Aicha Souidi

COM 280 Section A

Childhood Obesity in the U.S

Aicha Souidi
Bryant University
12/14/15
Intro to Health Communications 280

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COM 280 Section A

Obesity in children is a serious problem in the United States. Obesity is the condition of
being overweight. The most commonly used measure to weight status today is the Body Mass
Index (BMI). When children eat more than they need, their bodies store the extra calories in fat
cells to use that specific energy for later. If their bodies do not need this stored energy, they will
develop more of the fat cells which gradually leads to obesity. Some children however are at a
greater risk for obesity due to genetic factors. They can inherit the genes from their parents that
make their bodies gain weight easily. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
approximately 17% (12.7 million) of children between the ages of 2-19 years old are obese.
(CDC.gov 2015).
Childhood obesity is a complex health issue. There are many different causes to this
disease. The main causes of excess weight in youth are similar to those in adults, including
behavior and genetics. Behaviors can include dietary patterns, physical activity, inactivity and
medical use as well as other exposures. Other contributing factors in our culture include the
environment, education and food marketing/promotion. It is challenging for children at such a
young age to make healthy decisions about food when they are exposed to environments that do
not make it easy. Nearly half of the U.S middle/high schoolers allow advertising of less healthy
foods. In addition foods that are high in calories are the ones that are highly advertised and
marketed to children while advertising the healthier options are absent. Some families do not
have the means and access to stores and supermarkets that sell heathier adorable foods, which
leads to their children experiencing unnatural eating habits.

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Many of the complications associated with childhood and adolescent obesity would
benefit from longitudinal studies to clarify cause and effect. These complications include
psychosocial difficulties, eating disorders, and the effect of inappropriate expectations of obese
children whose growth is increased. Longitudinal studies that include simultaneous measures of
ethnicity, cardiovascular risk factors, visceral fat, and the factors that control the quantity and
location of fat deposition throughout childhood and adolescence are essential to distinguish the
effects of total and regional fat deposition on cardiovascular risk (Dietz M.D 1998).
One of the biggest triggers of childrens obesity is genetics. However, genetics alone
cannot explain the increases in obesity in recent decades. Parents do pass along to their children
a liability to being overweight in the presence of energy in balance. (Anderson and Butcher
2008). It is guaranteed that parents do have an impact when it comes to childrens daily food
selection. Genetics and behavior can relate as both parents and children gain weight in
households where there is more energy dense foods being served. Childrens physical activity
can be affected if they are seeing their parents being active as well. This again shows how genes
and behavior will interrelate as households engage in more dynamic behaviors (Anderson and
Butcher 2008).
Dr. Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo of the University of California, San Francisco predicts
that by the year 2020, almost half of American women and nearly 40 percent of men will be
obese (Hughes 2015). As a result, incidence of heart disease will increase 16 percent and
deaths that occur as a result of obesity-induced heart disease will increase by 19 percent
(Hughes 2015). People whose BMI indicates that they are obese or even overweight have
increased risks of serious health problems, such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart
disease, heart failure, stroke, gout, respiratory problems, apnea, complicated pregnancies, eating

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disorders, low self-esteem and depression. Their dependence on health insurance and health care
will increase, placing corresponding stress on the health care delivery system (Hughes 2015).
Advertisers spend $2 billion every year marketing food to children, and the majority of
that is spent showcasing unhealthy food, according to a new study in the American Journal of
Preventive Medicine. Researchers from the School of Public Health at the University of Illinois
at Chicago found that children are bombarded with unhealthy advertisements, which encourages
them eat an unhealthy diet (Khan 2013). These advertisements are a big driver of the childhood
obesity epidemic, said Rubina Heptulla, MD, chief of pediatric endocrinology and diabetes at the
Childrens Hospital at Montefiore in New York City. Its a big part of the obesity epidemic
because our children are exposed to these high-caloric, high-sugar foods, Dr. Heptulla said. If
there are children in the household, there tends to be more unhealthy food, because children
influence their parents to buy it, since they oftentimes refuse to eat anything other than sugary
cereals. The problem, she added, is that advertising companies exploit the fact that kids will
often pressure their parents into buying them what they want. Many companies use children to
drive the sales of their products, Heptulla said, because theyre an easier target than adults
(Khan 2013).
The Mayo Clinic explains that children who are obese are at a high risk of depression.
Due to diet attempts that lead to being unsuccessful may cause the children to feel hopeless.
Depression can also lead to the result of the child being bullied as well which is not an easy thing
to overcome. In severe cases the depression can lead to suicide attempt at an older age. Due to
the stress being unbearable this can also lead to anxiety instead. The child starts to dread going to
school because they fear being tormented. This leads to bad grades and dropping out of school.
Caring for an obese child is a twofold situation. First off for physical health they need help in

