Obesity in Children

Obesity in Children

John Trujillo

7/30/2011

BSHS 361

Obesity in Children

Child obesity has become a serious issue that has captured the attention of many professionals such as doctors, counselors and teachers. Children today are at higher risk for serious health problems because of obesity. Obesity has taken over the lives of many children during the last ten years. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, obesity has risen 5% since 1999 in children and adolescents ages 6 – 19 years. Although this may not seem as a high percent increase, this data shows obesity is a huge problem. We as a society must find solutions to help decrease obesity in order for children and adolescents to maintain a healthy lifestyle. After viewing data from health professionals and research, many Schools, organizations and agencies everywhere are making an effort to help lower this fast rising problem.

Child obesity has become the number one health crisis in America (causesofchildhoodobesity.org, 2011). This health issue is drastically rising and will continue to rise unless measures are taken to prevent obesity. The definition of obesity is having too much body fat by putting more calories in the body than it should have and not being able to burn it off. An individual, whose weight is 20% or more above normal body weight, is considered obese. Unfortunately, too many children fall under this category. There are three causes that are viewed as the main reason for obesity.

First, there is parental neglect. There are a number of doctors that feel that parents who have obese children are responsible for neglecting or abusing their children in some form. This type of abuse or neglect is described as dietary neglect. Feeding a child too much food or too much food that contains a lot of carbs, fat or sugar is considered to be the number one cause of obesity. Another form of neglect comes from parent’s catering to their child’s sweet tooth not knowing the...