The Fat Kids of America
America's Childhood Obesity Problem
By Everly Ivener
America is the leading nation for childhood obesity. This would make sense as the US also has one of the highest overall obesity rates. Other countries around the world are able to keep their obesity rates low. How are they able to do it?
Obesity is defined by BMI(body mass index). Obesity is having a BMI in the 95 percentile or greater while overweight is only 85% to 95%.
The main reason for America’s obesity as said by Maggie Fox for NBC is that “the society continues to push junk food despite the overwhelming evidence about its dangers, and the lack of exercise.” Junk food contains large amounts of preservatives and trans fats, which is a leading factor for obesity. By feeding our children junk food and allowing them to not exercise but instead sit inside and play video games, we are contributing to America’s obese youth.
Reasons Europeans are able to stay thinner than Americans by U.S. News
Taking time when preparing food
Eating smaller portions
Taking more time to eat
Eating real food
These habits could be picked up by Americans to try and help reduce childhood obesity rates.
CDC obesity health effect list
High Blood Pressure
Type 2 diabetes
Heart disease
Stroke
Gallbladder disease
Osteoarthritis
Sleep apnea
Some cancers
Childhood obesity needs to be decreased in America because obese children tend to grow up to be obese adults, and those adults tend to raise obese children. It is a vicious cycle that needs to be stopped to increase the health of the average American citizen.
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