Childhood Obesity: An Overview
The rate of childhood obesity remains to be high in the past years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2015b), 17 percent of children and teenagers or 12.7 million young individuals in the United States are affected by obesity during the past decades. Childhood obesity in children is determined by the child’s body mass index (BMI). Compared to children of the same weight and gender, a child is considered obese if his or her BMI is in the 95th percentile (Anderson & Butler, 2006). This is a serious condition. Obesity increases mortality and morbidity and presents risks of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, and sleep disorders (Papandreou et al., 2013). Aside from these, obese children and teenagers are also at risk of different psychological and social problems because of their condition. Moreover, it also has financial implications on the country. According to Katzmarzyk et al. (2014), the United States’ expenses for obesity-related health care cost are expected to rise in the coming years. Because of its impact, several organizations, both private and public, have extended efforts to understand the causes of childhood obesity and to create plans to help those who are afflicted with it. Moreover, studies have also been extended to come up with preventive strategies that will help save lives of the young generation. Over the past years, experts have put emphasis on how unhealthy diet causes significant contribution on the growing issue of childhood obesity. The Institute of Medicine reports that many unhealthy foods are highly marketed and advertised specifically to children and teenagers; on the contrary, healthy foods are almost not advertised at all (cited in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015a). The marketing communication, food pricing, packaging and the eating environment are conspicuous marketing actions (Chandon & Wansink, 2012). Although it is understandable that businesses will market their food products, it is also inappropriate not to pay attention to what causes great harm on children and adolescence. Indeed, the world is in the middle of a rising childhood obesity crisis and the advertising industry together with the home and school environment greatly influence the development of this issue.
The Impact of Childhood Obesity
There is no doubt that with the rate of childhood obesity today, the society is facing a serious crisis because of the effects that are associated with it.
Physiological Effects
There are numerous physiological effects that are associated with childhood obesity. Some of these are as follows:
Type 2 Diabetes. With this condition, a child or teenager’s body is not able to use insulin properly. Produced by the pancreas, insulin is an important type of hormone that is responsible for maintaining the right level of blood sugar. Now, being obese is one of the most common risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Based on the studies of Arslanian and Fagot-Campagna et al. (2005), the increasing number of children and adolescence who are above their normal weight parallels the increasing rate of those who have type 2 diabetes (as cited in Hannon, Rao, & Arslanian, 2005). Both of these conditions used to be rare among the younger population.
High cholesterol. Obese children and teenagers also tend to have higher cholesterol levels. Cholesterol is defined as a “fatty substance made by the liver and distributed throughout the body” allowing vitamin D and hormone production (Pietrangelo, 2014). Cholesterol are not bad per se. In fact, a human body needs cholesterol to function properly. However, too much of it is a bad thing. There are two types of cholesterol. One is the high-density lipoproteins (HDL) known as the “good cholesterol” because it is responsible for gathering extra cholesterol in the body to be able to deliver back to the liver to be used again (Pietrangelo, 2014). The second type is the low-density lipoproteins (LDL), also known as the “bad cholesterol,” because when there is too much of it, they are deposited within the arteries (Pietrangelo, 2014). When there is too much of LDL and too little of HDL, plaque tends to develop in the arteries. Based on a study of around 12,000 children, those who are obese “were more likely to have unhealthy levels of all kinds of cholesterol, and 40% more likely to have borderline or high total cholesterol” (Walton, 2014). High levels of cholesterol are associated with cardiovascular diseases. Although it is very rare for children to suffer from heart attack, having high level of cholesterol during childhood has been linked to heart diseases during adulthood.
Hypertension. Childhood obesity also leads to hypertension or high blood pressure. According to Sorof & Daniels (2002), “obese children are at approximately a 3-fold higher risk for hypertension than nonobese children.” When there is too much fat within the blood vessels, the blood will have to be pushed harder in order to circulate the body, leading to high blood pressure.
Orthopedic problems. Being obese is also associated with different orthopedic complications. For instance, studies show that obese children tend to have less spinal bone mineral content (Wills, 2004). This is important in overall spinal health. Moreover, a link has also been found between excess weight and slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) (Wills, 2004). This condition occurs when the thighbone and hipbone are not well connected with each other causing pain in the hip or knees.
Psychological Effects
Obesity also impacts children and teenagers’ psychological health in many ways.
Low Self-Esteem. For children and teenagers, having a healthy level of self-esteem is important because it defines the way they behave in certain situations. Based on a study conducted by Strauss (2007), there is a difference between the self-esteem of obese children and non-obese children and that “obese children with decreasing levels of self-esteem demonstrate significantly higher rates of sadness, loneliness, and nervousness and are more likely to engage in high-risk behaviors such as smoking or consuming alcohol.” Self-esteem is the way a person sees his/her worth based on his/her belief.
Depression. Many obese children and teenagers also tend to be depressed because of their condition. According to Stunkard et al., among obese adolescents, “the prevalence of major depression increased to highly significant levels, 20% for boys and 30% for girls” (as cited in Nemiary, Shim, Mattox, & Holden, 2012). What makes this issue worse is that depression is also linked with other negative psychological outcomes, such as anxiety and suicidal tendency.
Eating Disorder. Many people may think that an eating disorder, such as binge eating, may cause obesity. This is true in some cases. However, it can also be the other way around. Several studies have shown that being obese or overweight may also cause children and teenagers to develop eating disorders. For instance, based on case studies presented by Sim, Lebow, and Billings (2013), a teenager with history of childhood obesity are at risk of developing eating disorders, such as binge eating or anorexia. This is due to the desire to lose weight or due to the fear of gaining back the weight that they have lost.
