Childhood Obesity: The Future

Childhood Obesity: The Future

Childhood Obesity: The Future
Fall 2013 October 21, 2013
Biology 1104
Criminal Justice

In the past three decades childhood obesity has more than doubled in kids and tripled in teenagers, 17 percent of children and teenagers are overweight, which is approximately 12.5 million teens and children who are considered to be obese. First, what is obesity? Obesity is defined as having excess body fat according to one’s age, height, and sex. Obesity is a result of eating too much and not properly balancing ones diet to where the appropriate calories are consumed. Consuming the appropriate amount of calories is one major cause of obesity but it is not the only cause. In some cases, children cannot help the way they are due to genetic disorders that have been passed down or through family history. When the cause of obesity is from genetic disorders there is more than just an eating issue that comes into play. When dealing with genetic disorders ones’ hormones are thrown off, which causes their body weight to increase. Some disorders that cause an imbalance of hormones are; Down syndrome, Prader-Willis syndrome, Cushing's syndrome, Alstrom syndrome, primary or secondary hypothyroidism, and primary hyperinsulinism. Those are just some disorders, there are plenty more out there that affects the hormones and can cause one’s metabolism to change which could lead to obesity. In some cases obesity can also be inherited. If both parents are obese then there is a two-third chance that the children will be obese as well. Therefore, obesity is not just something that affects the one who is obese, but it can also affect their offspring. Some other causes of childhood obesity are; lack of exercising, stressful life events or changes, for example, parents getting divorced. Obesity is one of the easiest disorders to recognize, but it is not as easily treated. Childhood obesity has many health related risks, some are immediately and others are long-term problems that can affect...

Similar Essays