Childhood Obesity

Lyndsey Mcknight

Professor Hammett

English 1302

Argument Proposal

23 July 2022

Word Count: 1149

                                                                                        Childhood Obesity Epidemic

            When you think of the word “epidemic” what is the first thought that comes to mind? Many people would think of a disease such as the Black Plague; however, in the United States, childhood obesity is an epidemic that is running rampant. It was estimated that in 2017 “Almost one in five children and adolescents ages two to nineteen (19.3%) have obesity” (“Overweight & Obesity Statistics – Niddk”). Obesity is determined by the body mass index scale, so for children to be considered obese, they must have a body mass index in the ninety-fifth percentile or greater for their age (1). Children who are obese are at a greater risk of developing certain medical conditions, such as type two diabetes (“Consequences of Obesity”). It can also cause psychiatric problems like depression and anxiety (1). Even though childhood obesity is a growing problem in America, there are solutions to reduce the number of cases of this epidemic. 

         When trying to solve the obesity epidemic, the approach must be multifaceted. The first treatment option includes making healthy dietary changes. According to research, having a poor diet is a direct cause of weight gain (“Overweight & Obesity Statistics”). Instead of children having a diet that consists of sugary drinks and fast food, parents should “offer healthy foods and use repeated exposure to promote acceptance” (Birch and Ventura). Healthy diet changes parents can implement in their children's lives include adding more fruits and vegetables, cutting back on sugary drinks like soda, and giving appropriate portion sizes (“Childhood Obesity”). It is recommended that children get a daily serving of “five or more fruits and vegetables” (Larery). Eating healthy, however, can be a challenge for low-income families, because healthier foods are often more expensive than unhealthy, calorie-dense foods. Despite this challenge, “milk, yogurt, eggs, beans, potatoes, carrots, cabbage, citrus juices, and fortified cereals offer high nutrient density at a low cost” (Drewnoski and Eichelsdoerfer). These foods can be a cost-efficient replacement for sweets or fast food. It is imperative for children’s health to have a healthy, balanced diet, which in turn, decreases the risk for obesity. 

      Secondly, physical activity can be used to treat and prevent childhood obesity. With technology becoming increasingly popular, it has become normalized for children to spend more time watching television or playing on cell phones. This increased screen time leads to less physical activity and more sedentary behavior, which “sedentary behavior and low levels of activity have been found to contribute to childhood obesity” (Larery). It is recommended that screen time “is restricted to less than two hours daily, and that children under age two years avoid television altogether” (Pandita et al.). Once screen time gets limited, physical activity can increase, which is one of the most important factors in treating and preventing obesity (1). Researchers have tried to find the best type of activity for the management of this condition, and they found that for children ages three to five outdoor play was the most beneficial, and children over five should get sixty minutes of physical activity daily with thirty minutes consisting of structured activities such as sports (1). One way to increase children’s activity levels is to find an activity that they enjoy doing, so they will be more likely to stick with it. Having friends or family members participate in the activities can also make exercising more enjoyable. According to researchers, an additional benefit of physical activity is it reduces sedentary behavior, and “reducing sedentary activity has the secondary benefit of reducing calorie intake” (1). Although physical activity alone cannot completely solve this epidemic, when it is incorporated with other modalities it can be one of the most beneficial lifestyle changes to treat and prevent this condition (1).

       School programs can play a crucial role in preventing obesity from happening. Because children spend so much time at school, it only makes sense to incorporate programs that can teach valuable nutritional and physical activity lessons. These school programs can “provide contexts for the eating and physical activity behaviors that influence body weight and provide staff and resources” (Birch and Ventura). The school intervention programs that had the most success were heavily based on physical activity (Yuksel et al.). Such programs were able to increase the activity of children by getting modified playgrounds, creating time for activity breaks in the classroom, and incorporating a physical education curriculum (1). These programs, however, cannot only focus on physical activity, but they must place an emphasis on dietary and lifestyle changes as well (1). One limitation of these school programs is they can only help prevent obesity in school-age children, which is a problem because many children are already obese before they even enter school (Birch and Ventura). Despite this challenge, these programs play a role in lowering the rate of childhood obesity, even if it is only available to a certain age group. If schools had more funding for intervention programs, more schools nationwide would be able to implement this practice and educate children on the importance of good nutrition and consistent physical activity.

       Lastly, a solution that is only used under certain circumstances, is anorectic medications (Pandita et al.) These medications can be a helpful tool in treating childhood obesity, however, the use of these weight loss drugs is not recommended for prepubertal children (1). Anorectic medication is mostly prescribed when behavioral therapy and diet changes have failed to yield results (1). These medications are not meant to be used on their own, “all adolescents who are prescribed anorectic agents should receive concurrent nutritional and family counseling and should implement a plan of regular exercise and physical activity” (Schwarz). These drugs can have adverse effects, such as nausea, bloating, dry mouth, and constipation, which is why they are not advised to be the first treatment option for overweight children (1). Despite these medications showing positive results, parents and healthcare providers should prioritize other lifestyle changes, such as a healthy diet and exercise, over the use of these drugs.

      Childhood obesity affects many children in the United States, and those numbers continue to rise. However, it is important to note that there are solutions that can be implemented to decrease the number of these cases. The treatment and prevention of childhood obesity depend on several solutions that should be incorporated together to produce the most successful results. Managing children’s screen time, such as watching television, and being on cell phones or computers, is crucial in decreasing sedentary behavior that leads to an increased risk of obesity (Larery). Educating children on the importance of eating nutritional foods and exercising has been proven to lower obesity rates (Yuksel et al.). Lastly, other solutions include providing a healthy diet that is full of fruits and vegetables and increasing the amount of daily physical activity children get (Larery). If these solutions are implemented, childhood obesity will decrease, and children will be healthier and live better lifestyles.