My primary motivation to write a draft on the risks and solutions to obesity is because of the need to disseminate information on obesity as a health threat to children. I find it quite interesting to discuss with my peers about childhood obesity and measure parents should take to combat the condition. The target audiences are parents of the children with obesity and any other person who is interested in the topic. Most children suffer from obesity or overweight due to eating unhealthy food; therefore, parents have a greater role to ensure that their children make the right nutritional choices. Regarding the revisions, I made some critical changes to the thesis statement. At first, the thesis statement did not provide a vivid guideline of the paper; therefore, I had to include the consequences of the obesity to children. Also, I provided interventions that parents should use to combat obesity and ensure a healthy lifestyle.

The feedbacks I received from my tutor, professor, classmates and friends included the use of transition words, thesis statement and paragraphing. Also, my peers advised me on scholarly sources. I used transition words to connect paragraphs. My thesis statement provided guidelines on what the paper would entail while scholarly sources were useful in providing credible information. The challenges I encountered included finding the correct statistics on obesity and fear of failure. I encountered the problem by using credible sources from the library and consulting other experts.

The Risks and Solutions to Obesity in Children caused by Eating Unhealthy Food

In the 21st century, health institutions have labeled childhood obesity as the most serious public health problem. Due to the increasing rate of obesity cases, parents should be careful with the damages it might cause to their children. Besides, the increasing number of children who are overweight compared to those of the same age group does not mean that an excess weight indicates the child is obese. Therefore, it is significant for parents to visit pediatrician who will examine the conditions of the child and give an informed decision on the potential health problem. Although psychological factors, lifestyle and family history have been linked to causing obesity, consuming unhealthy food can contribute to unhealthy weight gain among children thus causing medical, academic and social-emotional risks. Childhood obesity is prevalent in this era, and thousands of Americans are suffering due to eating unhealthy food, so it is important for parents to understand the risks and implement solutions to this serious problem.

First, obesity causes numerous medical conditions. The behavior of eating unhealthy food can damage the brain and the body of this child thus making them sick. Unhealthy foods contain few nutrients, high levels of fats and this might cause health conditions such as high cholesterol, Type 2 diabetes, and liver disease, impaired balance and glucose intolerance (Center for Disease Control and Prevention 1). Obesity also affects the bones and joints causing deformation and increases the burden on children. A report from the United States Department of Agriculture indicate that approximately 2 Percent of children make the right nutritional choices (Datar and Nicosia 320). Precisely, a survey conducted on high school seniors showed that only three out of every ten student reported eating vegetables “nearly” every day. Also, regarding the risk for heart disease, research shows that 70 percent of children with obesity have at least one risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (Datar and Nicosia 322). Moreover, researchers’ forecast is that if the present rate of obesity continues, the country will experience more than 100,000 additional cases of coronary heart disease attributable to obesity by the year 2035 (Datar and Nicosia 322).

Another health condition linked to obesity is Asthma. According to Datar and Nicosia (326), overweight and obesity are associated with a 52 percent increase in the risk of a new diagnosis of asthma among children and adolescents. With diabetes, 45 percent of children diagnosed with the diseases have Type 2 diabetes caused by obesity or overweight (Datar and Nicosia 326). Childhood obesity reduces life expectancy of an individual. If the government does not take significant steps, experts warn that over the coming years, life expectancy could be reduced by five years or more due to childhood obesity. A part from the medical conditions, obesity also has adverse impacts on the health sector. For instance, the expenditures the health care sector incur on childhood obesity are approximately $14 billion every year (Sahoo, et al. 189). Moreover, Sahoo, et al. (189) stated that if the rates of obesity continue at the current pace, the healthcare sector will incur approximately $62 billion per year as treatment costs by the years 2030.

Second, obesity causes poor academic performance. Overweight and obese children may miss school, and this will adversely impact their performance. Citing Lloyd, Langley-Evans, and McMullen (6), “many individuals know that a healthy body makes a healthy mind.” However, it is important to know that the rate at which overweight children miss school is four times more compared to normal students. Some of the reasons overweight children could miss school include: the fear of being taunted or embarrassed during physical exercises. The inability of the child to move and participate with others in physical activities at school makes their situation look ridiculous. Most the children who live in low-income areas are overweight. This is because they live in food desert areas and their parents are unable to provide for them. Similarly, such neighborhood may not have stores that sell fresh food. The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) reported that “One in six children and adolescents are obese in the U.S” (Lloyd, Langley-Evans and McMullen 8). Also, the proportion of obesity among low-income preschoolers is about 15 percent. Obesity rates has continued to increase at an alarming rate among the Black and Hispanic population compared to the Whites. Moreover, the prevalence of obesity is higher in the Southern region of the country including Mississippi, Tennessee, and Kentucky. The report by FRAC shows how these children are under the risk of unhealthy food.