Poor Diet and Childhood Obesity
Childhood obesity has been strongly linked with poor diet. Specifically, the epidemic has been blamed in the consumption of too much sugar-sweetened beverages and foods.
Sugar-sweetened Beverages
Sodas and artificial fruit juices – these are two of the most popular drinks among children and teenagers today. This is not how it used to be before. During 1999 to 2004, only 11 percent of children’s calorie intake are taken from sugary drinks; however, based on the period 1989 to 2008, the percentage increased to 60 percent (“Sugary Drinks,” n.d.). Clearly, the numbers are rising in terms of calorie intake. On the other hand, the number of children consuming this kind of drinks are also on the rise. More and more children are being enticed to drink sodas and fruit juices. According to Lasaster, Piernas, & Popkin, the number of children consuming sugar-sweetened drinks rose from 79 to 91 percent (as cited in “Sugary Drinks,” n.d.). The problem with this is that consuming sugary drinks means that the body is consuming more calories than it needs. According to Anderson & Butcher (2006), drinking sugar sweetened beverages increases energy intake and obese children have a smaller output of energy, leaving an imbalanced level resulting in weight gain. Research has indicated that the consumption of sweetened beverages contributes to the rise in obesity (Hu, 2013). No wonder the society is currently suffering an obesity crisis.
Sugar-filled Food
Aside from sugary drinks, many children and teenagers are also used to eating sugary-filled food items, such as candies, chocolates, cookies, and pastries. Even most cereals that are popular as breakfast foods are also loaded with sugar. According to Putnam, Allshouse, & Kantor, “the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has described food supply trends as more refined grains, more added sugars, and more added fats” (as cited in Drewnowski, 2007). These are classified as processed foods. Many people are used to buying processed foods because they are relatively cheaper than their counter parts, the whole foods (those that are less processed). This is because companies can save a big amount of money by employing highly mechanized production process.
Sugar Addiction
Most children and teenagers eat a wide variety of foods, but many of them prefer sugary-filled drinks and beverages because of the development of sugar addiction. This is not to say that sugar is entirely bad for the human body. It is essential for survival but too much of it can lead to addiction which also contributes to weight gain. Furthermore, younger individuals have the natural preference for sweet foods. Based on a study conducted by the Washington University, newborn babies and children enjoy sweet foods compared to adults because of an evolutionary instinct (“Why is Sugar,” 2013). During the earlier years of human existence, consuming sweets, which are high in calories, gives newborn and children a better chance of survival during food scarcity. However, the issue of food scarcity is almost nonexistent today. The problem now is the obesity epidemic. Now, when children and teenagers consume sugary foods and drinks, the “happy hormones” called serotonin are released from their bodies, and this gives them a mood boost (“Why is Sugar,” 2013). This rewarding feeling of instant mood “lift” is the reason why children crave for more sugar.
The Role of Advertising, Home, and School Environment in the Issue of Childhood Obesity
Although the younger population may have the natural tendency to like sweet foods and drinks, this preference is further supported by the advertising efforts of food industries as well as the influence of the home and school environment.
The Advertising Industry
Advertisement is a powerful tool that serves as the lifeblood of any type of businesses. Specifically, food industries heavily rely on advertisements to reach their target market and entice them to consume their products. According to the American Psychological Association (n.d.), “today’s children, ages 8 to 18, consume multiple types of media (often simultaneously) and spend more time (44.5 hours per week) in front of computer, television, and game screens than any other activity in their lives except sleeping.” In other words, they are consistently exposed to different kinds of advertisements. Studies shows that this has strong influence on their food preferences. Reports reveal that even a single commercial exposure may influence a child to want to try a specific food, and this desire is further strengthened with repeated and continuous exposure (American Psychological Association, n.d.). The food businesses know about this, which is why they spend significant amount of money for advertising in order to boost their sales. The American Psychological Association (n.d.) adds that our of the total ad time on children’s programs, 50 percent are dedicated to food marketing and most of these are unhealthy food products (e.g., candies, cereal, fast foods, and fruit juices).
Home Environment
Home is where children primarily develop their food habits. The problem is that many homes of today do not pay special attention to making healthy food choices. For instance, home environment influences the consumption of sweetened beverages . There are several possible reasons behind this. According to Strauss & Knight (1999) “children with obese mothers, low family incomes, and lower cognitive stimulation have significantly elevated risks of developing obesity, independent of other demographic and socioeconomic factors.” This is not surprising at all. Mothers who are obese are less likely to influence their children to adapt healthy eating habits. Moreover, low income families will most likely consume cheaper foods, which are characterized by having refined sugar.
Children and teenagers also spend an enormous amount of time at school. This is why this institution also strongly influence their eating habits. According to Anderson & Butcher (2006), school contribute to the consumption of sugar sweetened beverages in children. This is due to the fact that these beverages are readily available at school and can be easily purchased by students. The same is true for junk foods, which include sugar-filled food items. Based on a study that used data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study – Kindergarten Cohort, “children who consume school lunches are more likely to be obese than those who brown bag their lunches” (Schanzenbach, 2009). Although some schools also offer healthy food options, it does not guarantee healthy eating because of the availability of unhealthy food products.
Conclusion
Overall, childhood obesity is a worldwide epidemic, a global crisis. This poses a great danger to children and teenager’s health because being obese has many negative implications, both physically and psychologically. Because of poor diet and sugar addiction, more and more young individuals are gaining weight. With the influence of the advertising industry, the home, and the school environment, it is not surprising to know that children at an early age consume more calories than their young bodies need. With proper attention, these same factors may be the key to combating the epidemic of childhood obesity.
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