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106 Childhood Obesity Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

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Childhood obesity is a growing concern worldwide, with rates increasing at an alarming rate. This epidemic has far-reaching consequences on a child's physical and mental health, as well as their overall wellbeing. Tackling this issue requires a multifaceted approach, including education, lifestyle changes, and policy interventions. If you are tasked with writing an essay on childhood obesity, it can be challenging to find a unique and compelling topic. To help you get started, here are 106 childhood obesity essay topic ideas and examples:

• The impact of advertising on childhood obesity rates.
• Exploring the link between socioeconomic status and childhood obesity.
• Should schools be responsible for addressing childhood obesity?
• The role of parents in preventing childhood obesity.
• The influence of fast food on childhood obesity rates.
• Strategies to promote healthier eating habits in children.
• The relationship between childhood obesity and mental health.
• The importance of physical education in combating childhood obesity.
• The role of schools in providing nutritious meals to students.
• The effect of sedentary activities on childhood obesity rates.
• The impact of technology and screen time on childhood obesity.
• Should junk food advertisements be banned to reduce childhood obesity?
• The role of government policies in addressing childhood obesity.
• The connection between childhood obesity and genetics.
• The effect of food deserts on childhood obesity rates.
• The role of healthcare professionals in preventing childhood obesity.
• The influence of peer pressure on childhood obesity.
• The impact of parental education on childhood obesity rates.
• The relationship between childhood obesity and sleep patterns.
• The role of schools in promoting physical activity among children.
• The effect of food marketing on children's food preferences.
• The connection between childhood obesity and emotional eating.
• The influence of cultural factors on childhood obesity rates.
• The effect of breastfeeding on preventing childhood obesity.
• The impact of school lunch programs on childhood obesity rates.
• The role of portion sizes in childhood obesity.
• The connection between childhood obesity and academic performance.
• Strategies to increase access to healthy foods in low-income communities.
• The role of the food industry in addressing childhood obesity.
• The effect of sleep deprivation on childhood obesity rates.
• The impact of parental modeling on children's eating habits.
• The relationship between childhood obesity and food insecurity.
• The influence of school vending machines on childhood obesity.
• The effect of food labeling on children's food choices.
• The connection between childhood obesity and bullying.
• Strategies to promote physical activity in children with disabilities.
• The role of government subsidies in reducing childhood obesity.
• The impact of school-based gardening programs on childhood obesity rates.
• The relationship between childhood obesity and ADHD.
• The influence of parental stress on childhood obesity.
• The effect of school-based nutrition education programs on childhood obesity.
• The connection between childhood obesity and depression.
• The role of community gardens in addressing childhood obesity.
• The impact of school recess policies on childhood obesity rates.
• The relationship between childhood obesity and asthma.
• The influence of food advertising on children's preferences and choices.
• The effect of parental involvement on preventing childhood obesity.
• The connection between childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes.
• Strategies to promote active transportation among children.
• The role of after-school programs in preventing childhood obesity.
• The impact of school-based physical activity breaks on childhood obesity rates.
• The relationship between childhood obesity and cardiovascular health.
• The influence of social media on childhood obesity.
• The effect of school food environments on children's eating habits.
• The connection between childhood obesity and food allergies.
• The role of community health centers in addressing childhood obesity.
• The impact of school wellness policies on childhood obesity rates.
• The relationship between childhood obesity and hormonal imbalances.
• The influence of parental feeding practices on childhood obesity.
• The effect of school-based cooking classes on children's food choices.
• The connection between childhood obesity and liver disease.
• Strategies to promote physical activity in urban environments.
• The role of pediatricians in preventing childhood obesity.
• The impact of school physical education requirements on childhood obesity rates.
• The relationship between childhood obesity and musculoskeletal disorders.
• The influence of food insecurity on childhood obesity rates.
• The effect of school-based interventions on reducing childhood obesity.
• The connection between childhood obesity and allergies.
• The role of school gardens in promoting healthy eating habits.
• The impact of school vending machine policies on childhood obesity rates.
• The relationship between childhood obesity and cancer.
• The influence of parental monitoring on children's screen time.
• The effect of school-based nutrition counseling on childhood obesity.
• The connection between childhood obesity and metabolic syndrome.
• Strategies to promote physical activity in rural communities.
• The role of school nurses in addressing childhood obesity.
• The impact of school-based physical activity programs on childhood obesity rates.
• The relationship between childhood obesity and sleep apnea.
• The influence of food rewards on children's eating habits.
• The effect of school-based farm-to-table programs on childhood obesity.
• The connection between childhood obesity and thyroid disorders.
• Strategies to promote physical activity in suburban neighborhoods.
• The role of school counselors in preventing childhood obesity.
• The impact of school-based walking programs on childhood obesity rates.
• The relationship between childhood obesity and kidney disease.
• The influence of parental perceptions on children's body image.
• The effect of school-based nutrition policies on childhood obesity.
• The connection between childhood obesity and respiratory disorders.
• The role of school-based physical activity trackers in addressing childhood obesity.
• The impact of school-based mindfulness programs on childhood obesity rates.
• The relationship between childhood obesity and bone health.
• The influence of parental feeding styles on children's eating behaviors.
• The effect of school-based gardening programs on children's vegetable consumption.
• The connection between childhood obesity and neurological disorders.
• Strategies to promote physical activity in children from diverse backgrounds.
• The role of school psychologists in preventing childhood obesity.
• The impact of school-based sports programs on childhood obesity rates.
• The relationship between childhood obesity and autoimmune diseases.
• The influence of parental food restrictions on children's eating habits.
• The effect of school-based cooking competitions on childhood obesity.
• The connection between childhood obesity and oral health.
• Strategies to promote physical activity in children with autism spectrum disorder.
• The role of school administrators in addressing childhood obesity.
• The impact of school-based dance programs on childhood obesity rates.
• The relationship between childhood obesity and gastrointestinal disorders.
• The influence of parental attitudes towards exercise on children's physical activity levels.

These topics provide a wide range of ideas to choose from when writing an essay on childhood obesity. Remember to select a topic that interests you and aligns with your knowledge and research capabilities. By delving into one of these subjects, you can contribute to the ongoing conversation and help combat this pressing public health issue.

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Childhood Obesity - Free Essay Samples And Topic Ideas

Childhood Obesity is a serious medical condition where excess body fat negatively affects a child’s health or well-being. Essays might discuss the causes, consequences, prevention and management of childhood obesity, as well as the role of parents, schools, and healthcare providers in addressing this issue. A vast selection of complimentary essay illustrations pertaining to Childhood Obesity you can find in Papersowl database. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

Problem: Childhood Obesity in America

As you've probably heard, more children are becoming overweight today in America than ever before. Experts are calling this an "obesity epidemic." To first understand childhood obesity we must ask ourselves what is obesity? Obesity is a diet-related chronic disease involving excessive body fat that increases the risk of health problems. Many doctors have expressed obesity has an increasing problem in today's youth as obesity can lead to many health issues such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart […]

Childhood Obesity Parents are the Blame

In current years, children becoming more obese in their entire childhood development has become common. Obesity in children could be due to various reasons such as family structure, busy family life experienced in the modern days, and insufficient knowledge of foods containing high calories. Parents ought to be accountable for what they do or fail to do that amounts to a negative influence on their children's weight and cause them to be overweight or obese during their childhood period. When […]

Childhood and Adolescents Obesity Prevention

Obesity in children and adolescents is a serious and growing problem in America. Overweight children are becoming overweight adults and that is causing life-threatening, chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. There are multiple reasons for childhood obesity. The most common reasons are genetic factors, lack of physical activity, unhealthy eating patterns, or a combination of all three factors (“Obesity in Children,” 2018). Today, there are many children that spend a lot of time being inactive and eating junk […]

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Childhood Obesity – Causes and Potential Long-Term Effects

Abstract There is growing concern about the state of children’s health. Every year there is an increase in the number of overweight and obese children. What causes this and what does it mean for them long-term? There are many contributing factors to children’s weight issues. Some of these factors are limited access to healthy food, more time spent in front of a screen, and less physical activity. Long-term health affects include a rising risk of Type 2 diabetes, coronary heart […]

How are Fast Food Advertising and Childhood Obesity Related

By 1950s, fast food industry boom was in full swing. It was secured in 1951. In the 1950s, McDonald has become a staple of the American diet. Fast food restaurants have been grown more and more and by now, there are over one hundred and sixty thousands fast food restaurants in the United States, becoming a one hundred and ten billion dollar industry. One can’t deny that fast food has become really important in American life nowadays. Whether Americans are […]

