Obesity
...t is on the go and rushed for every second of the day. Food advertisements encourage children to beg for McDonalds, Taco Bell, or Pizza Hut. Currently, “there are now approximately 5,000 schools in the country with fast food franchises inside” (Welk 3). With advertisements and convenience, fast food becomes a lifestyle for many children. What can we do to prevent the harmful effects of advertising that encourage obesity in children? Barbara Leonard, a physical educational teacher from the Klein School District in Klein, Texas, believes, “We should ban fast food and soft drinks from our school and, regulate food advertising, especially aimed at children. We might, for example, provide television time for healthy food messages every time there’s a message for sugar coated cereal or fast food, so there’s something to counter the typical messages (Leonard).” While some may see this as a little extreme, the fact remains that something must be done to improve the problem of obesity that continues to grow in America. In addition to the influence of advertisements upon diet, the family lifestyles of today are also encouraging obesity among children. Although obese children desperately need help and guidance to control their weight and maintain a healthy diet, unhealthy eating habits often originate from their home and are learned from their parents. In fact, parents are the reason “fifteen percent of children are overweight” (Tyre 2). Obesity also runs in families; indeed, it is much more likely for a child with an overweight parent to become obese than it is for children with healthy and active parents. Currently, more than “thirty percent of all Americans are overweight” (Gottlieb 1). The poor eating habits introduced in the home are a direct cause of child obesity and will cause this rate to rise unless the current lifestyles of today are altered. Another factor that can contribute to parents promoting obesity in children is the hectic schedule of working parents. Parents come home late from work and have no time to cook a well-balanced and nutritious meal; indeed, where else do they turn but the fast food restaurants? The infamous “all you can eat buffets” are becoming more than an occasional dinner for some families and are rapidly becoming a part of today’s lifestyle. “Children are being brought up in homes where fast food is a regular meal and portion size is not limited” (Nash 1). Whether they intend to or not, parents are causing their children to develop poor eating habits, which lead to obesity. Adult figures must set an example for their children and encourage a healthy diet. In addition to family lifestyle and habit and advertising, another cause of obesity among children is the lack of exercise. Exercise is necessary in maintaining health and weight and is also the best way for people to stay in shape or even lose weight. “People who do not exercise are much more susceptible to obesity than those who exercise on a daily basis” (Number… 3). Americans have a lifestyle focuses on computer games, videogames, and television, and movies; indeed, today’s lifestyle is more sedentary than it has ever been. Kids would rather sit on a couch and play computer games then go outside and ride a bike. Not only do kids not exercise at home but at school they are not getting enough exercise. Demont states, “By the time kids hit Grade 11, only 12.6 percent of males and 6.9 percent of females reach that minimum level of exercise at school” (2). The lack of exercise in today’s lifestyle proves to be a major factor causing obesity among children. While many Americans are aware of the causes of obesity, they are unaware of the health and social risks associated with this disease. The social damage of obese children proves to be traumatic and “pediatricians reported that severely obese adolescents felt slightly more social isolation than teenage cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy” (Tyre 2). These children are made fun of at school and ridiculed because of their weight; indeed, the social environment for obese children is threatened due to this disease. In addition to social problems, obesity puts one’s health in jeopardy. What do Americans consider healthy? Eating right and having a balanced diet combined with exercise is healthy to some. Although health is a well known and commonly used term, few American are aware of the extensive health risks that are associated with obesity. Obesity can lead to “Everything from diabetes to heart disease to sleep apnea to reflux ...