Category: Childhood Obesity

Childhood Obesity Argumentative Essay

The most important health interventions in East London are physical activities and dietary interventions to tackle obesity and overweight health issues.

In this essay, I will write about health interventions in Tower Hamlet focusing on obesity as a health issue.

In the first paragraph of the essay, I will write about the disease called obesity and how it has affected the lives of many in East London and the United Kingdom; I will also write about different health issues affecting the populations of the borough of Tower hamlet as one of the boroughs in East London, and I will later write about different interventions in place to tackle those health problems focusing on children living in Tower Hamlet.

I will back up my argument with different interventions to tackle childhood obesity in the latter part of this essay, I will conclude my essay in summary of the argument on the interventions.

Obesity is one of the prevalent health issues in the borough of Tower Hamlet in East London and the United Kingdom. According to the World Health Organization, it has recently shown that the increase in childhood obesity has increased from 32 million to 41 million globally (WHO,2012).

A report has shown that 61 percent of adults and 30 percent of children between the ages of 2 years 15 15years suffer from obesity in England

Childhood obesity is reported to be high in Tower Hamlet with 27.1 percent of children, ages (10- 11 years) are revealed to be obese, which is one of the highest in the capital (NHS,2018).

There is a link between obesity and overweight and the rate of deprivation that is prevalent in the borough. The place is rated to be the most deprived boroughs that suffer from health inequalities due to the high rate of poverty, it is known as a place that has one of the highest rates of health issues in East London, like obesity and other obesity-related health issues like cancer. (pubmed.gov/ncbi).

The number of less privileged children is high and obese.

Tower Hamlet has about 300,000 in population with an ethnically diverse population and one of the most densely populated boroughs in East London. It is considered one of the world’s most racially zones with a diverse place of worship for different religions.

The populations of people in Tower Hamlet are more Muslim than Christian living in the community in which religion and cultural differences also contribute to the level of obesity (Tower Hamlet Council,2018).

Other factors affecting the health and well-being of people living in Tower Hamlet vary from psychosocial factors to economic factors and behavioral factors like poor

diet and lack of physical activities. There is an increase in the number of time children spend watching TV and playing computer games which leads to a lack of body exercise, which is the cause of obesity in the UK (Care, UK 2019).`

Obesity is the accumulation of fatty tissues in the body, which leads to chronic and long-term health issues. The increase in body mass index (BMI) as a child increases the likelihood of being obese as an adult. Obesity is one of the greatest threats to health in the developed world

According to the World Health Organization, which states “Obesity has reached an epidemic level globally with at least 2.8 million people dying each year as a result of overweight and obesity” (WHO, 2012).

Childhood obesity starts from the early years (0-4 years) through to their school years in ages (10-11 years) and to adolescence which leads to health complications in adulthood.

According to Care UK 2019, reports have shown that childhood obesity is on the increase in Tower Hamlet. The reports show the strong connections between obesity, Type2 diabetes, and other chronic diseases like cancer and cardiovascular disease, mental health problems, and child dental problems.

Research has also shown that being obese can increase the risk of heart disease, and Obesity has a strong connection to, many chronic health issues like type 2 diabetes, cancer, and chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

The borough profile 2014-2016, report shows that Tower Hamlet has the highest rate of preventable death compared to London and England; the infant mortality rate is the highest compared to other boroughs in London; 43 percent of children in year 6 were obese in comparison to 39 percent in London.

The level of physical activity of the children in Tower Hamlet has been reported by several metrics to be low and this has resulted in childhood obesity in the borough (JSNA,2010-2011).

It is discovered that people living in the borough start to develop poorer health status ten years earlier compared to the rest of the country; and this is due to the socioeconomic factors, the level of poverty and deprivations in the community, poor housing, air pollution, lack of access to healthy food and lack of green spaces for physical activities.

About 1 in 4 children are obese in Tower Hamlet; with a report of childhood obesity levels of children between the ages of 4 years to 5 years of age and 10 years to 11 years are high in obesity compared to the national level. Tower Hamlet is reported to have a lot of fast food businesses, which encourages poor diet. (Tower Hamlet, 2018).

Therefore, preventing the rise of obesity through an increase in physical activities, a change of diet, and eating healthy will create a positive impact on the community. Factors affecting the increase in Obesity are mostly deprivation, socioeconomic factors, psychological factors environmental factors, and behavioral lifestyle.

Intervention is strategies or approaches to tackle health problems in individual lives and the environment to improve the health and wellbeing of the individual lives.

Interventions can be either preventive measures or therapeutic measures to create a healthier and safer environment, life longevity, and positive behavior and promote the health and well-being of individual lives and the community.

different approaches to interventions could be a behavioral approach, educational approach, medical approach, empowerment approach, social approach, and or combinations of some or all the approaches to solve the health issues that have proven to be effective in health promotions in Tower hamlet.

According to public health, “physical activities refer to any activity that requires force exerted by the skeletal muscle which results in the use of energy beyond resting level”. (PHE, 2017)).

Physical activity has proven to increase the level of confidence and self-esteem of children.

Tower Hamlet’s joint Health and wellbeing strategy was a collaborative effort, by the borough’s health professionals, and health organizations of the governmental bodies to tackle health issues in the community.

Physical activities and dietary intervention prevent the development of disease and promote the health and well-being of families and the community in Tower Hamlet.

Physical activities and dietary intervention improve mental health state and prevent obesity and overweight, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and type2diabetes which are common health issues in Tower Hamlet.

Working together governmental bodies like Public Health England, NHS England, the Department of Health, and NICE, tackle the problems of obesity and overweight and any other health-related problems.

Some of the health promotion frameworks are “All Our Health”, ”Start for Life”, “Change4Life”, Sugar Smart, “Healthy Weight, Healthier You”.

According to Sir Mamort’s health review in a post in 2010 on health inequality (fair society, healthy lives)reported that “ high-quality support for mothers, good parenting, quality early education, receiving income that is enough for healthy living, living in a good environment, access to quality health and social care services and access to evidence-based programmed that address behavioral risk factors to health are the main factors that support healthy lives”.

The behavioral approach is one of the approaches to intervention to prevent negative behavior, bad habits, and physical inactivity that leads to ill health and obesity. It promotes a physically active lifestyle like cycling, swimming, and a healthy eating habit.

Early intervention is a life course approach that gives a child a good start in life by promoting a healthy lifestyle of a child from infancy to toddler through to adulthood, targeted at children and families that have a high risk of obesity due to generic status or behavioral lifestyle by educating the parent, health promoters and carers which empowers the family and the community to be in control of their health status in later in life.

Breastfeeding mums are being supported in the borough by providing venues and access for them to be able to comfortably breastfeed their baby for a healthy start in life.

The children of school age (10-11years) are prevented from buying unhealthy fatty food by locating the shops 400meteres away from school. Children were encouraged to cycle or walk to school to increase their level of daily active exercise and to reduce air pollution caused by car exhaust emissions.

“Change4life” Is an intervention program launched in January 2019 to tackle obesity. In Tower Hamlet, working together by health professionals, improve the health and well-being of the people and address the level of childhood obesity. It encourages families to make a change through the eat well, Move Well, live well campaign encouraging children to stay active for life.

“Change4Life” A healthy borough program is a partnership program with the collaboration of the NHS and public health to encourage healthy eating in schools by providing fruits and vegetables for example Christ church schools in Tower Hamlet were consistently provided with healthy lunch boxes, fruits, and vegetables at meal times. A Healthy Weight, Healthy Life is a multi-agency initiative to tackle the high level of obesity in Tower Hamlet.

Businesses were also encouraged to sell more fruits and vegetables, to reduce their salt and sugar levels in takeaway foods. Schools were located away from fast food shops of about 400 meters (10 min walk) to discourage the year pupil from purchasing junk foods. Incentives and awards were given to businesses that sell more healthy food. Grants of £500 were given to people to use to set set up an initiate they believe their community needs. Adequate training and posters were given to shops to educate people on healthy eating.

A healthy diet is an important part of health and well-being, it prevents diseases and promotes health.

Change4Life Active play creates an indoor game whereby children can still do indoor exercise, to increase their physical activities and get involved with outdoor activities like sports and exercise to promote their health.

Child and family weight management programed, children between the ages of 5 and 19 are actively supported in Tower Hamlet to ensure healthy lives and have access to health care services and they are also encouraged to actively cycle in school and to adopt a cycling culture to their lifestyle.

“Get Your Skate On” A free program that took place on the 20th of February 2019 featuring Ice skating, sports taster, rides and climbing, basketball, skateboarding, tennis, athletics, arts and crafts at Bethany Green Gardens to encourage people to stay active during the holiday

The Medical approach to intervention is one of the health promotion interventions to tackle obesity and overweight in the community for example, pharmaceutical need assessment (PNA) strategy to increase pharmaceutical shops in the borough of Tower Hamlet.

Although “Research Changes Live” (2014-2019), is a medical approach to intervention, used by the health professional to tackle health problems like Obesity and related diseases.

It uses both scientific areas and experimental approaches to tackle health problems by producing an understanding of the mechanism of obesity and its strong link to diseases to develop an intervention that improves health and wellbeing. It is therefore not the most effective due to cost which results in a lack of funds to sustain it.

Physical active and healthy eating will be more effective in the borough if there are more green spaces and more parks for children to do sports and different activities and hence promote the health and well-being of the children, now and in the future.

Essay on Poverty and Childhood Obesity

The first person that would be selected would be Dr. Lawrence Kring from Canton Primary Care from the Canton-Potsdam Hospital. His experience would be necessary in developing healthy weight loss initiatives for our target populations (children, adolescents, and parents) while taking into consideration individualized needs and incorporating those requirements into a successful treatment plan for the coalition. Specifically, Dr. Kring would serve as an expert. For example, Dr. Kring would help create healthy weight loss plans by reducing empty calorie intake and/or increasing the individual’s energy expenditure, or whatever he sees as most fit (combination of both, or one, etc.).