Obesity in Childhood

There are numerous issues that society faces on a daily basis. One of the issues that society faces is obesity. It is one of the leading risks of death and has been ongoing since the 1960s and 1970s. Obesity is an issue that continues to grow not only in the United States but also in developing countries as well. Not only does obesity affect adults but it has become a serious issue for children. According to an article, "approximately 12.7 […]

Childhood Obesity a Serious Problem in the USA

Childhood obesity is a serious problem in the United States. Obesity is condition in which a child is significantly overweight for his or her age and height. It is a very common condition and is estimated to have around 3 million cases in the United States each year. Every day more children are getting diagnosed with obesity, and some as young as 4 years old. When a child gets diagnosed with obesity at a young age, it can be very […]

Childhood Obesity is an Epidemic in the USA

Introduction Childhood obesity has become an epidemic in the United States and other western industrialized societies. "Childhood obesity affects more than 18 percent of children in the United States, making it the most common chronic disease of childhood" (Obesity Action Coalition). According to the OAC, the percentage of children suffering from childhood obesity has tripled since 1980. A child is considered obese if their body mass index for their age is greater than 95 percent. Childhood obesity is both an […]

Obese Kids and Low Self-esteem

Those who are in poverty are predominately people of color and as you can see from the chart above there is a high percentage of children of color who were diagnosed with childhood obesity. According to Centers of Disease Control, "Overall, non-Hispanic black and Hispanic adults and youth had a higher prevalence of obesity compared with other race and Hispanic-origin groups. Obesity prevalence was lower among non-Hispanic Asian men and women compared with other race and Hispanic-origin groups. Among men, […]

Childhood Obesity Today

In America, childhood obesity is on a rise today. Children can gain obsessive weight because of environmental factors. Vending machines, low cost on snacks, and a increase in the fast food chain are contributing factors towards obesity. Genetics can also play a part in childhood obesity. Many children come from a generation of overweight families. Most parents don't see the harm in letting their children gain tons of weight. Obesity can cause many health problems. Childhood obesity affects the health […]

Childhood Obesity in the American Nation

Childhood obesity is still rising in this nation. One out of three Americans is obese. The outlook for children is not much better, as adolescent obesity has quadrupled over the last thirty years. "As of 2012, almost 18 percent of children aged 6-11 years were obese" (Newman, 1). Despite the considerable public awareness of the negative impacts of obesity, this challenge persists. The situation for youngsters is hardly brighter; over the last few decades, the rate of youth obesity has […]

Child and Adolescent Obesity in the United States

Child and adolescent obesity in the United States has nearly tripled sincethe 70s. About 1 out of every 5 children suffer from childhood obesity. It is the duty ofmothers and fathers to prevent and find solutions to child and adolescent obesity. Thispaper will seek to explain the many causes and current results which parents can execute.Child and adolescent obesity comprises of several likely causes such as poor diet and lowphysical activity including numerous adverse effects. Therefore, changes in familyhousehold structures […]

The Causes and Preventions of Childhood Obesity

When trying to find out if a child is considered for obesity, they need to have a body mass index that is between the ranges of the 85th percentile and the 95th percentile. When speaking about childhood obesity it is for children between the ages of infancy and early adulthood which is eighteen years of age. Obesity is one of the most preventable diseases especially if caught early enough. There are many different reasons for the cause of childhood obesity, […]

The Effects of the Epidemic Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity has become a growing epidemic in more than just the U.S. However, over the past three decades, childhood obesity rates have tripled in the U.S. and today, the country has some of the highest obesity rates in the world: One out of six children is obese, and one out of three children is overweight. Chubby children were once thought of as cute, it was there baby fat and they would soon emerge into healthy adults, however this isn't […]

Tackling Childhood Obesity in Rural Mississippi

Childhood obesity is a growing health issue in the United States. Children with higher Body Mass Indexes than the recommended by the National Institutes of Health are more prone to adverse health effects later in life. Obesity in early age can translate into adulthood and increases the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and diabetes (Franks 2010). The highest rates of childhood obesity can be observed in the southeastern corner of the United States, Mississippi, in particular, with the highest prevalence […]

Childhood Obesity, a Crisis that could be Cure

Obesity is a crisis that is affecting many countries, their most vulnerable citizens being children. Bad eating habits, high calorie intake, genetics, and lack of activity or exercise are some of the elements that, either combined or individually, are the cause for childhood obesity in America, Latin America, and many other nations. In the United States, rural areas have higher rates of childhood obesity, as do Hispanics and Blacks (Davis 2011). Keywords: Obesity, Childhood. Childhood Obesity, a Crisis that could […]

Childhood Obesity: Global Epidemic and Ethical Concerns

Abstract Numbers continue to climb for those who have childhood obesity. This serious issue has been brought to the attention of the public who have been taking preventative measures and action in hopes to reduce the number of cases. In a number of countries, public policies have been implemented to prevent obesity. However, in the U.S. efforts made are not enough or have not been effective to stop the obesity rate from increasing. Proposals for solutions to this health problem […]

Childhood Obesity and Unhealthy Diets

Over the years childhood obesity has become an epidemic. Working as a medical assistant in family practice for the past ten years, I have witnessed a lot of children struggling with being overweight and obese. Many children now in days lack whole foods that contain proper macronutrients for their bodies to use as energy adequately. Processed foods and sugary beverages can cause more complications over time when overconsumed. Along with lack of proper nutrition, a lot of children seem to […]

The Social Environment and Childhood Obesity

I, Marisol Nuñez, reside in South Gate the reason for this letter is that I am very concerned about the prevention of childhood obesity. Residents in our city lack the resources of acquiring healthy nutritious foods for their families, the resources in our city are very limited. The city has a farmer’s market once a week, and the likelihood of working families purchasing healthier foods is very limited. We need more resources for our families can eat highly nutritious foods. […]

Childhood Obesity and Physical Activity

Most children and teens have access to a tablet, smartphone, television, laptop or a video console. They are sitting around on-screen time more and more as the days go by. Research from the CDC states obesity has nearly doubled since the 1970s in the United States. It is estimated now that 20 percent of children and adolescents are affected by obesity. Too much screen time, the accessibility to the internet and not enough physical activity are the biggest reasons the […]

Childhood Obesity and Adolesence

Childhood obesity can be prevented in many ways. Parents are the main ones with a say so on obesity. They allow their children to digest all kinds of bad foods. Parents should introduce on a daily basis different kinds of healthy foods. They should also promote is by showing children how healthy food are good for the body. You have some children that won’t eat healthy things because of the color and the way it looks. Obesity is one of […]

Several Factors in Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity is widely described as excess in body fat in children and teenagers. There is, however, no agreement about exactly how much body fat is excessive in relation to the group. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention on its part defined overweight as at or above the 95th percentile of body mass index (BMI) for age and "at risk for overweight" as between 85th to 95th percentile of BMI for age (Krushnapriya Sahoo). In general clinic environments, the […]

Factors that Influence Childhood Obesity

The cause of pediatric obesity is multifactorial (1). There is not a single cause, nor solution, found that leads to all cases of pediatric obesity. Parental discipline in regard to the child is not proven to lead to less adiposity or obesity in children. Parental feeding strategy may actually be a cause of obesity with restrictive approach to food by the parent shown to increase the proclivity for the restricted foods (2). Likewise, when parents allowed their children to have […]

Childhood Obesity, Disease Control and Prevention

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, identifying effective intervention strategies that can target both improvements in physical activity and providing a nutritious diet to reduce childhood obesity are important" (Karnik, 21). There has been a rising concern on whether or not the government needs to be involved in this childhood obesity epidemic. Sameera, Karnik, and Amar Kanekar give an amazing detailed article on how important it is to get involved with children through the government and through […]

The Impact of Childhood Obesity on Health

Childhood Obesity has become an ongoing problem across the United States. Obesity kills about 34 children every hour in the world, making it a serious issue. Many leaders and people have come together to attempt to prevent the issue, but some strategies have failed. Most people disregard the fact that what they feed their children can affect them in many ways, specifically become obese. Childhood obesity can lead to becoming obese in the future, being susceptible to different diseases and […]

What is Childhood Obesity?