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appropriate weight loss, this can be carried out by a medical professional. Help in determining
the appropriate amount of calories, fats and nutrients needed each day is beneficial. Healthy
options include team sports if your child is interested or solo pursuits, such as swimming,
basketball and brisk walking that leads to jogging (Boyd 2015).
According to Professor Nick Finer, of the Centre for Obesity Research at Luton and
Dunstable Hospital , described the figures, reported in the British Medical Journal today, as
'extremely disturbing'. Prof Finer said: We should be looking at policies that prevent school
fields being sold off and enable children to cycle to school without being knocked off their bikes.
These go hand in hand with encouraging a healthy lifestyle. But he said the Government's fear
of being branded 'nannying' might stop it intervening over nutrition at home. 'Unlike the 1950s,
when parents took an interest in what their children ate because they worried about them being
under-nourished, parents today do not seem to think it's their responsibility .'I've had parents in
my clinic for weight problems who feed their children crisps and biscuits to keep them quiet
while they wait. You can see the problem being passed down the generations. (Hope 2015).
Fast food packs a wallop when it comes to calories, total fat, saturated fat and sodium. A
large hamburger contains about 600 calories and 35 grams of fat, while a small order of fries
adds an additional 200 calories and 10 grams of fat. Add a small soda to the mix, and youre
looking at nearly 1,000 calories for one meal. The problem with fast food is not just which
nutrients children consume; its also which ones they dont. Children who eat fast food regularly
are less likely to meet their nutrient needs and fall particularly short on vitamins A and C (Paula
2015). Approximately 42 percent of children and adolescents reported they eat fast food
regularly, the results of a survey in a 2003 issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic
Association indicated. Fast food is especially popular among adolescents between the ages of

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11 and 18. The journal also reported that children in this age group eat fast food at least twice
per week. Children who eat fast food regularly have a higher intake of hamburgers, pizza, fried
potatoes and soft drinks and a lower intake of fruits, vegetables and milk than children who dont
eat fast food as often. Children who eat fast food regularly are likely to gain an extra 6 pounds
per year (Paula 2015).

Example of Health Campaigns regarding sugary drinks; more and more of these campaigns are
being produced in the U.S to send a message for parents as well as other influencing adults in
childrens lives.

With the

rising consumption of fast food

also comes an increased intake of
soft drinks, which are high in

calories and sugar but offer no nutrients whatsoever. According to a 2003 article in The
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 64 to 83 percent of school-age children and adolescents
consume soda. An increase in soft drink consumption comes with an increased risk of obesity, as
well as other nutritional health implications. As soft drink consumption rises, milk and water
consumption decreases. Milk is rich in several nutrients, including vitamin D, vitamin B-12,

