Obese Children as Public Problem - Essay Example

Obese Children, a Public Problem First Lady Michelle Obama has made it her mission to fight childhood obesity. Last month she spoke to the nation’s mayors. She said the weighty problem is “already weighing down your budgets, it’s already hampering economic growth.” (Obama, 2011) Of course, as she has often stated over the past year, there are many negative aspects of this growing condition including physical, economic and psychological problems. Childhood obesity is one of the most prevalent and adverse public policy issues plaguing the nation today. This is especially a problem because the younger generations of citizens have become increasingly sedentary. Television, video games and computer usage together with the fact of many parents feel the legitimate need to keep their children safe and require them to stay in the house after school until they return from home from work have led to a situation in which children’s weight is becoming a considerable obstacle to their health and well-being. Generally speaking, a person is considered obese when that individual has more body fat than is considered healthy for their particular age, height and gender. Though obesity is normally only regarded as a grown-up problem, their kids face even greater risks associated with the condition. While other types of physical conditions may be easier for children to hide under their clothing or to mask in various ways, obesity is impossible to hide under clothing and too often leads to them being teased or otherwise tormented by cruel jokes by their misunderstanding schoolmates. The disapproving stares and negative looks from other adults and children greet them every time they meet another set of eyes. This often unconscious response on the part of other people can contribute to severe emotional damage that often lasts a lifetime. Even when the excess weight is lost, these psychological scars can drastically impact the child’s ability to achieve the level of fulfillment and happiness that should be every child’s right. The physical consequences of obesity are also unacceptably extensive. It is widely acknowledged that obesity can significantly lower life expectancy despite the person’s age. With obesity now accepted as being at pandemic proportions, it is of supreme importance to identify the common causes of obesity as well as the most effective methods of treating it to help children overcome the social and personal drawbacks of being overweight. One of the most disturbing features of obesity is its close association with more than 30 adverse health conditions and countless psychological ramifications. Increasingly, younger persons are starting to experience arthritis of the hips, back, hands and knees as a result of the long-term misuse their bodily systems must endure. The possibility of breast cancer is doubled for people who are obese as compared to people who maintain a somewhat stable weight as an adult or ‘normal’ weight as a child. Other cancers such as esophageal, gastric, endometrial and colorectal cancers are also much more common among the obese, even those at younger ages. It seems pointless to list the elevated risk of cardiovascular disease because of obesities direct correlation with higher levels of cholesterol in the bloodstream which blocks arteries of the heart (“Health Effects”, 2002). This problem is aggravated in obese persons due to their veins being more constricted. This has the effect of impeding oxygen transmission to bodily tissues and provoking complaints of sleepiness, general fatigue and breathing problems. Predictably, all of these side effects and other associated risks of obesity or just being overweight have a negative impact on a child’s rate of growth and their general ability to develop. “Even for children, obesity can increase the risk of stroke and hypertension, a statistic supported by the fact that more than 75 percent of people who suffer from hypertension are obese” (Health Effects, 2002). Obesity Statistics (2007) indicates that 25 percent of children classified as overweight are already showing indications of diabetes and as many as 60 percent show at least one risk factor for developing heart disease. Most people don’t know that obesity is the leading cause of pancreatitis, gallbladder and liver disease (alcohol abuse is second). Obese children are also more susceptible to pneumonia infection. (Health Effects, 2002). There is sufficient evidence to demonstrate the severity of childhood obesity must be addressed as quickly as possible. Currently, statistics show more than 300,000 deaths in the United States each year are directly attributed to the adverse effects of obesity (Overview of Obesity, 2007). According to Obesity Statistics (2007), one-fourth of all Caucasian American children were considered to be overweight. One-third of all Hispanic and African American children fall into this category. Since these statistics demonstrated a dramatic rise over previous figures, it can be reasonably assumed that the trend toward more children becoming obese has not been significantly reduced in the last three years or will for the foreseeable future. According to scientists, people who surpass the ideal weight range for their body type, gender and age by 40 to 100 pounds are considered obese. Those who weigh 100 pounds more than their ideal are considered to be morbidly obese (Overview of Obesity, 2007). However, these definitions are adjusted to some extent when taking condition of children into account. According to the CDC (2009) though Body Mass Index (BMI) is an adequate gauge for adults, it is only a fundamental beginning point when measuring children. Body mass represents the percentage of fat in the body compared to rest of the body. Children who have a higher BMI measurement than is recommended are also commonly examined for age, height and other dynamics that play an even larger role in the child’s