Introduction Childhood obesity has become a widespread epidemic, especially in the United States. Twenty five percent of children in the United States are overweight and eleven percent are obese (Dehghan, et al, 2005). On top of that, about seventy percent of those children will grow up to be obese adults (Dehgan, et al, 2005). There are many different causes that can be attributed to the childhood obesity. Environmental factors, lifestyle preferences, and cultural environment play pivotal roles in the rising […]

Problem of Childhood Obesity in the United States

Among the many issues that the United States is facing, there is no doubt that Childhood Obesity is a timely and relevant debatable topic that has brought many consequences and health issues among our nation’s children. Many debates in regard to childhood obesity have formed. Because the prevalence of childhood obesity is on the rise, there have been varying opinions about what leading factors contribute to this issue. Although some health professionals and parents believe that childhood obesity stems from […]

A Big Problem – Bad Healthcare is Aiding Childhood Obesity

A study done in 2002 found that, almost 14 million children are obese, that is 24 percent of the U.S. population from ages 2 to 17. This number just keeps rising as the years go by. Some people would argue that the increasing numbers are due to sugary dinks and foods sold in vending machines at schools, or not enough healthy food options. Other parties can argue that this number keeps increasing because of bad healthcare and not enough opportunities […]

Childhood Obesity Rate Can be Decreased

Child obesity has become a major concern as it continues to increase every year in the US. Many parents are uneducated about the risks of childhood obesity. Parental awareness and increasing physical activity are steps towards making a change in the rates of childhood obesity. There are many side effects of childhood obesity that can obstruct a child’s future. However, positive changes to children’s health can be achieved through the influence of adults. Child obesity has become a more critical […]

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How To Write an Essay About Childhood Obesity

Understanding childhood obesity.

Writing an essay about childhood obesity requires a comprehensive understanding of the topic. Childhood obesity is a serious public health issue that has grown significantly in recent years. It's characterized by children having a body mass index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex. Start by exploring the causes of childhood obesity, which can include genetic factors, poor dietary habits, lack of physical activity, and environmental influences. Also, consider the short and long-term health implications, such as an increased risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. This foundational knowledge sets the stage for a deeper analysis in your essay.

Developing a Focused Thesis Statement

Your essay should be guided by a clear, focused thesis statement. This statement should present a specific angle or argument about childhood obesity. For instance, you might argue the importance of early intervention programs, the role of schools in promoting healthy lifestyles, or the impact of advertising and media on children’s eating habits. Your thesis will determine the direction of your essay, guiding your analysis and ensuring a structured approach to the topic.

Gathering and Analyzing Data

An effective essay on childhood obesity should be supported by relevant data and research. This includes statistics on the prevalence of obesity, studies on its causes and effects, and evaluations of intervention programs. Use this information to support your thesis, incorporating both national and global perspectives. Analyze the data critically, acknowledging any limitations and considering different viewpoints. This approach adds depth to your essay and strengthens your arguments.

Discussing Solutions and Interventions

A significant portion of your essay should be dedicated to discussing potential solutions and interventions for childhood obesity. This can include public health policies, educational programs, changes in food industry practices, or community-based initiatives. Evaluate the effectiveness of these solutions, drawing on case studies or research findings. Discussing both the successes and challenges in tackling childhood obesity will provide a balanced view and demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the topic.

Concluding the Essay

Conclude your essay by summarizing the main points of your discussion and restating your thesis in light of the evidence presented. Your conclusion should tie together your analysis and emphasize the significance of addressing childhood obesity. This is also an opportunity to reflect on potential future developments in the field or to suggest areas for further research.

Reviewing and Refining the Essay

After completing your essay, it's important to review and refine it. Check for coherence in your arguments and clarity in your writing. Ensure that your essay is well-organized and free from grammatical errors. Consider seeking feedback from peers, teachers, or health professionals to further improve your work. A well-crafted essay on childhood obesity should not only inform but also engage readers in considering the complexities of this public health issue and the collective efforts required to address it.

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Obesity Essay

Last updated on: Feb 9, 2023

Obesity Essay: A Complete Guide and Topics

By: Nova A.

11 min read

Reviewed By: Jacklyn H.

Published on: Aug 31, 2021

Are you assigned to write an essay about obesity? The first step is to define obesity.

The obesity epidemic is a major issue facing our country right now. It's complicated- it could be genetic or due to your environment, but either way, there are ways that you can fix it!

Learn all about what causes weight gain and get tips on how you can get healthy again.

On this Page

What is Obesity

What is obesity? Obesity and BMI (body mass index) are both tools of measurement that are used by doctors to assess body fat according to the height, age, and gender of a person. If the BMI is between 25 to 29.9, that means the person has excess weight and body fat.

If the BMI exceeds 30, that means the person is obese. Obesity is a condition that increases the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, and other medical conditions like metabolic syndrome, arthritis, and even some types of cancer.

Obesity Definition

Obesity is defined by the World Health Organization as an accumulation of abnormal and excess body fat that comes with several risk factors. It is measured by the body mass index BMI, body weight (in kilograms) divided by the square of a person’s height (in meters).

Obesity in America

Obesity is on the verge of becoming an epidemic as 1 in every 3 Americans can be categorized as overweight and obese. Currently, America is an obese country, and it continues to get worse.

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Causes of obesity

Do you see any obese or overweight people around you?

You likely do.

This is because fast-food chains are becoming more and more common, people are less active, and fruits and vegetables are more expensive than processed foods, thus making them less available to the majority of society. These are the primary causes of obesity.

Obesity is a disease that affects all age groups, including children and elderly people.

Now that you are familiar with the topic of obesity, writing an essay won’t be that difficult for you.

How to Write an Obesity Essay

The format of an obesity essay is similar to writing any other essay. If you need help regarding how to write an obesity essay, it is the same as writing any other essay.

Obesity Essay Introduction

The trick is to start your essay with an interesting and catchy sentence. This will help attract the reader's attention and motivate them to read further. You don’t want to lose the reader’s interest in the beginning and leave a bad impression, especially if the reader is your teacher.

A hook sentence is usually used to open the introductory paragraph of an essay in order to make it interesting. When writing an essay on obesity, the hook sentence can be in the form of an interesting fact or statistic.

Head on to this detailed article on hook examples to get a better idea.

Once you have hooked the reader, the next step is to provide them with relevant background information about the topic. Don’t give away too much at this stage or bombard them with excess information that the reader ends up getting bored with. Only share information that is necessary for the reader to understand your topic.

Next, write a strong thesis statement at the end of your essay, be sure that your thesis identifies the purpose of your essay in a clear and concise manner. Also, keep in mind that the thesis statement should be easy to justify as the body of your essay will revolve around it.

Body Paragraphs

The details related to your topic are to be included in the body paragraphs of your essay. You can use statistics, facts, and figures related to obesity to reinforce your thesis throughout your essay.

If you are writing a cause-and-effect obesity essay, you can mention different causes of obesity and how it can affect a person’s overall health. The number of body paragraphs can increase depending on the parameters of the assignment as set forth by your instructor.

Start each body paragraph with a topic sentence that is the crux of its content. It is necessary to write an engaging topic sentence as it helps grab the reader’s interest. Check out this detailed blog on writing a topic sentence to further understand it.

End your essay with a conclusion by restating your research and tying it to your thesis statement. You can also propose possible solutions to control obesity in your conclusion. Make sure that your conclusion is short yet powerful.

Obesity Essay Examples

Essay about Obesity (PDF)

Childhood Obesity Essay (PDF)

Obesity in America Essay (PDF)

Essay about Obesity Cause and Effects (PDF)

Satire Essay on Obesity (PDF) 

Obesity Argumentative Essay (PDF)

Obesity Essay Topics

Choosing a topic might seem an overwhelming task as you may have many ideas for your assignment. Brainstorm different ideas and narrow them down to one, quality topic.

If you need some examples to help you with your essay topic related to obesity, dive into this article and choose from the list of obesity essay topics.

Childhood Obesity

As mentioned earlier, obesity can affect any age group, including children. Obesity can cause several future health problems as children age.

Here are a few topics you can choose from and discuss for your childhood obesity essay:

• What are the causes of increasing obesity in children?
• Obese parents may be at risk for having children with obesity.
• What is the ratio of obesity between adults and children?
• What are the possible treatments for obese children?
• Are there any social programs that can help children with combating obesity?
• Has technology boosted the rate of obesity in children?
• Are children spending more time on gadgets instead of playing outside?
• Schools should encourage regular exercises and sports for children.
• How can sports and other physical activities protect children from becoming obese?
• Can childhood abuse be a cause of obesity among children?
• What is the relationship between neglect in childhood and obesity in adulthood?
• Does obesity have any effect on the psychological condition and well-being of a child?
• Are electronic medical records effective in diagnosing obesity among children?
• Obesity can affect the academic performance of your child.
• Do you believe that children who are raised by a single parent can be vulnerable to obesity?
• You can promote interesting exercises to encourage children.
• What is the main cause of obesity, and why is it increasing with every passing day?
• Schools and colleges should work harder to develop methodologies to decrease childhood obesity.
• The government should not allow schools and colleges to include sweet or fatty snacks as a part of their lunch.
• If a mother is obese, can it affect the health of the child?
• Children who gain weight frequently can develop chronic diseases.

