Childhood Obesity and Its Causes - Essay Example

Childhood Obesity A healthy generation is always regarded as an asset of a nation. But it has often taken for granted that modern generation become obese and are not really focusing on the health of body which is essential for mental health. In this context, a discussion on the causes and the responsible factors of obesity deserves significance. Obesity has often been regarded as a serious issue that craves the attention of world nations because of its devastating effect among the young as well as the old. Different studies have identified the threat of obesity as a disease that acts as a slow poison causing the lives of many in the world. As it is a common factor in most of the countries, and the one draining their vitality, the rise in childhood obesity is a puzzled question among the general public. Obesity refers to children and youth between the ages of 2 and 18 years who have body mass indexes (BMIs) equal to or greater than the 95th percentile of the age- and gender-specific BMI charts developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (Childhood Obesity in the United States: Facts and Figures). There are various reasons which lead one to be obese, like the discouraging mentality of the urban and suburban to walking and other physical activities, pressures on families to minimize food costs, reduced use of vegetables, decreased opportunities for physical exercises, spending much time watching television or playing computer of video games, and so on. As it is evident that children are the groups which face real threat of obesity, the study of the rise in child obesity deserves prominence and it also evaluates the assumptions of the society with regard to this problem. Obesity is a serious public health problem worldwide that can be effectively addressed only if governments, international agencies, industry/trade, media, health professionals and consumers accept that they have important roles to play in its management and prevention (Hofbauer, G. Karl, et al 461). Since it is a serious public health problem, it is evident that it does not have single solution. The paper presents the vulnerability of obesity through an evidence based research. It also attempts to explore the underlying factors that cause for the rise of obesity among the children and who are responsible for promoting obesity. Causes of Obesity The causes of obesity are many and varied, and the studies are still going on intended to explore its root causes. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in their online article entitled, Obesity in Children and Teens makes a clear assessment about the causes of obesity. The Academy finds that the “causes of obesity are complex and include genetic, biological, behavioral and cultural factors” (American Academy 1). The Academy also identifies that the main cause of obesity is one’s habit of eating more calories than the body burns up. Obesity also may acquire hereditary that if one parent is obese there is 50 percent chance for the children to get obesity. But the possibility of children to become obese increases to 30 percent more if both the parents are obese. However, there are certain other factors like medical disorders and physical problems leading the children to obesity. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry discovers the causes for childhood obesity as; “poor eating habits, overeating or binging, lack of exercise (i.e., couch potato kids), family history of obesity, medical illnesses (endocrine, neurological problems), medications (steroids, some psychiatric medications), stressful life events or changes (separations, divorce, moves, deaths, abuse), family and peer problems, low self-esteem and depression or other emotional problems” (American Academy 1). Various studies have identified that poor eating habits among the children is increasing in the modern times. The influence of television has exerted significant role in molding the younger generations’ food habits. Poor sleeping habits also has identified as leading children to obesity. Marcus Hondro observes that like the poor eating habits, poor sleeping habits also leads to obesity. In order to prove this Hondro resorts to the results of study of the 2010 Canadian Cardiovascular Congress in Montreal October 27 lead by Dr. Brian McCrindle pediatric cardiologist at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. Dr. McCrindle conducted a study by including 1,600 14 to 15 year-old students in the Toronto school district. As per the study it has been identified that many children stay up late watching television, playing games and using social media on the computer and/or playing video games (Hondro). This throws light to the fact that the living style of the younger generation may make them obese. Overeating is the other problem that promotes obesity. However, one cannot say that it is the only reason for making children obese, but one should also regard its significant role in weight maintenance equation. As the studies on experimental starvation and overeating show, metabolic level changes with food intake as well as with energy output to alter the efficiency of nutrient use by the body (Brannon & Feist 382). However, one should take into account the individual body differences which allow people to have food faster. Two people who eat the same amount may have different weights, but obese people usually eat more than normal weight people (Brannon & Feist 383). Therefore, it is evident that overeating endorses obesity. Certain other factors like the Genetic factors, environmental factors and psychological factors are also included among the causes of obesity (Understanding obesity). The genetic influence of obesity has already discussed. But when regarding the environmental factors of obesity, it is quite sure that the environment put forth a dominant influence in one’s food habits. It will be clear when observing the Americans who tend to eat high-fat foods and put taste and convenience ahead of nutrition (Understanding obesity). Psychological factors also have none the less importance in promoting obesity. It should be noted that many people eat in response to negative emotions such as boredom, sadness, or anger which may gradually make them obese. Furthermore, diseases like hypothyroidism, Cushings syndrome, depression, and certain neurological problems (Understanding