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vitamin B-2, protein and calcium. Many children are falling short on these nutrients because of
the decreased milk consumption, the report contends (Paula 2015).
Lets Move! is a program which was developed by Lady Micelle Obama to solve the
epidemic of childhood obesity within a generation. Health campaigns like this help motivate
children to become healthy and get used to living a healthy life style that is most suitable for
them. The family, friends, schools and community resources in a childs environment is a key
factor when reinforcing lifestyle habits regarding diets and activities. Lets Move! is about
putting children on the path to a healthy future during their earliest months and years; giving
parents helpful information and fostering environments that support healthy choices; providing
healthier foods in our schools; ensuring that every family has access to healthy, affordable food;
and, helping children become more physically active (letsmove.gov)
The First Lady launched Lets Move! Child Care to ensure that our youngest children are getting
a healthy start. As of January of 2013, more than 10,000 child care professionals and
organizations have registered to implement new criteria for nutrition, physical activity, and
limited screen time. Walmart announced a new Nutrition Charter through which they lowered the
cost of fruits, vegetables, and whole grain products by $1 billion in 2011. Wal-Mart has also
pledged to work with manufacturers to eliminate trans fats and remove 10% of the sugar and
25% of the sodium in the food they sell by 2015. Through Chefs Move to School, 2,400 chefs
and nearly 4,000 schools have signed up to work together, teaching kids about healthy eating and
helping cafeteria staff prepare healthier meals (letsmove.gov)
Its very important for the U.S to have positive programs such as Lady Michelles. Kids
need be pushed in an optimistic way when it comes to losing weight and not participating in
daily activities its bound to lead to an unhealthy lifestyle. Parents have the biggest impact on

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children especially when they are at such a young age they only look up to their parents, the way
the parents eat and act. When kids are not surrounded by healthy parents or a harmful
environment this will not benefit them in the future. I personally did not know how much of an
issue obesity in children was in the U.S and quite frankly its very upsetting because it can easily
be controlled.
When doctors or parents speak to children about obesity they must be positive its vital
because if they focus on telling the children what they cant do, they should discuss what can be
done to fight obesity through healthy eating habits. According to Psychologoy Today, Phrases
that focus on the persons body or eating habits can make your loved one feel defensive.. try to
keep the discussion focused on the real issue which is the concern for overall health and life
quality (Heneghan 2015). If the parent is just focusing on the weight, size or bad food choices
that have already been made this will not communicate the message appropriately. Reminding
the children how important it is to live a happy healthy life will show compassion and make the
child feel important in the situation.
In conclusion, Children obesity is a serious problem in the United States. 12.7 million of
children between the ages of 2-19 years old are obese and this is not normal. There are many
different causes to this disease. The main causes discussed in this paper were excess weight in
youth are similar to those in adults, including behavior and genetics. Behaviors can include
dietary patterns, physical activity, inactivity and medical use as well as other exposures. Other
contributing factors in our culture include the environment, education and food
marketing/promotion. Parents need to start teaching healthy habits to their kids starting at a
young age to ensure and prevent obesity in the future.

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COM 280 Section A

APA Citations:
Anderson, P and Butcher, K. (2006) Childhood Obesity: Trends and Potential Causes Retrieved
December 1,2015.
Boyd, J. (2015, October 8). Emotional Effects of Childhood Obesity. Retrieved December 2,
2015, from http://www.livestrong.com/article/89654-emotional-effects-childhood-obesity/
Dietz, W. (n.d.). Health Consequences of Obesity in Youth: Childhood Predictors of Adult
Disease. Retrieved December 2, 2015, from
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/101/Supplement_2/518.short
Heneghan, C. (2015, May 19). How to Talk to Your Kids About Child Obesity. Retrieved
December 2, 2015, from https://www.dignityhealth.org/cm/content/pages/how-to-talk-to-yourkids-about-child-obesity.asp
Hope, J. (n.d.). Parents to blame for obese children. Retrieved December 2, 2015, from
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-12391/Parents-blame-obese-children.html
Hughes, C. (2015, October 23). Future Impact of Obesity on Americans. Retrieved December 2,
2015, from http://www.livestrong.com/article/415134-future-impact-of-obesity-on-americans/
Let's Move. (n.d.). Retrieved December 2, 2015, from http://www.letsmove.gov/learnfacts/epidemic-childhood-obesity
Paula, E. (2015, October 13). Fast Food and Childhood Obesity in America. Retrieved December
2, 2015, from http://www.livestrong.com/article/347234-fast-food-and-childhood-obesity-inamerica/

Aicha Souidi
COM 280 Section A