Childhood Obesity: Causes, Effects and Current Solutions

ein truthwhere the past 30 yrs puerility corpulency has been increasing at an terrible rate. With working p argonnts, technology, and processed foods children ar feeding more(prenominal)(prenominal) and argon less energetic wherefore ever seen in the past. corpulency is hitting youth so touchy that health experts warn that this generation of children go forth be the first to cook a shorter life expectancy than their p bents (After train Alliance, 2006). This paper is intend to explain current issues surrounding childishness obesity, and touch on some of the performs and effects of this epidemic.Also, touch on what some states and work districts ar doing to tackle obesity at its source. These broadcasts and other ideas that be being implement will be touched on with the intention to bring forth the importance of this issue that has been overlooked. There be many promoters that could contri preciselye to childhood obesity, some of the roughly common ones are television and technology, thingumajig foods, education, and habits taught at home. Alone, each one of these factors may non be something that would be the cause to obesity, save together they form a dangerous cocktail.Todays generation of children statistically do less activity then generations onwards 95% of learners are ask to put on got fleshly education during school hours but 65% of these students do not reach recommended levels of sensible activity (The corpulency pestilential and linked States Students, n. d. ). A contributing factor to this less physical generation could very well be television and technology. junior generations are ever more interdependent on technology they are watch television and using computers more frequently.On average children are spending more than three hours a day watching television, playing videogames, or using a computer (The Obesity Epidemic and get together States Students, n. d. ). Due to this dependency, children and t eens are moving less, and seated in the same position for yen stretches of time. Another contributing factor to obesity is convenience foods. The culture in which we bide in today seems to fork over an compulsion with how fast things are, from cars to information, and now food. The current business with many fast foods and ready-to-eat meals is the amount of preservatives and assoil calories that they contain.Ate in moderation these foods are fine, and can satisfy the hunger of an indivi twofold, but some families consume convenience foods intimately on a daily basis. much nursing homes in America arrive dual incomes, and after a long day of work parents tend to just set up up dinner rather than readiness meals. As Michelle Obamba stated, there were plenty of quantify when after a long day at work, when the fridge was empty and the kids were hungry, that I just social clubed a pizza pie because it was easier (Nanci, n. d. ). In combination with inactivity, frequent consumption of convenience foods can number in canting gain.Other factors that have been associated with weight gain in children are their parents, and schools. We as humans tend to learn habits and mannerisms from our parents, and when parents troop un well eating and exercise habits their children are likely to fol minuscule in their footsteps. genetic science and behavior have been shown to contribute to weight gain parents and children gain weight in households shown to contain more energy-dense foods, and in household where parents are not physically alive(p) (Anderson, 2006).But parents arent the only individuals who have the sense pointed at them schools are besides nether the microscope for potential catalysts in the child obesity epidemic. approximately people believe that health education in our school systems is not a priority for some districts. presently only 69% of students are required to take health education (The Obesity Epidemic and United States Students, n. d. ). Researchers believe that if health education is required of all students, then obesity rates may decrease. enlightens are in any case said to offer similarly many alternatives to healthy dejeuneres through monger machines.Individuals believe that by having these machines available, students are get sugary drinks and unhealthy snacks, and then devour them during class hours. As a result of increased childhood obesity rates, healthcare rates have also increased. When children are obese they have a higher(prenominal)(prenominal) risk of becoming obese adults, and higher risks of developing diseases such as diabetes, soreness disease, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. As a result to these complications, in a 30 year time nosepiece hospital costs resulting from obesity associate complications have more than tripled (Afterschool Alliance, 2006).Other studies have shown that there is a relationship mingled with students with poor academic performance and obesi ty. These studies have shown that male obese adolescents think they are bad students and are likely to flip dropping out (Hunt, 2008). It is believed there is a direct connection between low self esteem and academic performance, and student who are obese tend to have low self esteem. Some school districts, states, and veritable(a) the federal government are tooth root to recognize how out-of-control child obesity is.They have begun to offer solutions such as afterschool programs, physical education classes, healthier lunches, and even suggested as to where schools should be located. Afterschool programs have reach extremely innovative in order to get children up and moving. Some of them mingle tutoring with physical education, and health education, with the intent to pick up children healthy habits for life others have topical anesthetic college and professional sports teams connect with schools to promote healthy living (Afterschool Alliance, 2006).Another way that schools h ave been taking the initiative to reduce obesity rates is by redesigning the school lunch program. The National School Lunch program offers more nutritious alternatives for lunch, although there is no guarantee that children will eat more fruits and vegetables, but they are available (Ralston, 2008). Some schools unplug the vending machines during class hours to retard children from unhealthy snacking during classes.Even the government is beginning to step in and offer suggestions as to how to solve childhood obesity, some of their suggestions are have schools within walking length of residential neighborhoods, require schools to teach physical education, and discourage consumption of sugary beverages (Nanci, n. d. ). Although the childhood obesity epidemic is at its highest percentages in years, organizations are beginning to offer programs and suggestions as to how to control and reduce the issue. Although there are many causes to obesity they are loosely excuses.It is imperati ve that parents take control of their childrens dieting and activity level, and promote healthy living. Schools also subscribe to to take responsibility in the issue and require that children take physical education at every level, and also, schools need to instate heath education classes. Solutions need to be set in place not only for health reason, but also for the academic and profession futures for todays youth. It is said that 46% of children will be overweight this year (Afterschool Alliance, 2006).This is the year to prove that statistic wrong and tie an improvement in the culture of America. References Afterschool Alliance, W. (2006). supple Hours Afterschool squirthood Obesity Prevention & angstrom Afterschool Programs. Issue Brief No. 24. Afterschool Alliance, Retrieved from ERIC database. Anderson, P. & vitamin A Butcher, K. (2006). Childhood Obesity Trends and Potential Causes. emerging of Children, 16 (1), 19-45. Retrieved from ERIC database. Hunt, J. (2008). Child hood Obesity and academician Outcomes. James B. Hunt Jr. bestow for Educational Leadership and Policy.Retrieved from ERIC database. Nanci, H. (n. d). Michelle Obama to Fight Child Obesity at Grass Roots. the States Today, Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database. Ralston, K. , Newman, C. , Clauson, A. , Guthrie, J. , Buzby, J. , & adenine Economic Research Service. (2008). The National School Lunch Program Background, Trends, and Issues. ERS Report Summary. US Department of Agriculture, Retrieved from ERIC database. The Obesity Epidemic and United States Students. (n. d. ). Retrieved from http//www. cdc. gov/HealthyYouth/yrbs/pdf/yrbs07_us_obesity. pdf