Child Obesity and How to Prevent It

Childhood obesity is a serious problem in our society that requires prompt and effective solutions.  According to statistical data, “Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and tripled in adolescents in the past 30 years”(Childhood Obesity Facts). This fact means that the percentage of children aged 6-12 years old, who suffer from obesity increased “from 7% in 1980 to nearly 18% in 2010,” and in 2013 it remained the same (Childhood Obesity Facts). Researchers suggest that child obesity occurs as a result of caloric imbalance in human organism.  In other words, there is an imbalance because too few calories are expended for the calories consumed by a child. According to the findings provided by the Committee on Progress in Preventing Childhood Obesity and Food and Nutrition Board, “obesity is now an epidemic among children and adolescents in the United States” (Progress in Preventing Childhood Obesity: Focus on Schools 1). Child obesity is caused by a variety of factors, including genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors. Undoubtedly, the major contributors to child obesity are schools. Only joint actions of healthcare specialists, parents, teachers and government officials can help to reduce the rate of child obesity and make our nation healthier.

The purpose of this research project is to explore the topic of child obesity and find some effective methods to prevent obesity in children.

Child obesity: an overview of the problem

Child obesity is not a new phenomenon in our society. This issue has been widely discussed by healthcare specialists, parents, teachers, and even by government officials who make policies. The term “child obesity” can be defined “in terms of body mass index which in turn is defined as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared” (Anderson & Butcher 20).

Undoubtedly, it is necessary to pay due attention to the factors that contribute to the increased rate of child obesity, including genetics, the effects of medications and some serious medical conditions, TV programs, cartoons and videogames, and schools. According to Dorought, “schools are playing a major role in the rising number of children being affected by obesity”(1). Children spend much time in schools and kindergartens, where they not only study, but also eat and drink.

In addition, many schools have reduced the time spent on physical activity during and after the classes in order to improve education. As a result, children aged 6-12 have to sit more time in their classrooms. According to recent research, considerable changes in children’s lifestyle behaviors “fall to parents and schools” (Gard184). Physical activity of children depends on the social environment.

Moreover, it is of great importance to evaluate the consequences of child obesity. The increased rate of obesity among children may lead to adverse health outcomes of the nation and the prevalence of serious health problems, including psychological disorders, cardiovascular diseases, as well as some disorders of the metabolic system. Obese children suffer from hypertension, atherosclerosis and insulin resistance, type 2 Diabetes, Asthma, depression and many other health disorders (Gard 49).

Some effective methods to prevent child obesity

Schools can help our society to solve child obesity problem by providing dietary education, cooking classes, healthy lunches and energy restricted diets. It is necessary to increase weekly hours of physical activity classes and develop programs to reconstruct sport grounds and improve different sport facilities. However, the role of physical education is still under threat in many schools. According to the report made by the Committee on Progress in Preventing Childhood Obesity and Food and Nutrition Board, schools should use the proper strategies “to provide a consistent environment that is conducive to healthful eating behaviors and regular physical activity” (Progress in Preventing Childhood Obesity: Focus on Schools 14).

It is necessary to control school nutrition process of children, paying due attention to all foods and beverages that are sold in schools. Healthcare specialists should ensure that today the meals in the US schools meet the established Dietary Guidelines for American children. Besides, it is necessary to develop special programs that will allow extending the amount of school meals funding.

Additionally, healthcare specialists, teachers and parents should control physical activity in schools. To avoid obesity, all students should participate in 30-40 -50 minutes physical activity during the school day. The opportunities for children’s physical activity in schools must be expanded through various practices, such as standard physical education classes, various physical activity programs, sport clubs’ activities, after school activities and other effective practices (Progress in Preventing Childhood Obesity: Focus on Schools 14).

Finally, it is of great importance to provide regular assessments of each school anti-obesity program, which involves three components: healthy nutrition, intensive physical activity and education of children and their parents regarding childhood obesity prevention (Story et al. 140).

Conclusion

Thus, it is necessary to conclude that child obesity is an issue of public concern. Healthcare specialists, parents and government officials are concerned about the increased rate of obesity among children in the United States. This problem should be solved promptly and effectively. To reduce obesity among children, it is necessary to develop special policies and programs aimed at improvement of physical and psychological well-being of children. Undoubtedly, this problem should be solved promptly through joint efforts of healthcare specialists, parents, teachers and government officials. Anti-obesity policies and programs can help to save our nation in general and the future generation in particular.

 

Works Cited

Anderson, Patricia M. & Buttcher, Kristin F. “Childhood Obesity: Trends and Potential Causes” in Childhood Obesity, ed. by Christina Paxon. Brookings Institution Press, 2006. Print.

Childhood Obesity Facts. (2013). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available from:< http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/obesity/facts.htm>

Dorough, Alissa. Are Schools to Blame for Childhood Obesity? Yahoo Voices. November 20, 2006. Available from: http://voices.yahoo.com/are-schools-blame-childhood-obesity-113567.html

Gard, M. The Obesity Epidemic: Science, Morality and Ideology. Routledge, 2005. Print.

Story Mary; Kaphingst,  Karen & French, Simone. “The Role of Schools in Obesity Prevention,” The Future of Children, Vol. 16, No1: 109-142.

The terms offer and acceptance. (2016, May 17). Retrieved from

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016.

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

freeessays.club (2016) The terms offer and acceptance [Online].
Available at:

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]
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