Childhood Obesity Is It The Enemy - 869 Words

Childhood Obesity has become a topic of national concern. There has been an extremely rapid increase in the number of obese children in the recent years. The percentage of obese children from the age of 6-11 has increased from 7% to 18% and for adolescents age 12-19, a 5% to 21% in a short span of about 30 years. This epidemic has grown to such a high number that it had been brought to the attention Michelle Obama, the First Lady of America, who then created a plan to try to end this Childhood Obesity Epidemic in 2010. So, what is the cause of this new and uprising epidemic? Among the articles that I’ve come across, researchers have begun to link the source to the lack of exercise and fast food establishments. My first read was â€Å"Fast food – Is it the Enemy?† by Sarah Muntel, who is a registered dietician. Sarah began with a list of a de-constructed meal from various fast food chains and labels them with the nutritional facts such as the calorie and fat amount in each item, to where she then determines â€Å"you could easily take in 1,500 calories from just one meal alone,† which is roughly the recommended caloric intake for an American per day! She then goes on to explain that in the past, the people did not have the pleasure of picking up a pre-made convenient meal, rather they had to personally spend time and energy to prepare their own meals, but because â€Å"most Americans are overscheduled and overcommitted† they fall victim to the easy way out by picking a â€Å"cheap† and easy mealShow MoreRelatedOverweight, and Obesity are Results of Calorie Imbalance779 Words   |  3 Pagesfrom water, bones, muscles, fat or a mixture of them all. Obesity is defined as having excess body fat, they both are results of calorie imbalance. 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The abundance of sugar present in today’sRead MoreObesity And The Rate Of Children Obesity1585 Words   |  7 Pages the continuous rising in the rate of children obesity in America is worrisome. According to the centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the rate of children obesity rise from 7% in 1980 to 12% in the course of twenty years. Many people might not compare obesity to other problems happening in the world, and deem it as important, but what they do not understand is the detrimental consequences of this epidemic on each individual facing it. Obesity can affect more than the physical attributes ofRead MoreFat Tax On Junk Food930 Words   |  4 Pagesmilk, processed foods, pizza, soda, and candy. The purpose of such a tax is to deter consumers from purchasing these unhealthy foods and lower the obesity rate. According to Ogden, Carroll, Kit and Flegal (2014), â€Å"prevalence of obesity in the United States is high, with one-third of adults and 17% of children obese† (â€Å"Prevalence of Childhood Obesity in the United States†, 2014).The number of obese children is alarming, albeit, significant measures have been taken in schools to provide healthierRead MoreFast Food : An Alternative Food Source1080 Words   |  5 Pagesadults are severely obese† (Loonin). Obesity can be caused by many factors, some people have slower metabolism, some people just eat too much food, and some people don t exercise enough. â€Å"Let’s think back to the pioneer days. People had to plant their crops, tend to their animals and cook foods from scratch. There were no box mixes or pre-made items. Meals had to be planned ahead every day. People really had to work for their food Coincidentally, the obesity rates were much less years ago.† (Muntel)Read MoreAlternative Ways To Defeat Obesity Essay1375 Words   |  6 PagesFinding Alternative Ways To Defeat Obesity When Mcdonalds, Wendys, and Burger King and other fast-food industries opened their doors, the number of young adults that are considered obese have dramatically increased like the speed of light every year. Moreover, obesity is described as a condition where the body stores unnecessary fat. Obesity is the leading cause of death due to the consumption of unhealthy food on a daily basis. In fact, it is responsible of heart disease, diabetes, and it causesRead MoreFast Food : An Alternative Food Source1080 Words   |  5 Pagesadults are severely obese† (Loonin). Obesity can be caused by many factors, some people have slower metabolism, some people just eat too much food, and some people don t exercise enough. â€Å"Let’s think back to the pioneer days. People had to plant their crops, tend to their animals and cook foods from scratch. There were no box mixes or pre-made items. Meals had to be planned ahead every day. People really had to work for their food Coincidentally, the obesity rates were much less years ago.† (Muntel)