Gomez PAGE 5
Karen Gomez
Ms. Ferrell
English 110 ; T/TR 12:40
23 September 2014
Childhood Obesity
Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic that is troubling the United States, as a whole, more and more as the years pass. When a child weighs more than what is recommended for his/her height, that child is considered obese. Affecting nearly 30% of children today, childhood obesity is the most common chronic disease experienced in children. Childhood obesity is mainly influenced by the environmental lifestyle a child lives in, genetic and hormonal factors, and can lead obese children to face psychological repercussions.
One cause of obesity in children is the environmental lifestyle in which the child lives in. With the ongoing economy issue affecting the nation, it is no surprise that the majority of low income parents spend a great amount of time working while their children are at home. According to Childhood Obesity: Causes, "Children from low-income backgrounds are at increased risk for childhood obesity since low-income parents may lack the time and resources necessary to purchase and prepare healthy foods (versus fast food, which is cheaper and more readily available in low-income communities)â¦".
Parents often turn to readily available convenience foods because of their busy lifestyles or budget constraints. Children don't always know what is the healthiest snack for them and if given the option, a child will always choose the sweetest snack or fast food. "⦠Regular consumption of high-calorie foods, like fast food, cookies and other baked goods, soda, candy, chips and vending machine snacks contribute to weight gain" (Childhood Obesity: Causes). Eating or snacking on foods that are rich in calories, is a bad habit many children have. This bad eating habit and numerous availability of "fast foods" go hand-in-hand on the ongoing battle with...