obesity

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A. Childhood obesity has become an epidemic in the United States. 1. "Obesity in children is defined as a BMI, at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex"("Obesity and Overweight"). 2.four degrees of weight status underweight, healthy weight, overweight, and obese 3.categories based on their BMI, or Body Mass Index. 4. In the past three decades, the number of children placed at or above the 95th percentile nearly tripled.

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B.increase is alarming because of childhood obesity's impact on other aspects of children's health as well as its long-term affects. 1.cause low-self esteem in children, who are often already worried about their appearance. 2.As a result of low self-esteem, obese children may struggle with their performance at school, suffer from depression, and experience bullying. 3. Obesity has been directly linked to severe physical health risks as well, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, severe asthma, and type-two diabetes.

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C. carry their symptoms into adulthood. 1.may lead to higher healthcare rates in the future because of the harmful affect obesity has on other aspects of health. 2. According to the Harvard School of Public health, "Looking ahead, researchers have estimated that by 2030, if obesity trends continue unchecked, obesity-related medical costs alone could rise by $48 to $66 billion a year in the U.S" 3.affects more than those who suffer.,

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D. increase in advertising by the food-industry has caused an increase in the childhood obesity rate. 1. "The fast-food industry spent more than $4.2 billion on advertising. Obesity now affects 17 % of all children and teens in the United States-triple the rate from just one generation ago, according to federal statistics" (Johnson). 2. Fast-food companies direct advertisements toward children through creative campaigns, such as "Happy-Meals," offered by McDonalds. 3. they believe that a decrease in fast-food advertising may lower the childhood obesity rate.

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E. argue that a lack of parental guidance and consumer awareness are the primary causes of childhood obesity. 1. "Advertising affects the choices we make, whether we like it or not, and whether we realize it or not. It's a simple truth for adults who know better, and a scary truth for children, who usually do not" (Imus). 2. Parents often argue that it is the responsibility of adults to monitor the advertisements children view as well as educate them on healthy diet choices 3. They suggest that parents contact legislators and television stations to lodge complaints regarding unhealthy advertisements.

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F. Many low income families lack a source of transportation. 1.low-income families are forced to walk to convenience stores or fast-food restaurants that often do not provide fresh produce. 2. Although nutritional programs may provide healthy foods at an affordable price for low-income families, health experts argue that it is important that they are within walking distance from neighborhoods so that they are easily accessible for families without transportation. 3. This solution may encourage low-income families to consume healthier foods.

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F. Many low-income families also experience high rates of childhood obesity because they do not have healthcare coverage. 1. "While harming the health of millions of Americans, obesity is concurrently contributing greatly to rising health care costs—more than a quarter of America's health care costs estimated to be related to obesity" ("Confronting America's"). 2.As a result, they avoid visiting a doctor and are unable to be diagnosed with health problems related to obesity such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, severe asthma, and type-two diabetes. 3. Lack of treatment may worsen obesity 5. Recent legislation set forth by the Obama administration such as The Affordable Healthcare Act and the Let's Move Program have attempted to use the suggestions set forth by health experts to address the alarming trend of childhood obesity and its relationship with poverty. 6. These initiatives may prove to be a step in the right direction

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F. many health experts believe that the problem has become too large for parents, educators, and consumers to solve on their own. 1. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold, then that family is considered in poverty. 2. Poverty, because of its complex defining characteristics, is often an uncontrollable factor for low-income families and the solution is far out of reach for many consumers. 3. It may require government intervention to help consumers get on the right track.

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III. Conclusion A. Childhood obesity is a complex issue. B. societal epidemic with many contributing factors C. Increasing obesity rates affect more than just those who suffer. D. It is important that Americans get involved with their community, state government, and federal government to help combat the alarming trend. E. This can be accomplished by creating initiatives or suggesting alternatives to current initiatives that may help decrease the relationship between poverty and obesity. F. Decreasing the relationship between poverty and obesity will ultimately result in a healthier generation of children in the United States.

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One uncontrollable factor low-income families face is lack of healthy foods at an affordable price. 1. "What energy-dense foods have in common is low energy cost, due in part to the presence of added sugars and fat" (Drewnowski). 2. Energy-dense foods offer consumers the most energy for the lowest price. 3. argue that no matter how much knowledge low-income consumers have about healthy eating, they will still consume energy-dense diets consisting of "obesity promoting" foods simply as a survival method