Obesity Argumentative Essay Topics

Do you want to write an argumentative essay on the topic of obesity?

The following list can help you with that!

Here are some examples you can choose from for your argumentative essay about obesity:

• Can vegetables and fruits decrease the chances of obesity?
• Should you go for surgery to overcome obesity?
• Are there any harmful side effects?
• Can obesity be related to the mental condition of an individual?
• Are parents responsible for controlling obesity in childhood?
• What are the most effective measures to prevent the increase in the obesity rate?
• Why is the obesity rate increasing in the United States?
• Can the lifestyle of a person be a cause of obesity?
• Does the economic situation of a country affect the obesity rate?
• How is obesity considered an international health issue?
• Can technology and gadgets affect obesity rates?
• What can be the possible reasons for obesity in a school?
• How can we address the issue of obesity?
• Is obesity a chronic disease?
• Is obesity a major cause of heart attacks?
• Are the junk food chains causing an increase in obesity?
• Do nutritional programs help in reducing the obesity rate?
• How can the right type of diet help with obesity?
• Why should we encourage sports activities in schools and colleges?
• Can obesity affect a person’s behavior?

Health Related Topics for Research Paper

If you are writing a research paper, you can explain the cause and effect of obesity.

Here are a few topics that link to the cause and effects of obesity.Review the literature of previous articles related to obesity. Describe the ideas presented in the previous papers.

• Can family history cause obesity in future generations?
• Can we predict obesity through genetic testing?
• What is the cause of the increasing obesity rate?
• Do you think the increase in fast-food restaurants is a cause of the rising obesity rate?
• Is the ratio of obese women greater than obese men?
• Why are women more prone to be obese as compared to men?
• Stress can be a cause of obesity. Mention the reasons how mental health can be related to physical health.
• Is urban life a cause of the increasing obesity rate?
• People from cities are prone to be obese as compared to people from the countryside.
• How obesity affects the life expectancy of people? What are possible solutions to decrease the obesity rate?
• Do family eating habits affect or trigger obesity?
• How do eating habits affect the health of an individual?
• How can obesity affect the future of a child?
• Obese children are more prone to get bullied in high school and college.
• Why should schools encourage more sports and exercise for children?

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Topics for Essay on Obesity as a Problem

Do you think a rise in obesity rate can affect the economy of a country?

Here are some topics for your assistance regarding your economics related obesity essay.

• Does socioeconomic status affect the possibility of obesity in an individual?
• Analyze the film and write a review on “Fed Up” – an obesity epidemic.
• Share your reviews on the movie “The Weight of The Nation.”
• Should we increase the prices of fast food and decrease the prices of fruits and vegetables to decrease obesity?
• Do you think healthy food prices can be a cause of obesity?
• Describe what measures other countries have taken in order to control obesity?
• The government should play an important role in controlling obesity. What precautions should they take?
• Do you think obesity can be one of the reasons children get bullied?
• Do obese people experience any sort of discrimination or inappropriate behavior due to their weight?
• Are there any legal protections for people who suffer from discrimination due to their weight?
• Which communities have a higher percentage of obesity in the United States?
• Discuss the side effects of the fast-food industry and their advertisements on children.
• Describe how the increasing obesity rate has affected the economic condition of the United States.
• What is the current percentage of obesity all over the world? Is the obesity rate increasing with every passing day?
• Why is the obesity rate higher in the United States as compared to other countries?
• Do Asians have a greater percentage of obese people as compared to Europe?
• Does the cultural difference affect the eating habits of an individual?
• Obesity and body shaming.
• Why is a skinny body considered to be ideal? Is it an effective way to reduce the obesity rate?

Obesity Solution Essay Topics

With all the developments in medicine and technology, we still don’t have exact measures to treat obesity.

Here are some insights you can discuss in your essay:

• How do obese people suffer from metabolic complications?
• Describe the fat distribution in obese people.
• Is type 2 diabetes related to obesity?
• Are obese people more prone to suffer from diabetes in the future?
• How are cardiac diseases related to obesity?
• Can obesity affect a woman’s childbearing time phase?
• Describe the digestive diseases related to obesity.
• Obesity may be genetic.
• Obesity can cause a higher risk of suffering a heart attack.
• What are the causes of obesity? What health problems can be caused if an individual suffers from obesity?
• What are the side effects of surgery to overcome obesity?
• Which drugs are effective when it comes to the treatment of obesity?
• Is there a difference between being obese and overweight?
• Can obesity affect the sociological perspective of an individual?
• Explain how an obesity treatment works.
• How can the government help people to lose weight and improve public health?

Writing an essay is a challenging yet rewarding task. All you need is to be organized and clear when it comes to academic writing.

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• Organize your thoughts.
• Pen down your ideas.
• Compose a perfect essay that will help you ace your subject.
• Proofread and revise your paper.

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Childhood Obesity: The Growing Problem

Academic writing

Essay paper writing

What is childhood obesity?

Each of us has probably heard about the problem of childhood obesity, which has first occurred over half a century ago after the emergence of fast-food industry and remains a huge issue till this day. Therefore, currently, childhood obesity essays are assigned to students quite often. to help them understand the exact causes of the issue and the ways to resolve it. One may think that obesity and fast-food industry are directly linked; however, it is not exactly the case. The reasons of this condition are not always obvious, but people need to be aware of them. Therefore, it is crucial to encourage students to write an essay on the causes of childhood obesity.

The problem is that the topic of obesity is one of the those that are almost impossible to find accurate information on at random websites. Therefore, you need to rely on credible academic sources and conduct thorough research to write your own essay about obesity cause and effects. But in order to lend the novice writers a helping hand, we will provide some credible data for your consideration. Information given by our essay paper writing service in this article will be helpful for both students and people who are just looking for some facts on the matter. So let’s delve into the problem of childhood overweight and obesity.

What to write about in a childhood obesity essay?

It might be difficult to understand what to write in an essay on childhood obesity, and that is no wonder that often many students can’t find the needed information online. In this case, you may even need to visit a library in order to find some factual data and sources on the issue. Moreover, it is quite difficult to find info for an analytical essay on childhood obesity on the Internet. However, you can always browse some medical websites; just make sure you interpret the given information correctly. In this type of paper, you will need to put in a lot of arguments and facts so that people can find out something new and interesting for them. All in all, you need to find and analyze as much information as you possibly can to create a really decent essay. So, as soon as we finish the research part, what has to be done next?

Well, it is really up to you to decide how to craft your children obesity essay. The formatting and content requirements may vary depending on the type of educational institution. But if you follow the advice we provide in this article, you will definitely succeed with your writing, and your paper may become the best one among other child obesity essays. Rest assured that all the tips and tricks will make your essay worth an excellent mark! Moreover, we will provide you with some interesting facts and statistics for a child obesity essay or research paper to make your life even easier. Let’s consider some of them.

Writers of childhood obesity research papers have been exposing an alarming issue of the young generation’s unhealthy eating habits for years. Researchers and doctors warn readers about the consequences of fast-food consumption and neglection of a healthy lifestyle. A few decades ago, people did not realize that junk food is a threat to the physical state of people globally. Nowadays, when we have access to information on the topic, we can make different conclusions and form our opinion concerning this issue. Anyway, the statistic is shocking: 1 out of 5 students in the USA has a certain form of obesity. And it would not be such a big deal if we were fighting this problem. Actually, things are only getting worse, as a lot of people do not take any actions to cope with the dreadful consequences of this condition. Therefore, the number of children struggling with obesity is growing every year, and we are not able to prevent or solve this issue right now.

Another problem is that many parents are not able to recognize that their child has weight problems or do not know how to deal with it. Most research papers on childhood obesity state that caregivers usually do not have enough information that could help in preventing their children from becoming overweight. So, the only solution to this issue is to raise awareness among parents and provide them with information on how to tackle this condition.

This is some of the actual information that can be included in your childhood obesity paper. But, of course, all the data provided above is too general, as we have only provided some ideas that you can research more thoroughly. First of all, note that if you have to write an excellent argumentative essay on children obesity, you cannot write a couple of vague sentences. In order to create a well-structured and informative essay, you need to conduct profound research and gather some useful data. In order to make your paper more comprehensible for the readers, it would be better to divide your childhood obesity outline for research paper into a few smaller pieces and devote each part to a separate aspect. Besides, outlining is a great way to structure your ideas and include all the critical points in the right order. While writing an outline for your research paper on childhood obesity, decide what to focus on in the essay, and define your target audience. Then think about the main issues that you are going to cover. If you struggle to single them out, let’s review the main constituents of essays about childhood obesity.

