Obesity in Children

Persuasive Essay # 116868

Child, Youth Issues
Medical and Health > Nutrition and Exercise
Nutrition

Obesity in Children

A paper demonstrating why working parents are contributing to the rising levels of obesity in children.

1,330 words () | 3 sources | MLA | 2009 United States

Paper Summary:

The paper contends that one of the major reasons why obesity is increasing in children is the fact that, in many families, both parents work. The paper explains that as a consequence, children are more likely to be babysat by the television, have parents who do not cook them healthy and balanced meals, lack having a healthy family network and are not able to play outside without supervision because it is unsafe to do so. The paper warns that these factors all lead to obese children who will develop into a generation of obese people who are prone to all sorts of health risks.

From the Paper:

"One of the major reasons why obesity is increasing in children is that fact that both parents work in most families. A recent of over 80 metropolitan cities revealed that 68.4% of all household have two-incomes. What this means for children is that they are without either one or both of their parents for a good portion of the day in a number of cases. Because of this, they are not given the same care that a parent would give them and, therefore, they are more likely to be overweight. When both parents work, children are more likely to be babysat by the television, have parents who do not cook them healthy and balanced meals, lack having a healthy family network, and not be able to play outside. All of these factors lead to child obesity, which is becoming an epidemic."

Sample of Sources Used:

"Eating Habits in Children". British Heart Foundation. 26 April 2006. Viewed 26 April 2006. http://www.heartstats.org/datapage.asp?id=926
Long, Nicholas and Zolten, Kristen. "Children and Television". Center for Effective Parenting. 1997. Viewed 25 April, 2006. http://www.parenting-ed.org/handout3/General%20Parenting%20Information/television.htm
"Two-Income Households Grow More Affluent; Internet, Radio & Outdoor Top Media Habits". The Media Audit. 8 March, 2005. Viewed 25 April 2006. http://www.themediaaudit.com/0504twoincomes.pdf