4. Who and
What is to
Blame?
In the US, the percentage of children and teens affected by
obesity has more than tripled since the 1970s, according to
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Energy-dense, high-fat, high-sugar and high-salt foods
Lack of information about nutrition and poor availability and
affordability of healthy foods
Cultural norms such as a fat baby is a healthy baby
Fewer opportunities for physical activity through
urbanization
5. Health Complication:
• type 2 diabetes
• high blood pressure and elevated
blood cholesterol
• liver disease
• bone and joint problems
• respiratory problems such as
asthma
• sleep disorders such as difficulty
breathing while asleep (sleep
apnea)
• earlier than normal puberty or
menstruation
• eating disorders such as anorexia
or bulimia
• skin infections due to moisture
from sweat being trapped in skin
folds
• fatigue
• are more likely to be bullied
• are more likely to bully others
• may have poor self-esteem and
may feel socially isolated
• may be at increased risk for
depression
• may have poorer social skills
• may have high stress and anxiety
• Heart Disease
• Certain types of Cancer
• Stroke
8. Bibliography
Childhood Obesity At Home - New Balance Foundation Obesity Prevention Center Boston Children's. (2011, June 13). Retrieved
November 17, 2019, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvIr4Of_qYg.
Danley, S. (2019, October 11). Childhood obesity rates hold steady. Retrieved from
https://www.foodbusinessnews.net/articles/14676-childhood-obesity-rates-hold-steady.
Fox, M. (2018, February 27). America's kids are obese and it's getting worse. Retrieved from
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/americans-kids-are-obese-it-s-getting-worse-n851246.
Howard, J. (2018, March 13). Study: Childhood obesity is getting worse. Retrieved from
https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/26/health/childhood-obesity-in-the-us-study/index.html.
Levine, S., & Stein, R. (2008, May 17). Obesity Threatens a Generation. Retrieved from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-
dyn/content/article/2008/05/17/AR2008051701373.html?sid=ST2008050900425.
Williams, J. P. (Ed.). (2019, May 16). Scientific, Societal Factors to Blame for Obesity Epidemic. Retrieved from
https://www.usnews.com/news/healthiest-communities/articles/2019-05-16/understanding-obesity-in-america.
Leng, B. (2019, September 20). Study says Florida ranks 4th in nation for childhood obesity. Retrieved from
https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2017/09/20/study-says-florida-ranks-4th-in-nation-for-childhood-obesity.
Alli, R. A. (2018, September 8). Preventing Obesity in Children, Causes of Child Obesity, and More. Retrieved November 17, 2019,
from https://www.webmd.com/children/guide/obesity-children#1.
Pleimling, A. (2017, December 7). 5-2-1-0 For Healthy Kids -- And You! Retrieved from https://www.huffpost.com/entry/5210-for-
everyone_b_6672034?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAItpjmNQ6
Sy_yxx2acwPXiMdH5qBqIhsgsS2D4yN0ayBowj9TCF6w8fenFQr0ilopb5CFFB61oMNpZAlOjsscbCadakCZSXugDSsJvi8spQ47dtOGC
WRgVf5eGS-rSIDeLO_dRXM4N4Nk91ZnR1YQXfYDRFFJyyTXL7Satfgmnbm.
Facts and figures on childhood obesity. (2019, September 23). Retrieved from https://www.who.int/end-childhood-
obesity/facts/en/.
All images were taken from PowerPoint Bing
Hinweis der Redaktion
Hi, my name is Humial and the topic I have chosen for my food issue position is the childhood obesity epidemic. The reason I picked this topic is because I am interested in learning about what is causing obesity in children, and what can be done to help monitor and prevent this. Obesity doesn't just go away when the child grows up. Often times it carries into adulthood and can have negative impacts past adolescense.
Childhood obesity is a global epidemic. The position I want to take is to explain the causes of this epidenmic as well as provide possible solutions to change this. I am going to argue about the health crisis that is emerging from childhood obesity and what needs to be done to change this in a practical and obtainable manner. The image I have provided is from the Orlando Weekly. The picture shows The 2016 National Survey of Children's Health that was released by The State of Obesity, which is an organization who focus is to address the obesity epidemic in America. The map showcases the child obesity rates all across America.
