Childhood Obesity in US

Introduction

In the US, the rate of Childhood obesity has been on a high rise over the past three decades, and today, the United States is known to have some of the most cases of obesity in a child’s life. In deep reality check, the obesity in children has more than doubled and that of adolescence have tripled over more than 25 years ago. It has come to be noted that one out of six children is obese and in the same case, one out of three children is either overweight or obese.

Causes

The major cause of obesity in children and adolescence is eating too much and having limited exercise. However, this is not always apparent because some cases of obesity are brought about by genetic factors. That is, if your child has was born form a family of members who are overweight, then the child may end up being obese.

Effects

Obesity in childhood has both the instant and long-term effects on the health of a child as well as his/her well living. The immediate effects are; the obese adolescence may have a pre-diabetes which is a condition whereby the levels of glucose will indicate a high risk of diabetes development. Obese children and adolescence are also at a higher risk of having joints and bones complications, sleep apnea as well as some psychosocial problems like low self-esteem and stigmatization.

The long-term effects on health by obesity in childhood are; the obese children and adolescents will most likely be obese when they are grown men and women and this causes them more risk for further heart diseases, some cancer types, strokes or osteoarthritis. The other long-term effect is that obesity and overweight is usually associated with more risks for a lot of cancer types like breast cancer, gall bladder, colon, kidney, ovary, prostrate or cervix cancer. Also the other diseases are lymphoma of Hodgkin and multiple myeloma.

Prevention

To prevent the occurrence of the related obesity diseases, children should practice a healthy lifestyle habits which will help to lower the risk of becoming obese and having other related diseases. This includes eating healthy and engaging in physical activities. In the United States, schools can establish a secure and supportive environment that has policies and other practices which support the healthy behaviors.

Conclusion

The health of a human being will mostly depend on the childhood raising and this is in relation to the healthy eating and if one is active enough in the physical activities. Parents must therefore develop a strategy of ensuring their children are active enough and not lazy as such. Schools in the United Sates are also expected to create awareness and education on how to prevent obesity by staying and eating healthy.

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