Obesity in American Children: Causes, Consequences, and Solutions - Research Paper Example

Due Obesity in American Children: Causes, Consequences and Possible Solutions Introduction At the turn of the 21 century, a century characterized by advanced technology embodied in advanced healthcare, childhood obesity is admittedly a real, serious and difficult to treat medical condition with additional threats nearing the effects of the deadly world epidemic HIV virus. In this decade and era, it is now a recognized fact that an obese American child or teenager is well on his way to a poor, body health throughout their adult life. Not surprisingly, the upcoming generation of adult Americans are not only staring disaster in the face, but could be headed for more lifespan shortening challenges with much less healthier lives compared to their parents (Olshansky, et al. 1140). Available evidence in indicates that statistics of childhood and teenage-hood obesity have more than tripled since 1980 and the prevalence does not appear to be showing any significant downward momentum (Wojcicki and Heyman 1457). Almost a third of 2 year-old children are currently overweight or obese with an increased likelihood exposure to cardiovascular disease and diabetes, of hospitalization and a subsequent diagnosis with a mental, bone and joint disorders than non-obese children (Thompson and Wolf 189). Worse still, the causative effects of obesity not only harms millions of Americans healthwise, but concurrently bulges out annual health care costs with little results—more than one quarter of America’s health care budget is devoted to obesity related health issues (Finkelstein and Fiebelkorn 223). The above notwithstanding, the problem stands with worse consequences for a society regarded as a front-runner in nearly every sphere of influence, technology inclusive; overweight children adolescents graduate to adulthood with all the health complications that accompany obesity. What is this obesity anyway? Are there chances of saving a generation whose lives apparently hangs on the pendulum? This paper investigates the impact that obesity on American Children—a disease now considered of epidemic proportions, with regard to its prevalence rates, the contributing factors, the health complications and the possible routes for preventive measures. Across section of epidemiological studies define obesity based on body mass index (BMI). It thus refers to a chronic, complex condition characterized by an excess amount body fat/adipose tissue relative to lean body mass with a resultant effect of “caloric imbalance”—too little calories used in relation to the amount consumed (Daniels, et al 1999). Noteworthy, the amount of body fat consumed and those for subsequent usage are affected by various genetic makeup, behavioral interactions as well as environmental factors. More generally, while the causes of obesity may genetically linked, many of them the causes are behaviorally and environmentally conditioned and are remediable with correct child upbringing. The World Health Organization (W.H.O.), The Centers for Disease Control (CDC, Surgeon General, The National Institute of Health (N.I.H.) among other healthcare monitoring organizations, all now recognizes obesity as a major health issue that is in its prime levels of concern in the United States. Even though statistical increases in obesity have been somewhat similar in the industrialized world, the United States’ levels ranks among the highest the world over. The country has witnessed the estimates steadily increase from 13 percentage points in 1962 towards 19.4, 24.5, 26.6, 33.8 percentage points in 1997, 2004, 2007 and 2008 respectively (National Center for Health Statistics par 11-14). Overall, the prevalence has increased by a whopping 33 percent in the last decade alone with an ever burgeoning research evidence indicative of a direct relation between an increased in the mortality rate and the exacerbative effects of obesity (Fontaine, et al. 190). As insinuated above, the root cause of obesity can be tracked to childhood years, and tends to run throughout adult lifetime. Suggestively, its presence at the early ages increases conditionality risks at subsequent ages. It is thus prudent enough to address obesity prevalence rates in children and adolescents than a-wait-and-see approach evident from the ever ballooning statistics over the years. While the overall rates of obesity may have halted the upside surge, the condition is still widespread as ever and continues to send shivers to a government bombarded with budget deficits in terms of shortages of funds not only in the public healthcare sector but to virtually every sector (Flegal et al. 496). Even with the efforts geared towards rebalancing the budget to tackle the problem that has more than doubled over the last 30 years, more chronic health problems apparently stemming from obesity are becoming profound on children. A huge number of children are being diagnosed with hitherto rare conditions only prevalent in adult population in the past; diseases such as high cholesterol levels leading to hypertension, sleep apnea and type II diabetes have found their way into weak child-systems, and the probability that such children would carry the burden of their new found status into adulthood remains well over 50 percent (Fontaine 192). In fact, those who mature into adults with same conditions stand greater risks of early development of acute conditions that include, but not limited to physical disabilities. The Prevalence of Childhood and Adolescent Obesity