Before writing your essay, do not forget to have the gathered data checked. It’s even better if you do it before creating a child obesity research paper outline. Besides, it’s important to mention that the teachers may require you to follow some specific structure, and if so, it will greatly help you when outlining the work.

Do not lose heart if the size of the essay and the scope of work are too much for you. This article will guide you through the whole process of creating the best childhood obesity essay sample. So let’s proceed!

Writing an introduction and the thesis statement for childhood obesity

For some students, it is really challenging to write an interesting and informative thesis statement for the essay about childhood obesity. The problem is that they never study the issue before writing about it. However, the best way to craft a great thesis statement is to have enough background info on the topic.

Let’s move on to writing a childhood obesity essay introduction. Of course, you can use the info provided previously in this article, but it would be better to choose something that is not as widely known. That will almost guarantee that the reader has never seen the information like that and, therefore, will be interested in reading your introduction paragraph on childhood obesity. Such a trick will surely help you to write a really unique and engaging introductory paragraph. This advice will also work perfectly if you’re writing a persuasive speech about childhood obesity. You need to constantly keep in mind that readers shouldn’t be bored with some generic statements.

Going back to the introduction, it’s important to point out that you need to start it with a suitable childhood obesity essay hook. Let’s move straight to our examples. You might have never heard this, but only 2% of children in the USA follow a healthy diet. This fact is really terrifying and disappointing. Moreover, way too many kids are really off the regular diet, which is not that healthy as well. By the way, did you know that in more than 90% of the cases, childhood obesity develops into a lifetime problem that will not only make life harder but also shorter? One of the scientific fast food and obesity research papers has stunned the whole world with this shocking statistic.

As you can see, with a beginning like this one, you will be able to stun your audience and engage them in reading the fast food and obesity essay that you have created. All the information stated above might seem enough for a good paper, but we want to give you as many options for writing as possible. Let’s jump right into them!

It sounds shocking, but more than 25% of children do not participate in leisure-time physical activity. Indeed, this information is terrible, but it is not as bad as the next fact. 3 out of 4 kids are not getting enough of daily physical activity to remain healthy. And that is already enough to start worrying about their health, as well as the well-being of others.

You probably wonder if there are any ways to solve the existing problem forever. Well, there are a couple of solutions, which will be offered further in this article. You may also include them in your informative essay on childhood obesity. But before that, let us give you some facts proving that this issue is quite dangerous and definitely worth attention. Over 70% of children who are overweight or obese are more susceptible to heart diseases than kids with average weight. Moreover, overweight and obese youngsters are 52% more likely to develop such a dangerous disease as asthma. Therefore, we have to think of the ways to solve this problem as soon as possible. This short essay on childhood obesity will give you all the ways to cope with that in the most effective way.

Alright, after you are done with your childhood obesity essay thesis and introduction, you will need to think of the main part of your article. So now it is time to look closer at the body of your essay.

Writing the main part of the childhood obesity research paper or essay

At first glance, it may seem that writing the body of the paper is quite an easy task; however, this is not exactly the case. Expert writers know that working on any of the existing childhood obesity research paper topics for college students, you will spend most of your time on two things: looking for information and writing the body of your essay. Just like in any other part, you will have to use reliable information that you have found before. This is always the best way to write a childhood obesity essay. Now, if you have enough material, you will be able to take the next step to creating your paper.  

Remember that the main part should be well-structured. There are many ways to organize your information, but you need to note one thing about writing this part of your text. All of your facts and statistics need to be related to the thesis of your college essay on childhood obesity. That means that you cannot just include any piece of information that has the word ‘obesity’ in it. So make sure the found data is relevant.

Also, make sure that the facts in your informative essay on childhood obesity do not contradict each other. Moreover, if the body of the paper is difficult to read, you will need to revise some parts. Just a tip for you: you may put the statistics at the beginning of the body and then provide an explanation to it. Afterward, you can include the local data or just the more specific statistics to show the current state of an issue.

And now, let’s consider what we can write in the actual research paper on obesity and fast food. You are welcome to use all these tips in your essay!

What are the actual factors that contributed to the occurrence of child obesity? You might think of many things, but the most notable ones are mass media, unhealthy lifestyle, and lack of exercise. Let us examine all of them because it will help us have a better understanding of a problem.

So, how is mass media linked to childhood obesity? Well, the first and probably the main problem is that there is no coverage of this topic on TV, which is still one of the most popular media. Therefore, it is crucial to launch the advertising campaign on television so that parents, as well as their children, are aware of the issue. It might seem like this is the only problem we have with television; however, this is not exactly the case.

The second problem we face when talking about the mass media is that childhood obesity is one of the ‘funny’ topics depicted in most of American TV shows. Watch a popular comedy, and you will see that the overweight person is always the ridiculous one. Childhood obesity is not shown as something terrible but is instead used as an offensive comic relief. Therefore, it would be a great idea to include this argument in every persuasive essay about obesity to make sure it is given enough attention.

Another serious issue related to child obesity is the overconsumption of junk food. It is one of the problems that would be best covered in a descriptive essay on childhood obesity. Moreover, you may also explain how fast food restaurants are advertised on TV. For example, the characters in TV shows are often depicted eating unhealthy food in dinners or ordering pizza, and many kids would like to eat the same food in order to take the example of their favorite actors and actresses. So this aspect is also worth your attention.

At the beginning of this article, in which we advised you on how to start an essay on childhood obesity, it was mentioned that the issue of obesity appeared simultaneously with the emergence of the first fast-food restaurants. So it is not fair to claim that only mass media is to be blamed for the problem. The topic of fast-food industry is covered in many childhood obesity speeches because many speakers and writers consider this to be one of the biggest causes of childhood obesity.

And the problem does not concern fast-food restaurants only. The same food is sold at schools because it is financially disadvantageous for the authorities to supply healthy products as they are usually much more expensive than pizza or French fries. So this is one more issue to expose in your problem-solving essay on childhood obesity. However, there are even more reasons that contribute to the issue.

It is no surprise that kids nowadays are spending too much time doing things that are unhealthy for them. Playing games on the sofa, eating in front of the TV, and chatting while lying in bed is critically harmful to a child’s health. And obviously, the biggest problem it might lead to is obesity. It may not seem possible for an ‘always active kid.’ But are you sure they are active enough? Before we even started talking on how to write an essay on childhood obesity, it was mentioned that 3 out of 4 kids do not get involved in enough physical activities. It sounds terrible, but this problem is quite difficult to solve. The reason is that most of us would not prefer going out to do some sports over sitting in front of the TV, watching favorite shows, and eating some snacks.

A lot of people cannot imagine their lives without snacks. It seems like there is nothing wrong about that, but eventually, it turns out that by eating those, you consume a huge number of calories. The latest infographic shows that an average kid in 2015 ate 200 calories more than the daily norm. It resulted in the fast-growing number of obese children in the 21 st century. Therefore, if you’re writing a short essay on childhood obesity, you may even focus solely on the snacking issue.

Our lifestyle has also affected the way we cook ordinary meals. Moms do not cook something sophisticated for their kids anymore. Of course, it is much easier to go out and have a pizza or burger at a fast-food restaurant. It is OK to eat out from time to time; however, you should generally stick to a healthy lifestyle anyway. This way, you and your kids will never get obese or overweight. So you are welcome to discuss this problem in more details in your childhood obesity research paper.

One more serious issue is the lack of exercising. It is probably the biggest factor that makes the new generation even more susceptible to obesity than it was before. With the rise of different devices, the old ways of entertainment have almost disappeared. Just try to remember what things were popular in the past; those were all kinds of sport from football to tennis, dancing, and hiking. That is why nowadays when the ‘traditional’ activities are getting less popular, it is crucial to provide new ways of keeping the younger generation fit. It might be free hours in the gym or something else that would encourage the kids to do their daily exercising.

So, these were the subtopics that you may cover in your descriptive essay on childhood obesity. If you have thought of some more causes while writing this article, you are welcome to include them as well. Overall, do not forget to include all of the points you like into your childhood obesity essay outline in order to help yourself navigate through ideas when writing.

What are the effects of overweightness that you can include in your papers on childhood obesity?

We all know that obesity and overweightness lead to health problems. But which ones exactly? And why every doctor in the United States is so worried about the health of the younger generation? Well, the reason is that obesity may lead to lethal consequences if not taken care of. Therefore, it is important to give as much information about this topic as possible in your problem-solving essay on childhood obesity. We also need to know in what way all of these health problems might affect the kids’ lives in the future if obesity is not prevented.

The study held at Stanford University has detected the risks of child overweight. The first one is high blood pressure that is the least severe effect of obesity, yet the one you have to take care of immediately. It is easily detected as the person suffering from the disease is feeling bad because of the slight weather changes or any unusual physical activity. And those are not the worst things about high blood pressure.

