Childhood Obesity 9079 Man Has Always Attributed

Childhood Obesity 9079

Man has always attributed scientific advancement to an improvement in life style, better cures for life threatening diseases, improved health and decrease in disease related deaths. However, today it is evident that these advancements are equal parts beneficial and harmful. Health risks instead of decreasing have increased, new diseases have emerged and some have become more widespread. One result of man's improved lifestyle is the increase in obesity especially in children. The paper will highlight some basic information regarding 'childhood obesity' and explain the reason behind the selection of the topic as well as the direction of future research and writing on it.

Introduction

According to WHO 'Obesity' is the gaining or accumulation of "excessive fat" which results in increase in health risks. The organization has also pointed out alarming increase in the number of obese children. Apparently this abnormal fat collection affects the entire metabolism and gives rise to the chances of contracting heart disease, diabetes and different types of cancers (WHO, 2012). A child is considered obese if, for instance they weigh 20% more than the healthy weight range for their age and height. Although obesity is highly curable but very few people are even aware that they are obese. According to research many factors contribute to this dilemma, such as: consumption of low energy and high calorie foods, increased intake of greasy fast food because both parents are working, decrease in the amount of exercise and exertion due to the introduction of television and video games or because of fear for security. Overall the modern technology filled lifestyle has made children comfort loving rather than adventure seeking. All these changes are held equally responsible for the propagation of 'Obesity Epidemic' (Anderson, M. P & Butcher, K. F, 2006).

Analysis

This topic has been chosen because it is the gravest health challenge faced by families in the 21st century. Up until 2010 the total estimated number of obese children in the world was over 42 million from which 35 million belonged to developing countries (WHO, 2012). In fact it has been noticed that obesity has increased three fold in the last 30 years. In the U.S. alone the number of 6- to 11-year-old children went from 7% in the 80s to 20% in the current century (CDC, 2012). That is not all, the problem has been given the status on an 'epidemic' by the WHO because of the many other health concerns it gives birth to. For instance, obese children are likely to remain obese over their life, and then there is the contraction of Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs). More seriously it can result in premature death as well as disability in the adult life (WHO, 2012). It creates emotional and psychological issues as obese children get subjected to taunts and ridicule of their peers. This might have a lasting impact on their personality and mental health and thus cause social problems like withdrawal from society, rage etc. (Ferry, R. 2012).The issue is garnering increasing attention from WHO and other health organizations. American Medical Association believes that the epidemic is so widespread because of lack of knowledge among the public (Tanner, L. 2012). Children are the architects of the future and their health is of prime importance.

There is a lot of research published on the topic in journals and periodicals. However, the focal point of the paper will be the dietary causes of it and what is being done in the world to counter obesity.

The public today is becoming increasingly health conscience, the upper and middle class are extremely diet conscience and so the claim that people are not aware of obesity and how to tackle it seems incorrect. The amount of information on Internet and easy availability of electronic gadgets also refute this claim. The main cause is lifestyle plus activity and eating habits. Cultural eating habits are also included in this (Newfield, J, 2004).