One out of three children in the United States is considered obese. Obesity can be calculated by determining your body mass index or weight-for-length measurement. A body mass index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile is considered obese for children ages two to nineteen. (Kids Health) Obesity is alarmingly now the number one health concern of parents, surpassing drug abuse and smoking. Childhood obesity can be attributed to many things, but three main factors account for the majority of this health issue. These factors include the diminishing access to physical activity, widespread use of technology, and consumption of fast food.
First, schools continue to take away physical activity, as initiatives such as “No Child Left Behind” and “Race to the Top” federal programs supersede physical activity. Not long ago, parents sent children outside to play until lunch and then dinner. Now parents fear for the safety of their children playing outside without parental …show more content…
Most of what children eat has become whatever is the quickest and easiest. While incomes have dropped and both parents have had to work to maintain their income, children have been the biggest loser. Many fast food restaurants entice children with “happy meals” and the “dollar menu” while foregoing the responsibility of providing nutritious meals at a nominal price. In addition to enticing children and parents with fun and cheap meals, the added lure of more for less and the ability to “supersize” has become a contributing factor to the epidemic of obesity. The new federal lunch programs, while trying to make meals more nutritious, have fallen short because children have not been exposed to these types of foods and do not have a palate for them leading to a lot of food waste. Many children will skip the school lunch and wait until after school to eat an unhealthy snack or pick up fast food for
First, schools continue to take away physical activity, as initiatives such as “No Child Left Behind” and “Race to the Top” federal programs supersede physical activity. Not long ago, parents sent children outside to play until lunch and then dinner. Now parents fear for the safety of their children playing outside without parental …show more content…
Most of what children eat has become whatever is the quickest and easiest. While incomes have dropped and both parents have had to work to maintain their income, children have been the biggest loser. Many fast food restaurants entice children with “happy meals” and the “dollar menu” while foregoing the responsibility of providing nutritious meals at a nominal price. In addition to enticing children and parents with fun and cheap meals, the added lure of more for less and the ability to “supersize” has become a contributing factor to the epidemic of obesity. The new federal lunch programs, while trying to make meals more nutritious, have fallen short because children have not been exposed to these types of foods and do not have a palate for them leading to a lot of food waste. Many children will skip the school lunch and wait until after school to eat an unhealthy snack or pick up fast food for