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Childhood Obesity In America

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Recommended: Introduction over childhood obesity

America is growing as a nation, and its citizens are growing in pant size. Obesity is a growing problem in America for children and adults; therefore, steps need to be taken to promote healthy foods to stop future health problems. In hopes of decreasing obesity rates, some political leaders like New York Governor David Paterson, have proposed a tax on caloric sweetened beverages (soda tax). This will reduce the consumption of sweetened beverages, thereby reducing the weight of the individual. The money collected from this tax could be returned to communities to support programs promoting wellness. It could be used to help support the cost of the country’s health care relating to obesity and be used to subsidize staple foods. Ultimately, the …show more content…

In today’s society “one out of three children is considered overweight or obese” (Little 2011). Childhood obesity is linked to several severe health problems. Children who are overweight or obese are at risk of having cardiovascular disease and problems relating to that such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type-two diabetes during childhood. Physical problems aren’t the only problem relating to obesity; “Research confirms obese children are at a higher risk for social and psychological problems” because overweight kids tend to get bullied due to their weight (Little 2011). Children who have weight issues early on are also more likely to have weight issues as adults. The early onset of obesity can lead to disabilities and kidney failure as …show more content…

If healthier products are made more affordable to everyone, then no one can use the excuse that healthy products are too expensive. American consumers will end up choosing whole grains or fruit instead of over-processed packaged food. It will help low-income families be able to purchase the staple foods that will help give them the nourishment they may be lacking. Even if they may not be able to buy a lot of food due to lack of money, at least they will be buying food beneficial to their health. It could also trigger people to try new things and be surprised by finding healthier recipes that are

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In the article “The Fat Tax,” Jonathan Rauch ironically discusses the new public policy concern with obesity. Although the article is a satire, it’s economic analysis is actually valid. In order to get his point across, Rauch uses sarcasm, appeals to logos, and degrades the issue of obesity to help Americans better understand the “big picture.” Moreover, if the diet of American consumers does not change then maybe advertising more exercise to lose weight will cut down the obesity rate; but to be just as effective, enacting the fat tax will improve health as well.

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Childhood obesity increases the risk for adult obesity and other chronic illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and cancer (CDC, 2015). With the risk for such comorbidities, medical resource utility and their expense is quite high. For example, in 2013 the costs associated with overweight and obesity in adolescents were estimated to be about $46 million (American Heart Association, 2013). This does not include other sub-cohorts of children, such as preschool or school-age children, nor does this include the costs associated with childhood obesity-related comorbidities; therefore the economic impact related to childhood obesity is considerably

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Obesity has been a huge problem for most children in America. Every generation, it becomes more of a problem than what it was the generation prior to it. Many children suffer with this problem today because of the lifestyles that they live. Children tend to lack adequate amounts of exercise that they need because of the many distractions that they face every day. Most of the day, kids are sitting around the house watching television, playing video games or on some type of a new device that has just been released.

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Almost 3 in 4 men (74 percent) are considered to be overweight or obese” (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases). The government should be able to control and limit our food options. This will improve our health, help us save money, and live an overall happier life. If the government regulated Americans’ diets it would change our country and citizens’ health for the better. Many Americans who are obese or overweight can be taught to eat healthier and possibly lose the weight that is physically and mentally dragging them down.

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It could create programs, and make those programs accessible to all, regardless of their socio-economic status. It can create better access to evidence-based weight management programs (Weight Watchers, etc.). There should be national advertising campaigns depicting healthy eating, as well as those showing the consequences of obesity – people need to have a better idea/picture of what their future holds if they continue down their unhealthy road. Food Industry As much as we (the consumer) think we have a say in our healthy food choices, the food industry needs to better promote nutritional education at all levels – from the very young to our aging population.