obesity) cause for obesity. Consumption of alcohol and soft drinks also can be a major factor for increase in weight. Karl G. Hofbauer et al observes, “Obesity is a chronic disease, whether it is judged from the standpoint of personal suffering endured by affected individuals or by the cost to public health systems and societies” (4). Karl G. Hofbauer et al make a very systematic evaluation to establish obesity as a chronic disease. They are of the view that it is the chronic disruption of the energy balance resulting for obesity. Scientific studies prove that it is the long term intake and expenditure of energy—energy balancing, determines the amount of energy stored in the body. When there is the exceeding of the energy intake than the expenditure, it naturally results the increase of fat cells in one’s body, leading to obesity (Karl G. Hofbauer et al. 4). Thus, it is crystal clear that the chronic disruptions of energy can be one among the causes of obesity. As it is a chronic disease sprouted with various reasons, different methods or treatments are to be implemented to control obesity. But the difficult factor in it is that there is possibility for one to be obese, even after he/she controlled it already. It makes clear the fact that obesity does not have a single solution as it originates from various reasons, like the lack of proper physical exercises, dieting, as an after effect of the use of different medicines and treatments, and so on. Who is responsible for childhood obesity? There are different perceptions regarding this question and one cannot reach in clear assumption that it is either the parents or the children themselves are responsible for the rise of obesity. But it is easy to understand that it has become a global health problem of our time affecting people irrespective of sex, age and/or religion. The researchers say that there are a number of factors interlinked with this problem, namely, economical factors, genital factors, social factors, ethnic factors, factors related to diet, and so on. The rise in the number of the eating establishments offering fast foods full of high calories and high fats are also deserve an elite role in the growth of childhood obesity (Dr. Clayson, Mark 64). Along with these fast food outlets, leisure time activities like watching TV and computer activities also do the same. These activates deny the opportunities of keeping physical fitness and exercise which really helps one to maintain one’s physical well being. Some have presumably remarked the role of parents in assuring the physical health of their children though it is not possible for one to take care of their children 24 hours a day. Nevertheless, the role of parents in controlling or keeping their children away from such kind of food is not negotiable. Some other studies accuse the parents are the most responsible for child obesity. One of the quick polls conducted over this issue makes it clear by enlightening thus, “…78 percent of respondents saying that parents are responsible, and just one percent blaming fast food restaurants” (Phil, Rampert). The report also is keeps an accusing finger against the authorities for evading from a public policy that allows alternative transportation for the general public, especially for arranging bike paths, walking trails and pedestrian bridges. The report adds that interdicting of soda and junk food—another factor causing for obesity— from the school premises also can regulate the percentage of obese students. The report says, “The vast majority of respondents, [participated in the polls], 71 percent, said that limitations on such products in school would have “strong” or “some” impact in lowering obesity rates. Twenty-one percent said they would have little impact, and nine percent said no impact at all” (Phil, Rampert, 2003). After going through this analytical report one can infer that parents are the more responsible persons for making children obese. Researchers have also identified the role of genetics and some interesting factors like the way in which one eats. The fast eating habits of the fat people, when compared with the thin, also bear elite roles in obesity. The non-supportive attitude of many schools in physical activities has also been identified as one the grounds for obesity. To conclude, one can infer that obesity has various causes and many factors are responsible for leading the children to obesity. By changing the life styles, it is easy for one to reduce the fat from his/her body. Implementation of the physical activities can do much on obesity, and if one the part of his life, obesity can be wiped out from the present society. Regarding the responsible factors of obesity one can see that economical factors, genital factors, social factors, ethnic factors, factors related to diet, and so on exert decisive roles in promoting obesity. The causes of obesity are also innumerable. Eating habits, environments and certain diseases pave the way for obesity. Therefore, it is certain that there should be sufficient attempts to regulate obesity for the creation of a healthy generation. Works cited Brannon, Linda., Feist, Jess. Health Psychology: An Introduction to Behavior and Health.edn.7. Cengage Learning, 2009. Print. Bray, A. George. Role of physical activity and exercise in obesity. UpToDate for patients, 2009. Print. Clayson, Mark. Who Is Responsible For Child Obesity? EzineArticles.com, 2009. Web. http://ezinearticles.com/?Who-Is-Responsible-For-Child-Obesity?&id=479186 Childhood Obesity in the United States:Facts and Figures. Institute of medicine fact sheet of the national academies, 2004. Web. Dalton, Sharron. Overweight and weight management: the health professionals guide to understanding and practice. Jones & Bartlett Publishers, 1997. Print. Gard, M.,Wright, J. The obesity epidemic: science, morality, and ideology. Routledge. 2005. Print. Hofbauer, G., Karl., Keller, Ulrich and Boss, Olivier. Pharmacotherapy of obesity: options and alternatives. CRC Press. 2004. Print. Phil, Rampert. Childhood Obesity Quick Poll: Who Is Responsible? Supermarket Guru. 2003. Web. Obesity in Children and Teens. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 2008. 28 Nov.2010. Web. http://www.aacap.org/galleries/FactsForFamilies/79_obesity_in_children_and_teens.pdf Understanding obesity. (Slimplant) fast weight loss. 2009. Print. http://www.virilplant.com/obesity-causes.htm Read More