Childhood Obesity: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention
Childhood obesity is an epidemic that is spreading rapidly, especially in the United States. Obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of over thirty. Oftentimes it is confused with being overweight, which is a BMI greater than or equal to twenty-five. BMI is a fallible measurement of obesity, though. Skinfold thickness tests, evaluation of diet, family history, and physical fitness examinations should be used to supplement body mass index results. Children become obese for a variety of different reasons, but no matter the reason, obesity has the potential to be very dangerous. There are programs in place to assist with treating and preventing childhood obesity, but these programs …show more content…
Physical effects of childhood obesity are hypertension, increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, increased risk of colon cancer, increased risk of adult obesity, and many other adverse effects (Dietz). These conditions have the potential to become lethal. In the article, “Childhood Obesity: Risk Factors, Health Effects, and Prevention”, the prevalence of this disease is shown, “According to the World Health Organization, being overweight or obese affects one in ten children worldwide” (Segel). Childhood obesity does not discriminate; it can affect anybody. Nonetheless, there are some underlying risk factors such as socioeconomic status, gender, race, and genetic predispositions. However, the most prominent causes are a lack of physical exercise and poor diet. The physical effects that childhood obesity may have can be attributed, in part, to lack of physical education and a low-nutrition diet in schools and at home. Physical education is arduous demand for schools to meet, because they have to dedicate time to other subjects as well. There is also many other distractions that waste time that could be spent on physical activity, such as video games and television. Some parents attempt to assist children in reaching an adequate level of physical activity by encouraging participation in team and individual sports, and by mediating exercise-oriented family …show more content…
If it can be prevented, the child will have a better quality of life and be at less risk for certain diseases. Per standard health statistics, “The World Health Organization recommends that children get at least sixty minutes of moderate or vigorous aerobic activity per day” (Segel). Aerobic activities in include running, swimming, dancing, and many more activities that can be integrated into a curriculum. However, a majority of schools do not have the budget or the means to meet this standard. Outside of school, children must make time for eating, homework, chores, and other activities. Busier lifestyles of both the parent and the child make finding time for family-oriented physical activity difficult. School sports can be alternate pathway to empower children into increasing physical activity, as well as teach comradery. Additionally, nutritional health is paramount to prevention of childhood obesity. Children’s diet should be a balance of fruits, vegetables, proteins, grains, and dairy. There are many websites that can provide accurate information about the amount of food an individual should consume, such as MyPlate.gov. MyPlate can create personalized nutritional plans, based on current body weight and amount of physical activity. Socioeconomic class may make it more strenuous for parents to provide adequate amounts of nutrient-dense foods. This is where school lunch programs can provide for the
Childhood obesity is an epidemic that is spreading rapidly, especially in the United States. Obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of over thirty. Oftentimes it is confused with being overweight, which is a BMI greater than or equal to twenty-five. BMI is a fallible measurement of obesity, though. Skinfold thickness tests, evaluation of diet, family history, and physical fitness examinations should be used to supplement body mass index results. Children become obese for a variety of different reasons, but no matter the reason, obesity has the potential to be very dangerous. There are programs in place to assist with treating and preventing childhood obesity, but these programs …show more content…
Physical effects of childhood obesity are hypertension, increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, increased risk of colon cancer, increased risk of adult obesity, and many other adverse effects (Dietz). These conditions have the potential to become lethal. In the article, “Childhood Obesity: Risk Factors, Health Effects, and Prevention”, the prevalence of this disease is shown, “According to the World Health Organization, being overweight or obese affects one in ten children worldwide” (Segel). Childhood obesity does not discriminate; it can affect anybody. Nonetheless, there are some underlying risk factors such as socioeconomic status, gender, race, and genetic predispositions. However, the most prominent causes are a lack of physical exercise and poor diet. The physical effects that childhood obesity may have can be attributed, in part, to lack of physical education and a low-nutrition diet in schools and at home. Physical education is arduous demand for schools to meet, because they have to dedicate time to other subjects as well. There is also many other distractions that waste time that could be spent on physical activity, such as video games and television. Some parents attempt to assist children in reaching an adequate level of physical activity by encouraging participation in team and individual sports, and by mediating exercise-oriented family …show more content…
If it can be prevented, the child will have a better quality of life and be at less risk for certain diseases. Per standard health statistics, “The World Health Organization recommends that children get at least sixty minutes of moderate or vigorous aerobic activity per day” (Segel). Aerobic activities in include running, swimming, dancing, and many more activities that can be integrated into a curriculum. However, a majority of schools do not have the budget or the means to meet this standard. Outside of school, children must make time for eating, homework, chores, and other activities. Busier lifestyles of both the parent and the child make finding time for family-oriented physical activity difficult. School sports can be alternate pathway to empower children into increasing physical activity, as well as teach comradery. Additionally, nutritional health is paramount to prevention of childhood obesity. Children’s diet should be a balance of fruits, vegetables, proteins, grains, and dairy. There are many websites that can provide accurate information about the amount of food an individual should consume, such as MyPlate.gov. MyPlate can create personalized nutritional plans, based on current body weight and amount of physical activity. Socioeconomic class may make it more strenuous for parents to provide adequate amounts of nutrient-dense foods. This is where school lunch programs can provide for the