Third, obesity causes socio-emotional problems. In addition to the medical issues, childhood obesity affects the social and emotional health of children and adolescents. Research indicates that in childhood period, obesity is considered as the most stigmatizing condition. In learning institutions, overweight or obese children often experience harsh conditions such as being bullied or teased because of their weight (Sahoo, et al. 188). Other hardships that these children may experience include discrimination, social marginalization, and negative stereotypes. Moreover, institutions tend to exclude obese or overweight children from participating in competitive activities that require physical activity. As such, obese children develop low self-confidence which affects their academic performance. Also, due to negative social problems, overweight and obese children tend to retrieve to safe areas to seek food as a comfort and avoid negative comments, which leads to less social interactions.

There are various ways parents can deal with obese children, and they include the following. First, parents need to cooperate with the whole family and give more attention to the child’s condition. Citing Chan and Woo (770), “parents should not just say that the situation will slow when the child grows up because whenever they delay in intervening to modify the life of the child, the condition may increase and cause other diseases such as diabetes and stress and heart disease.” Second, parents need to encourage their children to participate in physical activities. This includes participating in sports activity and engaging with a professional coach who will personally encourage and guide the child during the activity. Third, parents should adjust the child’s diet because it is the most important point. Also, parents should keep the child completely from junk foods because they contain high levels of sugar or fat and they do not have nutritional value.

Fourth, parents should cut down on screen time. Due to advancement in technology, most children spend several hours playing computer games, watching television and using phones. Parents should limit screen time for their children so that they could use that time to participate in physical activities. Recent studies indicated that home setting plays a key role in contributing to children gaining weight. Chan and Woo (777) stated that “Given the number of overweight children, approximately a third watch television in their bedrooms, and nearly half eat dinner while watching television more than three times a week.” Besides, overweight boys preferred to eat dinner while watching television while overweight girls preferred to have a television in their bedrooms and be rewarded with sweets (Chan & Woo (778).

Some of the scenarios that outline that the child requires medical care include the following. First, a medical care is necessary to a child if the parent or school administration think that the child is overweight. Second, treatment is necessary if the child has demonstrated concerns about his or her weight. Lastly, if the child has troubles interacting with his friends in the sports exercises or recreational facilities. In this scenario, the parent must take the child to a medical center for examination. The physicians will estimate and analyze the child’s status based on the charts for weight and height. Regarding the treatment of obesity in children, although medical providers such as doctors and nutritionists provide the necessary assistance, parents also play a major role in achieving a healthy-weight child. Parents often control bad habits and make children feel loved even though they have excess weight (Sahoo, et al. 190). Besides, they always take into considerations the appearance of the child and their social relations. The target of obese children is weight loss.

How can parents provide the necessary care at home? The two pillars base in weight control plan includes the physical movement and diet. On the same note, Sahoo, et al. (190) stated that it is significant for parents to change their habits and those of their children because the ability to change becomes more difficult with age. With physical movement, parents should try to make sure that the child engages in activities and exercise at least an hour a day. Encourage him/her to try out a number of sports such as football, athletics, and swimming. Diet entails trying to make sure that the child receives an integrated and balanced diet. The focus should be on feeding whole grains and plenty of fruits and vegetables.

In conclusion, although cases of childhood obesity are on the rise, the situation can be slowed if people focus on its causes. The combinations of interventions such as right diet and physical activity are effective at preventing this serious disease. Also, many obesity problems could be avoided if parents decide to advocate for a healthier lifestyle. Healthcare professionals must stress the need to involve the entire family in a healthy way of life. This is because the child will not respond and accept the system if the rest of the family are opposed to the actions of this system. The method of family life for a healthy conversion will help to achieve the best results. What children will learn about eating healthy food by making the right nutritional choices will have an influence on their lives and the people they relate with. For instance, children will be selective when it comes to fast food restaurant, and this will lead to a healthier society.

Works Cited

Center for Disease Control and Prevention. “Childhood obesity causes and consequences.” https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/causes.html. Accessed 23 July 25, 2017.

Chan, Ruth SM, and Jean Woo. “Prevention of overweight and obesity: how effective is the current public health approach.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 7.3 (2010): 765-783.

Datar, Ashlesha, and Nancy Nicosia. “Junk food in schools and childhood obesity.” Journal of Policy Analysis and Management 31.2 (2012): 312-337.

Lloyd, L. J., S. C. Langley-Evans, and S. McMullen. “Childhood obesity and risk of the adult metabolic syndrome: a systematic review.” International journal of obesity (2005) 36.1 (2012): 1-11.

Sahoo, Krushnapriya, et al. “Childhood obesity: causes and consequences.” Journal of family medicine and primary care 4.2 (2015): 187-192.

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