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Childhood Obesity Epidemic Essay

477 Words2 Pages

Childhood obesity isn't a small problem in the United States it's an epidemic. The number of obese and overweight children in America is extremely alarming and the number continues to increase and I will not decrease unless actions are taken. I believe fast food is a huge factor in this extreme issue that we currently have in the US. Fast food corporations have made the unhealthy food appealing to the children by giving away toys with the purchase of a kid’s meal. Also technology such as computers, televisions, and videos games are also a factor they have begun to cloud the importance of exercise, which have caused many negative effects.
Obesity can cause serious health problems.
Children are considered obese if they have a body mass index over or equal to …show more content…

When a child usually eats fatty foods, sugar, and unhealthy food in general the usual outcome is child obesity. Eating high- calorie foods regularly like fast food, baked goods, and vending machine snacks will increase weight gain. (Mayo foundation)
In a day the average child spends over 3 hour each day watching the television
(eMedicineHealth). The time could be spent on so many other activities such as playing a sport, riding a bike, or just playing outside in general. Emotional health could be another cause of childhood obesity, such as low self-esteem, depression, and maybe even a dramatic life event.
A dramatic life event for example is a death in the family or a divorce between parts, some children overeat as a way of coping or dealing with stress or boredom. (Mayo foundation)
Obese children not only suffer from being overweight, but also contend with many other physical, mental, emotional ailments. Asthma, type II diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, stroke, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, gallbladder disease, lower body bone and joint problems, osteoarthritis, growth abnormalities,

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