The second person that would be selected would be Dee Burlingame, a board member of the Canton Day Care Center, and the current president of Early Childhood Specialist with St. Lawrence Child Care Council. Ms. Burlingame would be a valuable member of our coalition as she would serve as a family and child advocate while also providing parents, families, schools, and daycare center staff with the necessary training and knowledge regarding nutrition and physical education. For example, by promoting mandatory active recess in schools, Dee would be encouraging increased physical activity amongst children in efforts to combat obesity. Dee also has familiarity working with the early childhood programs at SUNY Canton and BOCES and is a board member of the St. Lawrence County Community Development Program. Dee’s superior knowledge from working with children, poverty issues, and the community would prove her to be a treasured member as she would be able to be an expert on child care while offering counseling for select populations (such as those children who come from low-income families). She would also be a representative of the communities she is and has been a part of, where she can ensure diversity and varying perspectives/attitudes about childhood obesity prevention.

The third person who would be selected to be a part of the Childhood Obesity Prevention coalition would be Marie E. Loson. As a board member of the Canton Day Care Center, she has helped to prepare the Center for its new capital growth campaign. Additionally, she worked at St. Lawrence University in fundraising for over 10 years, and her experience would be very helpful in acquiring funds to carry out the coalition. Considering her extensive fundraising background, Marie may be responsible for promoting physical activities in the community avenues through signage, worksite policies, social support, and joint-use agreements. Additionally, Marie is also responsible for being an expert in the field of fundraising to have sufficient materials and resources for our coalition.

The fourth person who would be selected to be a part of the coalition would be Kathryn L. Mullaney. Kathryn retired from St. Lawrence University as their Vice President for Finance and Treasurer, and she has been the Director and Treasurer of the Canton Day Care Center. Explicitly, Kathryn would be an expert and she would be responsible for managing finances as well as be responsible for funds available for investment and risk management related to the health improvement activities of the coalition. She could also be able to help increase the number of institutions with nutrition standards for healthy food and beverage purchases.

The fifth person who would be selected to be a part of the coalition would be Barbara Adams. Barbara is the director of Head Start while also a Board Director of the St. Lawrence Child Care Council, Inc. With Barbara’s expertise in providing wide-ranging preschool programs for children of low socioeconomic status, or children with disabilities, her services to the coalition would predominately focus on parental involvement. For example, Barbara may encourage early childcare programs to enroll in programs like the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and the Eat Well Play Hard program (EWPH). Barbara would be a valuable member because she would be able to be both an expert and representative of child care, where she would have the opportunity to continue to advocate for a diverse population of children via education and resources to families. Additionally, Barbara would be useful in recruiting other organizations and businesses that would be of great assistance to our coalition considering her experience working for the SLCCC.

The sixth person who would be selected to be a part of the coalition would be Karen Durham, the head Social Welfare Examiner of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). Karen’s involvement with goals in reducing hunger and malnutrition of low socioeconomic status families would prove her to be a valuable member regarding business as she would be skilled in assessing and prioritizing individuals that require more urgent attention. Also, her experience with the Temporary Assistance Unit, at St. Lawrence County Department of Social Services, shows Karen to be effective at assisting families to meet basic needs. Also, Karen could help encourage districts to prohibit advertising and promotion of less nutritious foods and beverages. By being an expert and representative of her department, Karen’s responsibilities of identifying and evaluating the fundamental problems within a household would be valued because she would help the intervention effectively identify the social determinants of health within the family setting.

In New York State, St. Lawrence County is a relatively large and mostly rural region that is situated between the Adirondack Mountains and the St. Lawrence River. With a population of 110,007 in 2015, the median age in St. Lawrence County is 37.8 with 15% of residents being over 65. In 2014, the poverty rate was 19%, while the poverty rate for children was 26% which, in comparison to statewide and national rates, are high. Specifically, the estimate for the county’s poverty rate was 19.7% compared to 15.6% for New York State. St. Lawrence Country has a median household income of $43.5k, where it remains lower than the statewide median of $58.7k. Additionally, there is an association between educational level and poverty within the county where 33% of individuals without a high school diploma live in poverty compared to the 7% of those who have a four-year degree.

With elevated poverty rates and its correlation to education attainment, adult and childhood obesity is of high priority. Specifically, 33% of St. Lawrence County adults are obese, which exceeds most other counties in Upstate New York, and above the statewide rate of 25%. Compared to a previous survey (2008-2009) the incidence of adult obesity had increased. Shockingly, when overweight adults were incorporated, the rate rose to 71% (notably higher than the statewide rate of obese or overweight adults of 61%). Particularly, the rate of obesity among children and adolescents is 20%, which also exceeds the statewide (not including NYC) average of 17%. All in all, the county is classified within the top quartile of the state counties for childhood obesity. This suggests that childhood obesity is of significant concern especially considering how obesity is a risk factor for heart disease, stroke, many forms of cancer, kidney disease, and diabetes. If there are no public health measures taken to address this issue within the next 10 years, then the obesity epidemic could surpass smoking as the leading cause of preventable deaths and would have serious personal and economic repercussions. As for the economic repercussions, more money would be put into treatment and care for the chronic diseases associated with obesity. Over time, with a younger population of obese people on the rise, the money that will go into health care treatment may increase substantially. The percentage of obese adults in the county is increasing, which is important because cardiovascular disease is responsible for a near-majority of deaths (46%) of people age 80 or older. Furthermore, 29% of St. Lawrence County residents have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, which implies a heightened urgency to address this issue.

Some current interventions taking place focus on increased physical activities and improved awareness of nutritional requirements. Considering elevated poverty rates and the rural geographic isolation of the county, having access to physical activity is inconvenient or nearly impossible for many St. Lawrence County residents. Specifically, the Bridge to Wellness Coalition is currently working to create a community setting that promotes and supports healthy food and beverage choices as well as physical activity. Furthermore, they have created the objective to increase the number of adults with access to schools for physical activity with shared agreements that are advertised throughout the community. Therefore, providing increased access to, or awareness of, facilities offered within the community would be more cost-effective and feasible than constructing new resources/facilities. Furthermore, by increasing access to and awareness of physical health services and creating more spaces for physical exertion, community ties may become stronger and result in reduced health disparities. Also, promoting mandatory recess in schools and increasing the number of institutions with nutrition standards for healthy food and beverages, would help address the issue of childhood and adult obesity within St. Lawrence County.

According to the “Assess- Brainstorm Community Assets” document, one asset from the category of “Organizations” that would help facilitate my Childhood Obesity Prevention intervention would be the associations of businesses. Specifically, associations of businesses may be able to present recommendations to advise industries to support childhood obesity prevention and may be able to assist by developing and endorsing/sponsoring food products and opportunities that will inspire healthy eating choices and routine physical activity. Additionally, associations of businesses may also be helpful by regulating marketing and advertising strategies that would reduce the possibility of obesity in children and adolescents.

The second asset from the category “Private and Nonprofit Organizations” that would help facilitate my Childhood Obesity Prevention intervention would be hospitals (including doctors, health care facilities, and health insurance plans). The influence doctors and health plans can have on an individual’s health choices is very significant. Typically, doctors see their patients for a good portion of their lifespan, and they offer opportunities to advise their patients on healthy eating habits and activities tailored to their specific needs. They prove helpful in facilitating childhood obesity prevention by being role models for healthy lifestyles, and as members of the community, doctors can use their knowledge and position to advocate for beneficial changes that reach individuals outside the hospital. Additionally, healthcare facilities could be helpful in this intervention by making sure that there are not only healthy choices in cafeterias but also bans on fast food, sugary drinks, and similar unhealthy choices. Lastly, health insurance plans can be the most essential influence on the weight control practices of patients because they can cover the cost of obesity prevention and treatment, and they can use their position in the community to encourage and sponsor childhood obesity prevention efforts (like healthy meals in schools, physical exertion events, and the education of policymakers).

The third asset from the category “Public Institutions and Services” that would help facilitate my Childhood Obesity Prevention intervention would be public schools. Considering the area of St. Lawrence County, the majority of the education systems are public; therefore, public schools would prove valuable in this intervention because children spend a great deal of time at school and learn valuable lessons that carry with them later in life. Therefore, schools can incorporate nutrition and physical activity lessons into the curriculum. Specifically, physical education should prioritize getting students to engage in high-quality and routine activities. To improve nutrition, schools can incorporate healthier food options in the lunchroom and remove the promotion of unhealthy foods (like chips and candy in vending machines). To improve physical activity, schools can make safe walking and/or biking paths to school and should encourage active recess time. Lastly, most schools are central data sources on student health where information regarding students’ BMI can help educators and policy-makers decide if the current programs are effective or not and make decisions regarding changes to upcoming initiatives.

The fourth asset from the category “Physical Resources” that would help facilitate my Childhood Obesity Prevention intervention would be vacant lands. By renovating vacant lands within the community and turning them into an area of physical exertion, children within the community will have more opportunities to get active and be outside. For example, transforming a vacant lot into a basketball court would create access and stimulate kids to go and play, and as a result, would increase their physical activity and may strengthen community ties.

The fifth asset from the category “Informal Organizations and ‘Intangibles’” that would help facilitate my Childhood Obesity Prevention intervention would be community reputation. By improving the community’s reputation, more people would be willing to relocate or move to St. Lawrence County. With the influx of more people and subsequent capital, the chances of new businesses starting up would increase, allowing residents more opportunities to get involved in their community. Furthermore, by improving the community’s reputation the ability to attract qualified care providers and potential healthcare partners would increase, which would be beneficial in regards to ensuring adequate care provided at the hospital. Also, enabling reputation in your community allows members to be recognized and rewarded for participating, which may lead to more active community members. For example, considering the poverty levels in St. Lawrence County, providing members with financial incentives to improve their physical health and eating behaviors would prove to be multi-beneficial for the individual and the community.

Essay on Childhood Obesity Genetics

Child obesity is increasing at such an alarming rate, that health professionals fear obesity will become the new normal. You would think adults have more control over which foods their child consumes, and one would encourage them to eat healthy to prevent obesity right? Well, eating healthy is only the beginning.

