Is obesity a problem with children or should it only be dealt with, with adults?

Question

How bad is childhood obesity and how can we prevent it??

Answer 1

LOL, I'll tell you this: in the year 2000, one in every 3 americans born that year will be condemmed to get Diabetes type 2. It's that bad.

The problem is multifactorial as how the movie Super Size Me explained beautifully: a lot of the problem is the government because it doesn't want to put the blame on themselves for allowing the food industry feed your kids knowing very well the low quality that food is and the laziness of many american parents to cook food.. rather they prefer to eat out where they feed you enough for 10 people or buy microwave dinners. Ugh.

It doesn't help that americans starting from the most humble person to seriously educated people don't have a ding dong idea about what constitutes real nutrition. If you don't know what you're supposed to eat, how will your kids know? Videogames? Reality TV? Hah.

While US public schools generally have very enviable sports programs, they feed your kids food that's worse than garbage. I love it that the Super Size Me film shows the irony that it's the "pseicla" schools for emotionally troubled kids that are essentially public schools have excellent food programs that cost the same as the garbage food healthy kids are forced to eat.

While I don't agree with Bill Clinton's ding dong ignorance against fat in food (only an idiot would think the natural fat in milk is satanic, I only drink full fat milk and I sure ain't fat), he has helped fight the garbage beverage industry in public schools. While it seems like many schools have switched coca cola drinks to supa sugar sugar sugar and more sugar "fruit juice" (I'd call it sugar slurp), Clinton's pressures have aided in banning sugar glurp fruit juices as well.

Nutrition education starts at school because that's where kids spend half of their time anyways. Parents are a lot to blame but.. a lot of these parents were taught ziltch about nutrition when they were kids. You can't break ignorance by ignoring the facts, you have to teach the truth somewhere.

Simple, if you're an obese kid, you will have like an 80% chance of being an obese adult and the health numbers go against you. You will probably die in your mid 40's. So much for a 1st world country eeh?

The US has to act seriously now changing the laws banning food industry junk food propaganda on tv during kids shows and such, teaching proper nutrition at school, increasing medical checkups and proper health education with families with overweight kids etc... The US medical industry simply can't survive having 40 million diabetics with amputated feet, cancer, blindness and kidney failure. These preventables consequences are expensive and chronic ways to suck up the entire countrie's money. It must be stopped.

Answer 2

Childhood obesity to me is very bad. I think the child's health as he/she grows up will get worse and worse if no action is taken upon it. Preventing it is a big problem, because so many ads and commercials are around. Young kids get so influenced so easily and those ads make a big impact on them. Starting the kids young and eating healthy and also managing their health is very vital at a small age. I think thats the best way for now.

Answer 3

Childhood obesity is becoming a very big problem. I come from a family full of large people. I myself struggle with weight issues. Knowing how painful it is to grow up large and realizing that there is a genetic problem I decided to do everything I could to help my daughter with it. I started when she was very young like 6 months old feeding her mostly veggies and now at 2 she eats her veggies first. She loves salaad and the only veggie she doesnt seem to like is artichokes. I also limit her soda and coolaid intake and try to get her to drink more water than juice. I encourage her to dance and jump up and down, take her swimming. I try to teach her to make healthy choices now so that when shes older it comes natural. On the other hand I do not push her to be thin I push her to be healthy. I want her to feel beautiful no matter what. In my family we have very large frames and bone structures, and being that she is built like me, I know that even if she stays thin and healthy she is going to be built bigger than other girls. So I want her to have a healthy body image and know that she is perfect just the way she is.

Answer 4

To see how bad it is just got to any big supermarket or buffet and look around. It's really very sad. For some reason many parents think when they stuff their kids with junk food it's not a big deal, they say he/she is just a baby and growing so he/she can eat all they wants. Poor nutrition does play a big role in obesity in kids. But also lyfe style. they're just not active enough. To prevent this problem we need to start with parents really.

Answer 5

Childhood obesity is getting worse. If you teach children how to eat properly and to play outside instead of sitting inside in front of a computer or video game, they will carry those concepts with them through their lives. Instead parents worry about child molesters and keep their kids "safe" inside and they get no exercise. Parents use food as a pacifier and a reward--and it's not healthy food either. I see moms sticking sugary cereal into babies to make them stop crying, and then they get more cereal for being "good" later on.
This is a huge issue with me so I won't keep going on about it.

Answer 6

obesity can be a problem with anyone and lately the number of children with that problem is increasing greatly i say its really bad because it can lead to serious heart problems in the near future .. dont over feed ur children and exercise daily a good walk in the park wont hurt every once in a while .. get them involved in sports and other activities that keep them going because laziness will only make the situation worse.

Answer 7

Child Obesity is a huge problem. It is difficult to see children die so young. Exercises and right nutrition. Kids are heavily influenced. If you show that you exercises a lot, or eat vegetables. They will probably do it too. Turn of the XBOX and start moving! Play basketball, run, jump, volleyball, football. They are endless things you can do.

Answer 8

Yes, it is a problem. Children are eating too much fast food and playing too many video games and watching too much TV.

Type 2 diabetes which used to be an adults over 40 thing is moving into the teenager years.

Answer 9

Obesity is a very serious problem with kids. If a parent underfed a child they would be charged with child abuse. The same should be for parents who let their children eat too much. Say no to the child and let them learn some decent eating habits.

Answer 10

Obesity is a problem for all people. Children and adults.

I have 2 brothers who are significantly overweight. One is 11 years of age and weighs 154lbs. His height is about 4'11. The other one is 8 and weighs 114lbs. His height is about 4'8.