The next dreadful effect of obesity and probably the thing that will follow high blood pressure is various heart diseases. That is the point when medical help must be provided in order to save the overweight person from developing more fatal conditions.  A lot of child obesity papers usually revolve around heart conditions caused by the problem, and if you need to focus on something you will find a lot of information on, this is your best shot.

The other terrible disease that is common among obese adults is diabetes. Therefore, one might think that children are safe from gaining it. However, the study conducted at Stanford University shows that nowadays, kids can also develop type 2 diabetes.

And perhaps the deadliest condition everybody is afraid of is cancer. Both obese men and women are more susceptible to it than people with a healthy weight. Women have increased the risk of colon and breast cancer, while men are vulnerable to prostate and colorectal cancer.

Last but not least are the mental issues. We live in a world where everything has to be perfect. Therefore, overweight people might suffer from bullying. The problem gets even more serious when we talk about children. Bullying at schools is a common thing, and kids with obesity seem to be an easy target. That is why obese people might get depression or suicidal thoughts.

These are the most common points that can be included in your research paper on obesity and fast food. They can be covered very extensively and may even be used for thesis papers and dissertations.

What do we learn from that about the problem?

There was a lot of different information in this article, and we hope that some of it will be useful for your argumentative essay on child obesity or a research paper. The problem of childhood overweight is something that is getting worse year by year. People do not realize that obesity is not given from birth and may lead to dreadful consequences. Therefore, we all have to be aware of this dangerous condition and know the ways to prevent it.

At the end of your paper, it is important to summarize what you have learned studying this problem. Tell the reader why is it important to raise awareness about it as well as specify its main causes and ways how to prevent it.

Finally, in your childhood obesity essay conclusion, explain why childhood overweight is really dangerous. You may list the worst consequences of this condition in this part and restate what has been mentioned in the text previously. And remember that your essay on the causes of childhood obesity should be clear and informative. We wish you luck in your writing and believe that you will submit a really top-notch paper that can help people understand the dangers of obesity!

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Home — Essay Samples — Nursing & Health — Public Health Issues — Childhood Obesity

Essays on Childhood Obesity

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Childhood Obesity Causes & Consequences

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Childhood Obesity: Prevention & Treatment

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The Problem of Childhood Obesity in America

Actions needed to prevent childhood obesity in the usa, the roles of parents, schools, and the media in child obesity, a discussion of whether parents are responsible for childhood obesity, childhood obesity as a nutritional issue in new zealand, the influence of obesogenic environment on the rise of child obesity in the united states, the issue of consumer manipulation responsible for child obesity, childhood obesity outbreak: a challenge on parenting, problems, and inference, the nationwide epidemic of child obesity and its prevention, the factors contributing to child obesity in the united states, the contributions of the nature versus nurture theories in child obesity, research on lifestyle and diet of students, combatting child obesity, obesity in america, importance of a healthy lifestyle and adopting nutritious eating habits, the impact of childhood obesity: causes, consequences, and solutions, a comprehensive approach to physical activity at euclid middle school, child obesity essay outline, importance of good health, childhood obesity political cartoon.

Childhood obesity is a condition where excess body fat negatively affects a child's health or well-being.

Childhood obesity can be brought on by a range of factors which often act in combination. "Obesogenic environment" is the medical term set aside for this mixture of elements. The greatest risk factor for child obesity is the obesity of both parents. This may be reflected by the family's environment and genetics. Other reasons may also be due to psychological factors and the child's body type.

The first problems to occur in obese children are usually emotional or psychological. However it can also lead to life-threatening conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep problems, cancer, and other disorders. Some of the other disorders would include liver disease, early puberty or menarche, eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, skin infections, and asthma and other respiratory problems.

Black and Latino youths have substantially higher rates of overweight and obesity than do their White peers. An overweight adolescent has a 70 percent chance of becoming an overweight or obese adult. Since 1980, the obesity prevalence among children and adolescents has almost tripled. Children with obesity have three times more healthcare expenditures than children at healthy weights, costing an estimated $14 billion every year.

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• Eating Disorders
• Drug Addiction
• Teenage Pregnancy
• Vaccination
• Birth Control

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• Instructions Followed To The Letter
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• Preventing Obesity Health Issues From the Childhood Words: 2163
• Childhood Obesity, Its Definition and Causes Words: 685
• Childhood Obesity Risks and Preventive Measures Words: 1519
• Articles About Childhood Obesity Words: 874
• Childhood Obesity: Causes and Solutions Words: 886
• Causes and Consequences of Childhood Obesity Words: 904
• Childhood Obesity as an International Problem Words: 2662
• Researching Childhood Obesity Issues Words: 547
• Childhood Obesity Risks, Reasons, Prevention Words: 1376
• Childhood Obesity: Problem Analysis Words: 1869
• Childhood Obesity in the USA Words: 694
• Childhood Obesity and Public Health Intervention Words: 1100
• Childhood Obesity and Family’s Responsibility Words: 933
• Childhood Obesity in the US: Factors and Challenges Words: 2685
• Childhood Obesity: The Parents’ Responsibility Words: 1187
• Childhood Obesity, Demographics and Environment Words: 992
• Problem of the Childhood Obesity Words: 616
• Childhood Obesity and Community Nursing Intervention Words: 2888
• Childhood Obesity and Nutrition Words: 4593
• Childhood Obesity: a Population Health Issue Words: 1120
• Childhood Obesity Prevention: Physical Education and Nutrition Words: 2520
• Childhood Obesity and Control Measures in the US Words: 1161

Childhood Obesity: Causes and Effects

Introduction, feasible solution, concluding thoughts.

It is impossible to deny that good health is one of the most significant phenomena for people. When some health issues affect an individual, he or she suffers from compromised well-being, denoting that it is impossible to live fully-fledged lives. That is why it is of importance for people to take care of their health, and one should draw attention to this activity as early as possible. The rationale behind this statement is that problems that develop during childhood are more likely to result in adverse consequences in the future. This description refers to childhood obesity, which is a dangerous and widespread phenomenon. According to the World Health Organization (2021), this term stands for “an abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health” (para. 2). Body mass index (BMI) is typically measured to assess whether a young individual has weight issues. In particular, children of 5-19 years old are considered having obesity if their weight is higher than two standard deviations above the accepted average value (World Health Organization, 2021). This explanation and the statistical value above ensure that the problem is severe and requires specific attention.

Simultaneously, additional statistical data proves that the issue is widespread. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2022), 19.7% (14.7 million) of children and adolescents in the USA suffered from the issue in 2017-2020. This statistical value demonstrates that it is impossible to overestimate the need to prevent the problem. Thus, childhood obesity has many causes and effects, which denotes that parents and teachers should make children with obesity engage in regular physical exercise in school and at home to solve the problem.

A comprehensive approach should be utilized to determine what causes lead to childhood obesity. According to a scholarly and peer-reviewed article by Deal et al. (2020), there are many risk factors, and one can classify them into three groups based on the periods when they occur. These are prenatal, neonatal and infancy, as well as childhood and adolescence stages. Firstly, a child can be subject to obesity for a number of reasons, including parents’ obesity, exposure to antibiotics, maternal smoking, and diabetes (Deal et al., 2020). This information demonstrates that children’s health is formed until they have come into being.

Secondly, the first months of life can also contribute to the problem under analysis. Weight gain can occur if birth weight is over four kilograms, antibiotics are used for a long period, or a diet is full of added sugars (Deal et al., 2020). Thirdly, it is reasonable to consider the processes during childhood and adolescence since they can be impactful. In particular, these causes can be social, physical, and nutritional. Among social factors, poverty is the most influential one because it stipulates that children live in physically and emotionally disadvantaged conditions that promote obesity (Deal et al., 2020). Additional causes are more specific and include food insecurity and family stressors. As for physical factors, it is challenging to determine which one is the most impactful. This statement denotes that high screen time, poor sleep, and insufficient exercise contribute to the spread of the problem (Deal et al., 2020). Finally, an excessive intake of fat and sugar is a significant nutritional cause (Deal et al., 2020). This information reveals that many processes and phenomena result in the fact that a child suffers from excessive weight.

In addition to that, I can incorporate a few examples from my experience that prove the statements above. I know a guy who has not engaged in any sports activity during his life. Now, he suffers from being overweight and tries to solve the issue. Another example refers to my neighbors who gave birth to their daughter a few years ago. The family is in compromised economic conditions, which denotes that they do not have sufficient money to follow healthy diets. This scenario results in the fact that their child started gaining weight and currently suffers from the problem.