On average 1 in 3 children are considered obese or overweight. While most people think child obesity stems from making the wrong choices, that’s not necessarily the case. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), The number of overweight or obese infants and young children (aged 0 to 5 years) increased from 32 million globally in 1990 to 41 million in 2016, (‘Facts and figures on childhood obesity’, 2019) and continues to climb as years go by. Newborn children don’t have command over being corpulent, and shouldn’t be held responsible. The government should execute healthy solutions for kids from birth, and allow them to carry on in existence without the chance of future medical problems.

Billions of dollars are spent on healthcare costs related to obesity. Each year, specialists are diagnosing more young kids with diabetes and hypertension. Diabetes, a disease that influences how sugar is processed by the body, was anticipated by specialists to be more prevalent in children born after the year 2000. Of those children, 70 percent will acquire at least one health factor related to heart disease. They are considered more likely to have a shorter lifespan than their parents. Typical reasons suggest childhood obesity can also be related to genetic background. Research conducted by the University College London shows genetics and obesity are closely related. Chances are, a child inheriting obesity estimates over 50% (‘Study finds strong genetic component to childhood obesity’, 2013). A few experts question whether children born to overweight parents are overly nourished early in life. Are they given bigger portion sizes from the early stages? Or on the other hand, do they emulate whatever propensities seen from their parents?

Given that children look up to grown-ups as good examples, a child displays habits and behaviors from others than themselves. Overweight children experience more psychological consequences than children who are not. Kids of younger age say other children prefer not to play with them, or that they are often picked last for physical games. About 25% of sixth graders said that they’ve encountered harassment, teasing, or are often rejected by their peers because of their size. Among those students, harassment increased by 60% once they attended high school. Parents reported seeing their children being unable to focus in school, failing classes, and being unable to maintain friendships. Moreover, teens are viewed to develop eating disorders due to bullying. The Centers for Disease and Prevention Control (CDC) revealed seeing children being diagnosed with anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem (‘Causes and Consequences of Childhood Obesity’, n.d.). This has increased from the 1970’s by 500%.

The absence of better food choices also contributes to child obesity. Fast food portion sizes have tripled, if not quadrupled since the 1950’s. Instead of a home-cooked meal, more families resort to the quick and convenient option of getting fast food. But the price can also be factored into obesity. For example, a double cheeseburger from McDonald’s costs less than a McDonald’s salad, prompting parents to choose the option that they can afford regardless if it’s unhealthy. On top of that, minors eat a considerably large amount of processed GMO foods instead of organic/plant-based foods leading to significant weight gain. If students eat fatty foods before school, their bodies won’t have the option to perform to their most elevated capacity. Before Michelle Obama executed better nourishment decisions for school lunches, students had the option to eat anything they wanted. I for one, had the option to eat curly fries with nacho cheese, and vending machines stocked with soft drinks each Tuesday. In any case, who’s to express that since schools changed to more beneficial menu alternatives, adolescents shouldn’t be overweight? Consider the possibility that kids decide to pack a sack lunch with undesirable nourishment decisions. Would changing school menus have been in vain?

Speaking of school changes, more students lack the physical exercise needed to maintain a healthy weight. Of the primary schools in the United States, 90% of them don’t have physical education classes. Fewer children walk to school than any other generation. Outside of school, adolescents would prefer to stay in and play video games than do physical activities outdoors. Studies led by Dr. J Renae Norton, show children of this generation spend at least 8 hours every day in front of the television (Norton, 2012). Weight reduction happens when physical movement surpasses the quantity of calories eaten. Without enough exercise, how could one burn off the calories they’ve consumed?

If enough action isn’t taken to give children a more beneficial solution, they will be content with being overweight and display that to future generations. For starters, if we incorporated foods that kids love into plant-based foods, replaced high fructose juices with flavored water, and swapped out greasy chips with 100 calories or fewer snacks we may gain ground with battling child obesity. We as a community need to show kids that with enough drive and assurance, they won’t be labeled as a statistic. Adolescents need alternatives that won’t just assist them with their present weight goals, but keep them dynamic for a considerable length of time to come.

A child’s life expectancy shouldn’t need to be cut short as a result of nourishment and physical action decisions. What’s more, no kid should need to bear coronary issues dependent on their parent’s powerlessness to have cash for better alternatives. If each parent was given the proper knowledge to prevent infancy obesity, and youngsters were without given free gym membership passes along with incentives based on their interests for working out, children may jump at the opportunity to get healthy.

Essay on Childhood Obesity Treatment

Obesity has become a widespread epidemic in our world today. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, from 2013-2014, more than 2 in 3 adults (70.2%) were considered to be overweight or have obesity, about 1 in 13 adults (7.7%) were considered to have extreme obesity, almost 3 in 4 men (73.7%) were considered to be overweight or have obesity, and about 2 in 3 women (66.9%) were considered to be overweight or have obesity (Ogden, 2017). These statistics show the harsh reality of obesity and how many people suffer from obesity. Obesity occurs in many different cases whether it be a sedentary individual with a poor diet, a mother who struggles to lose her weight post-baby, an individual who has bariatric surgery and doesn’t have enough education regarding ways to control their obesity, a person with diabetes who can’t get their diet under control, or many other situations. While obesity is still prevalent in our society, many researchers have focused their efforts on discovering effective ways to help prevent or reduce obesity. Much of the research that has been done focuses on interventions in children because researchers believe the onset of obesity begins in childhood. In the article done by Lytle (2012), the researcher stated that most trends in treating childhood obesity include behavior treatment, reduction of sedentariness, activity, or dietary changes. These types of treatment options are used not only for childhood obesity but obesity in general. Research has shown that dietary changes as a type of treatment for obesity are effective. Researchers found that reducing energy-dense foods was an effective way to manage body weight and also control hunger (Ello-Martin, 2007). This research article along with many others proves that dietary changes are effective when controlling or preventing obesity.

Intuitive Eating

Intuitive eating is defined as a strong connection with, and eating in response to, internal physiological hunger and satiety cues (Herbert, 2013). This means a person would stop eating when he or she experienced satiety. Those who struggle with obesity typically overeat, meaning that they eat past being full causing them to eat too much ultimately leading to obesity. Intuitive eating allows a person to eat in a way that supports health and helps maintain adequate body weight and nutrition, and it also helps control overeating, obsessing over how much food they consume, and dieting in a harmful way (Herbert, 2013). A group of researchers completed a study regarding intuitive eating and weight loss in individuals who took part in bariatric surgery. The goal was to see if intuitive eating had any positive effects on weight loss in these post-op patients. Women who had undergone bariatric surgery were given a questionnaire through social media regarding intuitive eating and its effects on their weight loss. The results showed that intuitive eating was an effective way to lose weight after bariatric surgery (Nogué, 2019). Another study was done regarding intuitive eating and weight loss during postpartum. Fifty-seven women between the ages of 18 and 35 years of age who were 12-18 months postpartum were recruited through the WIC center and Birth Options Alliance Facebook page and online list. The women were given a survey regarding their weight pre-, during, and post-pregnancy and birth. Questions were also asked regarding the breastfeeding of the infants. The women also completed the Intuitive Eating Scale. The results from this study showed that intuitive eating led to a greater decrease in postpartum weight and BMI than not following an intuitive eating-based diet. These studies support intuitive eating being an effective technique to control or prevent obesity.

Decrease in Sugar Consumption

Obesity has been linked to many types of “bad habits” when it comes to nutrition. One of the most well-known bad habits that people tend to have is the overconsumption of sugar. A study was done in New York testing the effects of sugar-sweetened beverages on obesity. The Community Health Survey (CHS) was used to gather the information the researchers needed for the participants. The questions involved BMI, how often the participants drank sugar-sweetened soda, and how often the participants drank other sweetened drinks like sweet tea, sports drinks, fruit punch, or other sugary fruit-flavored drinks. They split groups between those who drank four or more sugar-sweetened drinks a day and those who did not drink sugar-sweetened drinks. The results showed that those who were in the group of participants who consumed four or more sugar-sweetened drinks per day had a higher BMI than those who did not consume sugar-sweetened drinks. While consuming sugar-sweetened beverages may not be the only answer for the higher BMI in the sugar-sweetened beverage group, the results show that it plays a role (Burgermaster, 2012). Another study focused on ultra-processed foods and added sugars in the diet of those from the United States. Since the study done by Burgermaster, 2012 focused on sugar and how it causes an increase in BMI, it is important to understand that consumption of ultra-processed foods is the source of most individuals’ added sugar intake. In this cross-sectional study, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey was given to individuals to see how much of their dietary content was made up of added sugars and how much total energy these individuals obtained from added sugars. The results showed that ultra-processed foods contributed to 57.9% of total energy intake, with 89.7% of that energy intake coming from added sugar. These researchers concluded that decreasing the amount of ultra-processed foods could lead to a decline in the excessive amount of added sugar consumption in the US (Steele, 2016). The bottom line is that sugar comes in many different sizes, shapes, and forms, and it ultimately leads to an increase in BMI leading to an increased risk for obesity. Decreasing sugar intake is an effective solution to help prevent obesity from occurring in adults and children.

