Childhood Obesity

Obesity in children is a growing epidemic. It is becoming a widespread and global issue, but specifically, it is and has been an issue in the United States. This problem is not only affecting children, but it is setting a steady lifestyle that will eventually lead to major health concerns. Currently, 1 out of 3 children that are born after the year of 2000 will develop early, onset diabetes. There are several causes as to why diabetes is and has been such an epidemic; family schedules, family values, marketing companies, school lunch programs, and the way food is processed are reasons that are just brushing the surface of this rising issue. It’s not as though families are consciously trying to put their children in a dangerous health situation, but with today’s economy and the way of life in families now, it is hard to compromise to eat healthy at times. These days, it is typical for two of the parents in the household to work, so meals are often quick, and with quickness, there is often unhealthy food available that is quick and easy to prepare. However, there are ways to be healthy by still keeping the “quick and easy” aspect alive. Also, the mindset that families “cannot afford to eat healthy,” is a mentality that many families in our nation face today with the grim economic situations that many families are going through. Educating parents and families about this topic could certainly improve the rapid growing rates of childhood obesity. A child is still a child until they are 18, and until then they are under their parent’s consent until they reach that age. Parents should do something about childhood obesity because they are essentially in control of what their children eat and because in those formative years, parents mold their eating habits, not only by direction, but by reflection.