in the United States Due to the precise nature of this paper and the widespread data, it would be impractical to capture detailed analyses of the climbing statistics with demographic proportions over the decades. As such, a general glimpse would be in order. Research evidence indicates that obesity prevalence rates in children between the ages of 6-11 rose from 6.5 percent in 1980 to 19.6 percent in 2008. The prevalence rates in teenagers were not any different with a more than tripling effect witnessed in the 6-11 age group statistics up-from 5 to 18.1 percentage points over the same time frame (Majid et al 253-54). According data from surveys covering the periods 1976–1980 and 2003–2006, obesity prevalence rates have increased for children between ages of 2 to 5 by 7.4 percent up from an average of 5.0 percent during 1976–1980. For those aged 6–11 and 12-16 years, an increased from 6.5 percent to 19.6 percent and 5.0 percent to 17.6 percent were recorded respectively (National Center for Health Statistics 13). In the year 2000, roughly 19 percent of children between the ages of 6–11 years and 17 percent of teenagers between the ages 12–19 years were either overweight or considered obese. Additionally, 15 percent of none obese children and adolescents were at risk of acquiring the same condition (CRC Health Group par. 2). Presently, about one- quarter of those between the ages of 2-5 year and a further one-third of United States’ school-going children (adolescents included) are either overweight or obese (Flegal et al. 492). The Contributing Factors of Obesity in American Children While a person’s genetics is touted as a fundamental influence in the likelihood of a child becoming an obese, there is no enough evidence that genetic makeups alone could have accounted for the dramatic increases of obesity prevalence rates in the past decades. It is now accepted that obesity has numerous causes with the main factors leaning towards behavior and what the environment has to offer. Obesity comes about as a result of consumption of comparatively more calories than those burned during daily routine activities, sleeping included. Conceivably, the ever changing environment has altered the general population’s eating habits via broadened food options that are clearly less nutritional and healthy. There is no place the world over where fast foods such as french-fries, hamburgers and doughnuts etcetera are more popular than the United States. Yet, these are the high content carbohydrate obesity causing foods. The easy-to-make foods with deep frying culture have permeated into the American cooking and eating habits that they have impacted and become a major part of the country's dietary system with snacks almost replacing the old, well preparing/cooking of meals (Kluger par 7). A study conducted in 2007 indicates that on average, an American today consumes 400 and 600 calories more per day than it was in 1985 and in 1970 respectively (Wallinga 407). Out of the extra calories consumed, quite a huge chunk is done from out eating, and that children’s intake of these calories more than doubles during out eating at restaurants compared to meals taken at home (Pereira 37). No wonder then that studies consistently link out eating with obesity. More and more of American families are now dependent on supermarket-stocked selection of foods with soft drinks, pre-packaged foods becoming more accessible with a booming business in fast food restaurants today than ever witnessed in history. Though relatively inexpensive and convenient in terms of time management, such foods tend to be very high in fats and calories content leading to excess intake of obesity contributing caloric foods. The same holds true within the school system set up. From breakfast, lunch to dinner, school feeding programs do not help in promoting healthy eating among young, American children. In addition to the provision of the high in fat, calories and sugary foods, the availability of vending machines in schools make junk foods even easier to access leading to increased intake of obesity causing calories, yet with little exercise. In spite of the adage of physical activity being a natural medical prescription to a healthy lifestyle, most Americans have relegated it to the periphery for cheaper, but rather expensive options. It is no longer a secret that most Americans prefer usage of improvised technology as opposed to the use of physical energy; yet all that is seemingly a created sedentary-lifestyle. If it is not an elevator, then it’s a cars, computer, or remote controlled among other labor/time saving devices. Not known to the majority, or either known but ignored, is that a short walk to the bus stop or a short distance bicycle ride for short distance errands could help shed off unwanted fats under the skin. Available evidence indicates that a typical, modern American child expends 28 hours or more watching varied TV programs a week, and that by their 18th birthday, such a child would have seen approximately 200,000 acts of violence with 16,000 simulated murders, all of which add to the burden of correction (American Academy of Pediatrics 1222). With the advent of online rentals of movies, cable TV shows, pay-per-view TV programs, video games, and other online interactive programs at the turn of the 21st century, children in the developed and the developing world alike—especially those at the ages of teenage-hood—spend more daily hours sedentarily watching TV programs or playing video games instead of engaging in calories’ burning physical activities. Again, this