Childhood Obesity and the Health Concerns

Childhood Obesity

C. Kevin Barr

ENG122

Quiana McCoy-Taylor

September 24, 2012

CHILDHOOD OBESITY 2

Childhood Obesity and the Health Concerns

Obesity is such a hot topic in America today and childhood obesity and the concerns over obesity has greatly increased over the last 10 years. Health problems that occur from this deadly disease is something that no one wants to talk about. When people think about health, what usually is discussed is cancer or heart disease. Not many people really think about one of the biggest issues out there that is really not taken very seriously and that is obesity. In America there are hundreds of thousands of children that are overweight. Obesity is a disease, a disease associated with many other health issues, including congestive heart problems, diabetes among other physical and mental complications associated with this disease that we will discuss throughout this paper. There are many arguments about how childhood obesity starts, who's to blame for allowing this to happen. Most of the debate has been centered around the parents, but this paper will not engage in debating who is to blame but this paper will focus on the ramifications of not getting the situation under control. The longer this disease is allowed to grow and is not brought under control, the higher the percentage of childhood obesity will increase and the effects and diseases will become an even greater risk to kids.

It is important to recognize childhood obesity as a disease condition and the role that is played in aggravating the development of other diseases (Barton, 2012). There are

CHILDHOOD OBESITY 3

numerous health issues that will happen to our children now, and as they reach adulthood if we do not act now to help prevent these ramifications from happening. Childhood obesity is associated with an increase for other diseases not only during childhood but as the youth become adolescent and then into adulthood. "Obesity in childhood causes a wide range of serious complications, and increases the risk of premature illness and death later in life". (Strauss, RS, 1999) Obesity in children if left neglected, will increase the risk of developing chronic adult diseases. There are substantial risk for obese children even before they reach adulthood. Of equal concern is that obese children could become obese adults. (Papoutsakis, 2007)

Childhood obesity not only affects today's generation but will also affect tomorrow's adulthood. Obesity in children has become a major challenge for today's society and is now threatening to become a disease with multiple health risk for today as well as beyond. Obesity is a disease, a disease that if not taken seriously may have health ramifications for years to come. The problem with childhood obesity is not just the weight issue but the other diseases associated with the neglect of this disease. Understanding and working towards solutions will only improve the chances of solving this disease and all other diseases associated with childhood obesity.

Childhood obesity is linked to diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma and other breathing issues, and heart disease on the physical side of this disease. On the mental side, childhood obesity can be associated to depression, low self esteem, and learning problems are

CHILDHOOD OBESITY 4

associated with childhood obesity. Diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, which previously affected only adults, have begun to show up in with increasing frequency in youths in recent years. The primary cause is the growing number of overweight and obese children. (CDC,2011) As the number of children's weight have increased their cholesterol levels have also increased, adding for concern of cardiovascular diseases and high blood pressure. Childhood obesity is also linked to depression in youth as well

...