| Child obesity has quickly become a major | | | | development. |
| problem in America, the degree to which may | | | | |
| not even be fully realized at this point. To | | | | The prevalence of diabetes in society is no |
| consider all the aspects of obesity, a | | | | longer considered just an eating problem, but |
| systems approach is necessary in identifying | | | | now a lifestyle concern involving not just |
| all factors involved. From this perspective, | | | | the child, but also the whole family. Parents |
| a more encompassing view of the prevalence of | | | | of overweight children are often not aware of |
| child obesity can be observed. | | | | the risks of obesity and unwittingly |
| | | | contribute to an environment and attitudes |
| Statistics show that the prevalence of child | | | | that foster obesity. Some child health |
| obesity has dramatically increased in America | | | | advocates go to the lengths of considering |
| with a rate that is triple of that 30 years | | | | the allowance of child obesity as serious |
| ago. This very disturbing trend needs serious | | | | child abuse as parents are largely |
| and immediate attention. Recent information | | | | responsible for children's diets. |
| provided by the Centers for Disease Control | | | | |
| and Prevention indicate that 17 percent of | | | | Children that are overweight need to be |
| children between the ages of two and nineteen | | | | involved in more and regular physical |
| are severely overweight. Actual numbers are | | | | activities while being less involved in |
| expected to be much higher as regularly | | | | sedentary functions such as watching |
| conducted surveys indicate people tend to | | | | television. Parents should take an active |
| provide incorrect information concerning | | | | role in providing healthy eating choices and |
| their weight and height. The Harvard School | | | | limiting or eliminating unhealthy snacking |
| of Public Health also indicates that the | | | | foods from the home. Enrolling children in |
| prevalence of child obesity in the U.S. has | | | | after school clubs and activities, sporting |
| been grossly underestimated and is of | | | | teams and summer camp activities is one way |
| proportions that are rapidly spinning out of | | | | to increase their activity level. This will |
| control. | | | | also help them in gaining self-confidence and |
| | | | in socializing with other children. Just as |
| Child obesity can be attributed to several | | | | diet has to be controlled by the parents at |
| factors. A child's eating habits, physical | | | | home, a child's physical activity level needs |
| activity level, hormones, genetics and | | | | to be actively monitored by parents as well. |
| environmental considerations are all involved | | | | |
| in the picture of child obesity. Obesity | | | | Children rely on their parents for their |
| involves both physical and emotional | | | | well-being, and obesity puts a child's |
| problems. While medical risks for diabetes | | | | well-being at risk. Taking steps to prevent |
| among others are well known, these children | | | | obesity as well as to rehabilitate an obese |
| typically suffer from low self-esteem and | | | | child is important. Not addressing a child's |
| social isolation from peers, which has | | | | obesity can put them at serious risk. |
| equally devastating effects on child | | | | |