Argumentative Essay On Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity is a global health crisis and an epidemic that has drastically increased over the years. A comprehensive report from 2010, revealed forty-two million children below the age of five suffer from obesity worldwide, which is a 50% increase since 1980 (Garel, 2014; Moore, Wilkie, & Desrochers, 2017). Not only is the issue of childhood obesity a public health threat, but it is also a form of child abuse with potentially fatal consequences. However, many people do not consider childhood obesity to be a child abuse issue. As a result, this topic is hugely controversial and has attracted some heated public debate. Even more controversial is the argument that the state should intervene on behalf of morbidly obese children. People opposed to the idea that the state should interfere in such matters often argue that blame cannot be placed solely on parents when there could be other factors involved, such as an underlying medical condition or a genetic predisposition to obesity. Moreover, some argue that the 14th amendment gives parents the right to raise their children how they choose and state intervention in such cases is an overreach of government power, and there are better ways to address the problem without removing children from homes (Garel, 2014). Although there are undoubtedly other factors that contribute to the widespread prevalence of childhood obesity, studies have shown that parents are primarily to blame for the growing problem (Wolfson, Gollust, Niederdeppe, & Barry, 2015). Parents indeed have the right to raise their children how they wish, as long as their children are healthy and thriving. If a child is in harm's way or is not adequately taken care of, then by law, the state must intercede on behalf of the child. Nevertheless, parents are responsible for the health and well-being of their children. Therefore, this paper is intended to show that morbid childhood obesity is a severe and life-threatening form of child abuse worthy of state intervention when parents fail to comply with lifestyle changes and recommended medical treatments.

There were no statistically significant differences between groups for changes in high fat food intake, moderate to vigorous physical activity, and cardiorespiratory fitness.

Childhood obesity is currently a serious medical condition plaguing youth and adolescents all around the world, especially in developed nations. Childhood obesity occurs when ones weight or body fat exceeds what is normal for ones height and age. Children who are overweight are often troubled with poor self-esteem and depression. Overweight children are subjected to health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol at an early age. Many overweight children are unaware of the destruction they are causing to their health.

Today, we see more cases involving childhood obesity throughout the United States than ever before. In this generation, 17% of all children across the country are suffering from obesity. Many say that dietary influences such as school lunch options, food deserts, advertising of foods, portion sizes, unhealthy eating patterns, and a lack of exercise are the major causes of childhood obesity. Others believe that where, how, and what children eat does not factor into childhood obesity. Rather, genetic components are the main cause of weight gain in children. After considering both sides of the issue, I strongly believe dietary influences are the main cause of childhood obesity.

Childhood obesity is increasing dramatically is the U.S. . The media aren't setting any good examples for children, nor the parents. The media show burgers that are only a $1.29 and salads that are $6.78. But what they don't show you about those burgers are how greasy they are, how the grease can cause acne, how those burgers were made and who makes those burgers. Eating healthy cost, but parents have to look at the outcome of their child eating healthy. Obesity can cause body weight, snoring, heaving breathing, diabetes, depression, etc. and death. Obesity is so common, the only way to stop it is to lend a helping hand.

Childhood obesity is an epidemic across the United States of America as well as it is in California. Obesity can lead to multiple types of diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and many other factors that can affect the body and the mind. Our environment that we live in that provides technology, the cultural living styles have also changed from a couple decades ago, and the lifestyle that we have evolved over time. The quality of food continues to change and we have new technology like yelp to look at new kinds of restaurants with new dishes. New fast food chains and desserts are booming every day. A different type of dessert hype continues to develop in our society today because it’s the trend. Our children learn from our hype and from our technology. Childhood obesity continues to affect children in many different angles throughout society.

A lot of times, not everyone who wants to conceive a child gets the opportunity. It is very common to hear of pregnancies that are unplanned, or maybe unwanted, but that is still no excuse to not take care of yourself. Being obese doesn’t necessarily mean you choose not to take care of yourself, because there are many factors that can be put into play when you look specifically at ones weight, but purposely not getting all of the nutrients and trying to do everything to have a healthy child is. The diet of the mother during pregnancy could determine the life-long outcomes of both the mother and child. Meeting adequate diet requirements during pregnancy can have major impacts on how healthy or unhealthy the pregnancy is. I have cared about the

Fact: Many American children are or are becoming obese in the past thirty years. About fifteen percent of the U.S. children from 2 to 19 years old are considered as obese, and many more children are in a risk of becoming obese. The genetic reason causes childhood obesity in some cases, but many has become obese due to a lack of proper nutrition education and physical exercises. Childhood obesity may affect children in their adulthood. Obesity cause many diseases, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, strokes, diabetes, and lung problems. It also can be a risk of psychological damage (Brazelton, ix-x). If children aren’t educated about the food, they are more likely to be careless about food and become unhealthy physically and psychologically.

