Childhood Obesity: Who Is at Fault?

OBESITY 1

Childhood Obesity: Who is at fault?

Heather

ENG 122

Prof. Plummer

September 3, 2012

OBESITY 2

Today in our world it's not unusual to see an obese child. Childhood obesity has increased over the last twenty years. This epidemic doesn't chose by one's color or gender, but it's affecting our future. It's not just affecting the United States; it's affecting children in a lot of other countries. It is scary to think about the next twenty years. I blame a lot of the children's obesity on our economy, and the child's parent. I also blame how fast technology has evolved, more kids are staying inside and playing their new game system.

First I shall begin with the way the economy has impacted our obese children. Everyone knows were living a lot different than we did ten, fifteen years ago. Our stock market plummeted and so did the value or our dollar. Then we have had to deal with war. Which all of these things have cost us a lot of money. So as it triples down to us Americans, it's making many of us having to down size to a smaller home. Some people have to work second and third jobs. With that being said it is having a big impact on our children. When the parent is gone working these second and third jobs, it leaves the child to end up eating more and more junk food. Another thing with the parent having to work longer they are stopping at fast food restraints, which is not healthy. The parent chooses the fast food because it is quick and it is easy. So the child that's overweight, then tends to make grab something fast and easy when their hungry. When they usually grab something it's usually junk food. A lot of parents tend to buy their kids easy foods that

OBESITY 3

they just pop into the microwave and these kind of foods are pizzas, hot pockets, and etc. So, I feel the economy has really caused our children to become UN healthy.

I am a mother of two. I have an eight year old son, and a fourteen months old daughter. They both are healthy and are not obese. But this problem does hit close to home for me. My niece that is eleven is obese. My sister tries to get her to eat healthier, but she always gives in. It's like a fight, and my niece is always hungry and she doesn't want something healthy, she wants Doritos,