Obesity and Its Effect on Children

I think we all can agree that obesity is literally a growing problem. We can all see it, just by walking down the street or through the mall. With a large portion of Americans’ diets consisting of foods high in Trans fat and calories from fast food restaurants such as McDonalds, Burger King, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and Wendy’s it’s no wonder within today’s society in Pennsylvania alone roughly 27.1% of the population is obese; according to The Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

I’d like to add that I know some people who can’t help their weight. They may take a certain type of medication or have a health problem causing them to gain weight, and I am not ridiculing those particular people. As a matter of fact, my father is one of those people taking medication after two strokes have caused him to gain excessive amounts of weight. I am discussing the people who are overweight because they are sedentary, over-eat, and do nothing about it. I’m talking about people who make fast food joints their daily meal choices.

Obesity has not only increased in our adult population, but also in our children (In Pennsylvania or America). A study done in 2004 by The Institute of Medicine of the Nation Academies proved that approximately nine- million children over six years of age are considered obese. This study was conducted in 2004, it’s now 2009, in 5 years don’t you think that the number of obese children has increased? Some say maybe, others disagree. Sure when you walk through a middle school most of the kids are athletic and in good health, but what about the ones who are fighting an ever-losing battle against their weight? Is it their fault they have a few extra pounds? Or does the blame belong to a high authority, such as the parent? These days’ parents just don’t seem to care as much about their kids. I’m not pointing fingers and saying if you have an overweight child you’re a bad parent, but let’s face it, some parents just don’t care.

On November 8, 2007 the show Inside Edition aired a story of a girl around the age of eight and she weighed over 400 pounds. Her mother just kept giving her food, and claimed she didn’t know she was doing anything wrong. How could you not realize that you’re putting your 8 year old daughter at risk when she is 420 pounds and is forced to roll on the floor to get around because her legs are bowed out by her weight?

With stories like this one airing on television, it’s no wonder the state of Arkansas has what they call “obesity report cards;” Where children in grades kindergarten through twelfth get graded on their weight, based on their BMI (Body Mass Index) and other factors. I think obesity report cards are a great step forward in helping overweight children lead a healthier lifestyle. Schools shouldn’t be allowed to have vending machines stocked with candy bars and hostess cakes or soda machines in a cafeteria. They should offer vegetables and fruits, milk, or water. Some of the parents who have children going to school in Arkansas are upset by the obesity report cards and say they can have a very negative effect on an overweight child’s self-esteem. Well doesn’t that child already get made fun of? You don’t need a written paper sent home from school, to inform your peers you’re a bit heavier than them. They were being ridiculed a long before they were receiving grades on their weight, and if they don’t like it then they need to motivate themselves to make a change. Also some may ask when the responsibility to solve this problem fell on the schools hands. Well, doesn’t your child get an eye exam at school? if they fail they get a paper sent home informing the parent to make an appointment with their child’s optometrist. Isn’t this pretty much the same, the school informing the parent of a possible problem that should be looked at by a pediatrics doctor, or a specialist?

Ruth Whispell
Wilkes University 10'
12 March 2009