Obesity in Children - Essay Example

Obesity in Children: Cause and Effect Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in today’s modern societies. It is especially a problem in the United States and among the younger generations. Definitions of obesity vary slightly from organization to organization, but a basic definition of an obese person is someone who has more body fat than is considered healthy for their particular height, gender, body type and age. Generally speaking, people who are between 40 and 100 pounds over a determined ideal weight range for their specific body are considered obese. People who are greater than 100 pounds over the weight range are considered morbidly obese. Most people consider this to be an adult issue, but children are equally susceptible to obesity. However, the problems children experience as a result of their weight can be devastating. Unlike many other conditions, obesity is impossible to hide. It introduces immediate public humiliation each time the individual encounters another human being or a reflection of themselves. This can create lifelong severe psychological damage which significantly impacts the person’s ability to reach their potential. As detrimental as this damage can be, the physical cost of being obese is even greater. It is common knowledge that obesity can dramatically lower life expectancy regardless of the age level. It causes at least 300,000 deaths in the United States every year. While living, obese people suffer a higher number of illnesses, have earlier onset, have more severe problems and are more lethargic than people at more appropriate weights. Because of the problems that obesity causes, initiatives must be started to directly address the causes of obesity and help children live healthier, more productive lives. There are a number of factors that can lead to obesity in children. Some of these, such as heredity, play a significant role but cannot be directly influenced. Children born to obese parents are typically overweight before they are old enough to try following a healthy diet. Metabolism, some illnesses, endocrine ailments and several medications can also contribute to obesity. Metabolism refers to how efficiently a person’s body burns up energy. “Recent studies show that levels of ghrelin, a peptide hormone known to regulate appetite, and other peptides in the stomach, play a role in triggering hunger and producing a feeling of fullness.”1 However, there are several factors that can be controlled such as overeating, eating fatty foods and spending long periods of time in inactivity. Studies have also proven a connection between substandard economic circumstances and obesity rates in children. Food available to low income populations generally has poor nutritional value and high calorie counts. “Every day, nearly one-third of U.S. children aged 4 to 19 eat fast food, which likely packs on about six extra pounds per child per year and increases the risk of obesity.”2 Children in these homes frequently find themselves eating as a source of emotional comfort. Lifestyle preferences also contribute to weight gain. Too much time on the computer, watching television and playing video games equates with higher rates of obesity. Commercials promoting foods often misrepresent their products to impressionable children regarding the product’s dubious nutritional value.3 The primary reasons for obesity in children are lack of activity and poor food choices. There are also numerous effects of being overweight that particularly affect the child differently from how it affects the adult. Explaining these differences is the main subject of a book by Sylvia Rimm.4 She explains how obesity affects a child’s self-esteem, self-confidence, relationships with peers and their acceptance of self. Their self-assessment and the immediate and perhaps unconscious assessments of others impacts their academic careers based on preconceived notions of “fat equates lazy” which further limits the child’s intellectual abilities and accomplishments. Rimm also explores the differences in interests that are expressed by overweight children. Throughout the book, Rimm paints a grim picture for the success of an overweight child attempting to overcome the hurdles of a lifetime of overweight in order to achieve a healthy lifestyle. A cycle is established in which the child increasingly gains weight in response to the emotional turmoil of playground jokes or realize they can’t keep up with other kids in physical games. This causes them to begin thinking of themselves as less able than other kids in other ways as well. Adults often reinforce these beliefs by assuming overweight children are lazy and not as bright as other children. Even if nothing is said, the adult behavior and expectation is perceptible to the children and they retreat more and more to food and comforting activities which only exacerbate the eating problem. Although the dangers of obesity are widely recognized, there is no easy solution to the problem. Diet, exercise and eating right are the only viable solutions for most children, but many parents do not have access to the information they need to help their children in these areas.5 Throughout her book, Rimm includes success stories of adults who overcame adolescent overweight to achieve happy, successful, healthy adulthoods as well as stories of parents who have successfully aided their overweight children to face the abuse of the world around them. Rimm includes helpful tips and suggestions on how adults and children can work together to find positive approaches to weight loss and new laws will be going into effect in 2011 that requires greater medical screening and intervention for overweight children. The message of Rimm’s book is as a tool of empowerment, giving these children and those who love them the courage, strength and direction to achieving a happier future. Building off of these ideas and the ideas of others, First Lady Michelle Obama has also launched a new campaign aimed at overweight children called “Let’s Move!” This campaign works to get information out to schools, counselors, medical professionals, community organizations, parents and children that can help children make healthier choices regarding diet and behavior.6 The First Lady has introduced numerous activities that children can take part in regardless of their current physical condition such as gardening, dancing or bowling and shows them how they can build to a more active and fun lifestyle. On the surface, obesity seems to be caused by poor lifestyle choices alone but for most, the choices they make are rooted at least somewhat within their biological make-up and economic social positioning. The cause of obesity was discovered through scientific means but the cure could be as simple as disseminating knowledge. Obesity is responsible for the poor health of thousands of children and the decline in their productivity and happiness levels as a result. The most viable way to stem this tragic and widespread condition is to identify it in the young and work with behavioral modification therapy such as through the initiatives being introduced in science, legislation and community awareness campaigns. By encouraging children to take a proactive stance on their weight issue, it is hoped they will be able to achieve and maintain a more healthy weight and a healthier self-perception through greater self-acceptance, empowerment and self-value. Works Cited Byrd-Bredbenner C & Grasso D. “Commercials During 1992 and 1998.” Journal of School Health. Vol. 70, (2000), pp. 61-65. Clancy, Carolyn. “Lose Weight, Save Money.” AARP. October 6, 2010. Holguin, Jaime. “Fast Food Linked To Child Obesity” CBS News (January 5, 2003) “Let’s Move.” White House. 2010. “Overview of Obesity.” Cardiovascular Diseases. (January 22, 2007). University of Virginia Health System. Rimm, Sylvia. Rescuing the Emotional Lives of Overweight Children. New York: St Martin’s Press, 2004. Read More