The Causes of Childhood Obesity - Essay Example

"The Causes of Childhood Obesity" is an outstanding example of a paper on child development. 
Article Citation

Papoutsi, Georgia S., Andreas C. Drichoutis, and Rodolfo M. Nayga. "The Causes Of Childhood Obesity: A Survey." Journal Of Economic Surveys 27.4 (2013): 743-767. Business Source Premier. Web. 7 Apr. 2015.

Article Summary

The journal discusses the different causes of obesity. The primary aim of the journal is to explain the causes of obesity so that a solution to the global childhood obesity problem can be found. It discusses the different causes of obesity in detail and uses statistical data and literature analysis from other sources to prove its claims.

Article Assessment

Unlike other journals on obesity, the writers in this journal are more particular on childhood obesity. The journal discusses obesity as a self-caused problem and brings the reader to the light on how to stop the increasing rates of childhood obesity. The writer cites works from many other scholars and researchers, and hence this information is credible. The article surveys literature from other related departments and hence creates a better understanding and explanation of the topic. Therefore, the article is credible, and information in it can be used for research on the topic.

Usable Information

The writer begins by giving a statistical overview to show the extent of the obesity problem. According to the article, “31.7% of American children are overweight while 16.9% are obese.” The writer further states that “at least one in every seven children living in the United States is obese.” Obesity is linked to other dangerous diseases such as Sleep apnea, cardiovascular diseases, asthma, and genitourinary disease. Due to this, obesity causes a great risk to the health of children.

Rodolfo argues that parental behaviors contribute to a child’s health outcome. It is unfortunate that parents, who are supposed to ensure that their children are healthy, are a driving force to the obesity problem. “Most parents are not concerned with the kind of food that their children take.” “Children are more attracted to junk food.” Due to a lack of parental influence, children take unhealthy diets and hence end up being obese.

“The current food markets are overflowing with cheap, tasty, and energy-dense foods.” The food market has failed to manufacture healthy foods and has capitalized on high-calorie foods. “Children end up taking more soft drinks and high-calorie foods since they are cheap and readily available in the market.” This contributes to increasing obesity rates among children.

“The built environment and urban lifestyle have undergone numerous changes.” Today, children have lesser distances to walk since schools and lifts have substituted staircases. This among many other changes in the built environment has led to children practicing less. This leads to the accumulation of calories and hence obesity. “Instead of making life better, changes in the built environment and urban lifestyle are creating obesity havoc.”

“Modern parents have adopted busy lives.” Parents spend most of their time at work and doing business. There is little or no time for the parent to participate in the child’s activities. Children grow inactive, become dull, and eventually become obese. The current academic systems also contribute to increasing obesity among children. The academic system makes the child spend most of their time in books. The time allocated for exercise is little. Therefore, the ‘beneficial’ education system ends up creating health problems for children.

The writer also argues that the social-cultural environment has influenced the increased rates of obesity. “Some societies and cultures view fat children as healthy.” To gain acceptance in such societies, parents encourage their children to grow fat.