Melissa Ortiz
Professor Laurenty
English 101
28 November 2015
Parents to Blame for Childhood Obesity
Rosie, an eight year-old girl, is sitting down eating breakfast on a traditional August morning. She ought to be very excited for today because it is the first day of school for her. However, Rosie is quite the opposite. She has tears in her eyes and a troubled expression as she explains to her mother that she does not want the kids at school to treat her the way they did last year. Rosie’s mom tries to comfort her by adding more pancakes to her plate and assuring her that it will not happen again. Nonetheless, Rosie remembers kindergarten and how the other children chose to ignore her because she is “fat.” Rosie is, indeed, an obese child. …show more content…
They brush off the increasing weight gain as “baby fat,” and avoid the reality of the situation. This is seen more specifically when insulting comments are made about the child’s weight. In general, the parents explain that their child has not lost his/her baby weight or they deny seeing any weight gain at all. Additionally, parents will find it acceptable to buy new clothes to fit their child’s growing waistline rather than changing his/her diet. Parents still use traditional practices such as serving larger than needed portions. According to Doctors Anzman, Rollins and Birch, scientists at The Center for Childhood Obesity Research at The Pennsylvania State University, “evidence shows that children eat more when they are served larger portions by the parent” (1120). Recent research by these doctors also reveals “children consumed more calories when served higher energy density meals.” They also state that “chronic consumption of diets high in energy density is positively associated with childhood obesity” (1121). To complicate matters even more, parents pressure the child with rewards if they eat their entire plate, which increases the consumption of unneeded calories. As one can see, these three practices alone create huge …show more content…
In following, parents are also responsible for the child’s weight gain by creating unhealthy eating habits. From birth, it is the parents who make the decision on what to feed their children. The children on the other hand are “dependent on parents to provide food needed to sustain growth and health” (Anzman, Rollins and Birch 1116). Research has proven that “parents’ own food preferences, intake patterns and eating behaviors influence the foods available to young children” (Anzman, Rollins and Birch 1117). In addition, choosing energy-dense foods, such as processed and fried foods, that have high caloric and fat intake per serving make it easy for a child to consume more calories than needed. Dr. Moran explains, “A person gains weight when energy input exceeds energy output.” Unfortunately, research also shows that “current adult diets that most children transition to from infancy are obesogenic” (Anzman, Rollins and Birch 1120). Consider the convenience of fast food chains, which are found on just about every street corner making it easy for parents to stop at one of these restaurants and pick up dinner for the family. While it used to be a treat for a child to eat dinner at a fast food restaurant, it has now become a frequent replacement to a healthy
Professor Laurenty
English 101
28 November 2015
Parents to Blame for Childhood Obesity
Rosie, an eight year-old girl, is sitting down eating breakfast on a traditional August morning. She ought to be very excited for today because it is the first day of school for her. However, Rosie is quite the opposite. She has tears in her eyes and a troubled expression as she explains to her mother that she does not want the kids at school to treat her the way they did last year. Rosie’s mom tries to comfort her by adding more pancakes to her plate and assuring her that it will not happen again. Nonetheless, Rosie remembers kindergarten and how the other children chose to ignore her because she is “fat.” Rosie is, indeed, an obese child. …show more content…
They brush off the increasing weight gain as “baby fat,” and avoid the reality of the situation. This is seen more specifically when insulting comments are made about the child’s weight. In general, the parents explain that their child has not lost his/her baby weight or they deny seeing any weight gain at all. Additionally, parents will find it acceptable to buy new clothes to fit their child’s growing waistline rather than changing his/her diet. Parents still use traditional practices such as serving larger than needed portions. According to Doctors Anzman, Rollins and Birch, scientists at The Center for Childhood Obesity Research at The Pennsylvania State University, “evidence shows that children eat more when they are served larger portions by the parent” (1120). Recent research by these doctors also reveals “children consumed more calories when served higher energy density meals.” They also state that “chronic consumption of diets high in energy density is positively associated with childhood obesity” (1121). To complicate matters even more, parents pressure the child with rewards if they eat their entire plate, which increases the consumption of unneeded calories. As one can see, these three practices alone create huge …show more content…
In following, parents are also responsible for the child’s weight gain by creating unhealthy eating habits. From birth, it is the parents who make the decision on what to feed their children. The children on the other hand are “dependent on parents to provide food needed to sustain growth and health” (Anzman, Rollins and Birch 1116). Research has proven that “parents’ own food preferences, intake patterns and eating behaviors influence the foods available to young children” (Anzman, Rollins and Birch 1117). In addition, choosing energy-dense foods, such as processed and fried foods, that have high caloric and fat intake per serving make it easy for a child to consume more calories than needed. Dr. Moran explains, “A person gains weight when energy input exceeds energy output.” Unfortunately, research also shows that “current adult diets that most children transition to from infancy are obesogenic” (Anzman, Rollins and Birch 1120). Consider the convenience of fast food chains, which are found on just about every street corner making it easy for parents to stop at one of these restaurants and pick up dinner for the family. While it used to be a treat for a child to eat dinner at a fast food restaurant, it has now become a frequent replacement to a healthy