Childhood Obesity in America - Research Proposal Example

? Childhood Obesity in America Childhood obesity has emerged as emerged as a major issue that is swallowing the well-being of the majority of the children in the present epoch. It has taken the shape of an epidemic in the United States. Reports state that 16.3% of children belonging to the age group of 2-19 years are obese (Child Obesity In America). Obesity shatters the self-esteem of the child and brings depression in the child. It is therefore compulsory to adopt good and healthy lifestyle rather than feeling depressed and develop eating disorder. Childhood Obesity in America Introduction Obesity in US has emerged as a major issue, health professionals have categorized it as a national epidemic. The number of cases in past three decades have raised to three times. It is unfortunate that the rate of incidence obesity is reported to be exceptionally high for the minor population i.e. the population belonging to the age group between 2 to 18 years. It is also reported that 25% of Black and Hispanic kids are flabby (Child Obesity In America). The tern emerged for these exceptionally fat children as super-obesity and it has take a toll with a rise of 100% in past 20 years. It is evident that when these kids will grow they are going to be obese adults (Child Obesity In America). Such overweight kids start reporting with the problems of high blood lipids, insulin resistance, elevated blood pressure, and other troubles. The jeopardy of an high blood cholesterol concentration is maximum amongst children with body loads more than 90th percentile (Child Obesity In America). Reports illustrate that around 7 million American children and teenagers are supposed to have elevated cholesterol concentrations. If LDL concentration rises at young age and when these kids grow as adults they are bound to have prominent LDL cholesterol intensities (Child Obesity In America). Such overweight kids are likely to develop cardiovascular disease and diabetes, these diseases are otherwise associated with adults in their middle-age. A drastic rise on type 2 diabetes have been reported by pediatricians for children and adolescents (Child Obesity In America). Type 2 diabetes is associated with obesity. Reports reveal that almost 40% of the children have been associated with this condition. Besides these critical issues the obese child also witness physical health issues and social troubles (Child Obesity In America). Morbidly obese children also suffer from emotional distress and this results in their profuse eating habits. It is observed that obese children relish a lot if they get all the eatable they wish for. They develop a tendency to eat constantly and do not feel satisfied even after eating a large full meal. It is reported that eating behavior of children have considerably altered over the past twenty years or so. Children are achieving a greater percentage of their calories from junk foods and snacks, these food items have high proportion of fat, salt and sugar (Child Obesity In America). The most favorite food items for kids in today's scenario are ice creams, soda pop, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, pizza, French fries made of potatoes that is full of starch, shakes that are sugar syrups, chips, and candy bars. These food items are devoid of fibers and are rich in fats and cholesterol. Children do not like to eat raw fruits and salads. They like to opt for juice with sugar from these juices fibers are being strained out. They do not like salads and vegetables, if they eat fruits and vegetables they eat with toppings of cream and sugar or with ice-cream (Child Obesity In America). Additionally, Children have developed a tendency to eat more and they are not satisfied with the little amount of food they consume. Estimates reveal that the average size of the food items have been enhanced three times i.e. from 50 to 135 calories, apart from food items augmentation in beverage serving has also enhanced from 8 to 20 ounces. With the increase in diet the body is also increasing in girth making the children to develop tendency to eat as much as they can. The busy lifestyles of the parents leave little time for attending the kids and discussing with them their issues and concerns. Working mother seldom get time to cook food for their kids and thereby forcing the kids to opt for the readymade food stuff available in the market (Child Obesity In America). Moreover children do not eat meal with their parents. It is observed that when children eat meals with their parents they get nutritious diet. It is observed that the nutritional superiority of a child's diet is optimistically prejudiced not only by having a pleasing and enjoyable family atmosphere at mealtime, but also they have parents to share affectionate moments and they seek parents for developing eating habits and understanding what to and what not to eat. On the other hand children who tend to eat food by themselves, in the absence of parents, do not have enough knowledge to understand what they should eat and consume. They eat as per taste and not as per the nutritious values. Thus such kids opt for food stuffs which are good to taste, sweet and has lot of cheese, cream and fat (Child Obesity In America). Regular family meals also provide order, discipline and emotional security for a child. Psychologists have found that positive child-parent interactions improve a child's development and their cognitive ability. One of the major reasons for the childhood obesity is the lifestyle. Children in majority of the families follow sedentary lifestyle. They lack in their physical outputs. They are either associated with watching television, DVD movies or they are playing video or computer games, internet chatting, surfing etc. There is hardly any time for any kind of physical exercise (Child Obesity In America). The government wants that children and adults all over the nation to should have a habit of walking every day. This is an effort to restrain obesity prevailing in the United States. It is important for children to be engaged in more of physical work encompassing walking, running, cycling or other outdoor actions (Child Obesity In America). Pedometer must be used to walk 2,000 steps per day. Parents and teachers must emphasize on low-fat and low-calorie food. Parents and teachers must explain the role of low fat and rich fiber diet. Apart from kind of food, it is also important that discipline in eating habits especially timings of meals should be maintained. Parents are the role model for their wards children must be encouraged to consume fresh fruits and vegetables, and should avoid eating processed food that is rich in fat, sugar, calories, and salt (Child Obesity In America). It is also important as now-a-day children are becoming victims of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol levels, sleep apnea, overweight resulting in orthopedic problems, early signs of puberty and reduced life expectancy (Child Obesity In America). In case of single parenting the child turns out to be over-pampered. Single parent takes the accountability of the child alone and in order to keep their child cheerful they accomplish all the commands of the child/ children and rarely restrain their demands. These activities inflict a psychological impact on the adolescent minds and hence they take advantage of their parents to execute their requirements (Child Obesity In America). Parents are under constant pressure due to comparison that is made by the child with peers. This creates a feeling of competition for parents and creates a wrong notion. In order to prove them better as well as superior parents employ and endorse erroneous habits in their wards resulting in the indiscipline shown by the children in the form of eating disorder. All these factors lead to gradual enjoyment in eating all the time. It is also essential to understand that stress in children, pressure in school, peer pressure and cut-throat competition is also responsible for their uncontrolled eating behavior. Deeper psychological indulgence is necessary to build an ambiance of conviction and empathy that will foster the child well and also the physician must recommend the methods to de-stress themselves for enhanced living condition and contribute to healthy community (Child Obesity In America). Research states that if one of the parents is obese then the chances of child being obese is 50% but if both the parents are obese then chances for the child being obese is 80%. Obesity due to medical conditions is Read More