It is imperative to mention that childhood obesity has turned into a crucial problem over the last few years, and it is especially problematic in the United States because the number of individuals that suffer from this condition has quadrupled over a relatively short period of thirty years (Sabin & Kiess, 2015). The government should focus on the promotion of healthy eating habits and exercise because the health and well-being of the population may be affected if obesity rates among children are not reduced.
The issue is that the number of obese children in the United States and all over the globe has been increasing at rapid rates. They are less likely to participate in activities and exercise, and the situation gets worse every single year. New technologies are being introduced, and individuals are less inclined to be active. Another aspect that should not be overlooked is that parents do not monitor the time their children spend at the computer or watching TV. Moreover, they are much more likely to become obese, and a broad range of other issues may also be introduced.
The numbers of health risks that are related to obesity are truly astounding. Cardiovascular diseases are problematic, and the fact that one may develop a heart condition at such age is worrying. Also, it has been proven that there is a direct relationship between obesity and diabetes, and this condition has a long-term impact on the lives of individuals because it cannot be reversed, and they have to accept the situation. The fact that life expectancy may be reduced is quite worrying, and it is a known fact that obese individuals may have to deal with several conditions at once. The process of treatment can be complicated, and it is a crucial issue for young people. However, the issue is that the evidence that would justify the use of preventive strategies is not sufficient, and further research is required (Lakshman, Elks, Cathy, & Ong, 2012). Most approaches are focused on lifestyle alterations, but it may be necessary to devote more attention to the early life of individuals and predisposing factors.
Moreover, the amount of money that the government has to spend on this problem is also worth highlighting. Such funds could be utilized for other activities that would promote health. The population does not have an understanding of the scope of this problem. Obese individuals can be less productive, and it could affect their performance in schools. Employment opportunities will also be limited. Another aspect that should not be overlooked is that many advertisements are aimed at children, and corporations do not care about potential health risks that are associated with their products. Moreover, they want to ensure that the taste of food is prioritized over other factors. The governments should focus on the regulation of this area because it is evident that some of the products are not healthy and should not be promoted to young individuals.
The population does not understand the health risks, and childhood obesity is viewed as acceptable because of excessive tolerance. Understandably, many movements suggest that any shape or form of the body should not be shamed, and such activities should be respected. However, it becomes unreasonable when the health and well-being of an individual can be affected. Moreover, reluctance to exercise or eat healthy food should not be supported because it will have a lasting impact and may lead to severe consequences.
Another problem that is worthy of a discussion is that one of the studies has shown that obese children are more likely to be affected by social and emotional problems, and it could hurt their ability to perform day-to-day tasks (Galvan, Uauy, Lopez-Rodriguez, & Kain, 2014). Obese children frequently have to deal with bullying in schools, and it may lead to stress and depression. They become too worried most of the time and may develop anxiety. Such issues can be traumatizing at this age, and it is imperative to avoid psychological problems. The problem is that many parents do not acknowledge the fact that obesity can be quite dangerous, and it may harm their children. It is especially problematic when a mother or father is obese because they are less likely to promote healthy eating behavior. They are too overprotective, and it may not be an easy task to change their opinions.
In conclusion, childhood obesity is a critical problem that needs to be addressed. Governments should devote many more resources to the promotion of healthy eating habits and exercise. Moreover, it would be beneficial to review some of the food that is given in dining rooms because they may be high in calories. The biggest problem is that many parents do not view this issue as significant, and they think that the body mass of their children will change with time. Overall, any alterations to the diet and the need to exercise may be hard to accept for some, and the need to develop preventive measures should be acknowledged.
References
Galvan, M., Uauy, R., Lopez-Rodriguez, G., & Kain, J. (2014). Association between childhood obesity, cognitive development, physical fitness and social-emotional wellbeing in a transitional economy. Annals of Human Biology, 41(2), 99-104. Web.
Lakshman, R., Elks, C., Cathy, E., & Ong, K. K. (2012). Childhood Obesity. Circulation, 126(14), 1770-1779. Web.
Sabin, M., & Kiess, W. (2015). Childhood obesity: Current and novel approaches. Best Practice & Research Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 29(3), 327-338. Web.