Childhood Obesity

​Year after year, the children of the United States of America are getting fatter and fatter. “The prevalence of childhood obesity in the United States has gone up dramatically in recent decades“ (Franzini). Research shows that childhood obesity is increasing so rapidly that more and more children are being hospitalized due to their weight. “We detected an increase in the number of hospitalizations of children and youth ages 2-19 for which obesity was used as a diagnosis, from 21,743 in 1999 to 42,429 in 2005” (Trasande). The children of our country are facing an epidemic that is in most cases preventable. Given the facts, it is clear and childhood obesity can negatively impact children’s lives in many ways. There are many reasons for childhood obesity, and they can harm both the physical health and the mental health of children. However, while there are causes and effects, there are also solutions.

​The formula to maintain a healthy weight is quite simple: calories being taken in should be proportionate to calories being burned through daily physical activities. However, more and more children are consuming more calories than they are burning and it is causing them to gain weight. Many obese children are eating unhealthy foods, and they engaging in less physical activity. Children are often drawn to unhealthy, sugary, high calorie foods that are low in nutritional value. Advertisers market to young children, and the children fall victim to these unhealthy choices. The food served in school cafeterias may also play a role in the health and weight of students. Some cafeteria food is high in fat and low in nutritional value. Other foods served in the cafeteria may not be very appetizing and children may choose vending machine snacks over the meals offered. Another factor is the price of healthy food and the time it takes to prepare them. Many working parents may not have the time to prepare healthy meals daily, or they may not be able to afford fresh healthy...