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Policy Analysis Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2017 Obesity in America is quickly becoming a serious health issue with more than one third of United States (U.S.) adults living with obesity. Obesity can lead to many devastating diseases such as heart disease, strokes and diabetes, many of these are leading causes of preventable deaths (CDC CITE). In an effort to combat obesity in the U.S. a legislative bill has been introduced to congress. H.R. 1953, also known as Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2017 was introduced to congress on April 4, 2017 and was sponsored by Rep Erik Paulsen (R- MN). More than seventy-six representatives eventually supported the bill.

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Altogether, obesity is a major health and social problem, which in most cases is initiated in childhood. To commence, obesity has contributed in many ways to the problems in our community. As a matter of fact, obesity has caused bullying in our community; likewise, it can possibly result in violence. Additionally, if this issue continues in the life of an adolescent, it can bring a great deal of diseases in the future. Moreover, increasing early death rates in a drastic fashion.

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Many fast food chains run pretty much the same. McDonald's franchise is world-wide and their food to some is great. Targeting certain groups such as children, parents and grandparents is a piece of cake. McDonald's commercials are so tempting to children that they will beg parents or grandparents to take them. They have play areas for the children along with sitting areas for the adults.

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Americans today are well-known for their eating habits. With all the options the food industry gives us it makes it hard to go to the grocery store and resist picking up that bag of barbeque-flavored chips or blueberry flavored candy. Due to these processed foods obesity is a growing epidemic in our country and who is to blame for it? In an article entitled “What You Eat is Your Business” by Radley Balko, Balko argues for less government intervention. Balko believes is it our responsibility to take care of ourselves and make it a priority.

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Even reducing the time people spend watching television could be very helpful (Han). People that watch television every day are exposed to these delicious looking food advertisements. There are a lot of people being affecting in this condition that a lot of people are dying because of it. The government have a great power, and by stepping in and reducing the amount of advertisements that people are being exposed to could save a lot of lives. The government could be helpful by forcing companies to have more space on goods food labels helping people know how many calories they in taking (Crawford).

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Obesity is a major problem in the United States, and with all the special privileges given to its people, America has become very lazy. With portion sizes rising and physical activity decreasing, it is easy to see how the rates on obesity has risen over the years in America. Obesity is a major problem that needs to be resolved because it affects all people of every gender, age, and race are at risk of being obese. Obesity rates in America have nearly doubled rather tripled within the last twenty years due to the many privileges that the American people have before us. Something must be done to overcome decrease the

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It cause physical ,psychological , and social problems. This problem can effect on children's for the rest of their lives. Childhood obesity is one of the main reasons of adulthood obesity also earlier risk obesity-related disease in adulthood. Obesity is defined as the condition in which excess body fat accumulates to the point of causing adverse health effects. It is determined by the body mass index (BMI), a measure that corresponds to weight in length.

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Citizens have been told that, “The compromise bill would raise $409.5 million over five years. About $300 million would cover expanding pre-K, community schools, and fixing parks, rec centers and libraries”(Vargas, C., Nadolny, T. L., & Terruso, J,2016). This would be a great help to the communities and citizens of philadelphia As well as creating a new source of revenue, it will also lower the amount of money spent on medical costs from drinks, Currently, “the nation spends an estimated $190 billion a year treating obesity-related health conditions.” (The Nutrition Source, 2015) . Overall this will be a positive advantage from taxes on sugary

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Obesity: There is a direct link between young children’s eating habits and them becoming overweight and obese later on. Children in families with insufficient access to nutritious foods are in fact significantly more likely to be obese in early childhood than other children. This is the result of excessive calorie intake and an emphasis on foods that have high levels of fat, sugar and sodium.

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Sugar is a good ingredient for cooking, however, sugary goods can bring a lot of negative influences to human body such as obesity, so in this essay, I would like to introduce some knowledge about negative externalities, government measures. The effects of excessive consumption of sugary goods. Analyzing and evaluating the effectiveness of the imposition of tax and compare it to alternative solutions. Externality is a kind of market failure that all allocation of goods and services is not efficient. It can be divided into two parts, which are positive externality and negative externality.

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