First I would like to discuss some statistics on this issue in order to provide a better understanding of just how serious this matter is, and why something needs to be done now in order to prevent future complications. The poster above is from the American Heart Association. A lot of the facts and statistics shown here are shocking and dificult to believe. An article written by the Washington Post stated that 1 in every 3 children in America are either obese or overweight. That is equivalent to over 33%. The article explains that up to 80 percent of obese teens will grow up to become obese adults and experts worry that this will result in an increase in heart disease, strokes, cancer and other health problems that could greatly have a negative impact on there quality of life. Additionally, nearly none of the children meet healthy diet and physical activity guidelines set by the U.S. government health website which is 60 minutes or one hour. As you can see here 40% of a child's daily fruit intake comes from juice. Many times the juice may not even be pure juice but have additive sugars in it as well. Childhood obesity plays a significant role in future health complications and will be discussed more in depth in the presentation.
A CNN article written in March 2018 elaborates on how the obesity rates have gone up to more than three times what they were almost 50 years ago. Technological advancements as well as portion sizes and marketing strategies have all played a vital role in the drastic increase in obesity amongst children. I found some interesting information on the World Health Organization's website which helped narrow down the leading causes of child obesity. The website explained how important it is to make and choose healthy options for them in there early because food preferences begin in those years. The website also listed high fat, sugar and salt foods as the key culprits in obesity amongst children. A NBC article from February 2018 explained that obesity is in greatest amongst children under the age of 5. The blame for this is being put on society and the hold that junk food seems to have over them despite all the evidence of how bad it is for health. A lot of poor nutritional choices can also be blamed on the lack of availability of nutritional alternatives. As well as a lack of knowledge can come from the persistent marketing techniques junk food companies use in order to appeal to children. Believe it or not, cultural norms can also be blamed. How many times have you heard that a fat baby is a healthy baby? That is 100% false and consequently can lead to the baby being over fed and therefore overweight. Urbanization can also be blamed because through urbanization there is less and less places and areas for children to play in. There are also many other contributing factors that I did not full discuss such as accessibility and cost of food which also play a part.
According to numerous studies done, obesity can lead to a serious of health issues that not only affect a person physically but can have many psychologcal problems as well. The US News article from 2019 reported that The increased rate of obesity is causing obesity-related chronic diseases common among the younger generations. Being overweight increases the risk for a number of diseases and conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart, disease, stroke, and puts them at risk of developing eating disorder, as well as psychological issues such a poor self-esteem, social isolation, high stress and anxiety levels and increase risk of depression.
This slide is about the 5-2-1-0 initiative that have taken place in the past few years. The Huffpost article from December 2017 explains the initiative and what it essentially means. 5-2-1-0 Let's Go is a nationally recognized program whose mission is increasing healthy eating habits and living more activly centered around a message or 5-2-1-0. 5 meaning getting at least five servings of fruits and veggies each day. Doing this can help lower the rates of a lot of diseases and also help in preventing weight gain.2 means only two hours of screen time per day maximum. 1 means getting at least 60 minutes or one hour of any type of physical activity a day. Regular exercise also improves mood, and help to boost energy. 0 means no sugary drinks. Switching to drinks such as water help to hydrate and cleanse the body.
The ideal way to prevent would be through education and changes done by the parents. This video helps to explain essentially how the major and most powerful way to combat and prevent obesity in children must start in the home. An article published by NBC in February 2018 included an interview with a representative from former first lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign in it the spokesperson said, "It is not enough for a child to receive more healthful meals at school if she encounters a gantlet of junk food after school and in the home." The video I will be playing is about David Ludwig, Director of the New Balance Foundation Obesity Prevention Center Boston Children's Hospital explaining and elaborating about what parents can do at home to prevent the obesity epidemic.
