Childhood Obesity A Problem For Years - 1342 Words

In the United States, childhood obesity has been a problem for years. The increase of the disease is becoming more rapid as time goes by. More than 23 million children and adolescents are being diagnosed with overweight or obesity in the US. Virginia has been ranked 23rd in America with the highest overweight or obesity in children. In Virginia, children ages two to five 16.5% were considered overweight and 15.5% were considered obese. Childhood obesity can cause serious health and physical problems, not only now, in the future if not carefully taken care of before or when it is obvious to the eye. The fact that fast food restaurants are becoming more convenient, lack of physical activity, and parenting methods are some main reasons why†¦show more content†¦Children that are already obese can have high blood pressure or high cholesterol. â€Å"Obese youth are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure. In a population-based sample of 5- to 17-year-olds, 70% of obese youth had at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease.† (Center for Disease Control, 2015) They also can develop prediabetes; this is a condition when the blood sugar is higher than average, but not high enough to be considered diabetes. Not only health effects but self- esteem issues and being bullied are a major concern, as well. Children who are obese are more than likely to be obese as adults. Adult obesity can lead to heart disease, stroke, multiple cancers, and arthritis. Sometimes genetics has a big factor to do with a child’s physical appearance, steps toward preventing overweight and obesity can be taken. Fast food restaurants have been blamed for years for the obesity rate sky rocketing up. Although I do not ultimately agree that it is the restaurants fault, I do think it is a little ridiculous that a double cheeseburger at McDonald’s costs a dollar, but a salad cost over five dollars. The nutrition value compared from a double cheeseburger and a chicken salad at McDonald’s are pointless. The calories in a chicken salad is 480, and the calories for a double cheeseburger is 437. You might as well just spend less money and consume less calories with a double