Increase in Dietary Fiber Consumption

While it is sometimes necessary to decrease certain items in our diet to prevent obesity, it is also sometimes necessary to increase certain items. Dietary fiber is a nutrient that should be increased in our daily diet. Researchers wrote a review article describing the effects that dietary fiber can have on obesity by modulating microbiota in our gastrointestinal tract. Much research has been done on this particular subject. It is said to be believed that “expression of genes encoding inflammatory proteins in adipocytes correlates with adiposity” (Davis, 2018). This means that inflammation can cause individuals to be overweight. This is where fiber and microbiota come in. The microbial level in lean individuals differs largely from the microbial level in obese individuals. A common cause for this difference is dietary fiber intake. This researcher found, by researching many of the previous research studies that have been done regarding the topic, that maintaining dietary fiber intake for the long term ultimately plays a major role in the amount and types of microbes in the gut. These amounts and types are similar among lean phenotypes, meaning that the long-term consumption of dietary fiber helps to prevent obesity by adjusting the gut microbiome to that of a lean individual. Researchers Brauchla, Juan, Story, and Kranz (2012) did a study regarding the association of fiber intake with the risk of childhood obesity. Data was used from a National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey done in 2003-2004 to establish background information on the participants. Kids divided into two subgroups between the ages of 2-11 and 12-18 made up the participant group. Data was collected which included dietary recall, and from the recall, more data was collected. This data included person-level intake data, plausibility of reported diets, and food-level intake data. The statistical findings by the researchers helped conclude that increasing dietary fiber intake helped decrease the risk of childhood obesity. These findings have also been carried over into the adult population where a review of the literature has shown that increasing dietary fiber intake helps decrease body weight in adults (Brauchla, 2012). It is important to mention that glucose intolerance is also mentioned in this study. Dietary fiber also affects glucose sensitivity and glucose levels. The findings from this study support the idea that glucose metabolism is improved when dietary fiber is increased (Brauchla, 2012). Whether it be childhood or adulthood, dietary fiber intake has been proven by research to make a large impact on obesity. Increasing the amount of fiber in the diets of individuals is an effective way to help prevent obesity from occurring in adults and children as well.

Conclusion

Obesity brings harsh side effects along with it and can sometimes lead to death. While there are many ways to treat obesity, nutrition plays a large and leading role in helping prevent this epidemic from occurring. Intuitive eating has been proven to be an effective and healthy “diet” to help lead individuals to weight loss or prevent them from weight gain. Many fad diets in our culture today can be dangerous and misleading. Intuitive eating is a healthy way to lose weight because it demands you listen to your body and the signs that it shows you. Intuitive eating is about stopping our food intake before we get to the point of feeling like throwing up. Overeating is a leading problem in obesity, and intuitive eating is a way to help gain control over that. Decreasing sugar consumption in our day-to-day diet also helps prevent or control obesity. Many studies have been done linking sugar intake with high BMI. Controlling the amount of sugar that we take in is important when gaining control over overweighting weight. Ultra-processed foods, or convenient foods, provide a large number of excess sugar in our diet. It is important to understand that controlling ultra-processed foods can help control excess sugar which can ultimately help control and prevent obesity. Dietary fiber intake plays a large role, as well, in preventing obesity. The link between inflammation and fiber is important to understand because that’s where obesity begins. Many studies have linked a decrease in body weight to an increase in dietary fiber. A decrease in body weight leads to a decrease in obesity, which is the goal. Nutrition plays a key role in the prevention of obesity, and many actions can be taken to change nutritional habits and ultimately prevent obesity from occurring.

References

1. Brauchla, M., Juan, W., Story, J., & Kranz, S. (2012). Sources of Dietary Fiber and the Association of Fiber Intake with Childhood Obesity Risk (in 2-18-Year-Olds) and Diabetes Risk of Adolescents 12-18-Year-Olds: NHANES 2003-2006. Journal of nutrition and metabolism, 2012, 736258. doi:10.1155/2012/736258
2. Burgermaster, M., Bhana, H., Fullwood, M., Bazaldua, D., & Tipton, E. (2017). Exploring the role of sugar-sweetened beverage consumption in obesity among New Yorkers using propensity score matching. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 117(5), 753-762.
3. Davis, H. (2018). Can the gastrointestinal microbiota be modulated by dietary fiber to treat obesity? Irish Journal of Medical Science, 187(2), 393-402.
4. Ello-Martin, J., Roe, L., Ledikwe, J., Beach, A., & Rolls, B. (2007). Dietary energy density in the treatment of obesity: A year-long trial comparing 2 weight-loss diets. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 85(6), 1465–1477. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/85.6.1465
5. Herbert, B., Blechert, J., Hautzinger, M., Matthias, E., & Herbert, C. (2013). Intuitive eating is associated with interoceptive sensitivity. Effects on body mass index. Elsevier, 70(1), 22-30.
6. Leahy, K., Berlin, K., Banks, G., & Bachman, J. (2017). The relationship between intuitive eating and postpartum weight loss. Maternal and Child Health Journal. 21(8). 1591-1597
7. Lytle, Leslie. (2012). Dealing with the childhood obesity epidemic: A public health approach. Abdominal Radiology, 37(5), 719-724.
8. Nogué, M., Nogué, E., Molinari, N., Macioce, V., Avignon, A., & Sultan, A. (2019). Intuitive eating is associated with weight loss after bariatric surgery in women. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 110(1), 10-15.
9. Ogden, C. (2017). Overweight and obesity statistics. Retrieved from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-statistics/overweight-obesity
10. Steele, E., Baraldi, L., Louzada, M., Moubarac, J., Mozaffarian, D., & Monteiro, C. (2016). Ultra-processed foods and added sugars in the US diet: evidence from a nationally representative cross-sectional study. BMJ Journals, 6(3), 1-8.

Essay on MacDonalds Childhood Obesity

We have all had our guilty moments when it comes to fast food, whether it be choosing fast food over a home-cooked meal or stopping at a fast-food restaurant while on a road trip rather than finding a much more nutritious meal. When we consistently choose fast food over much healthier nutritious food, we are putting our health in jeopardy. According to Laura Dawes’s book Childhood Obesity in America, ‘Fully 80 to 85 percent of overweight children would grow up to become overweight adults’. This is taking an extreme toll on a child’s emotional health ‘Fat children are the victims of continuous teasing, which in some is apt to initiate a feeling of inferiority resulting in serious behavior problems.’ Dawes also knows, ‘The fat child is not a happy child.’. While children are getting bigger by the minute, parents are not taking the right approach to resolve the child’s issues, which leads us to the invention of Fat Camp. According to Childhood Obesity in America, the first fat camp was Camp Seascape in Brewster, Cape Cod. Although most obese kids do not go to weight loss camps by choice, it is forced on them by their parents which can significantly hurt a child’s feelings. These camps were designed by pediatricians whose expertise was in nutrition and maintaining a healthy weight.

Think about your childhood, did you ever eat a Happy Meal from McDonald, or see a commercial of Ronald McDonald playing with kids and feeding them hamburgers? All fast-food companies are marketing their goods to kids in sneaky ways. Have you ever had a happy meal? Chances are you have or your children have. Happy Meals usually come in a small cardboard box. They include either a hamburger, cheeseburger, or a four-piece chicken Mcnugget, a small container of fries, apple slices, and a drink of either milk, water, or soda. An article from USA Today said, ‘McDonald’s is the largest distributor of toys in the world, and by far.’

Nevertheless, there is one secret ingredient to the success of the Happy Meal, the toys. Although the Happy Meals are not the only thing, Mcdonalds has to lure in kids and teens. One of McDonald’s marketing techniques is to offer free breakfast to kids on the first day of school or a standardized testing day. McDonald’s also has a fundraiser for schools called McTeacher Night, where the teacher will work the registers in a McDonald’s and take orders from their students. In the book Fast Food Nation, written by Eric Schlosser, there are many marketing techniques used by McDonald’s and other Fast food chains. Unlike some chains like Chick-fil-A, customer service is not as crucial to the McDonald’s corporation as nostalgia is. Mcdonald’s is trying to wrap in the millennials who have fond memories of going to Mcdonald’s as kids.

As the obesity epidemic in America becomes, larger many people suffer from constant discrimination about their bodies. Fortunately, one organization is shedding light on overweight and obese bodies. The National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance or NAAFA for short is making every Man, Woman, and child celebrate their bodies and improve their self-esteem no matter their size. Founded in 1969 by Bill Fabrey, the NAAFA’s mission is ‘To eliminate discrimination based on body size and provide fat people with the tools for self-empowerment through public education, advocacy, and support.’ Anyone can join the NAAFA. They have to fill out an application and pay a fee of $15.00 for a regular membership and $50.00 for a supporting membership. Many doctors will tell obese and overweight people to go on diets to lose weight, but one woman, Dr. Linda Bacon, disagrees. In her book, Health at Every Size, Bacon argues that anyone can be healthy regardless of their weight as long as they are eating the right foods and getting enough physical activity. Bacon’s book functions somewhat like a self-help guide. It features quizzes on what you’re eating and how that could affect your health. Bacon also takes the time to explain the difference between good fat and bad fat and gives professional insight into many common myths we may hear from doctors or other people.

In conclusion, many Americans are obese, and childhood obesity has dramatically gone up in the last century. However, many corporate chains are to blame, and people are trying to make shed light on the situation of obesity by explaining how to be healthy without being extremely thin. Many weight loss camps now are meant to teach proper nutrition and not to be extreme exercise camps.

Addressing Childhood Obesity: Promoting Healthy Lifestyles

The United States of America is one of the wealthiest countries in the world. As Francis Scott Key said, “The land of the free home of the brave,” ever since we exonerate that phrase. Many rejoice in all the good in this country, but thousands of people blindside the skyrocketing obesity epidemic. This problem has been growing, and people seem to have a lot to say about obesity, but there is not much action being taken. There are numerous amounts of diseases that are a consequence of obesity, these diseases alone are not as deadly, but being overweight makes them more rigorous.

Mental illness is another factor that can be caused due to obesity. There are many ways to prevent this rising problem among Americans, such as encouraging eating habits from a young age. Engraving good eating habits can lead to a healthy lifestyle. This may seem easy to do, but there are many setbacks that, include monetary issues and the effortless access to unhealthy food. Schools also play an important role in this as well they are supposed to provide high-quality physical activity to children across the nation. This helps many children get the daily physical activity that allows them to create a healthy lifestyle.

According to WebMD, obesity means that your BMI is 30 percent or higher. BMI stands for body mass index; this is a way to measure a person’s body fat. This measurement requires your height and weight; many believe that this is an indirect measurement. (Quinn, Elizabeth) On the other hand, it has been found to be reliable. Determining your BMI is a simple calculation that can help you see what disease you could be prone to. (Captcha) Research shows that your BMI can predict your “morbidity and mortality that are due to numerous chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and stroke “. (Ian Jansen) This indicates how severe obesity is; it’s the result of many contributing factors; for instance, behavior includes the following physical activity, eating habits, inactivity, medication, and other factors. (“Health Risks Linked to Obesity.”)

