Childhood Obesity

Childhood Obesity

Childhood Obesity
Sha’Ri Richardson
SOC203: Social Problems
Instructor: Dr. Tiffany Davis
June 24, 2012








There are so many things that people have to worry about on a daily basis and there are things that are far worse than other things. Kids also have a great deal to worry about as well some far more than others. In today’s society some kids as well as their parent’s have to worry about childhood obesity. Childhood obesity is a real and dangerous topic; it affects kids of all ages, heights, races and genders. Kids aren’t going outside and playing like they did when I was young. Now with so many advancements in video games, handheld games, cell phones and televisions kids are sitting in front of these items. What do they do when they get hungry, they don’t stop they snack, something quick and fast that allows them to continue to sit and allow they fat to develop and they put on weight. So once this happens then what is next, how do they reverse the damage that has been done?
Today about 1 in 3 children and youth (ages 2-19) in the United States are already overweight or obese. Overweight kids are more likely to become overweight adults. Some experts believe that if obesity among kids continues to increase at this rate, our current generation could become the first in American history to live shorter lives than their parents. Obesity is the result of caloric imbalance, which is too few calories expended for the amount of calories consumed, and is mediated by genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors (Daniels SR, Arnett DK, Eckel RH. 2005). Childhood obesity has both immediate and long-term health impacts obese youth are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure. Dr. Steven Schwarz talks in his article for emedicine.com talks about how obesity can be not only a genetic syndrome but also a hormonal disorder, as well as an imbalance in energy. So who is helping to fight...

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