Childhood Obesity Research Paper

Merriam Webster's definition of obesity is, “a condition that is characterized by excessive accumulation and storage of fat in the body and that in an adult is typically indicated by a body mass index of 30 or greater” (“Obesity”). Today, twelve point seven million children from the ages of two to nineteen are struggling with obesity. It is critical for children to be in good health when they are still at a stage in life where their body’s are still developing. These children struggling with obesity will have to face many challenges in their life that will just become more difficult to overcome as their health worsens. Obese children will have to deal with the consequences of their weight when they reach adulthood. Developing weight related

problems such as diabetes and other heart conditions is a huge risk. Obese children and teens often have been found to have high risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), including heightened cholesterol levels, heighten blood pressure, and an abnormal tolerance for glucose.

According to the CDC, In a group of children and teens ranging from five year olds and seventeen year olds, around sixty percent of overweight children had at least one cardiovascular risk factor and twenty-five percent of overweight children had more than one risk factor. In addition, some studies have shown that obese children are more likely to become overweight as adults. These overweight and obese children are targets for early discrimination and stereotypes. The stress from discrimination can cause low self esteem that can affect their academic performance and social skills. Obesity is a growing epidemic in the United States that needs to be addressed to improve the quality of life for those struggling with being

overweight.
But what’s the cause this heavy burden, who is to blame? Is it the fastfood industry, the government, the school systems, or are we to blame? We could all cut back on our calorie intake since as a country we partake the most in over eating or perhaps just switch to eating foods that have more nutritional value with less fat content in moderation. Right now, with the way most american families eat they are getting more than their full amount of of daily recommended calories consumed in one meal from a fastfood restaurant. Cutting back on the amount of fast food you consume a month or even a week can help.
Do genes have an effect on obesity? Genes send the body instructions for responding to changes in the environment. Studies have shown several genes that increase hunger and food intake thereby contributing to obesity. However, there has almost never been a pattern of obesity being inherited within families. Most obesity most likely results from complex interactions among multiple genes.
Drugs and medicine can also cause someone to gain weight. There are some illnesses that may cause obesity or weight gain. Steroids and some antidepressants have also been known to cause weight gain. Before taking a medicine it is important to know and understand the symptoms and possible risks of it. A doctor can help explain more about whether behaviors, illnesses, medications, or psychological factors are contributing to your weight gain.
There are many health and risk factors to obesity.

People who are suffering from obesity have the chance of early death, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, stroke, heart disease, gallbladder disease, sleep problem, some cancers and many other problems. Each of those problem are serious problems and can lead to even more serious causes, or even death. The best way to avoid these if you are already overweight is to exercise and eat better. These are not diseases and illnesses that people want to mess and take the chance of getting because they are serious diseases. In the american heart association's article on obesity it explains how being overweight can take a huge toll on your health. It can cause diabetes, heart diseases and make it hard for others to want to be around you. It is more difficult than it may seem than to just start eating healthy and eat natural foods due government subsidies on artificial sweeteners such as fructose, high fructose corn syrup and estevia. These subsidies make foods filled with fat and sugar so cheap that its hard to sell healthy food at a competitive price, So most families who are on a budget or are just making what they see as the thrifty choice buy and eat the unhealthy food digging themselves in a hole that is hard to get out of. But it is not just diet alone that will be needed to fight obesity. Exercise needs to be promoted everywhere, Today more kids spends time indoors doing a passive activity rather than physical

activity.
If healthy behavior are promoted at school they will take effect on some children and help them learn how to live healthier lives, eat better, and take good care of their body. Children are the future of this country and if we want to become a healthier country we have to start there. If we do not it could affect future generations, it has been shown that children that come from a home with parents that are overweight or obese are more likely to have poor health choices themselves and end up overweight.