walking, biking, and jumping rope among other things are all good easy ways for a child to get exercise. Like mentioned previously school lunches are also a contributor in the childhood obesity epidemic. If school would cut back on the processed foods and start using more locally grown products then the percentage of obese children in the United States would essentially decrease. Since 2012 the USDA has implemented new nutrition standards for school meals. It includes adding more fruits and vegetables, more grains, and low-fat dairy products. Even before this new standard had been put in place some school districts already had similar standards, and experienced amazing results. A study from Bridging the Gap found that states who already had regulations on school lunches did see a decline of overweight children within their student population. Meaning that since the USDA has put this regulation in place that in the coming years there should be a decrease in the percentage of overweight children. Sure the USDA has new regulations on school lunches, but if children