Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity is quickly becoming one of the most problematic and concerning aspects in today’s society.  In America, children have access to some of the greasiest, unhealthy foods that quickly effect their fragile body frames.  According to the CDC, “the percentage of children with obesity in the United States has more than tripled since the 1970’s, and about one in five school children are obese” (2017).  Think about that for a moment.  Scary yet?

            Imagining the future of this country in fifteen or twenty years literally looks quite different.  Obesity is more than just being overweight.  According to A Healthier Generation, being “obese” means having a body mass index that is in the 95^th percentile or higher.  Whereas being overweight means something different, since they define being “overweight” as having a weight that is above what’s considered “normal and healthy” (2017).   The concern with being overweight is that it can easily lead into obesity.  Since the 1970's, the demographic of obese children in the U.S. has changed dramatically.  This chart outlines the nation's child obesity trends in 2011: 

            There are many pitfalls of a child with obesity.  Since the problem is starting in kids at younger and younger ages, it makes the road to disease and sickness that much easier with increased susceptibility as a child grows older.  A Healthier Generation also states that Diabetes, Asthma, and Heart Failure are all the major focuses of increased risk that correlated with childhood obesity (2017).  According to the Bariatric and Metabolic Institute, childhood obesity also can increase the risk for: 

• Higher blood pressure and cholesterol
•  Impaired glucose tolerance
•  Breathing and joint problems
•  Liver disease
• Gallstones
•  Gastro-esophageal reflux
•  Heartburn
•  Psychological problems

That list is quite overwhelming and should instill a desire to raise awareness across the country to prevent the kids of the next generation from their own body (2017).   The level to which a child with obesity may acquire any one of these health risks is much higher than a healthy adult.  Kids that are obese have a hard path ahead of them if they want to grow into a lifestyle without obesity, or even being overweight.  Surgery or weight management programs are highly recommended for children who are dealing with this.

            Socially, obesity plays a huge factor in how children are treated by their peers. These kids are at an increased risk for social isolation, and can easily become a target for bullying.  School-age children can be nasty with their words, not realizing the effect they can have on someone who may already be insecure about their body image.  According to A Healthier Generation, “children with obesity miss more days of school compared to children with normal weights” (2017).  This means that overweight/obese children are les inclined to value their education and friendships made at school than they are facing other kids who may tease them.  They may feel unprepared to handle a day at school where all they feel is shamed, judged, and unaccepted.  Their personality is overlooked based on their external appearance.  It is imperative that teachers try to interceded in the negative treatment towards obese kids, even if it may be hard to catch.  Most of the comments made to these children will impair their self-esteem and stay with them as they grow older, gaining a spot in their identity as a person.  Focusing on eliminating this kind of treatment should become a top priority in schools so children can be given the motivation to make a change in their life towards health.

            Physical education programs should be a daily occurrence in a school-kids experience in order to promote exercise and activity.  This way, a child can learn things to do on their own to stay active outside of school. Proper nutrition programs should also be in place in order to promote healthy eating; staying away from junk foods and nutrient deficiencies is important, although hard to balance especially with budgets that make it hard for school systems to prepare adequate meals.

 Altogether, solutions such as these are imperative while a child is developing and interacting with their peers in order to promote a healthier lifestyle as an adult and decrease the rate of childhood obesity.  Too many kids are sliding down a slippery slope with their health with such easy access to unhealthy options for food in today’s society.  Fast food, packaged meals, greasy substitutes, and insufficient healthy options are putting the children of the future generation at major risk for negative psychosocial effects and major health concerns that are mainly an issue for older adults. The nation needs to work together and keep raising awareness to change the future for the children that will one day be the leaders and innovators of our country.

References

Childhood obesity facts. (2017). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/obesity/facts.htm

Get informed. (2016). Alliance For a Healthier Generation. Retrieved from: https://www.healthiergeneration.org/about_childhood_obesity/get_informed/?gclid=CJiFz__IrtICFRe2wAodYtAIFg

Health risks of childhood obesity.  (2017). UC San Diego Health. Retrieved from: https://health.ucsd.edu/specialties/surgery/bariatric/weight-loss-surgery/adolescent-weight-loss/Pages/health-risks.aspx 

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