English Comp Ii- Big Idea

Community Garden

There are legions of problems in the American culture that stem from dietary choices. Many people in Kansas City struggle with obesity and the numerous health issues that come with it, from diabetes, heart complications, and sleep apnea, to sore backs and knees. The childhood obesity rate keeps climbing. The varying factors that lead to the high obesity rate in this community include unhealthy diets, a lack of knowledge about proper nutrition, and economic limitations. By implementing a program that gives kids an in-depth knowledge of nutrition, from an early age, and supplementing that education with a garden that can supply the community with healthier dietary alternatives, these driving issues can be diminished. Children living in the Kansas City school district would greatly benefit from a community garden because it would provide them with healthier dietary alternatives without causing economic difficulty on their families, and would equip them with a strong education about nutrition.

Obesity, especially childhood obesity, has been a major focus of public health in the United States. Obesity is different than merely being overweight, although there are health risks for both. Being overweight could be due to excess fat, water, bone, or muscle weight, whereas obesity refers only to having excess fat. Data shows that about one third of children and adolescents from ages 6-19 are considered to be overweight or obese, and 1 in 6 children and adolescents ages 6-19 are considered obese (Ogden et al, 2012). Obesity can cause many health issues. The most common health risks for obese individuals are type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, osteoarthritis, some types of cancer, and stroke (Ogden et al, 2012). There is no single cause of obesity and can include genes, eating habits, and income.

It is no secret that implementing plenty of fruits and vegetables in one’s diet has a multitude of...