development than the factors for adults. This information leads to their assignment on a risk factor. “Children ranking between 85 and 95 percentile points are considered to be overweight while those scoring in a range higher than the 95th percentile are considered obese.” (CDC 2009) Though a seemingly unnecessary classifying method, it is important to make the distinction between older and younger persons because children continually undergo growth changes. The classification should be fluid for children, by percentile rather than rigid numbers which work for adults. It is normal for children at particular places in their individual development to carry a little more fat than what would be typical for an adult. It is imperative for proper development and growth that overweight children receive proper adequate caloric and nutrition intake as they work towards adapting to a healthier lifestyle. There are many reasons which contribute to the obesity problem, some of which can be changed but some that cannot. Coming in first under the category of circumstances that cannot be changed is heredity which has been demonstrated to have a great impact on not only a person’s tendency to gain weight but in experiencing more difficulty in trying to lose or maintain a particular weight as well. In many instances, children born into families whose members are overweight have likely become clinically overweight themselves prior to entering preschool, about three or four years old. Metabolism (“the level of efficiency with which the body burns off energy”), illness and endocrine conditions are other factors leading to obesity that people had little control over. According to the new studies ghrelin, a naturally produced hormone which stimulates hunger pangs can be regulated. Patients may someday be able to receive a vaccine that blocks or inhibits the production of ghrelin which will regulate appetite while producing a feeling of fullness. This is an important development in the fight against obesity (“Overview of Obesity”, 2007). Another contributing factor to obesity that adults have some control over but children do not is the family’s socioeconomic condition. This circumstance has an effect on the amount and quality of information available to them. Additionally, fatty foods are generally cheaper than healthier types of foods. Among the causes leading to obesity in children that can be addressed and changed are the top two contributing factors to obesity among school-age kids – spending considerable amounts of time following sedentary pursuits and overeating unhealthy choices that are full of sugar and empty calories. Many times these “activities” are performed simultaneously, a very unhealthy combination. This is an example where certain socioeconomic contributors to childhood obesity can be diminished. In many instances, the food given to children who live in lower income populations is fast food or other inexpensive food items. These foods are usually low in nutritional quality and high in calories. One of the biggest social disadvantages for children living in low-income neighborhoods is that they probably spend their daylight hours either locked inside an empty house or confined to a the classroom causing them to rely on comfort food and/or fast food as a means to find fulfillment. Too much time allowed playing video games, watching television or on the computer significantly contributes to problem of obesity. For far too many children watching television is their main source of connection to the world. TV commercials constantly endorse foods where commercials misrepresent the nutritional values and tempt children to go to the kitchen and find something else to eat. Kids are not likely to choose carrot sticks over Twinkies therefore they contributing to their unhealthy condition. (Byrd-Bredbenner & Grasso, 2000). Studies have consistently shown a strong link between the amount of time a person spends watching television and their weight, regardless of age. This is what takes place when temptation meets inactivity and boredom. “Instead of playing outside and burning up calories, overweight children sit and snack until dinner time and often into the evening. Studies have shown what anyone with common sense already knows, obese children lose weight when they are allowed to spend less time in front of the television” (Miller, 1999). Fast food is another powerful yet changeable contributor. Fast foods are consumed by approximately one-third of all children every day which adds about six pounds per year to each child over and above their ideal weight. (Holguin, 2003). “Although the problem of making fast food available in schools has finally been acknowledged, the truth is that many schools are actually dependent on the revenue the candy and soda machines bring in” (Nakamura, 2001). While the physical consequences of being obesity are very obvious, the psychological impact can be even worse and often remains unaddressed and unexposed. This is the central point of a book by Silvia Rimm (2004). Childhood obesity negatively affects a young, developing person’s self-confidence, self-esteem, their acceptance of self and relationships with peers. This circumstance impacts on all elements of a child’s life and can and too often does severely limit their options socially, athletically and even scholastically while youths and well into their future. Within her book, Rimm investigates why overweight children’s interests are usually very dissimilar from the interests of children who do not have weight issues, the explanation of why sexual maturity may arrive at an earlier age and what specific family conditions that usually contribute to children being overweight and function to keep them in that condition. As an example, there is a prevalent belief among the general population that overweight or obese children are simply lazier than other children and slower witted too. Therefore, teachers and even their own parents