Childhood Obesity

Fighting Childhood Obesity

Composition and Communication II

02/10/2013

Kimberly Capron

Abstract

Fighting Childhood Obesity

Fighting childhood obesity on a budget and how New York City has vowed to help with this epidemic. New York City has deemed to be one of the largest weighing City with the price of food, how can we eat healthy. We will examine how NYC Public Schools are trying to help fight this epidemic in one of the biggest area facing childhood obesity, the South Bronx.

Obesity is a major health concern in New York. It’s a problem that crosses generations, affecting children, parents, anyone at any age. Moreover, obesity is common in residents of all ages in the South Bronx especially children. To be overweight or obese is unhealthy at any age. Maintaining a healthy weight involves getting regular physical activity and eating welling – choosing sensible portions of healthy foods.

Poor nutrition and lack of physical activity can lead to obesity and diabetes. Poorer New Yorkers are less likely to exercise, regardless of race/ethnicity. Also many adolescents and adults in South Bronx do not exercise regularly or eat the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetable.

Furthermore here are some key findings about the number of children overweight in the South Bronx. Nearly 1 in 3 children in Head Start programs is obese, and almost half are overweight or obese. Nearly 1 in 4 children in public elementary school is obese, and nearly 4 in 10 are overweight or obese. About 1 of 6 public high school students is obese, and more than 1 in 3 is overweight or obese.

Weight gain occurs when more calories are consumed than are used through physical activity. Therefore, reaching a healthy weight means balancing food intake and physical activity. Eating sensible portions of nutritious...