Other scholars utilize a narrower approach to find a cause of childhood obesity. In particular, Han et al. (2020) conducted a scientific study to determine whether proximity to fast food could lead to childhood obesity. According to the authors, they have found credible evidence demonstrating that obesity rates were higher among those children who lived closer to fast food locations (Han et al., 2020). Some critics can state that this suggestion is not appropriate because fast food restaurants are widespread almost in every state, but it is challenging to argue with facts. This finding is significant because it demonstrates that environmental factors can be critical in causing the problem under analysis. The authors stipulate that children tend to attend such locations on their way home from school. It is not reasonable to underestimate this evidence because it reveals that fast-food chains and various franchises are harmful to children and, therefore, dangerous for the future of the entire nation.

The information above has represented different approaches to defining the causes of childhood obesity. On the one hand, Deal et al. (2020) relied on a comprehensive analysis and identified multiple risk factors that contribute to the problem collectively. On the other hand, Han et al. (2020) stated that a single aspect could be a significant cause. Even though the study by Han et al. (2020) offered valuable and credible conclusions, it seems that a comprehensive approach is more appropriate. Childhood obesity is a complicated problem, and it is challenging to believe that limiting children’s access to fast-food restaurants can completely solve the issue. This strategy can reduce the prevalence, but harmful food can come from other sources. That is why it is challenging to deny that many essential aspects contribute to the spread of childhood obesity.

Since a significant part of the US population suffers from the health issue under review, it is reasonable to look at what effects it brings. The focus on potential consequences is needed because it can demonstrate whether urgent responses are required to protect people. As for childhood obesity, it is possible to divide its effects into two groups. They are physical and psychological causes, and each of the groups should receive sufficient attention.

On the one hand, physical consequences are more evident and straightforward. Since an organism is forced to deal with excessive weight, some of its processes witness additional challenges that lead to specific problems. According to Deal et al. (2020), adverse effects impact neurological, pulmonary, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, renal, endocrine, reproductive, and musculoskeletal systems performance. Thus, specific consequences are versatile, and they include hypertension, coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, asthma, orthopedic disorders, stroke, and certain cancers (Deal et al., 2020). This information demonstrates that it is impossible to underestimate the role that obesity plays for every child who deals with it. Since many systems are impacted negatively, children with an excessive weight typically request medical services more often. This state of affairs results in a higher financial burden for their parents. Moreover, Deal et al. (2020) indicate that childhood obesity can result in health issues that will finally lead to adult mortality. Thus, various scholars and healthcare professionals highlight the danger of physical consequences that can be brought by the issue under analysis.

On the other hand, childhood obesity can result in psychological or mental consequences. The given condition makes children understand that they are different from others and limits their abilities. For example, it is not a rare occasion when children with obesity have difficulties finding friends. That is why it is not surprising that many mental health issues arise as consequences. In particular, they are depression, stress, eating disorders, low self-esteem, and poor health (Chu et al., 2019). It is impossible to deny that these conditions harmfully impact young individuals and their development. If a child deals with depression at school, it is likely that this person will be subject to harmful effects of the same mental condition being an adult. In fact, many psychological problems find their origin in childhood, which justifies the fact that many scholars draw their attention to these phenomena. Children with obesity are suitable subjects for such studies because these individuals are subject to various harmful effects.

Simultaneously, examples from my life can help understand why the issue is a big problem. I know a few children with this condition, and all of them feel depressed and isolated. As for adults, they can also experience some difficulties having romantic relationships. Among people with obesity whom I know, each individual has other health problems that have emerged because of their extra weight. That is why it is impossible to underestimate the negative effects of the phenomenon.

This information demonstrates that childhood obesity is associated with multiple adverse consequences. Since the problem is associated with excessive weight, it is not surprising that significant physical health problems are prevalent. Obesity creates many difficulties, meaning that people and their organisms are forced to spend more energy dealing with this body condition. That is why it is not a rare case that children with obesity are subject to multiple comorbidities. Simultaneously, it is not reasonable to ignore subtle consequences that refer to psychological issues. Mental health problems are also important because they can significantly affect children’s development. Depression, anxiety, difficulties finding friends, and even social isolation are sometimes closely linked to childhood obesity. It is now impossible to state which group of effects is more significant or harmful because all of them negatively affect children and their well-being. The impact even becomes higher when multiple issues influence a single child.

The information above demonstrates that a timely and appropriate response is required. Since the selected problem affects many children, various stakeholders should find a solution to the issue. Thus, parents, teachers, and other involved individuals should join efforts to determine what specific intervention can protect children’s health. According to the available scientific data, subjecting young individuals to regular physical exercises can be considered a feasible solution.

One should admit that it is possible to use different methods to implement the suggested intervention, and school-based exercises seem a suitable option since children and adolescents spend much time at school. Consequently, they can use it profitably and engage in the sports activity. Duncombe et al. (2022) have conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) programs in combating childhood obesity. That is why the researchers have located and analyzed 54 credible studies that, in turn, focused on the impact of physical exercise on various health outcomes. In particular, Duncombe et al. (2022) have focused on the effects of running, cycling, jumping, throwing, and other activities and identified that they contributed to various improved consequences. In particular, they are reduced waist circumference, body fat percentage, and body mass index (Duncombe et al., 2022). Teachers should be actively involved in this intervention, meaning that physical education lesson plans should be changed to ensure that children with obesity are engaged in those activities that can address their condition.

This intervention should be implemented at a state level, which denotes that state health departments should develop exercise guidelines for schools. These recommendations should specify what exercises are appropriate for children based on their abilities. Thus, teachers can rely on these guidelines to ensure that the suggested interventions are suitable for children and provide the latter with positive impacts that can lead to losing weight.

Simultaneously, schools are not the only environments that are suitable to address the problem under analysis. Children and adolescents also spend much time at home with their parents, and it is reasonable to ensure that the latter participate in addressing the problem. According to Bülbül (2020), it is useful to subject children with obesity to various exercise types, including aerobic exercise, muscle strengthening, bone strengthening, and extension. Specific exercises include running, cycling, weightlifting, walking, team sports, and gymnastics (Bülbül, 2020). Since these activities do not require specific skills and specialized equipment, young individuals can easily do them at home or outdoors.

The only requirement is that children should allocate 20-60 minutes a few times a week to exercise regularly. However, one should state separately that young individuals are unlikely to engage in systematic exercises because they do not have sufficient motivation. That is why parents should control their children and ensure that they practice regularly. This statement denotes that state health departments should create exercise plans and distribute them among teachers and parents. In this case, adults will join their efforts to help children lose weight. Consequently, the responsibility is placed on adults since they should better understand the importance of this intervention and deliver this information to their sons and daughters.

The identified evidence demonstrates that there are many interventions that can help reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity. On the one hand, school-based responses are effective because children and adolescents spend much time in these establishments. That is why physical education lessons should be restructured to ensure that students with the given condition engage in appropriate activities that help them lose weight. On the other hand, home-based interventions are also required to solve the problem. Parents are expected to make their children participate in regular exercises at home and outdoors. However, one cannot state which approach is the most effective. That is why it could be better to ensure that a versatile approach is utilized, meaning that home and school-based interventions are used simultaneously. As has been mentioned, specific exercise plans will provide these adults with recommendations on how they can make reasonable contributions to solving the problem. It is possible to expect that if children engage in physical exercise in school and at home, better outcomes can be reached.

The report has comprehensively analyzed the issue of childhood obesity and made a few reasonable conclusions based on scientific evidence. It has been found that versatile behaviors and conditions can be considered contributing factors, while the condition leads to multiple adverse effects. Thus, the paper has devoted a sufficient section of the paper to discussing a feasible solution. According to the available literature, a suitable and effective option is to make children with obesity involved in regular physical exercise. This intervention requires the efforts of many stakeholders, including parents and school teachers, because it can be implemented in school and home-based environments. In practice, such interventions can be practiced in physical education lessons, at home, and outdoors. Suitable activities include cycling, running, jumping, team sports, walking, and weightlifting. It is challenging to state which approach or which activity is the most effective. That is why a reasonable strategy is to solve the problem comprehensively.

Bülbül S. (2020). Exercise in the treatment of childhood obesity . Turk Pediatri Arsivi , 55 (1), 2-10.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Childhood obesity facts . 

Chu, D. T., Nguyet, N. T. M., Nga, V. T., Lien, N. V. T., Vo, D. D., Lien, N., Ngoc, V. T. N., Son, L. H., Le., D.-H., Nga, V. B., Tu, P. V., To, T. V., Ha., L. S., Tao, Y., & Pham, V. H. (2019). An update on obesity: Mental consequences and psychological interventions. Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews, 13 (1), 155-160.

