Look around the school, or the next time you visit a mall, and you will realize a growing trend among children that won’t be going away for a while. Most of them are overweight. The topic I am discussing is childhood obesity. The condition is the current fastest rising health concern in the United States. Nehus and Mitsnefes (2019) d efine childhood obesity as a condition where children and adolescents are significantly overweight for their age, height, and sex. Research shows that approximately 13 percent of all children living in the US are overweight. Childhood obesity is attributed to many factors, including unhealthy lifestyles, diets, and lack of exercise. Why then is obesity a concern? Childhood obesity is a medical condition with many risks associated with it. They are, however, various ways of avoiding juvenile obesity. This speech will focus on informing about the causes of childhood obesity, the health risks associated with it, and the means to prevent the condition.
Causes of Childhood Obesity
There is evidence that genetic factors cause the condition. When a child comes from a family of overweight, they are likely to be obese. Most children inherit genes from their parents that make their bodies to gain weight quickly (Nehus & Mitsnefes, 2019) . Genes also affect the desire for food, metabolic rate, food cravings, and satiety. Besides, it affects body fat distribution and the trend of using food intake as a way to deal with stress. However, genetic susceptibility needs to be coupled up by environmental and behavioral factors.
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Additionally, behaviors contribute to childhood obesity. Children who consume high-calorie foods such as junk and take huge portions are at risk of becoming overweight (Nehus & Mitsnefes, 2019) . The adoption of a sedentary lifestyle that involves spending little time doing physical activities is also a factor. Research shows that television watching and the increase in usage of electronic media have reduced the chances of physical activities. The use of medication, such as steroids and poor sleep routines, also contribute to the condition.
Furthermore, environmental factors that do not encourage healthy habits contribute to childhood obesity. You already know of children who spend most of their time indoors with no physical activities. Research shows that television watching and the increase in the use of electronic media have reduced the chances of physical activities. Communities and schools affect the diet and behaviors of children (Nehus & Mitsnefes, 2019) . For example, most of them are driven to schools or destinations they want to go to. Some people cannot even afford healthy food options. Now that we understand what childhood obesity is and the causes, let's look into the health risks associated with the condition.
Consequences of Childhood Obesity
Obesity increases the child’s chances of health conditions such as and arteriosclerosis. It also leads to Cardiovascular Disease due to the build-up of plaques in the arteries caused by high cholesterol (Ghosh, Das, & Sen, 2019) . The children may also develop breathing problems such as sleep apnea and Asthma. Other conditions include musculoskeletal and joint discomfort. Later in life, the kids are likely to develop Type II Diabetes.
Moreover, childhood obesity is associated with psychological problems such as depression and anxiety. The condition also leads to low self-esteem (Ghosh et al., 2016). The modern culture worships slender and toned bodies. Obese children are looked down upon, which may lead to negative feelings regarding oneself and develop obsessions around eating control, such as Bulimia. There are, therefore, high cases of depression and anxiety among the children.
Furthermore, children develop various social problems. Children often bully their obese peers, making them withdraw socially from others. They may also disrupt their classrooms due to frustrations. Past studies show that overweight children have weaker social skills than healthy ones (Ghosh et al., 2016). Most parents also claim that their obese children internalize their problems. They are also less competent in social settings, thus jeopardizing their academic performance and friendship. Therefore, the consequences are vital. We are now aware of the various complications caused by childhood obesity. There are, however, ways of avoiding the condition.
Ways to Prevent Childhood Obesity
In preventing childhood obesity, parents and caregivers should foster good eating habits in children. Junk foods should be avoided and replaced with fruits, vegetables, and other healthy meals (Taveras, 2016). When the kids get hungry in between the meals, the fruits should be given. It is acceptable to have a snack-size portion of chips. These foods are appealing, making it hard for children to do away with them altogether. However, they should be taken in the smallest serving size. The food portions consumed should be controlled. Research shows that every inch of height should be equated to approximately 40 calories of food intake. Children should also be encouraged to eat slowly, and only at a time, they are hungry. They should also be motivated to take water.
Additionally, parents should foster a healthy lifestyle by incorporating physical activities and behavior therapy. Playing outside is an excellent way to ensure children exercise (Taveras, 2016). Parents should also look for opportunities that enable team sports. You all know that children spend more than seven hours watching and surfing. Therefore, the time they spend on electronic media should be reduced while making healthy habits a part of the children’s routine. Research also shows that healthy sleeping habits are vital in ensuring a good weight.
Lastly, parents and caregivers should lead by example. Children learn best through imitating others than lectures (Taveras, 2016). While encouraging them to engage in physical activities and eating healthy, ensure that you do it with them. It makes it easy for them to understand the significance of staying healthy while learning the best habits from you. Practicing what you preach should be the slogan when inspiring them. It is straightforward. As a parent or caregiver, do it by keeping active, eating well, and motivating the kids to do the same. Children should also be educated on an appropriate diet, safe workout, and actions to ensure they are informed to make good choices when the grown-ups are not nearby to monitor them.
Conclusion
Childhood obesity is on the rise, and everyone is at risk of its devastating effects. The causes of the condition include genetic, environmental factors, and unhealthy lifestyles. The condition is fatal as it may lead to health risks, psychological and social problems. Through advocating healthy diets, exercise, and lifestyle, the rapid rise of child obesity is estimated to end. However, parents and caregivers should lead as an example. The significance of the presentation is to help reduce the causes of childhood obesity by learning its causes, its complications, and the various ways to prevent it. It will aid parents in knowing the consequences of the condition to help them in adopting ways to reduce the risk of their children being obese. Hopefully, now you understand the dynamics of childhood obesity.
References
Ghosh, N., Das, A., & Sen, C. K. (2019). Childhood obesity: Factors, consequences, and intervention. In Global Perspectives on Childhood Obesity (pp. 271-276). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-812840-4.00021-9
Nehus, E., & Mitsnefes, M. (2019). Childhood obesity and the metabolic syndrome. Pediatric Clinics , 66 (1), 31-43. https://www.pediatric.theclinics.com/article/S0031-3955(18)30128-7/abstract
Taveras, E. M. (2016). Childhood obesity risk and prevention: shining a lens on the first 1000 days. https://doi.org/10.1089/chi.2016.0088
