Abstract
Childhood obesity is a serious social problem that we face. We are responsible for teaching our children acceptable behaviors to interact with the world as well as to direct their own lives. When we do not teach our children the appropriate skills, they are unable to make healthy, safe choices for themselves. The key to combating this social issues lies in teaching our children at an early age the importance of good eating habits, then following that message up with our actions by showing them what good habits are and practicing them.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), there has been a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States in the past 20 years. “In …show more content…
For example, almost every summer night as kids we would go outside after supper and play games with the neighborhood kids. We played and ran until our mothers called us in for bed. Now, however, families have to worry about their children’s safety so they don’t let them go outside alone or the children would prefer to stay in the house and play computer or video games. It is not surprising, then that children and teens are overweight and obese.
Perhaps it is the times that we live in that has the greatest influence on us and our children. We need to take the time to recognize this difference from when we were kids and make a concerted effort to help our children learn good eating and exercise habits.
References
1. Who Is At Risk for Overweight and Obesity?; US Department of Health and Human Resources; retrieved from http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/obe/obe_whoisatrisk.html[->0] ; August 3, 2009
2. Let Them Eat Fat: The Heavy Truths About American Obesity; Critser, G.: Crossroads, Readings in Social Problems; Tiemann, K. (Ed); Pearson Custom Publishing, 501 Boylston St., Suite 90, Boston, MA 02116
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