Comp 2 Task 2

Childhood Obesity Is a Major Health Problem

Daniel I. Lopez

Western Governors University

Student ID: 000438182

Childhood Obesity Is a Major Health Problem

Childhood obesity is not just an issue in the United States- it is an epidemic. The number of overweight and obese children in America has increased at an alarming rate over the past years. It now affects one in five children in the United States, and there is no chance of it slowing down unless action is taken. Obesity is now the most prevalent nutritional disease of children and adolescents in the United States. Research shows that childhood obesity is a major health problem in the US because it can lead to type 2 diabetes, an increase in poor healthy choices, reduction in exercise activity and higher instances of heart disease.

It is important to realize the causes of childhood obesity and learn to identify these causes. Some of the causes of childhood obesity are attributed to genetics including family lifestyle, and cultural background. These are some key elements that would cause the initial dysfunction for a child to become obese. There are also the living environments and sociological patterns of behavior that become acceptable and habitual growing up as a child. The very first cause can be linked to the genetics of a child. Science shows that genetics play a huge role in obesity. Genes can directly cause thyroid disorders and other syndromes. When these genes interact with environment factors relating energy intake, it can increase the risk of obesity. However, genes do not always predict the future health. Many scientists argue that childhood obesity is caused by some type of physical or “organic” problem within the obese child’s body that can be corrected by drugs. This is a concept that has one of the longest of all explanations of childhood fat. Parents also play a huge part in the development of their children and need to be aware of their children’s habits in order to...