This problem is greatly affecting children not only in North America but nationally as well. In a scholarly article by Deckelbaum, Richard J., “Approximately 22 million children under five years of age are overweight across the World.” This quote exemplifies how far this problem has grown and that it is affecting people all over the world, and children are obese before the age of 5. Here in the United States, obesity has been a problem for the last three decades, and it has doubled since. (Deckelbaum, Richard J)

It has also been studied that this number is also doubling around the world; it is also common in developing countries and developing nations. Since the 1970s, the obesity problem has arisen in the United States, and as stated before, it continues to increase tremendously. The CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) has shown data from studies that demonstrate how much obesity continues to affect our country. In the year 2015-2016, one in five children and teens from ages six to nineteen years old were obese in the United States. (“Healthy Schools.”) This is a wake-up call for many; we can have children before even starting school struggle with diseases due to obesity.

Furthermore, as many know, obesity can lead to severe diseases. It also happens to have immediate and long-term effects on children, which then carry on to adulthood. This has a great effect on instruction because children who are overweight are more likely to be bullied, and it then leads to depression. (“Healthy Schools.”) It also makes children not want to participate because of their weight, and they are potentially afraid that they will be teased if they can not complete a task due to their weight.

Children not only suffer from depression but also become socially isolated, which creates low self-esteem. (“Healthy Schools) It is highly common to be obese as an adult if you suffer from childhood obesity; this comes with a higher risk such as developing the following diseases; type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. All of these diseases are deadly; in fact, being overweight increases your blood pressure, which means you are at risk of having a stroke. According to OAC (Obesity et al.), in the united states, more than 795,000 people have a stroke every year.

This indicates how deadly a stroke can be 130,000 Americans die because of a stroke, it also happens to fall under the number one leading cause of death, heart disease, and it can eventually disable if you suffer a stroke. (“Obesity and Stroke”). Another disease that happens due to obesity is type 2 diabetes; there are many factors that play a role in developing type 2 diabetes, such as race, age, family history, and so forth. The most common way to develop type 2 diabetes is when someone becomes overweight. Lastly, I found this very interesting I was not aware that obesity can lead to cancer.

Being overweight does not necessarily mean that you’ll develop cancer; it just increases your chances compared to someone who is living a healthy lifestyle. (“Does Obesity Cause Cancer?”) The risk of developing cancer can be reduced tremendously by just losing weight and making healthier choices. Cancer is a deadly disease, and it connects to obesity when there is an excess amount of fat in the body. (Captcha) There was a study that showed that This causes your body to send out unnecessary signals through your, causing cell division more often than the adequate amount, which then leads to tumors and then comes the deadly disease. (Does Obesity Cause Cancer?”) The most common types of cancer caused by obesity in women are breast cancer which only results after menopause. For men, the most common is bowel cancer.

Insights from Research

The following article focuses on the effects of obesity and the prognosis of breast cancer. The connection between obesity and breast cancer is also emphasized; the BMI (body mass index) of the patients was used to find and help women treat early-stage breast cancer. The research showed that for patients who had a BMI of 30 or higher, their cancer was more advanced and less likely to be treated. This study helped, and I learned that obesity can cause cancer, and women who are overweight or obese are more prone to breast cancer.

The journal focuses on the obesity epidemic and the statistic that demonstrates how much this problem has grown. According to the article, 22 million children are overweight worldwide, and the worst part is that they are under the age of 5. This all comes down to their dietary lifestyle and the amount of physical activity they are engaging in. The article states that when a child is obese, they are more likely to become obese adults.

Due to the number of children being affected by obesity, Type 2 diabetes has become dominant in obese children and adolescents. The article also demonstrates how obesity has increased in us over the past decades. The increase has been all across the board; it has affected different races and ethnic groups. Some are affected more than others. This journal helped me learn how out of hand this issue has grown and how there are children in developing countries who are obese. It emphasizes how obesity is affecting many worldwide.

This article helped me in various ways, such as what BMI (body mass index) is and how it is helpful to us. If your BMI is 30 or higher, you are prone to diseases such as heart strokes, Diabetes, and High blood pressure, and it can even be linked to cancer. It also shows how just because someone is obese, you are not going to have all these diseases that’s when your family history plays a role. The extra weight that you may have will most likely be linked to high cholesterol and high blood pressure. It is also very common for overweight and obese people. I also learned that certain types of cancers have been linked to obesity.

The CDC (center for disease control and Prevention) states that obesity has tripled since the ’70s. The statistics show that 1 in 5 school-age children are obese in America. Obeses has been defined as having excess body fat; this also plays an important role when determining your BMI (body mass index). This article talks about the different factors that play a role in childhood obesity, for example, genetics, metabolism, community, and physical activity. Some of these factors can not be changed, but eating habits and the amount of physical activity can be changed. This article helped me understand the severity of obesity but also helped me understand that everyone plays a part in the development of a child, and there are changes that can be made to reduce the obesity rates.

This journal article talks about how waist circumference and BMI determine obesity-related health risks. They also believed that one was more reliable in predicting health risks, so they tested several participants. To determine which one was the predictor of health risk, they used continuous variables in the same regression. In the end, this showed that waist circumference was the better predictor for comfortability. The article was very helpful because it talked about all the chronic diseases that were linked to obesity. I also learned that another way to determine health risks could be by using the waist circumference, which is the fat around someone’s waist.

Education, Community & Lifestyle

In 2008 the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) estimated the national cost of obesity, which was $147 billion dollars. (Overweight & Obesity.”) This is an incredibly large amount of money that’s being invested into a disease that is contributing to the leading cause of death in America. There are many ways that we can prevent this disease that continues to affect our children, and they will carry that into their adulthood, which comes with many consequences.

Many factors play a role in childhood obesity, such as genetics, metabolism, communities, sleep, eating habits, and physical activity behaviors. (Overweight & Obesity) As many of us are aware, we cannot change genetics; on the other hand, people and the places that surround us can help us obtain a healthy weight. For instance, the communities, media, food, and restaurants have a great influence on what children choose to consume. In fact, students believe it’s easier and cheaper to grab a bag of chips for breakfast from the local gas station rather than a healthy alternative because it costs more.

The changes have to start in the home, school, and communities. These are the places that play the biggest effects on the children. Since children spend the majority of their time at school, that is where they should help them eat more fruits and vegetables. Students should get at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day and be encouraged to consume less food and beverages that are high in sugar. (Healthy Schools) Increasing the intake of physical activity helps maintain children at a healthy weight. In fact, this goes way back to when the child is in the womb. The way a mother takes care of her body physically affects her child in the long run. It is recommended to avoid gaining excess weight, which also helps control Diabetes. (Deckelbaum, Richard J.,) During the child’s infant stage, it is highly recommended to breastfeed until six months; around this age, many parents introduce solid foods to their infants. What they don’t keep in mind is that they should maintain a balanced diet for their child.

This will help them avoid an excess of high-calorie intake, and their weight should be carefully monitored. (Deckelbaum, Richard J.) During a child’s preschool years, that is when they should be introduced to different foods and flavors, but developing healthy food preferences is key because this will engrave healthy eating habits. Parents should monitor a child’s height and weight. This helps prevent adiposity rebound, which can lead to obesity later on. (Deckelbaum, Richard J.) A great way to encourage a healthy lifestyle is by providing a child with nutrition education; beforehand, the parents must be educated on this topic as well.

During their childhood, the parents must still be monitoring the child’s weight since they are growing and in need of lots of different sources of vitamins. Not only should a child be provided nutritional education during their preschool years but during their childhood as well, and physical activity should always be encouraged daily. (Deckelbaum, Richard J.) The Prevention of obesity starts with the choices a pregnant mother makes for their child. After the child is born, there are many factors that will play a role in their life. It’s the parents, community, and school to provide the best they can to help create a healthy lifestyle.

As this Obesity epidemic continues to change many lives in a negative way, there is so much more we can do to help this cause. It’s not an issue that can be taken for granted anymore. Many lives are being taken because of this disease which is tragic, and it is a primary factor for the leading number one leading cause of death in the U.S., which is heart disease. I believe that children should have a longer lifespan, which means that before their conceived, their mothers should prioritize their health because it affects them when they are older. It begins with the mother being educated and then providing that nutritional education to their child.

Not only acquiring that knowledge but also making it a reality, watching a child’s weight, introducing them to fruits and vegetables, and taking them out to play rather than being glued to a screen tv. These small changes make a difference in their life. It helps them live a healthier lifestyle. This then leads to them making healthier life choices when they are on their own; communities and schools play important roles in a child’s life. A community can provide recreational parks for children to play and have fun. Most of all, schools should provide children with daily physical activity that helps maintain a healthy lifestyle.

References:

1. Deckelbaum, Richard J., and Christine L. Williams. “Childhood Obesity: The Health Issue.” The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, Wiley-Blackwell, 17 Sept. 2012.
2. “Health Risks Linked to Obesity.” WebMD, WebMD, www.webmd.com/diet/obesity/obesity-health-risks#1.
3. Ian Janssen, Peter T Katzmarzyk, Robert Ross; Waist circumference and not body mass index explains obesity-related health risk, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Volume 79, Issue 3, 1 March 2004, Pages 379–384

Navigating Childhood Obesity in a Fast Food-Filled Society

Fostering Unhealthy Habits: Nurturing a Healthy Future

A few months ago, my parents adopted my niece, the one and only granddaughter and niece our family of 7 has ever had. The story of my little niece’s life has so far been a little rough, with the mother out of the picture and my brother in and out of her life, we as a family have joined forces to create an environment where she can grow up healthy and happy. Before she was able to move in with us, she was under the care of her foster family. My parents would visit my niece on the weekends, and the designated place to meet bylaw was in a public place. It first moved from the park to meeting inside a nearby Mcdonalds, Jack in the Box, Carls Jr, you name it. Through weekend interactions, my parents, unmindful, would purchase breakfast meals and drinks for the foster parents and Mia, my niece.