The percentage of children with obesity in the United States has more than tripled since the 1970s (“Healthy Schools.”). Childhood obesity is a medical condition that affects children and teenagers who contain excess body fat. This condition is very common today, having about 3 million cases per year (“Healthy Schools.”). A sign that a child is suffering from obesity is when their weight is well above the average for a child’s height and age. Today about one in five school children, ages 6-19, are obese (“Healthy Schools.”). I will be addressing the causes, health complications, treatments, controversy, and supporting obese students.

Obesity is a “Weight greater than twenty percent above average for a given age and height.” (Feldman, 2014, pg. 137). Fifteen percent of children in the United States are classified obese.” ( ). Obesity has been the cause to negative effects in a child’s life. Childhood obesity can lead to problems with their physical, social, and cognitive development. Complications potentially lead to direct or extensive effects on health and well- being. Obesity causes “caloric imbalance, to few calories expanded for the amount consumed and are effected by several genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors.” (). Certain causes are poor eating habits, binging, lack of exercise, stress, low self –esteem, and social emotional problems. (). However childhood

CH is a 19-year-old Caucasian female living with obesity. She surrounds herself with a lot of unhealthy foods and constantly avoids exercise which are some risk factors for obesity. Obesity seems to be the main problem for CH which could potentially affect her in many other ways and lead to other serious problems, so that is why looking into this problem is important. Healthy People 2020 states that diet is important in order to live a healthy life and it can lead to a lot of serious problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure and even cancer (Healthy People 2020), and that is why it is better to look at this specific issue rather sooner than later. Unhealthy eating is one of the main causes of CH’s obesity.

Different factors are responsible for obesity in children and adolescents. The cause of obesity was widely agreed, that eating too much and exercising too little. Food is energy, unless you use that energy; however, it will be stored as fat. Nevertheless, once someone becomes obese, it is often not as easy as simply eating less and moving more will resolve the situation. From genetic to behavioral, and environmental, the imbalance of calorie intake, have been used

Fast food, soda, and endless hours of sitting in front of a television screen, are reasons not to blame for childhood obesity. The amount of children suffering with obesity issues increases at a great rate. One of the most influential factors on children are their parents who surround them continuously. If anyone were to ask any parents or guardians what they value most in their life, the answer would most likely be their children. It is very depressing to see overweight children in our society. Parents do care a lot about their children, however they still reward them with ice cream, allow them to eat french fries, or even watch television or play video games for a long period of time. It is very evident that childhood obesity is on the rise. It is very important to address this growing issue early, and begin educating the parents. Children’s bad eating habits begin in the home and is often caused by the parents unhealthy eating choices. Parents are the leading cause of obesity due to their poor food choices and lack of physical activity they allow them to acquire.

It has become more frequent for children to be overweight/obese, the more children aren’t being taken care of the greater chance they have of getting diabetes or heart disease. There are many parents who don’t think about their child’s diet, some parents think they should let their child eat whatever they want. I think a part of the reason children are obese is that their parents give them a choice. Yes, the child may not want to eat the healthier food, but it’s better for them so they don’t suffer the consequences.

For many years now, obesity has been an issue that has plagued our country with its effect on our people. From the increasing difficulty to get good healthcare, to the monumental amount of fattening snacks that have cultivated themselves into our diets. Throughout our media, we have seen countless ways in which the human body can look good, bad, look better, or look worse. Most of which would ignore or makeup, health claims just to come off as scientific. Along with what's considered as desirable, that sought out notion has and will continue to change. Articles, books, songs, movies, and magazines have left many Americans feeling pulled in multiple directions on how to take care of their bodies as well as how they should look. Leading to body issues, radical or hateful opinions, and possibly health problems. Many studies, book, papers, and social experiments on obesity are developed to clear up some confusion towards eating and weight gain, of which add their own informed opinions and facts to brighten our previous sphere of knowledge on the subject. Some of which are proven biased or false based on opposing opinions or facts but, for the most part, add to the conversation. So with this much information out there and with many of them contradicting themselves, one may ask internally “What is the right thing to do for me?”, or “What should I believe?”, and those are valid questions. Does one look at what science says that day or go with what they feel is healthy? With these