The Nationwide Epidemic of Child Obesity and Its Prevention

An epidemic is sweeping through the developed world, threatening millions with disability and death. Is it the dreaded Ebola virus? No, it is obesity. According to The World Health Organization “ ‘Epidemic’ may sound exaggerated, but the facts speak for themselves: 154 million people worldwide are obese — or more than 20% are over their ideal body weight — including more than 50% of all Americans”. The EMBO reports state more disturbing facts about the prevalence of childhood obesity, which has jumped dramatically over the past 20 years and now accounts for a doubling in the incidence of diabetes, a 5-fold increase in sleep apnoea and a 3-fold increase in gallbladder disease and the US Surgeon General have already warned that obesity is a serious, life-threatening disease. Obesity is also known as an accumulation of excess amount of body fat actually detected as a seriously factors of the widespread medical problems in public health view and affecting the world population. Unfortunate outcomes such as reduction of the quality of life and premature death are possible due to obesity. Obesity could be a very interesting and important topic to look into. There are multiple issues that children face due to the rise of obesity.

The well established saying, 'Your health will depend on the type of food you eat' still seems to be valid today. Kids today don't have the foggiest idea how to practice good eating habits. For the absolute first time ever, it is feasible for the offspring of this age to have a lower future than their folks. A significant feast that youngsters will in general skip is breakfast. They need a decent breakfast so as to not gorge for the coming up supper timings. Furthermore diminishing the inexpensive food culture (nourishment arranged outside of home) is a significant factor for decreasing corpulence in youngsters. Cheap food, for example, cheeseburgers and fries are eaten more frequently than home cooked nourishment. These instances of less than stellar eating routine prompts youth heftiness and physical and mental harm.

According to Kostovski “Genetics are one of the biggest factors examined as a cause of obesity”. Dietary factors have been studied extensively for its possible contributions to the rising rates of obesity. Sugary beverages, sizes of portions, and the amount of fast food consumption affect the daily dietary factors. Not only Sugary drinks and sodas but juices and other drinks are also a major factor considered to be the reason behind rising obesity in children . Many studies have examined the link between sugary drink consumption and weight and it has been continually found to be a contributing factor to being overweight. Another contributor to obesity is the reduced physical activity in both adults and children. According to Dietz “Physical activity remains below the national health objective of 50 percent” because many children are more focused on television and computer games, may affect weight in several ways, this may squeeze out physical activity. Parents now take their children to school; this deprives their children from physical activity. Many children now are either riding in a vehicle or riding the bus. In addition, physical activity is slowly being taken out of the school systems. According to Oliver about “40 percent of elementary schools are planning on reducing or deleting recess since 1989”. Physical activities in children are continuing to decrease, since the late 1970's, children are seeing less in outdoor activities. Additionally Raman Kumar mentions that “Snack foods include foods such as chips, baked goods, and candy. Consuming large portions, in addition to frequent snacking on highly caloric foods, contribute to excessive caloric intake. This energy imbalance can cause weight gain, and consequently obesity”. Other causes that affect obesity are depression and anxiety, self esteem, body dissatisfaction, and emotional problems. “Childhood obesity has immediate and long-term effects on physical, social, and emotional health. ”

Multiple treatments are available for the problem of obesity. Processes such as dietary changes, exercise and activity, behavior change, prescription weight-loss medications, and weight-loss surgery. Mostly all weight loss treatments require changes in eating habits. Cutting calories, feeling full on less, making healthier choices, restricting junk food, and meal replacements are a mandatory need to improve health. There are various advances you can take to help anticipate overweight and corpulence during youth and pre-adulthood. They are: gradually work to change family eating habits and activity levels rather than focusing on weight, change the habits and the weight will take care of itself, be a role model, parents who eat healthy foods and are physically activity set an example that increases the likelihood their children will do the same. Encourage physical activity, children should have an hour of moderate physical activity most days of the week, more than an hour of activity may promote weight loss and subsequent maintenance, reduce time in front of the TV and computer to less than two hours a day, encourage children to eat only when hungry, and to eat slowly, avoid using food as a reward or withholding food as a punishment, keep the refrigerator stocked with fat-free or low-fat milk and fresh fruit and vegetables instead of soft drinks and snacks high in sugar and fat,serve at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily, and to encourage children to drink water rather than beverages with added sugar, such as soft drinks, sports drinks and fruit juice drinks. Surgical and medication therapies are other options for prevention of obesity.

In conclusion, while childhood obesity is at an all-time high nationwide, and even around the world, there are things that we can do to help reduce this epidemic. There are many challenges, both physically and mentally that obese children must face and by making changes in the way we act and the way that children see the world there can be a reduction in the amount of children that are faced with the challenges that come along with being obese. The growing issue of childhood obesity can be slowed, if society focuses on the causes. There are many components that play into childhood obesity, some being more crucial than others. A combined diet and physical activity intervention conducted in the community with a school component is more effective at preventing obesity or overweight. Moreover, if parents enforce a healthier lifestyle at home, many obesity problems could be avoided. What children learn at home about eating healthy, exercising and making the right nutritional choices will eventually spill over into other aspects of life. This will have the biggest influence on the choices kids make when selecting foods to consume at school and fast-food restaurants and choosing to be active. Focusing on these causes may, over time, decrease childhood obesity and lead to a healthier society as a whole. Children have the ability to overcome obesity through the help of family, surrounding, and themselves. Additionally, obesity has negatively affected the community, economy and environment. Children are being ridiculed and bullied for their weight.