One evening my mom came home and said to my sisters and me, ‘I think Mia might be gaining weight. I don’t know what her foster parents are feeding her, but she looks chubbier.’ Throughout the weekend, we would get picture messages from the foster family showing Mia with pan dulce (Mexican sweet bread), trips to Chuck-e-cheese with cotton candy in hand, and sweet drinks. The feeling of wanting to give her everything was creating unhealthy habits for my little niece. I don’t blame anyone for wanting to spoil her ( I know I do), but I think the unconscious decisions to feed our children what’s available and what we think would make them happy, rather than making a conscious decision to go out of our way to ensure they receive a proper and nutritious filling meal is essential.

From Health Crisis to Socioeconomic Disparities

Childhood obesity defines and consists of all the diseases that relate to being overweight such as hypertension, diabetes, high blood pressure, fatty liver, heart disease, high cholesterol, and more. The national center for health statistics states ‘Hispanics (25.8%) and non-Hispanic blacks (22.0%) had higher obesity prevalence than non-Hispanic whites (14.1%). 18% of children in the United States are affected by childhood obesity.

Seventy-eight million adults and 12 million children are obese.” Researchers have concluded that by 2020 fatty liver disease will be the main leader in liver transplants. A team of researchers from the University of Arizona found that fast food chains in predominantly black neighborhoods were more than 60 percent more likely to advertise to children than in predominantly white neighborhoods. Fast food accounts for roughly 13 percent of the total calories eaten by children and teenagers aged 2 to 18 in the United States. Seventy-nine million people are pre-diabetic.

Parental control refers to the parents’ decisions on what their children can consume and what habits can be developed to ensure that a child grows up healthy. Personally, I grew up in South LA. I still do, but I remember when I was growing up in my low-income family, there were times when buying junk food such as burgers or tacos was sometimes more convenient for parents who were working full times jobs and not earning enough to travel to whole food grocery markets.

I grew up going to a school where my classmates were having Ramen cup noodles for breakfast that a teacher sold from inside her class during a break, eating a bag of hot Cheetos from the corner store as their lunch. Not to mention the quick and cheap McDonald’s, Jack in the Box, and burger king down the block from my middle school, or the ice cream stuck and other vendors that would wait outside our school by the time the bell rang. At every turn, we had people offering us cheap, unhealthy food that we grew up on.

Confronting Culinary Control: Battling Food Industry Influences

The last thing I want to do is blame parents for the lack of knowledge on how to raise a healthy child. Sometimes I blame myself or those around me when I see my little niece eating a happy meal. I feel guilty because I know better than to feed a toddler this junk, but the issue isn’t a micro-household issue but rather a macro-social one.

There are so many large contributors to this issue, and it is not entirely easy to stop ourselves from reaching for the nearest and cheapest item. Through my research, I came across the name of Howard Moskowitz, who holds a Ph.D. in experimental psychology. He has been one of the top researchers for large corporations in dealing with habit-forming foods from pizza, soda, and soup to cereal. Alongside Moskowitz are other food engineers who are paid to construct the most highly addictive form of a product From the taste, smell, and feel of a product.

Their mission is to create a perfect version of where consumers will find it hard to say no to. The tactic is called product optimization. As described, they “alter a litany of variables with the sole intent of finding a perfect version (or versions) of a product.” From my readings, it almost felt like an almost impossible escape. It feels like we have been convinced that we have control over our lives, but in reality, we don’t.

We don’t hold control over the process of how our food Is created, we thoughtlessly consume it without question, and living in a city, it feels almost impossible not to find a fast food joint at every corner. So although I’ve sat and blamed myself or others for what I thought of as negligence from my parents, it isn’t. It’s what we are being drowned in, living in a fast food-filled society is what 75% of us live in.

The solution to the problem can be solved by raising the prices of these fast food meals and snacks and by imposing taxes on soda, candy, and other processed foods. By creating it harder and pricier to have access to these meals, it will prevent people from buying them. There are solutions to this issue, but it needs to become a right to prevent these large corporations from making a buck off helpless and naive individuals.

References:

1.Source: National Center for Health Statistics. “Prevalence of Obesity Among Adults and Youth: United States, 2015–2016.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, URL: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db288.pdf

2.Source: Ogden, C. L., Carroll, M. D., Lawman, H. G., et al. “Trends in Obesity Prevalence Among Children and Adolescents in the United States, 1988-1994 Through 2013-2014.” JAMA, 315(21), 2292-2299, URL: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2526638

3.Source: Lesser, L. I., Zimmerman, F. J., & Cohen, D. A. “Characteristics of Fast Food Restaurants in Four New Jersey Cities: A Cross-Sectional Study.” Environmental Health, 5(1), 1-9, URL: https://ehjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1476-069X-5-18

4.Source: Moss, M. “The Extraordinary Science of Addictive Junk Food.” The New York Times, 20 February 2013, URL: https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/24/magazine/the-extraordinary-science-of-junk-food.html

5.Source: Brownell, K. D., Farley, T., Willett, W. C., et al. “The Public Health and Economic Benefits of Taxing Sugar-Sweetened Beverages.” New England Journal of Medicine, 361(16), 1599-1605, URL: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMhpr0905723

 

Childhood Obesity in Latino Children: A Socioecological View

Understanding Factors Behind Latino Childhood Obesity

Kornides’s article, Factors Associated with Obesity in Latin Children: A Review of the Literature, was an article addressing the issue of the rise in obesity of Latino children in America. The author referred to several possible causes of Latino childhood obesity; Diet, activity, genetics, environment, and acculturation. These five contributions to obesity can be compared to other ethnicities and cultures with differing conclusions. Kornides used 24 research articles drawn together to complete his study. Some articles were more creditable than others but came to the same results.

Childhood weight gain is directly correlated to decreased activity, increased calorie intake, and deficient knowledge. It was found that parental support in physical activity was less in children with obesity than in normal-weight children (Kornides, 2011). Mirza’s study found that obese Hispanic children were less likely to meet physical requirements than obese white children (2004). Digital distractions in the home are also a rising concern because it is taking the children away from staying active. Many children have access to video games, TV shows, and other electronic devices that promote a sedentary lifestyle.

Diet is a major contributor that can be modified to fix the issue. It was found that children who drink low-fat milk have a higher BMI than children who would drink whole milk. Those of Mexican descent eat more low-density foods than other ethnicities, so they do not receive the proper nutrition. Hispanic mothers used ice cream, sweets, and fruit as a method of bribes as positive reinforcement, says Sherry (Kornides, 2011). This is counter-interactive because they are saying that if they do something, then they are allowed to eat more junk food.

Genetics found that child obesity can be correlated to the parents if the parents also suffer from obesity themselves or have other family members that are obese. Environmental category can be related to the education level of the parents, it has been shown to negatively affect a child’s BMI. Many children suffering from obesity come from deficient knowledge of the parents and family members on proper food intake. Acculturation found that children with obesity are normally born within the united states. Those who immigrate to the united states have no or limited correlation with acculturation and obesity (Kornides, 2011).

The Socioecological Model

In the world of public health, there is a concept called the socioecological model. This model has five tiers; the individual level, interpersonal level, community level, organizational level, and structural level. Each level contributes to how public health is perceived and treated in society. The levels work together to satisfy the public needs of individuals, communities, countries and worldwide. The model shows how one of these levels can significantly affect the others. By working together to protect as small as the individual level to something as large as societal.

References:

1.Kornides, M. L. (2011). Factors Associated with Obesity in Latin Children: A Review of the Literature. Journal of Obesity, 2011, Article ID 619414. doi:10.1155/2011/619414

2.Mirza, N. M., Palmer, M. G., & Sinclair, K. B. (2004). Energy expenditure and physical activity of obese children. Public Health, 118(5), 363-370. doi:10.1016/j.puhe.2003.10.008

3.Sherry, B., McDivitt, J., Birch, L. L., Cook, F. H., Sanders, S., Prish, J. L., & Francis, L. A. (2004). Attitudes, practices, and concerns about child feeding and child weight status among socioeconomically diverse white, Hispanic, and African-American mothers. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 104(2), 215-221. doi:10.1016/j.jada.2003.11.006

The Complex Interplay of Psychological Factors in Childhood Obesity

Understanding the Complex Factors Behind Obesity

Obesity is defined as a metabolic condition whereby excess fat is deposited under tissues, and it can be caused by an amalgamation of psychological, ecological, and/or medical factors. This medical disorder is among the visible but ignored public health complications. This is likely to have health complications such as cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and type2diabetes which affect people regardless of age, gender, or socio-economic group. This research intends to examine obesity as a psychological disorder. Other factors that lead to the occurrence of obesity are also discussed.

The development of obesity was associated with factors such as the consumption of foods that are dense in fats, carbohydrates and low physical activity. The research established that the occurrence of obesity among school kids is very high, and therefore, there is a need for planning effective interventions to reduce obesity among school kids and maintain healthy lifestyles. Puhl&Heuer (2009) argue that currently, people are facing different psychological issues. This could be a result of the environment they coexist or other factors. Psychological issues are varied, but in the world, there are those that are common among many counties, including the United States.

Psychological disorder is an emotional dysfunction in an individual and is normally associated with a state of distress or impairment that can be viewed as a cultural misfit in society. In this paper, obesity, as a psychological disorder/issue, is explained. Obesity/metabolic syndrome is a health condition where individuals have excess body fat accumulation to levels that are disastrous to one’s normal body functioning and may lead to other complications such as heart conditions, depression, and diabetes, among other conditions and diseases in the body. It was classified as a disease by the American Medical Association amid controversy.

Normally, Body mass index (BMI) is the most basic indicator used to determine if a person has normal or abnormal weight. In this case, a person’s weight is divided by the height’s square. Persons in the range of 25kg/m2 -30kg/m2 are considered to be obese(Puhl&Heuer, 2009). Other ways to measure obesity are waist-to-hip ratio, waist circumference, and bioelectrical impedance. In the world today, people with obesity are many compared to those with underweight, and this phenomenon is dependent on the age of an individual. The rates increase as a person ages as well.

