Childhood Obesity In America

Obesity is affecting many kids in America. Did you know that kids from the age of ten through thirteen are more likely to be obese in the future? This is huge problem in America because overweight children are most likely to get diabetes, cancer, and many more health problems. Kids who are obese also struggle with self confidence and depression. The American food industry should dispose processed food choices because it can lead up to child obesity, bad habits and health problems.
Child obesity is a problem in America today. Children who are obese continue to struggle with many things in life that may affect them in the future. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, “obesity most often develops from ages 5 to

6 or during the teen years, and studies have shown that a child who is obese between the ages of 10 and 13 has an 80 percent chance of becoming an obese adult” (Hoffman). It is really hard for kids to change their habits and how they eat. So it is probably likely they will still be obese in the future. Secondly obesity can cause depression and bad habits for kids and teenagers, “For that dubious distinction, we pay a high price. The obese are more likely to be depressed, to miss school or work, to feel suicidal, to earn less, and to find it difficult to marry. And their health care costs a lot.” (Ambinder). Being obese have a huge affect on kids’ lives. As opposed to child obesity, schools are making an impact to help decrease the rate of child obesity, “The percentage of overweight kids at Northeast increased in 2009, the program's third year, but dropped slightly last year, to 32 percent; 17 percent are obese. She considers it a promising sign, and there's no question that the children are learning healthy habits”(Tanner). Schools are making an effort to make kids exercise and eat healthy. Obesity may affect the way children live and how they feel.
Obesity can put a child’s life on the line because of the many health problems it can cause.

For instance, kids who are obese have a better chance of getting cancer and other health problems,“They found that each unit of increase in being overweight at age 13, generally corresponding to a two- to three-point increase in B.M.I., increased the risk of developing colon cancer by 9 percent, with the risk of cancer of the sigmoid colon (the part closest to the rectum) increased by 11 percent” (Brody). Obesity can risk a child’s life in many ways. In addition, these health problems for kids can result in death, “In fact, health officials say that obesity--a condition in which a person is dangerously overweight--is one of the biggest health crises facing the U.S. today. It can cause all sorts of serious problems, like cancer and heart failure, and it's a leading cause of death. It's also affecting a shocking number of young people: More than 16 percent of kids ages 2 to 19 are obese” (Lewis). Obesity is one of the biggest health problems that is still questioned on what the solution is. Although health problems are a problem, schools are adding in exercise programs and encouraging kids to walk or bike to school. “With the strong leadership of the mayor, the blue-collar city of Somerville, Massachusetts, lowered the rate of obesity in its elementary schools by promoting exercise in schools, smaller portions in restaurants, health counseling, and biking and walking to school. (The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation supported all three of these initiatives.)” (Ambinder). Schools are now realizing that kids need their daily exercise in order to stay healthy and stay in shape. Obesity can cause many health problems and risk a child’s

life.
One reason child obesity is increasing is because of fast food restaurants and unhealthy foods children consume. To begin with, studies and graphs had shown that child obesity has increased at a rapid paste because of fast food, ”From the early 1980s to 2012, a period when the fast-food industry experienced dramatic growth in the U.S., obesity rates among children sky-rocketed (see graph). In 2012, more than one-third of f ill American children and teens were overweight or obese, putting them at risk for diabetes and heart disease in the future” (Wilson). The increase of fast food industry should lower because of the effects on children. As another example is, “In 1945, Americans drank more than four times as much milk as soda, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture; in 1998, we drank more than twice as much soda as milk. Every year, the typical American now consumes 149 pounds of caloric sweeteners, 54 gallons of soda and 200 pounds of mostly refined grains” (Fauber). Children are consuming more soda and others sweets that can cause obesity. At the same time, fast food restaurants are making a change to the foods they sell and offering healthier choices , “The fast-food industry has responded to these trends by offering a few healthier options, like salads, yogurts, and fruit. A number of chains, including Chipotle, tout local ingredients and humanely-raised meat. Salad chains like Chop't, Tossed, and Saladworks have sought to appeal to health-conscious customers” (Wilson). The fast food industry are doing the right thing by serving healthier foods to people and satisfying their customers. Fast food industry can have a toll on why child obesity has increased over the years.
America needs to make a change in our food system, because it is affecting children on their habits, health, and is increasing the rate of obesity. This a very important problem in America today. Obesity can risk a child's life and can affect them physically and mentally. It also is a problem that is questioned to how it will be solved. America is falling apart because of the struggles of child obesity. It is very hard for children who are obese to live a normal life. America needs to make a change in our foods system instead of feeding human beings processed and unhealthy foods. Anything is possible to do in this world, it is time to put an end to child obesity and start a healthy lifestyle for all children.