Childhood Obesity Social Standards

Children are the future, so why is it that we lack the initiative to enact change for them? In the United States, one in three children suffer from childhood obesity. This epidemic has caused a dramatic effect for children not only physically as well as mentally. Obesity has become more prominent in our society, because of societal structure. Child obesity has become the new norm in our generation, leading to a constant pass of blame from one person to the other, psychological effects on the children and an increase in the stigma and pressure put on children by the social standards present in our society.

While growing up many children face struggles with fitting in. This causes children to become self-conscious about themselves, which can

Throughout the developed world as well as in some developing countries, children are generally becoming heavier. Research showing that lower levels of education and social economic status are associated with a higher rates of obesity. Body image is a big factor to be taken account. The way a person looks is set by the morals and standards society has set. For example, many girls wanting to be like barbies, because those are the ideals that are set. Although the measurements may not be realistic for an actual person to have, children have these standards set into their minds once they are young. For boys it many be figurines such as superheros. There seems to be a correlation between childhood food insecurity and the increased risk for obesity. When these children may be a little different from other children, they face insecurity in their body and appearance. This causes a lack of social networks, social isolation, and neglect for the child to increase the risk of obesity. These body images are through media exposure as well. For example in magazines when they show models being skinny and fit. The main concern being the establishment of the two words skinny and fit together, when they do not correlate. However for children, they see things in magazine or on television and are taught that is how you are normally supposed to be. According to

There are many factors that affect the child not only physically but also mentally. The failure for anyone to accept responsibility and enact a change in the system harms the children more and makes it more difficult in order to come to a conclusion. Social standards that are inherently set by society are another factor that play a role in childhood obesity. In order to solve the issue there are many steps that can be taken(it’s great that you provide particular ways of solving the problem). One being that parents, doctors, teachers, schools and the food industry all can work in order to make obesity less of an issue. Parents and doctors communicating more about the child’s health and habits. The teachers and schools could serve healthier lunches and educate children a lot more about obesity and its harms. The food industry could cut down on the amount of sugar in a lot of their foods, or even find a way to market healthy foods. Another thing they can do is to make organic and healthy foods cheaper and more affordable for everyone. This would allow more parent to be able to feed their children healthy foods not really affecting their financial stability. Lastly i think as a society as a whole we should develop a way for children to feel more accepting in(accepting or accepted? Not quite clear) society no matter the way they look. Helping them boost their self confidence and not enforcing these typical stereotypes. All