In the US, the rates of obesity have been rising steadily since 1960, and it has now been one of the leading health issues that have annually led to an estimated close to 130,000 deaths. This is a worrying trend across the globe. According to James & Leach &Kalamara&Shayeghi (2001), personality can be termed as a vibrant organization within those psychophysical systems that govern their individualities, behavior, and thoughts. Genetics has greatly influenced the impact of obesity on children born to obese parents.

However, it can be deduced that obesity is not a preset condition, but chances are high because parents can greatly influence their eating habits, and how they feed their children might increase the chances of activating hormones that can predispose their children to that condition. Genetic components increase susceptibility to weight gain. Some processed foodstuff that is designed to help people quench their hunger instantly could also raise their chances of being obese.

These foods are meant to last longer on the shelves and are relatively cheap, and have a sweet taste. This will make people gain instant energy and therefore gain weight due to high sugar levels. According to Puhl& Brownell(2001), high-sugar and high-fat junk foods are likely to stimulate the reward center of one’s brain. Junk foods are really addictive to individuals, and these people easily fail to control their eating behavior. This leads to the huge consumption of junk foods. In return, these people are constantly gaining weight leading to obesity. Some marketing agencies use tactics that are unethical to drive up the uptake of their products.

Some of their products sometimes might not be healthy products. These marketing agencies also make or imply assertions that might be misleading. Some of these products target children who have no information about the effects and hence lack informed decisions on these products that they consume. In return, they gain weight due to a certain level of consumption. Medical prescriptions can also promote weight gain. This is common, where it reduces the number of calories burned in the body. Some medications can also increase the level of appetite in the body leading to too much consumption of food.

The body has leptin hormone, which is also known as a starvation hormone. This plays a vital role in controlling appetite levels. It is normally produced by fat cells. Leptin levels tend to be high in people with obesity. This will constantly give them an appetite for food. On the other hand, in healthy people, high leptin levels are linked to reduced appetite hence reduced consumption of foods. The availability of food has also influenced obesity levels in the world. Junk food is getting constant display and marketing. Food shops have displayed tempting foods in order to capture attention. This junk food is always cheaper and unhealthy. People living in poor neighborhoods can’t afford expensive healthy foods and hence resort to the consumption of these foods(Wolf &Colditz,1998).

Personality Theories and Societal Influences on Obesity

Additionally, lack of proper and accurate information, especially on feeding, can be dangerous to human health. This is evident in people who lack a good guide on what and when to consume. They are likely to abuse food, and in return, they get punished. Incorrect information on nutrition can lead to unhealthy eating habits and poor health in general. News outlets such as blog posts should never distort or misinterpret or depend on outdated outcomes of logical studies.

According to Freud’s Theory, personality is dependent on a number of factors that range from instinctual drives such as food, aggression, sex, and unconscious processes. Early childhood influences more so from the folks. Personality development relies on the chemistry of predisposition at the onset of life. Parental conduct is crucial to abnormal and normal development. Some of the parenting practices at birth can play a vital role in a child’s personality even as they grow old. It is evident that some traits are carried on in the life cycle of an individual.

The parental upbringing of children can also facilitate or increase the chances of it being transferred from generation to generation (Puhl& Brownell,2001). Allport’s theory of personality underlines the exclusivity of a person and their inner motivational processes and cognitive. These processes are important in an impetus in behavioral growth. This could be skills or habits (Puhl&Heuer,2009). He later concluded that personality is a biological process and is determined when one is born, but it is molded by the immediate environment where one exists. So if an individual is given a poor environment or that environment that is not considered as good in the development of their personality, they are likely to have a personality that is negative.

Children who are born into a family that has experienced obese, they are likely to acquire the condition as well. Cattell argued that personality cannot be fully and satisfactorily understood by considering only two or three scopes of behavior. He advocated for consideration of a couple of behaviors for one to completely create a clear perspective of someone’s personality. So, for instance, you cannot exhaustively use one trait that is evident in a person to completely tell about their personality.

Cattell based his research on a number of sources in order to explain personality exhaustively. Through this, he was able to draw a distinction between inborn and surface characteristics. Surface traits can be effortlessly identifiable, whilst source traits cannot be noted so easily. They are likely to trigger a number of different traits of behavior. He concluded that source traits are key in determining a personality compared to surface traits.

Just like any source trait, obesity cannot be explained by what other people see, but it has a hidden character that compels individuals to exhibit this phenomenon. Eysenck came up with a theory in an attempt to give more information on personality, and some of the research he conducted aided his theory. His argument was based on biological factors and how they are key in shaping a personality of an individual. He holds that individuals are able to inherit some form of nervous structures that affect their ability to appreciate new concepts and acclimatize to environments(Puhl&Heuer, 2009). In his position at Maudsley psychiatric hospital in the UK, he was able to interact with patients receiving handling for neurotic disorders. He learned that the answers the soldiers were giving were almost linked up. He referred to this as first-order personality traits.

Later he discovered that their conduct could be represented by two scopes; extroversion, introversion, and stability or neuroticism. Extroversion occurs when individuals are bored and excited easily. They are careless but optimistic, whilst introversion is where people known as introverts are not so active and are always pessimistic. He called these second-order personality traits. All these traits can be linked to some biological causes, and personality can be attained if one has a balance between self-consciousness and excitation of the automatic nervous system (Wolf &Colditz, 1998). Social classes play a vital role in the general well-being of people. People in the developed world found that high social class was less likely to be obese.

In this case, the US and Japan being developed countries, those in high social classes are less likely to be obsessed compared to Those that are placed lowly in society. In the emerging world, women, men, and children from great social classes are observed to have greater instances of obesity (Wolf &Colditz, 1998). This is due to the fact that in developed countries, it is believed that the wealthy can afford nutritious food and they keep watch on their weight, whilst those in developing countries are pressured by economic and other factors to consume any food and have less time to do exercises. When one is stressed causes, the brain releases a hormone called cortisol which increases a person’s appetite. This will make a person find consolation in food as stress bites on.

Societal Attitudes, Cultural Perceptions, and Supporting Individuals with Obesity

Stress has the tendency to influence food liking. In most cases, foods that are rich in fat and sugar are preferred as a quick fix. These foods hinder brain activity that is involved in the processing of stress and anxiety. Stress has also led to a loss of sleep (Puhl&Heuer, 2009). The brain is always preoccupied. This will make people add weight, and if not checked on time, they end up being obese. In the US and China, people tend to eat more when they face stress. According to Wolf &Colditz(1998), when people listen or pay attention to external motivation, they tend to ignore internal urges. So if people are provided with food or see it on display, they might not necessarily feel the hunger; they will consume it. In this case, the availability of food did give them the urge to eat. This is a common practice.

This might be the case in America and Japan. The US has a higher rate of obese cases compared to Japan. This lower rate of obesity may be because the Japanese are much more physically active than Americans. Although, it cannot be proved whether the Japanese are more actively engaged with gym work compared to Americans more than Americans. On the other hand, most Japanese prefer walking, unlike Americans, who prefer using their vehicles to walk.

Walking is considered a worthy exercise that helps cut extra fats in the body(Puhl&Heuer, 2009). Food in Japan is more expensive compared to food in the United States. People in Japan are likely to consume less food because of its cost compared to Americans, who have food at a relatively low price. Therefore Japanese have less food to consume; hence they are able to keep a slim body figure, unlike Americans, who will have all the food they want at a relatively low price. Thus, low rates of obesity in Japan compared to America(Puhl&Heuer, 2009). In some countries, what is considered abnormal and unhealthy contains an evident cultural component.

For instance, in the United States of America, obesity is considered an element that is normal in one’s life; no one is to be compromised based on this, unlike in other countries where this is considered a real life-threatening illness that has to be treated(Wolf &Colditz, 1998). Obesity from childhood may lead to the rise of stern health problems, such as high blood pressure, hormonal disparities, and adult cardiovascular complications.

It is never easy for care providers and families to have no clear option for handling childhood obesity. Other kids are born having difficulties and possibly severe outcomes. However, families and care providers are advised to help reduce weight, and it is suggested that medical practitioners and families attempt to reduce weight by observing home-based cures before the treatment of medications. Family-oriented treatment alternatives are treatment and lifestyle changes for the whole family(Wolf &Colditz, 1998). Communities have different perceptions about obese people, and judgments placed on these people that are affected by obesity.

Some people consider extra fat as a way of storing extra energy. Obese individuals are theorized to be metabolically ‘thrifty, thus saving energy in periods of plenty of food. The outcomes indicate that body sizes are viewed to replicate personality traits. In return, this increases the possibility as well as energy storage and social selection might have a role in shaping obesity’s biology(Puhl&Heuer, 2009). Just like any medical condition, obesity should be considered a medical condition. People suffering from this condition need our love and support in managing this condition.

Some mockery and look down upon will make these people feel less part of us. They may end up contemplating suicide(Puhl&Heuer, 2009). In conclusion, obesity is one of the medical conditions that the world has not come to terms too. Some see it as a normal condition that is a result of a lifestyle or bad eating habits: however, people eat. Health providers should ensure proper information is available to the public in order to facilitate proper family upbringing. However, people should be advised on how best to maintain a good lifestyle and proper diet, and also observe regular exercise can also help reduce or cut the extra fat in the body.

References:

1.Puhl, R. M., & Heuer, C. A. (2009). The stigma of obesity: A review and update. Obesity, 17(5), 941-964.

2.James, W. P. T., Leach, R., Kalamara, E., & Shayeghi, M. (2001). The worldwide obesity epidemic. Obesity Research, 9(S11), 228S-233S.

3.Puhl, R. M., & Brownell, K. D. (2001). Bias, discrimination, and obesity. Obesity Research, 9(12), 788-805.

