Childhood Obesity Facts Paper

“As of 2015, Arkansas was recognized as the most obese state in the nation,” (“Growing Healthy Communities”). Per, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, also known as CDC, in their article “Childhood Obesity Facts,” almost everyone in five school age child in America, aged from six to nineteen, is reported as being obese. Obesity is the result of having too much body fat, while overweight is defined as having more body fat than normal for someone of a certain height (“Childhood Obesity Facts”). The CDC also states a few of the reasons for the increase in weight gain for children. With the growing obesity population, in Arkansas, the Arkansas Coalition for Obesity Prevention, or the ArCorp, has stepped in to help with their program Growing Healthy Communities. A study conducted by the CDC, in 2013, with a sample size group of 1,470 found that 17.8% of Arkansas adolescents were obese. The study also concluded that 15.9% of the 1,470 children were overweight. Overweight and obesity in adolescents can be attributed to many different factor (“Data, Trends, and Maps”). These

The CDC also provide an article for parents on how to help their children “Tips for Parents-Ideas to Help Children Maintain a Healthy Weight.” These tips include; “encouraging healthy eating habits,” “ways to make favorite dishes healthier,” removing “calorie-rich temptations,” “help kids stay active,” and “reducing sedentary time.” These tips are to help parents when in the kitchen and also in their children's’ regular active