Childhood Obesity Research Paper

In the United States, childhood obesity is not just a minor problem it is an epidemic. The primary reason children are obese in America is due to the consumption of high calorie food from fast food restaurants. Throughout this research paper I will be discussing the percentage of obese children, how much fast food they consume and different racial ethnicities and socio economic status. Children are to be considered obese if they have a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to the 95th percentile for their age. Obesity is also more common with children who do not exercise regularly and it can cause different types of illnesses such as diabetes. Approximately 17% (or 12.7 million) of children and adolescents aged two to nineteen years are obese. In 2011-2012, 8.4% of …show more content…
For example they did a study in Genesee County, Michigan were people who lived close to fast food restaurants had a higher BMI (Body Mass Index) and low fruit and vegetable consumption than those that lived further away to fast food. Kruger stated that, “Individuals living in close proximity to fast-food restaurants had higher BMIs… and lower fruit and vegetable consumption.” Kruger also said, “Individuals may be at greater risk for adverse consequences of poor nutrition because of the patterns in local food availability. “ The report suggests that if they were not so many fast food restaurants on every street corner our health would be better, or if the fast food restaurants started serving healthy meals on the menu, that this could change the way people eat fast food. This article can help with my research because since fast food is at our finger tips to most people, it is easier to go and get a dollar cheeseburger than to go and make a salad or get a salad from a fast food restaurant. Although this article does not mention children, it lays out the basic fundamentals on just how much fast food people