Childhood Obesity: The Epidemic of Plenty Persuasive Essay by scribbler

Childhood Obesity: The Epidemic of Plenty
A persuasive discussion on the need to address childhood obesity in the United States.
# 152628 | 2,016 words | 9 sources | APA | 2013 | US
Published on Apr 05, 2013 in Medical and Health (Nutrition and Exercise) , Nutrition (General)


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Description:

The paper explores the facts regarding childhood obesity in the US and reviews the literature on the role of overeating, under-exercising, race and genetics on the prevalence of obesity. The paper argues that many dietary and lifestyle factors can be changed; specifically, the paper calls for the improvement of school lunches, decreasing exposure to advertisements and promotions targeting children, and the implementation of more rigorous physical education programs. The paper also maintains that legislators must stop looking for a single solution to the epidemic since the balance of causes are likely to vary between population groups.

Outline:
Introduction
Literature Review: Current State of Affairs
Discussion
Conclusions
Recommendations

From the Paper:

"Once upon a time, the primary concern regarding childhood health in the United States was poverty and its accompanying diseases of hunger and dietary deficiencies. This spawned the creation of the school lunch program, to ensure that children were getting adequate calories during the school day. However, today physicians are often more concerned that children are getting too many calories, both within the context of the school lunch program and through other sources. Today, eighty percent of school lunches do not meet the USDA (US Department of Agriculture) standards for fat composition. The USDA gives the schools overproduced meat and dairy products for free, often products that are high in saturated fat and sugar. Children often supplement such meals with vending machines snacks, snacks in front of the computer or television at home--and fast food meals for dinner (Weinstein 2008). Unlike dietary deficiencies like rickets, goiter, or scurvy that can be treated with supplementing the food supply, childhood obesity is a multi-factorial problem, with roots in lifestyle, culture, economics, and the politics. There is no 'silver bullet' or magic pill that will address all of the contributing factors to childhood obesity."

Sample of Sources Used:

  • Bellows, L. J. Roach. (2009, May). Childhood overweight. Colorado State University. RetrievedJuly 9, 2010 at http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/foodnut/09317.html
  • Brimlow, Adam. (2010, July 8). Link between inactivity and obesity queried. BBC. Retrieved July 9, 2010 athttp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/10545542.stm
  • The obesity epidemic: Parents oblivious to overweight kids. (2010, July 1). NewsweekRetrieved July 9, 2010 athttp://www.newsweek.com/2010/07/01/parents-oblivious-to-overweight-kids.html
  • Overweight in children and adolescents. (2007, January 11). Surgeon General. Retrieved July 9, 2010 athttp://www.surgeongeneral.gov/topics/obesity/calltoaction/fact_adolescents.htm
  • Parker-Pope, Tara. (2010, June 3). Vigorous exercise linked to better grades. The New York Times. Well Blog. Retrieved July 9, 2010 at http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/03/vigorous-exercise-linked-with-better-grades/

Cite this Persuasive Essay:

APA Format

Childhood Obesity: The Epidemic of Plenty (2013, April 05) Retrieved September 25, 2023, from https://www.academon.com/persuasive-essay/childhood-obesity-the-epidemic-of-plenty-152628/

MLA Format

"Childhood Obesity: The Epidemic of Plenty" 05 April 2013. Web. 25 September. 2023. <https://www.academon.com/persuasive-essay/childhood-obesity-the-epidemic-of-plenty-152628/>

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