are inclined to view them as less competent in school and this diminished expectation quickly becomes transferred to the child’s psyche. As a result, the child starts to put less effort into their schoolwork and physical endeavors thereby fulfilling the expectations set for them, a natural inclination. Similarly, the body’s ability to adequately deal with the additional weight obviously restricts the child’s capacity to keep up on the playground with children who are of a healthier weight. This reinforces their opinion that they were just ‘born this way’ and are not capable of keeping up intellectually or athletically. This dismal self view causes them to seek out sedentary interests and seek comfort foods which perpetuate their obesity problem. Throughout the book, Rimm is less than optimistic regarding the limited success an overweight child will likely achieve while attempting to conquer the impediments in their way to living healthily. Children are caught in a cycle. They increase weight because of emotional turmoil constantly occurring when other children begin to tease them or as they think that they cannot keep up with other kids on the playground or the sports field. They start viewing themselves as somewhat less than average weight kids in every way and aren’t interested in the types of activities that can help their situation. “Many adults within their communities reinforce these beliefs with the idea that an overweight child must be lazy and not as bright as other children. Perceiving these impressions of others, overweight children retreat to food as comfort while still shunning physical activity that further contributes to the weight problem” (Rimm 2004). Obesity is the forerunner of many major health risks, yet no obesity panacea exists. Diet, and exercise along with behavior modification is the favored method of reducing weight and keeping it off. Surgical procedures and various medications have all resulted in successes and failures to varying degrees. The general consensus is leaning progressively toward surgery as the most viable option for obese adults, but no one suggests that surgery should be an option for children. Diet and exercise or medications alone has been successful in yielding long-term weight reduction for fewer than 10 percent of morbidly obese persons. “A 2000 study indicated that gastric bypass surgery reduced not only weight for patients but instances of diabetes and hypertension within the study group as well but this option is not recommended for children” (Sjostrom, 1999). Solutions for children should center more upon the practice of moderate behavior modification. The overweight child can both overcome the name calling and discrimination to find pleasurable types of physical activities and learn healthier ways of eating which will lead to a healthier and satisfying lifestyle. Mrs. Obama has embraced the issue and started a Let’s Move campaign which provides effective solutions for children of all ages to reach and sustain healthy weights. Among the approaches of the campaign are community and family oriented events, activities such as gardening and dancing, simply moving in any way. The campaign also concentrates on stressing healthier food choices including removing sodas and junk food machines from school hallways and cafeterias to be replaced with better, more nutritional options. The campaign’s website also contains specific ways for organizations to get involved including information regarding distribution. Without an understanding of the causes of obesity, the condition might seem to be caused by poor choices only but for the majority, those choices made by overweight persons are rooted within their biological framework and economic social positioning. Obesity is to blame for the bad health of millions in the U.S. alone and for the deaths of hundreds of thousands each year while costing everyone billions. The most feasible way to stop this widespread and tragic condition is to recognize it early on in a child’s life and utilize behavioral modification treatments as a way of achieving then maintaining a more healthy weight through greater self-value self-acceptance. From an early position of self control and empowerment, children are able to conquer overweight issues and to achieve a steady, healthy weight and positive social outlook. Through behavioral modification children become more confident in their capability to cause change and understand that they are holding themselves back by accepting their current state as their fate. These important self-awareness lessons translate well throughout all ages and areas of life helping children to retain a healthy body, mind and spirit capable of reaching their potentials. Works Cited Byrd-Bredbenner C & Grasso D. “Commercials During 1992 and 1998.” Journal of School Health. Vol. 70, pp. 61-65. (2000). “Health Effects of Obesity.” AOA Fact Sheets. American Obesity Association (2002). Holguin, Jaime. “Fast Food Linked To Child Obesity” CBS News (January 5, 2003) Miller, Daphne. “Television’s Effects on Kids: It Can be Harmful!” CNN. (August 20, 1999). Nakamura, David. “US Schools Hooked on Junk Food Proceeds” Common Dreams.org (February 27, 2001) April 26, 2011 < http://www.commondreams.org/headlines01/0227-01.htm> “Obama to mayors: Childhood obesity ‘weighing down your budgets’” USA Today via Tucson Citizen.com (Mar. 15, 2011) April 26, 2011 “Obesity and Overweight.” Centers for Disease Control (CDC). (2009). “Obesity Statistics.” Anne Collins. (2007). “Overview of Obesity.” Cardiovascular Diseases. University of Virginia Health System. (January 22, 2007). Rimm, Sylvia. Rescuing the Emotional Lives of Overweight Children. New York: St Martin’s Press (2004). Sjostrom, C.D., et al. “Reduction in incidence of diabetes, hypertension and lipid disturbances after intentional weight loss induced by bariatric surgery: the SOS Intervention Study.” Obesity Research. Vol. 7, N. 5, pp. 477-484. (1999). Read More