Childhood obesity is one of the biggest issues in the United States amongst adolescents. The growing numbers of overweight children is growing rapidly at an enormous rate. Children are now being exposed to harmful consequences due to being obese. When entering a state of obesity a child can welcome many issues that they are not prepared for that can result in illnesses and setbacks. Although dealing with obesity is an everyday struggle, there are many actions that can be done to protect our youth. Obesity is a source of the following factors: poor nutritional habits, lack of exercise, and poverty.
Poor nutritional habits are one the main causes of children being obese. As LeAnn DeAngelo stated “obesity is a condition in which the body carries abnormal or unhealthy amounts of fat tissue, leading the individual to weigh in excess of 20 percent more than his or her ideal weight” (DeAngelo). Nowadays children are exposed to junk food, fast food, and sugary beverages rather than foods that contains a better nutritional value. These types of foods contain a higher level of fat and calories. Foods that lack nutritional value are easily obtained via school vending machines, fast food restaurants, or from parents. Children are given meals that are faster for the parents to provide, rather than meals with proper nutrients. Mary Ann Stubbs argues that “The percentage of caloric intake attributable to away-from-home dining almost doubled between 1977 and 1995 to 34%, and American restaurant food was found to contain more calories from fat and more saturated fat but less calcium, fiber and iron than home-cooked food (Stutts).” Meanwhile, a lack of exercise is another key factor in the growing number of obesity in youth.
Over the years due to the growth in technology, children have found a lack of interest in participating in exercise. With other alternatives such as T.V., video games, and computers, children are engaging in activities t...