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Childhood Obesity In America Essay

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The problem of childhood obesity in the United States has grown considerably in recent years. Approximately one out of every five children in the U.S is overweight or obese, and the number is continuing to rise. As of 2012, more than one third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese. Next, percentage of children age 6-11 years in the United States who were obese increased from 7% in 1980 to nearly 18% in 2012. Being overweight or obese is defined as having excess body weight for a particular height from fat, muscle, bone, water or a combination of these factors. In addition, obesity is among the easiest medical conditions to recognize but most difficult to treat. The most common causes in childhood obesity in America are unhealthy dieting, lack of physical activity, and genetic factors. To begin with unhealthy dieting in the USA, such as fast food has taken a toll children’s health. Because of eating increasingly more fast food, child obesity in growing rapidly. A burger, fries, and coke are loaded with many calories that …show more content…

There are many ways in which genes affect our weight; from our resting metabolic rate, to how we burn calories when we exercise, to how quickly our brains signal us that we are full. Children’s chances of being overweight are greater if one or both of the parents are overweight or obese. Also children adopt the habits of their parents. As a result, children who have overweight parents who eat high calorie foods and are inactive will most likely become overweight. However, if the family adopts healthy food and physical activity habits, the children's chance of being overweight or obese is reduced. Family genetic factors also lead to health risk factors for obese children. For example young children are showing signs at an early age of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, early heart disease, diabetes, bone problems, and many

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