Obesity Among American Children: Control and Prevention (Essay Sample)

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Obesity Among American Children
Childhood obesity in America has grown drastically in the recent years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly a third of children and adolescents in America are obese. Although the terms "obese" and "overweight" are considered to have the same meaning, they are relatively different. "Obese" is used to describe persons with a body mass index (BMI) above the 95th percentile for their height, age, and gender. On the other hand, "overweight" describes persons with a BMI below the 95th percentile but above the 85th percentile (Ogden et al.). However, overweight children and adolescents are usually at a very high risk of becoming obese. While obesity is considered one of the easiest medical conditions to recognize, it is not easy to treat. This essay outlines some causes of obesity, its associated risks and complications, prevention and control among American children.
According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the causes of obesity among children can be put into four broad categories: genetic, biological, cultural and behavioral factors (Aacap.org). However, behavioral factors such as poor eating habits, stressful lifestyles and lack of exercise are responsible for most cases. The CDC explains that obesity occurs when the number of calories taken is way higher than the amount burnt up by the body. Therefore, feeding habits, physical exercise and other behavioral factors linked to intake or burning of calories are fundamental factors in child obesity. In fact, only a small percentage is of obesity is caused by biological, cultural and genetic factors. Other major causes of obesity among American Children include medical illnesses, depression, family history of obesity, low self-esteem, and some psychiatric medications.
Obesity has several associated risks and complications. More saddening is that obesity can cause harm to nearly every system in the body of a child. It places the child at a high risk of developing problems in major body organs such as the heart, kidneys, lungs and digestive tract (Dietz and Robinson). Also, it can affect the hormones that are responsible for the child’s development and those that control body processes such as blood sugar level. What is worse, obese children have substantially higher chances of remaining obese into adulthood, putting them at risk of disease later in life. Complications related to obesity include breathing problems, diabetes, trouble sleeping and increased risk of heart disease. Obese children also suffer low self-esteem and other emotional problems (Dietz and Robinson).
The good news is that although childhood obesity is among the major public health problems in America, it is treatable and preventable. In fact, it is easier to treat or prevent obesity among children than adults. Most important is that prevention of childhood obesity often translates into a substantial reduction in adult obesity, since most obese adults develop the condition from childhood. While physical disorders and genetic factors are treatable medically, the best and healthiest way to lose weight is by reducing intake of calories and increasing physical activity (Ogden et al.). Obesity in children can be controlled by maintaining a healthy eating habit, leading a more a...