These deficiencies may not be too out of step with lifestyle patterns of previous generations. But as the Park article indicates, obesity is in its simplest terms attributable to two lifestyle conditions; the amount of calories burned on a daily basis and the amount of calories consumed. Evidence has begun to mount to suggest that it is in this latter area that changes in behavior and consumer culture have had the effect of increasing obesity patterns. To this end, it is unclear what nutritional factors account most for this change. It could be speculated based on the data presented in the article that there is some relationship between the kinds of foods that teens consume today as opposed to in previous generations. The preponderance of fast food options, highly processed snack foods and artificially flavored comestibles have created a high cultural and economic proliferation of consumer options that are completely lacking in nutritional value. And the link between these foods and obesity has been clearly established in myriad contexts. (Koshuta,...
1)
Still, the article by Park underscores the conclusion that data is still emergent on the factors that conspire to cause a higher level of teen obesity across-the-boards. And in doing so, the article is careful to note that some combination of both diet and exercise is absolutely essential in the battle against obesity. One conclusion that can be drawn from the article for certain is that the factors leading to higher levels of teen obesity are not anecdotal and are couched in some broader socio-cultural conditions driving lifestyle decisions and behaviors which must be reversed if current generations of teens are to experience long healthy adult lives.
Works Cited:
Koshuta, J. (2007). Junk Food Ads, Fast Food Increasing Teen Obesity. Natural News.com.
McKenzie, J.F.; Pinger, R.R. & Kotecki, J.E. (2012). An Introduction to Community Health, 7th Edition. James & Bartlett Learning.
Park, a. (2009). Teen Obesity: Lack of Exercise May Not Be to Blame. Time:…
