Cause/Effect Essay

Cause/Effect Essay

  • Submitted By: jbest
  • Date Submitted: 10/21/2013 3:42 PM
  • Category: English
  • Words: 1502
  • Page: 7
  • Views: 207

You Are What You Eat

Overweight and obesity in children is one of the leading significant public health problems in the United Sates. The number of children who are overweight has tripled since the 1970’s. More than 1 and 5 children between the ages of 6 and 19 are now considered overweight. Being overweight during childhood and adolescence increases the risk of developing high cholesterol, hypertension, orthopedic, and respiratory problems, type 2 diabetes, anxiety and depression, and skin integrity. To date research and scientist have been unable to isolate one major cause that is linked to childhood obesity, Obesity is multi-factorial. Some of the major causes are a lack to no physical activity, unhealthy eating patterns, and environmental factors.
When I was a child I lived in a day in age where my mom said that we had to come home when the street lights came on, and I spent very little time indoors during summer vacation. Now We are raising our children in an age that dwells on video games, computer programs with our laptops, iPad’s and the newest phones, and Children are beginning to focus more on instant gratification play and less on old fashion fun play. Research shows that one third of children are not getting the recommend levels of moderate to vigorous activity. Sitting in front of the television screen doesn’t burn as many calories as playing a game of flag football, tag, riding your bike, or taking your dog for a walk. The calorie intake of children is not being burned off by sitting indoors and overtime the pounds begin to add up.
Another second major leading cause to obesity in adolescents is unhealthy eating habits. It is time to go by the old rule, “you are what you eat.” The grocery stores shelves are filled now with the latest “healthy” fruit snacks, pop tarts, soda, processed pre- made dinners, and sugar packed breakfast cereal that are easier to snack on and to cook. The companies of these products push on their labels...

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