Childhood Obesity
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Childhood Obesity
Matthew Farrell
ENG 122
Professor Denean-Cobb
September 26, 2011
Childhood Obesity
Childhood obesity is a growing problem in the world today. There are many health and social concerns for our children suffering from this, but what can they do about it? Research has proven that parental involvement can have a huge impact on childhood obesity. Based on research conducted by Anna Lindsay, “Parents influence children’s genes, eating, and physical activity habits at all stages of their life from infancy to adulthood” (Lindsay, 2006). Parents are important forces in preventing childhood obesity by promoting healthy eating, and promoting an active lifestyle (Lindsay, 2006).
Childhood obesity carries many health and emotional risks that can negatively influence today’s generation. Parents cannot afford to sit here helplessly or resign to the fact that our children are becoming more susceptible to high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer to name a few (Okie, 2005). For example, one study suggests in a population-based sample of 5 to 17 year olds, 70 percent of obese youth had at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease (Okie, 2005). Another study found that the heaviest children were twice as like as the thinnest to die before the age fifty-five (“Institute of Medicine,” 2005). Lastly, a study showed that overweight adolescents have a seventy percent chance of becoming overweight or obese adults, which increases to eighty percent if one or more parent is overweight or obese (“Institute of Medicine,” 2005).This wealth of research proves that obesity is a serious problem affecting today’s society of children. Childhood obesity has the capability of shortening the precious lifespan of our future generation. Given this situation, it is vital that they come up with solutions to alleviate this problem, and it starts at home with the parents.
Parental knowledge on healthy eating has been...
Matthew Farrell
ENG 122
Professor Denean-Cobb
September 26, 2011
Childhood Obesity
Childhood obesity is a growing problem in the world today. There are many health and social concerns for our children suffering from this, but what can they do about it? Research has proven that parental involvement can have a huge impact on childhood obesity. Based on research conducted by Anna Lindsay, “Parents influence children’s genes, eating, and physical activity habits at all stages of their life from infancy to adulthood” (Lindsay, 2006). Parents are important forces in preventing childhood obesity by promoting healthy eating, and promoting an active lifestyle (Lindsay, 2006).
Childhood obesity carries many health and emotional risks that can negatively influence today’s generation. Parents cannot afford to sit here helplessly or resign to the fact that our children are becoming more susceptible to high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer to name a few (Okie, 2005). For example, one study suggests in a population-based sample of 5 to 17 year olds, 70 percent of obese youth had at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease (Okie, 2005). Another study found that the heaviest children were twice as like as the thinnest to die before the age fifty-five (“Institute of Medicine,” 2005). Lastly, a study showed that overweight adolescents have a seventy percent chance of becoming overweight or obese adults, which increases to eighty percent if one or more parent is overweight or obese (“Institute of Medicine,” 2005).This wealth of research proves that obesity is a serious problem affecting today’s society of children. Childhood obesity has the capability of shortening the precious lifespan of our future generation. Given this situation, it is vital that they come up with solutions to alleviate this problem, and it starts at home with the parents.
Parental knowledge on healthy eating has been...