This is an essay sample written by our writers. You can order a custom written essay like this on our website: http://www.essaytigers.com

1. Surname 1
Type of paper: Essay
Citation style: MLA
Pages: 4
Sources: 5
Level: Undergraduate
Surname
Instructor
Course
Date
Childhood Obesity
Introduction
Childhood obesity has gained a lot of attention in the recent years especially the 21st
century. Its prevalence over the last decade has increased tremendously. According to Wang and
Lim (176), approximately 20% of school age-children in the European countries are overweight
or obese with 5 percent being obese. Additionally, Wang and Lim (176), note that in North

2. Surname 2
America, 15% of school age-children are obese, and 30% are overweight. Developing countries
have also experienced an increase in the prevalence of obesity especially in the urban and
suburban areas where the socio-economic status is high. Hence, childhood obesity is currently
being associated with affluence and families that are well off.
Obesity can be categorized into different levels. A case of severe obesity is defined as
being greater 99th
percentile of the body mass index for age and gender (Flores and Lin 31). In
other cases, obesity may be defined based on the body weight/height. Thus, obesity in this case
can be defined as being greater than 120% of the mean body weight/height value (Cameron,
Norgan and Ellison 5). However, the body mass index (BMI) is the most common method
employed in measuring obesity. The BMI is calculated by dividing an individual’s weight (kg)
by the square height (meters) (Philips 14).
Risk Factors associated with Childhood obesity
A common risk factor is the presence of parental obese genes. According to Philips (16),
parents having obese genes increase the likelihood of obese occurring by a factor of 12 for boys
and a factor of 10 for girls. Parental genes are one risk factor that seems to be a consistent
predictor of the likelihood of obesity occurring in a child in the future. Additionally, the lack of
physical activity is also another important risk factor. This is common in children who are
involved in increased television viewing and playing videos games. This has been encouraged
through media and the social environment, which places an emphasis on the social trends and
leisure more than on dieting and healthier life choices (Penn and Kerr16). Phillips (16) also notes
that the duration of breastfeeding also affects the occurrence of obesity. The reduced duration of
breastfeeding increases the chances of child or baby developing obesity. Furthermore, an

3. Surname 3
increase in weight or rapid weight gain within the first 12 months increases the risk of obesity at
age of seven years (Philips 16).
Health consequences or problems associated with obesity
Research indicates that most children with obesity are normally happy and confident
(Phillips 15). However, the main concerns associated with obesity revolve around health and
social consequences. A common consequence that occurs in the short-term period affects the
child’s social and psychological well being. Children with obese are normally discriminated
against in schools, which normally fosters deterioration in self-esteem. Consequently, the child
develops a poor body image, which contributes to the development of eating disorders later in
the child’s life. Phillips (15) indicates that in the short-term period obesity can increase the risk
of cardiovascular diseases. An estimated two-thirds of school-aged children with obese are likely
to have at least a factor associated with the cardiovascular disease such as increased blood lipids,
high blood pressure and increased insulin levels (Phillips 15). Other short-term medical
conditions include increased risk of developing asthma, joint problems and fatty liver.
In the long-term, obesity will cause early puberty especially in girls at the age of ten.
Further, obesity will increase cases of illnesses in individuals and contribute to poor socio-
economic outcomes of individuals. According to Wang and Lim (176), obese children will
develop into obese adults and thus are at higher risk of developing chronic illness such as
diabetes, hypertension, stroke and certain cancers. Further, premature death will likely result in
some of the cases of obesity where this chronic disease are present.
Prevention and Treatment
One of the most valuable preventive measures against childhood obesity is the inclusion
of physical activities in their daily schedule. This may require parents to allow their children to

4. Surname 4
play every day. This helps to ensure that there is minimal accumulation of fats in the children’s
bodies. In some instances, parents will have to be strict about the use of indoor games such as
video games. They ought to insist that the children participate in outdoor games that involve
running, jumping and sweating. A typical one to two hours is sufficient for the child’s health
without causing fatigue or disruption of other activities, especially academics.
Another effective strategy that can be employed is the minimization of the amount of
time spent in front of the television or screen. Children ought to be given specific times for
watching television. This allows them to do proactive things and hence encourage outdoor
activities. Another important factor in the prevention of childhood obesity is the control of diet.
The children should barely eat fast foods such as French fries. Meals ought to be eaten as a
family where they are balanced. Fruits and vegetables ought to take precedence over
carbohydrates. In fact, it is recommended that a third of the meal should comprise of vegetables.
Water should be taken in plenty throughout the day and during meals. Water ought never to be
replaced with energy drinks since these contain a lot of unnecessary sugar.
Most importantly, parents are tasked with the role of being examples and role models to
their children. Parents should maintain healthy eating lifestyles and even constant workout
routines. This encourages the children to be equally active and hence reduce the probability of
occurrence of childhood obesity. Parents are persuaded to avoid the use of food, especially
confectionery, as rewards and punishment. This sets up wrong attitudes among the children
hence resulting in overindulgence in the same as they grow up. Overweight parents ought to
show an initiative of losing weight if they hope their children to take up a healthy eating lifestyle
(Phillips 16).

5. Surname 5
Schools play a significant role in preventing childhood obesity through their co-curricular
activities. They ought to insist of active participation in sports and even include it as a subject.
Some schools have an official day of the week that is set aside for sporting activities. The
sporting activities help to ensure that the child develops an interest in physical activities and lose
unnecessary weight (Phillips 16). Parents and teachers ought to encourage children to take up
healthy dietary behaviors. This includes ensuring that the children do not skip breakfast meals
since this is one of the causes of childhood obesity in many obese children. Treatment of
childhood obesity is not possible as a single dose. However, the most effective treatment
programs involve dietary and behavioral changes.
Conclusion
Child obesity is a common problem in today’s society due to behavioral and dietary
changes. It has become more common due to the increase in the risk factors that cause obesity.
However, it is possible to manage the problem through adequate support and guidance program
by both the parents and the school. The control of the problem aids in averting future health
complications associated with excessive weight.
Works cited
Cameron, Noël, N. G. Norgan, and G. T. H. Ellison. Childhood obesity: contemporary issues.
Boca Raton, FL: Taylor & Francis, 2006. Print.
Flores, G, and H Lin. "Factors Predicting Severe Childhood Obesity in
Kindergarteners." International Journal of Obesity 37.1 (2013): 31-39. Academic Search
Premier.

6. Surname 6
Penn, Sarah, and Joanne Kerr. "Childhood Obesity: The Challenges for Nurses." Nursing
Children & Young People 26.2 (2014): 16-21. Academic Search Premier.
Phillips, Frankie. "Facing Up To Childhood Obesity." Practice Nurse 42.11 (2012): 14-
17. Business Source Complete.
Wang, Youfa, and Hyunjung Lim. "The Global Childhood Obesity Epidemic and the Association
between Socio-Economic Status and Childhood Obesity." International Review of
Psychiatry 24.3 (2012): 176-188. Academic Search Premier.