4.Wolf, A. M., & Colditz, G. A. (1998). Current estimates of the economic cost of obesity in the United States. Obesity Research, 6(2), 97-106.

Deciphering the Link Between Fast-Food Restaurants and Childhood Obesity

Fast-Food Restaurants and Youth Obesity: Examining the Link

Youth obesity is a significant problem in the United States that is increasingly drawing attention from citizens and policymakers. Some estimates show that children age 10 to 17 have an obesity rate of around 15.3% (NSCH 2018). Children who struggle with obesity are more likely to develop a myriad of severe physical and mental health problems, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, musculoskeletal disorders, depression, anxiety, and some types of cancer (CDC, 2016).

These health problems represent negative externalities on the economy as a whole since these issues increase healthcare costs and reduce workforce productivity (Bhattacharya et al., 2005). While rational adults are assumed to be capable of making health-related decisions for themselves, children often still lack the capacity to assess long-term risk. Thus, policy action to protect children is justified in reducing youth obesity.

Available evidence suggests that there is a link between diet and levels of childhood obesity (Fryar et al., 2018). Often, fast-food chain restaurants are blamed for youth obesity. Despite public-relations campaigns, these restaurants, such as McDonald’s, Burger King, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut, have an extremely negative reputation among health-conscious consumers (Downs, 2013). The food served at these restaurants is typically high in sodium, fat, and sugar. Still, fast food is a popular option in the US, with about 36.6% of American adults eating it every day (Fryar et al., 2018). Perhaps due to their convenience and low prices, fast-food restaurants continue to thrive. This short paper will estimate the effects of the number of fast-food restaurants per capita on youth obesity.

Literature Review

There is mixed evidence about the relationship between fast-food restaurants and obesity. Adults who consume fast food regularly tend to have much higher daily caloric intake (Bowman et al., 2003). Some studies show that exposure to advertising for fast-food restaurants can lead to increases in childhood obesity (Chou et al., 2008). Plus, there is research that suggests a school’s proximity to certain restaurants can drive trends in childhood obesity (Davis et al., 2009). With students located close to fast-food restaurants are, on average heavier than students with less direct access to these establishments.

Nevertheless, other research about policy measures designed to curtail fast-food consumption has yielded more negative results. One study found efforts to pass zoning laws limiting fast food in California had failed to have its intended effect of reducing weight (Strum et al., 2009). Another policy lever that some jurisdictions employ is raising taxes on fast food. Studies show that these taxes are rarely effective in improving obesity outcomes unless the tax is raised to extremely high rates (Franck et al., 2013). These studies suggest that altering the number of fast-food restaurants in a particular area may not improve youth obesity. Since there is some ambiguity regarding this question, more research is necessary.

Empirical Model

The multiple linear regression model will estimate the effects of fast-food restaurant prevalence on youth obesity. That model is the following:

Obesity= α+β_1 Fastfood+β_2 Income+β_3 Uninsured+β_4 Region+β_5 Poverty+u

The obesity rate measure used in this model is the proportion of children ages 10-17 who are obese, according to the NSCH. In order to measure fast-food prevalence, this paper takes the number of fast-food restaurants per 10,000 people in each state and Washington, DC. Moreover, income is measured as the median income in each state, and poverty is the proportion of the population below the federal poverty line. Plus, the uninsured variable refers to the proportion of children under 19 in each state who lack health insurance. The region variable refers to the geographic part of the country where each state is located.

Data

The dependent variable in this model is youth obesity. It will be measured using state-level data from the 2018 survey by The National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH). This survey asks parents or caregivers to report their child’s height and weight in order to produce a measurement of body mass index (BMI). The children’s ages vary from 10-17 in the dataset. If a child has a BMI at or above the 95th percentile of their age and sex distribution, they are classified as obese. This data can be found online at https://www.childhealthdata.org/learn-about-the-nsch/NSCH.

The independent variable for this study is the number of fast-food restaurants per 10,000 people in each state plus Washington, DC. This will measure the prevalence of fast-food restaurants in different areas of the US. The data is from the year 2018, and it comes from the database Datafiniti which measures business activity in each state and records the number of each type of restaurant. They also list the 20 most common fast-food restaurants in the US, based on the number of locations each operates. This list includes Subway, McDonald’s, Burger King, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Wendy’s, Domino’s, KFC, Dairy Queen, Arby’s, Sonic, Hardee’s, Jimmy John’s, Jack in the Box, Chick-Fil-A, Chipotle, Panda Express, Carl’s Jr, Five Guys, and Whataburger. However, these restaurants only account for around 78.3% of total fast-food listings in the nation. The other restaurants included in the dataset are smaller regional chains. This information can be found at https://datafiniti.co/fast-food-restaurants-america/.

Control variables such as state poverty rate, median income, and proportion of youths lacking health insurance were found for 2018 by the Kaiser Family Foundation. The URL to their website is https://www.kff.org/statedata/.

Table 1. Descriptive Statistics

1. Variable Mean (St. dev) Minimum value Maximum value % youth obesity, aged 10-17 14.68 (3.25) 8.7 25.4
2. Number of fast-food restaurants per 10,000 people 3.99 (.99) 1.9 6.3
3. Median income 60,237.31 (10,257.51) 43,469 82,372
4. Poverty rate 12.84 (2.96) 7 20 % uninsured youth 4.45 (2.13) 1 11
5. West (excluded) 0.25 (0.44) 0 1
6. South 0.33 (0.48) 0 1
7. Midwest 0.24 (0.43) 0 1
8. Northeast 0.18 (0.39) 0 1

Table 1. shows the various measures of obesity, income, poverty, and insurance. It includes the mean, maximum, and minimum number of fast-food restaurants per capita. Vermont has the fewest number of fast-food restaurants (1.9), followed closely by New Jersey (2.0) and New York (2.1). Alabama leads the country in terms of fast-food restaurants, with 6.3 of them for every 10,000 people. Surprisingly, Mississippi, which has the highest rate of youth obesity at 25.4%, has relatively few fast-food restaurants at only 2.1 per 10,000 people. While healthier Utah, with the lowest youth obesity rate in the country, has 3.6 fast-food restaurants per 10,000 people, placing it close to the mean of 3.99.

Empirical Results

The results found in Table 2. come to a somewhat startling and unexpected conclusion about the link between fast-food restaurants and youth obesity. A higher prevalence of fast-food restaurants seems to have an effect on decreasing youth obesity. The coefficient that describes the relationship between the number of fast-food restaurants and obesity is actually negative. An increase of 1 fast-food restaurant per 10,000 people in a state is predicted to result in an estimated reduction of youth obesity by .734% (p-valueTable 2). Regression Analysis

Poverty rate, region, and median income all have significant effects as well. States with high poverty tend to have high youth obesity (p-valueConclusions and Policy Implications.

The results of this research yielded the opposite result of what might be intuitive. The prevalence of fast-food restaurants in a given state seems to have an effect on decreasing the rate of youth obesity rather than increasing it. Therefore, it would seem policies that aim to tax or regulate the number of fast-food restaurants in a given area might actually produce the unintended result of increasing youth obesity.

Focusing government policy on the reduction of poverty may be the most useful option in fighting childhood obesity. Perhaps these restaurants’ food is not as bad for people’s health as commonly thought. Alternatively, maybe people in areas with a higher concentration of fast-food restaurants are making other healthy choices in their diet or exercise regime that offset the harmful effects of fast food.

However, there are serious limitations to this study that might challenge this policy conclusion. For one, this study measures the number of fast-food restaurants in each state per capita. It does not measure how often people eat at these establishments. Therefore, this raises the possibility that perhaps two states could have the same number of restaurants per capita, but one state’s population simply eats at these locations more. Plus, there might be a difference in the size of restaurants in different states. In some states, fast-food restaurants may be larger and designed to serve more people, leading to more people in that state eating fast food, even if they have the same number of restaurants.

Moreover, there might be a difference in the kind of fast-food restaurants available in different states. This dataset treats all fast-food restaurants the same, and as a result, may be missing some essential differences amongst the health effects of various fast-food options. Accordingly, this might lead to a slightly altered policy conclusion that categorically supporting or opposing fast food is a bad idea. Perhaps states should support healthier fast-food options.

References:

1.NSCH 2018 (National Survey of Children’s Health, 2018)

2.CDC, 2016 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016)

3.Bhattacharya et al., 2005 (Bhattacharya, J., Bundorf, K. M., & Pace, N. M. (2005). Does health insurance make you fat? NBER Working Paper No. 11529)

4.Fryar et al., 2018 (Fryar, C. D., Hughes, J. P., Herrick, K. A., & Ahluwalia, N. (2018). Fast food consumption among adults in the United States, 2013-2016. NCHS Data Brief, No. 322)

5.Downs, 2013 (Downs, J. S., Loewenstein, G., & Wisdom, J. (2010). Strategies for promoting healthier food choices. American Economic Review, 100(2), 45-50)

6.Bowman et al., 2003 (Bowman, S. A., Gortmaker, S. L., Ebbeling, C. B., Pereira, M. A., & Ludwig, D. S. (2004). Effects of fast-food consumption on energy intake and diet quality among children in a national household survey. Pediatrics, 113(1), 112-118)

7.Chou et al., 2008 (Chou, S. Y., Rashad, I., & Grossman, M. (2008). Fast‐food restaurant advertising on television and its influence on childhood obesity. Journal of Law and Economics, 51(4), 599-618)

8.Davis et al., 2009 (Davis, B., Carpenter, C., & Procter, K. (2011). Proximity of fast-food restaurants to schools and adolescent obesity. American Journal of Public Health, 101(9), 1961-1968)

9.Strum et al., 2009 (Strum, R., Powell, L. M., Chaloupka, F. J., & Chriqui, J. F. (2009). Can zoning policy address public health concerns? The effect of fast food restrictions on obesity rates. Health Affairs, 28(6), w1068-w1077)

10.Franck et al., 2013 (Franck, C., Grandi, S. M., & Eisenberg, M. J. (2013). Taxing junk food to counter obesity. American Journal of Public Health, 103(11), 1949-1953)