Arguments Against Childhood Obesity

What comes into people's mind when they hear the word “epidemic” is it aids, malaria, or smallpox? Well, according to experts “Childhood obesity” is the epidemic problem children are facing today in America and have been facing since the 1970’s. Clearly, there are many opposing viewpoints on who or what is to be blamed for a child's overweight problem.

That being the case, according to Dr. Michael Gard, the food industry is to be blamed as a whole, however Professor Stern blames the cheap fast food industry for the increase rate of childhood obesity, but in reality the advancement in technology is the real issue to be blamed on the controversial issue of obesity found in children. Nowadays, children are not into playing outside or being active

To begin with,obese children are being risked to mental illnesses and health problems that are critical. Such diseases are stated in the article , “Childhood Obesity Causes &

Consequences”, which states, “ High blood pressure, high cholesterol, breathing problems, joint problems, fatty liver disease, psychological stress, low self­esteem and impaired social, physical,

Jimenez 2 and emotional functioning” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) . Children at such a young age should not be worrying about being overweight or having to take medication. In addition ,all over America there is at least one child in a classroom who is not living a healthy lifestyle. If that does not concern anyone then that is an issue. Childhood obesity is a problem for the child and their parents. A parent should be worried about their overweight child since they can be risked to a short lifespan. However, the child as well needs to contribute to the problem and help recover from the obstacle of being overweight. Although, if the parent does not set an example for the child, then there is no hope for the child to live an average normal life.

To show , “ In 2000, a school health policies and program study looked at a nationally representative sample of private and public schools and found that only 8% of American elementary schools, 6.4% of middle schools, and 5.8% of high schools with existing PE requirements provided daily PE classes for all grades for the entire year”( “Active Healthy

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Living: Prevention of Childhood Obesity Through Increased Physical Activity”). As seen, it is quite impossible to get the elementary and middle schools to keep track if they are following school guidelines promoting physical activity.

On the other hand, opponents state, technology is not a factor of childhood obesity; in fact, is has to deal with the food industry. To state, according to Dr. Gard, a "crisis crippling economies and health care systems"(Womack). To explain, Dr. Gard is not satisfied that the government is not doing it’s job as to readjusting the food industry. In addition, Gard believes it is a myth that technology causes childhood obesity. To show, “ Youngsters were more active than ever”(Womack). Well, that is because Dr. Gard made that assumption according to his