also applies to school life where much effort are directed to academic life as opposed to physical activities, a fact that further help push obesity statistics down the deteriorating lane. The Consequences of Having Obese-Folks Society It is important to note that preventing obesity during childhood remains essentially critical fighting the condition given the likely carry over effects of habits formed in early life into adulthood; an obese child (2-5 years old) has approximately 20 percent chance of progressing into adulthood with his/her obese status, while a teenager possesses 80 percent chance moving on with the same status (Guo and Chumlea 146S). Obesity is thus a sure epidemic eating into the productivity of a future generation, and if not reversed, the danger of raising a first generation of Americans living sicker to die younger is just beckoning (Olshansky, et al. 1140). There is no doubt that obesity is a menace that requires decisive measures to stem the rising cases illnesses linked to the condition. Just to add on the list mentioned above, more than 60 percent of American obese children have a much higher risk of developing not only high blood pressure, diabetes (type 2) and heart disease, but also stands the risks of developing conditional illnesses such as stroke, cancer of the breast, gallbladder disease, prostate cancer and even cancer of the colon compared to those with healthy weight (Kershnar, et al. 314-15). Obesity now contributes to approximately 100,000–400,000 deaths each year in the United States with children forming the majority due to their weak systems compared to adults (Blackburn and Walker 208). Healthcare expenditures have more than doubled over the recent years costing the public an estimated loss of $117 billion in direct and indirect preventive measures and loss a future capacity to earn either through premature death or via total incapacitation (Blackburn and Walker 210). Possible Prevention Mechanisms The evidence of a society headed the wrong path health-wise is in the open, and intervention measures are of essence to arrest an impending disaster. Action oriented policies that prioritize health education, well balanced nutritional diet and physical exercise must be implemented to help stem childhood obesity epidemic. Understandably, knowledge is power. As such, it is important that every sector of the society be enjoined in the fight through thorough awareness to help spread the message to the very doorstep of those affected as well as those at risk. Literature is flooded with irresistible evidence that childhood and by extension adolescent obesity cases and associated illnesses have been on the rise for decades with major consequential effects on healthy longevity. Concerned organizations that include the AOA, (2002, Childhood Obesity), CDC, (2003, FAQ), The Surgeon General and the NIDDK, (2001), and AAP, (2002), all subscribe to and emphasis on preventive measures that comprising of reduced dietary fats via calories taken in types of foods eaten and increasing hours physical exercise and educing sedentary lifestyle (Blackburn and Walker 207-210). Noteworthy, it is important to echo once again that the root cause of the problem at hand is admittedly behavioral and environmental in origin. As such, the remedy must, therefore, be behavioral and/or environmental solutions. Accordingly, healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced, nutritional healthy eating accompanied by routine physical exercises can tremendously help in lowering the risk of raising obese children in America and subsequently lower the risk of contracting other related diseases associated with obesity. Intuitively, families must be cognizant of the hours taken by little kids watching television programs, and if possible reduce such to the bare minimum. Notably, the current levels of obesity statistics require concerted efforts, and the family unit is just but a stakeholder in the war to restore normality in societal lifestyle. Proper dietary education as well as change and adoption of useful physical activities behaviors towards this common cause in children and adolescents can be influenced by but not limited to medical care providers, the at large communities, schools programs, faith-based institutions like churches, government agencies, food and beverage business industries and the media. Alongside the change in eating lifestyle, parents must take control of their children’s future by subscribing to recommended guidelines that are now available from the highest office in the land. The success of this fight hinges on educational principles, which should be available in all schools with proper parental backup. Families and schools remain vital links where role modeling should play key roles in behavior change in children. With regards to physical activities, jogging, biking, moderate house chores among other physical exercises that take up a little energy must form part of children daily routine if at this fight is to be won in the near future. Work cited American Academy of Pediatrics. “Media Violence." PEDIATRICS 5 November 2001: 1222- 1226. Web. November 30, 2012. Blackburn, George and Walker, Allan. Science-Based Solutions to Obesity: What Are The Roles of Academia, Government, Industry, and Health Care? The American journal of clinical nutrition (American Society for Clinical Nutrition) 82.1 (2005): 207–210. Print. CRC Health Group. “Obesity Statistics.” CRC Health Group Website Dec. 2012. Web. 4th Dec. 2012. Daniels, S. 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