Childhood Obesity A Major Health Issue - 1731 Words

Abstract Childhood obesity is a major health issue nationwide and globally. This has been going on for many years and childhood obesity has increased tremendously. The main problem is the difference between calorie ingestion and calories consumed. Other influences (hereditary, developmental, and environmental) can also affect obese children. Physical, emotional, and public health issues causes pain and suffering for many children. The process of obesity growth is not completely understood and it is thought to be a disorder. Due to the high rate and affected development towards accumulating childhood obesity, the associated health and social concerns would be both significant and†¦show more content†¦Causes In the course of recent centuries, the rate of obesity in young children has dramatically increased and multiplied in teenagers. More than 300 million cases are reported every year (Center for Disease Control, n.d.). â€Å"The problem seems to come from a variety of food options available to children both at home and at schools. Access to cheap foods are not high quality and can contribute to a significant increase in childhood obesity† (C. Llinas, mentor interview, October 16, 2015). About $190 billion dollars was spent in 2005 to help treat obese children, with childhood health care prices quickly increasing that number (Economic Costs, n.d.). Childhood obesity is a rising epidemic in the United States. It affects more than 30 percent of kids, making it the most common prolonged illness. Their obesity is found in their Body Mass Index (BMI). The BMI percentiles are commonly used to measure how much fat a child may have. Overall, children in the United States has a BMI percentile of 95 percent. They are at risk of getting diabetes, sleep apnea, and even cancer. The main causes to this epidemic are: deficiency of physical movement, environment, inheritance, household, socioeconomic rank, and diet. Only in uncommon cases, being overweight can b ecome a hormonal issue. Long-term effects â€Å"Childhood obesity is not a cosmetic issue or something the child will just grow out of. If they’re