Childhood Obesity Prevention Essay

147 billion is the total amount of dollars spent annually by the US on obesity-related healthcare—86% of the nation’s healthcare expenses (“Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity.”). The direct cause of this is the increase in obese Americans. Since the 1980s, the rate of obesity in adults has doubled and more than tripled for children (use new source). In fact, one-fifth of children and one-third of adults in the US struggle with obesity (“Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity.”). It not only affects the health of the country, but the economy and even military readiness as well (CDC). However, according to the National Childhood Obesity Foundation, obesity is manageable and most often preventable. Many solutions Therefore, there are many ways in which obesity can be prevented at an early age.

The most effective method to use on infants for preventing childhood obesity is to breastfeed. Over $2 billion are spent on direct medical expenses as a result of not breastfeeding long enough after birth (“Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity.”). According to the World Health Organization, the reasoning on why breastfeeding prevents obesity is unknown. However, the Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention and many other organizations believe that breastfeeding does prevent obesity.

Eating healthily is necessary in order to prevent obesity.

Almost one-third of the global population suffers from an insufficient consumption of iron, iodine, vitamin A, folate, and Zinc. In fact, less than 10 percent of children consume the recommended daily vegetable intake (“Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity.”). A cause of childhood obesity is the availability of unhealthy food and unavailability of healthier foods (“Childhood Obesity Issues Presentation.”). Choosing healthier food choices can be made easier by increasing the availability of them. Furthermore, low amounts of vitamin and mineral intake can result in mental and central nervous system problems in infants (“Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and

Obesity.”).

Being physically active is essential to prevent obesity. People who are physically active are less likely to develop serious health issues, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and some cancers. Lack of physical activity is responsible for one in 10 premature deaths as well as $117 billion of health care spent per year. A way to promote more physical activity is by making safer, more convenient ways to do it (“Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity.”).

Today’s inventions and advancements play a role in the development of obesity in children. For example, the increased commonality of electronic devices is a cause for childhood obesity, as it gives children an easier, less active form of entertainment. Furthermore, the advancements taken in transportation reduces the need to walk or bike places, giving children a smaller opportunity to get exercise in their everyday lives (“Childhood Obesity Issues Presentation.”).
In conclusion, childhood obesity can be prevented in multiple ways. In fact, over 22,000 early care and education service locations decided to practice obesity prevention between 2011 and 2016. As a result, obesity rates for children aged two to five decreased from 13.9% to 9.4% within the years 2003 and 2004 (“Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity.”). Childhood obesity can be prevented but action must be taken.