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Diet, Obesity and Children

            In this day and age there are many problems that American families with children face. As a nation Americans are so busy in chasing the "American dream" that sometimes other important issues fall to the wayside and the children are the ones who suffer the consequences. In Bittman's article "Is Junk Food Really Cheaper?" he writes that there are "five fast-food restaurants for every supermarket in the United States" (Bittman 3). A common assumption among the greater population is that "junk food is cheaper than real food". It is no wonder why Americans are opting for meals that contain "unhealthy" calories. Bittman also claims that our assumptions about fast food's cheapness, high-calorie content and convenience are false (Bittman 1). He urges that a cultural change needs to occur in order to improve the health of America (Bittman 3). I agree with his claim and we as a nation need to start making changes. Fast Food has become more convenient and attractive to busy families. This image of fast food is false. There are too many health problems like obesity, heart disease, and diabetes at risk. One of these health problems, obesity, has become a critical health issue and an extremely popular discussion topic in many forms of social media. One of the major problems society is dealing with is childhood obesity. More times than not food choices are unhealthy and loaded with fat. This has both short term and long term effects on children of today. There are solutions families can initiate and incorporate into their daily lives to avoid health risks.
             Adults are always on the go and look for quick, easy and inexpensive ways to feed their families. Fast food from restaurants or prepackaged meals from the supermarket is usually what is served to children. I am guilty of making these unhealthy and poor decisions at times. Bittman successfully disputes the assumption that "junk food is cheaper than real food" by contrasting a typical order for a family of four at McDonald's, which costs $28, to a home prepared meal for a family of four from the grocery store, which costs $14 or less (Bittman 1).


Essays Related to Diet, Obesity and Children

1. Obesity: Who's to Blame?

... of all adults in the United States are obese and children and adolescents aged 2-19 years have a 17% (12.7 million) rate of obesity. Diseases related to obesity such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers are quickly rising and are the leading cause of preventable death. The estimated annual medical cost of obesity in the United States was $147 billion in the ... much success. In this literature review, I will talk about several topics relating to the obesity epidemic in the United States and how the government should not be involved whatsoever in a person's pers...

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2. Obesity in the United States

... can plunge into a young child's life due to obesity (Liberty 3). Knowing all of the health concerns obesity causes today why is it that more and more children are becoming obese? A child's diet and activity level plays a great role in determining their weight; therefor children spend a huge amount of their time inactive. The percentage of overweight children and adolescents in the United States has nearly tripled since the ... early 1970's. Keeping children healthy should be one of the ... habits today show vividly among just about each soul walking the streets. Fast food restaurants ar...

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3. The Long-Term Effects of Obesity

... many people developed unhealthy lifestyles and promote obesity. Another major cause of obesity is lack of education. A lack of health education makes many people to choose unhealthy eating decisions that will affect in gain weight. Moreover, if the school or parents do not teach good eating habits to children, they will have lack knowledge about good nutrition and requirement of diet for their body. Also, because ... of most children doesn't know how to ... read nutrition facts and ingredient labels on the foods items they choose unhealthy foods. According to the study of obesity resea...

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4. Childhood Obesity in America

... lead to poor self-esteem and depression. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2012) states, "Obesity is defined as a BMI at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex," for children and adolescents (aged 2 = 19 years)." Body mass index (BMI) is a measure used to determine childhood overweight and obesity. Childhood obesity in America is mainly due to an unhealthy diet, social factors, and sedentary lifestyle. To begin ... with, an unhealthy diet contributes to childhood obesity. First, excessive fast food intake leads to an unhealthy ... ...

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5. Relationship Between Low Socio-Economic Areas and Obesity Rates

... impossible. Evidence from two American studies suggests that urban sprawl and obesity is high in adolescents in particular (Lee, 2008). There is a reliance on automobiles to get to one destination to another and making it the norm for even small distances. Children and families are more likely to stay indoors, and therefore inactive (Doyle-Baker, 2011). When traveling is needed, they are reliant on their cars ... levels of activity. Along with choosing the wrong kinds of foods for their families and also under engaging in physical activities along with their children, parents from poor ...

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6. Obesity - Low Income and Insecurity

... , the child will not have a healthy diet. As parents spend a majority of their time at work, children spend a majority of their time at school. There have been numerous reports taken on the relationship between work and food.The article, "Why Low-Income and Food Insecure People are Vulnerable to Overweight and Obesity" says, "Low-income families, including children, may face high levels of stress ... ."  Low-wage work, lack of access to health care, inadequate and long-distance transportation, poor housing, neighborhood violence, and other factors are just many of the contributions to ob...

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7. Obesity In Children

... with friends, kids now play inside. The favorite games they play now include a hand-held controller attached to the biggest culprit of them all: the television. Obesity is greater among children and adolescents who frequently watch television, and children watch an average of three hours a day (Dietz& Gortmaker, 1985). This is not only due to the lack of energy used while lounging on the sofa ... phone numbers if a child needs to talk to someone. Although a number of medications have recently appeared for the treatment of obesity, such as phendimetrazine and phentermine (phen-phen divided...

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8. Obesity - Glucose and Lipid Profiles in Adolescents

... obese, with the main culprits being the consumption of junk food and lack of a proper diet and exercise. Ways to abstain obesity in adults and young children include: having an active lifestyle, keeping a check on weight, drinking plenty of water, avoiding junk food, eating slowly and eating only when you're hungry, and most notably, sustaining a appropriate diet. The craving for junk food has rapidly replaced the desire for ... fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods. It is saturated with oil, sodium, and sugar, or ... ...

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9. Obesity

... failed in the past!" (Solovay 2000, 39). Doctors and nutritionists are starting to question why children should diet at all. Patricia Crawford, co-director of the University of California, Berkeley's Center for Weight and Health, states, "Overweight children do not experience the extent of medical complications of obesity which are experienced by obese adults Weight loss is inappropriate ... for children before thy have completed puberty The ... obesity and poor adjustment psychologically (Daniel 1982, 115). Disturbances in family relations, such as this, are often characterized by poor...

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10. Childhood Obesity

... meals instills a sense of security in children, and helps them to understand and appreciate the complicated dynamics of family life. Adolescents who eat as a family also likely to eat a healthier diet, say nutritionists (Childhood Obesity: A Food and Nutrition Resource List ). Families who sit down and eat together most likely eat proper meals. Obesity can be genetic or a learned lifestyle. Parents with poor diet and lifestyles habits, inevitably pass these traits ... on to their children. However, genes and environment do not have to destine people to a lifestyle of ... ...

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