Childhood Obesity In The United States Essay

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Childhood obesity in the United States is the highest it has ever been, with nearly 1/3 of children being considered obese (Datar, Nicosia). Obesity is a disorder that involves excessive body fat, which can increase the risk of health problems. Throughout the school day, children are presented to unhealthy food. Many food companies can benefit from being able to endorse these unhealthy foods. Examples include vending machines, snack bars, and competitive foods. Childhood obesity is becoming a problem because unhealthy food is now being sold more commonly than healthy food in schools throughout the United States. School systems are the main reason for childhood obesity increasing because of the advertising that they do for these unhealthy food companies. Over 17% of people that are between the ages of 2 to 19 years old are considered obese in the United States. This is caused from competitive foods of becoming more popular throughout school systems (Richards, Christina). “Competitive foods are …show more content…

Portion sizes of unhealthy foods are also slowly increasing over time. (Childhood Obesity Causes..). In addition, the lunches that are sold in the school cafeteria have increased the portions being sold. Meaning that children are eating more than they realize, because that is what they have become conditioned to do. Portion sizes have increased not only in school cafeterias; but in restaurants, grocery stores, and vending machines (Childhood Obesity Causes..). The portion sizes have increased, because there has been a greater availability for high-energy dense food. This food you can get for a cheaper price (Diet, Nutrition, and Weight loss..). These high-density food’s are one of many problems that are increasing childhood obesity, if adults would begin to cut out these high-density foods and eat better in front of children; childhood obesity could decrease (Datar,