Both articles by Karen Brand Roy and Alice Park have indicated that obesity is a serious problem among the teens. In fact, the articles provide evidence that there has not been any significant change in the reduction of obesity levels among the teens in U.S. Instead, obesity levels among the teens have increased significantly. The articles also indicate that the diet composition, which is consumed by the teens and the lack of physical exercises are key factors, which have contributed towards an increment in the level obesity cases among the U.S. teens. All these issues tend to lead to obesity development due to lack of effective parenting measures at home.
Alice Park argues that people cannot blame lack of exercises alone as the key cause of higher rates of obesity among the U.S. teens. This is because the diet consumed by individuals contributes towards obesity. This is evidenced when Alice Park provides a case study of how two variables based on body calories contribute towards obesity development. In this, the difference between the calories burnt and the calories taken by the body reflects body weight, which is an indication of the obesity level development among the teens. Changes in energy balance of an individual have also been identified as significant contributors towards body weight. Furthermore, irrespective of their being a population increase in U.S. the number of physical activities has not increased significantly for two decades. This implies that teens have limited time to subject their bodies to burning of calories. In addition, U.S. teen’s obesity is also caused by the ability of this population to engage in leisure activities like watching Television Shows and movies instead of engaging in physical activities.
Karen Brand argues that teenage obesity has increased significantly and tripled for the last 3 decades. This has affected a large portion of United States children. As such, Karen has proposed solution, which is supportive parenting. Karen believes that parents are the ones to blame for the rising cases of obesity. Karen also discusses the effects of obesity. He claims that obesity leads to low self-esteem, bullying cases, and poor self image. Eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia also develop at the onset of obesity development in an individual. It is clear that parenting is the key factor towards obesity development among the kids. There is a need for addressing the issue of parenting. This includes ensuring that parents have the ability and potential of providing the best diet combinations for their kids, which will ensure that kids do not consume unnecessary calories. Parents also have to show their kids the need for engagement in physical activities, which will keep their body fit and active, as well as burn excessive calories in their body. In this, parents have to lead by examples.
While Karen acknowledges that there is an increase obesity cases, he goes further to propose a solution to end the same. This is different from Alice Park who only investigates the causes of obesity. Karen further discusses the effects of obesity on kids and provides guidance on how plays have to play a critical role in reducing the cases of obesity among the teens. Alice’s article does not focus on such issues, but remains investigative and detailed on the cause of obesity among the teens in U.S.
Works Cited
Park, Alice. Teen Obesity: Lack of Exercise May not be to Blame. Web. 14 June, 2013.
Roy, Karen. Teenage Obesity, Causes and Effects, Facts and Solutions. Web. 14 June, 2013.