Deal, B. J., Huffman, M. D., Binns, H., & Stone, N. J. (2020). Perspective: Childhood obesity requires new strategies for prevention. Advances in Nutrition, 11 (5), 1071-1078.

Duncombe, S. L., Barker, A. R., Bond, B., Earle, R., Varley-Campbell, J., Vlachopoulos, D., Walker, J. L., Weston, K. L., & Stylianou, M. (2022). School-based high-intensity interval training programs in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PloS ONE , 17 (5), e0266427.

Han, J., Schwartz, A. E., & Elbel, B. (2020). Does proximity to fast food cause childhood obesity? Evidence from public housing . Regional Science and Urban Economics, 84 , 103565.

World Health Organization. (2021). Obesity and overweight .

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How To Write A Strong Obesity Research Paper?

Table of Contents

Obesity is such a disease when the percent of body fat has negative effects on a person’s health. The topic is very serious as obesity poisons the lives of many teens, adults and even children around the whole world.

Can you imagine that according to WHO (World Health Organization) there were 650 million obese adults and 13% of all 18-year-olds were also obese in 2016? And scientists claim that the number of them is continually growing.

There are many reasons behind the problem, but no matter what they are, lots of people suffer from the wide spectrum of consequences of obesity.

Basic guidelines on obesity research paper

Writing any research paper requires sticking to an open-and-shut structure. It has three basic parts: Introduction, Main Body, and Conclusion.

According to the general rules, you start with the introduction where you provide your reader with some background information and give brief definitions of terms used in the text. Next goes the thesis of your paper.

The thesis is the main idea of all the research you’ve done written in a precise and simple manner, usually in one sentence.

The main body is where you present the statements and ideas which disclose the topic of your research.

In conclusion, you sum up all the text and make a derivation.

How to write an obesity thesis statement?

As I’ve already noted, the thesis is the main idea of your work. What is your position? What do you think about the issue? What is that you want to prove in your essay?

Answer one of those questions briefly and precisely.

Here are some examples of how to write a thesis statement for an obesity research paper:

• The main cause of obesity is determined to be surfeit and unhealthy diet.
• Obesity can be prevented no matter what genetic penchants are.
• Except for being a problem itself, obesity may result in diabetes, cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and many others.
• Obesity is a result of fast-growing civilization development.
• Not only do obese people have health issues but also they have troubles when it comes to socialization.

20 top-notch obesity research paper topics

Since the problem of obesity is very multifaceted and has a lot of aspects to discover, you have to define a topic you want to cover in your essay.

How about writing a fast food and obesity research paper or composing a topic in a sphere of fast food? Those issues gain more and more popularity nowadays.

A couple of other decent ideas at your service.

• The consequences of obesity.
• Obesity as a mental problem.
• Obesity and social standards: the problem of proper self-fulfilment.
• Overweight vs obesity: the use of BMI (Body Mass Index).
• The problem of obesity in your country.
• Methods of prevention the obesity.
• Is lack of self-control a principal factor of becoming obese?
• The least obvious reasons for obesity.
• Obesity: the history of the disease.
• The effect of mass media in augmentation of the obesity level.
• The connection between depression and obesity.
• The societal stigma of obese people.
• The role of legislation in reducing the level of obesity.
• Obesity and cultural aspect.
• Who has the biggest part of the responsibility for obesity: persons themselves, local authorities, government, mass media or somebody else?
• Why are obesity rates constantly growing?
• Who is more prone to obesity, men or women? Why?
• Correlation between obesity and life expectancy.
• The problem of discrimination of the obese people at the workplace.
• Could it be claimed that such movements as body-positive and feminism encourage obesity to a certain extent?

Best sample of obesity research paper outline

An outline is a table of contents which is made at the very beginning of your writing. It helps structurize your thoughts and create a plan for the whole piece in advance.

…Need a sample?

Here is one! It fits the paper on obesity in the U.S.

Introduction

• Hook sentence.
• Thesis statement.
• Transition to Main Body.
• America’s modern plague: obesity.
• Statistics and obesity rates in America.
• Main reasons of obesity in America.
• Social, cultural and other aspects involved in the problem of obesity.
• Methods of preventing and treating obesity in America.
• Transition to Conclusion.
• Unexpected twist or a final argument.
• Food for thought.

Specifics of childhood obesity research paper

A separate question in the problem of obesity is overweight children.

It is singled out since there are quite a lot of differences in clinical pictures, reasons and ways of treatment of an obese adult and an obese child.

Writing a child obesity research paper requires a more attentive approach to the analysis of its causes and examination of family issues. There’s a need to consider issues like eating habits, daily routine, predispositions and other.

Top 20 childhood obesity research paper topics

We’ve gathered the best ideas for your paper on childhood obesity. Take one of those to complete your best research!

• What are the main causes of childhood obesity in your country?
• Does obesity in childhood increase the chance of obesity in adulthood?
• Examine whether a child’s obesity affects academic performance.
• Are parents always guilty if their child is obese?
• What methods of preventing childhood obesity are used in your school?
• What measures the government can take to prevent children’s obesity?
• Examine how childhood obesity can result in premature development of chronic diseases.
• Are obese or overweight parents more prone to have an obese child?
• Why childhood obesity rates are constantly growing around the whole world?
• How to encourage children to lead a healthy style of life?
• Are there more junk and fast food options for children nowadays? How is that related to childhood obesity rates?
• What is medical treatment for obese children?
• Should fast food chains have age limits for their visitors?
• How should parents bring up their child in order to prevent obesity?
• The problem of socializing in obese children.
• Examine the importance of a proper healthy menu in schools’ cafeterias.
• Should the compulsory treatment of obese children be started up?
• Excess of care as the reason for childhood obesity.
• How can parents understand that their child is obese?
• How can the level of wealth impact the chance of a child’s obesity?

Childhood obesity outline example

As the question of childhood obesity is a specific one, it would differ from the outline on obesity we presented previously.

Here is a sample you might need. The topic covers general research on child obesity.

• The problem of childhood obesity.
• World’s childhood obesity rates.
• How to diagnose the disease.
• Predisposition and other causes of child obesity.
• Methods of treatment for obese children.
• Preventive measures to avoid a child’s obesity.

On balance…

The topic of obesity is a long-standing one. It has numerous aspects to discuss, sides to examine, and data to analyze.

Any topic you choose might result in brilliant work.

How can you achieve that?

Follow the basic requirements, plan the content beforehand, and be genuinely interested in the topic.

Option 2. Choose free time over struggle on the paper. We’ve got dozens of professional writers ready to help you out. Order your best paper within several seconds and enjoy your free time. We’ll cover you up!

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150 Obesity Essay Topics + [Obesity Essay Example]

• September 15, 2022
• Essay Topics and Ideas

Obesity is a serious issue in the United States, and it’s only going to get worse before it gets better. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one-third of American adults are obese, which is a worrying statistic. If you’re looking for obesity essay topics to write about, you’ve come to the right place!

Here's What You'll Learn

• What is Obesity?

Obesity is an excess of body fat that leads to health problems. Obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) above 30. BMI is a measure of weight in relation to height. It uses the following formula:

BMI = weight (kg) / height (m2)

A BMI over 30 indicates obesity. A BMI over 25 indicates being overweight, and a BMI over 30 indicates obesity. Obesity is associated with an increased risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, some types of cancer, and arthritis.

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How to Write an Obesity Essay

The format of an obesity essay is similar to writing any other essay. If you need help regarding how to write an obesity essay , it is the same as writing any other essay. 

Obesity Essay Introduction

The trick is to start your essay with an interesting and catchy sentence. This will help attract the reader’s attention and motivate them to read further. You don’t want to lose the reader’s interest in the beginning and leave a bad impression, especially if the reader is your teacher.

A hook sentence is usually used to open the introductory paragraph of an essay in order to make it interesting. When writing an essay on obesity, the hook sentence can be in the form of an interesting fact or statistic.

Once you have hooked the reader, the next step is to provide them with relevant background information about the topic. Don’t give away too much at this stage or bombard them with excess information that the reader ends up getting bored with. Only share information that is necessary for the reader to understand your topic.

Next, write a strong thesis statement at the end of your essay , be sure that your thesis identifies the purpose of your essay in a clear and concise manner. Also, keep in mind that the thesis statement should be easy to justify as the body of your essay will revolve around it.

Body Paragraphs

The details related to your topic are to be included in the body paragraphs of your essay . You can use statistics, facts, and figures related to obesity to reinforce your thesis throughout your essay. 

If you are writing a cause-and-effect obesity essay , you can mention different causes of obesity and how it can affect a person’s overall health. The number of body paragraphs can increase depending on the parameters of the assignment as set forth by your instructor.

Start each body paragraph with a topic sentence that is the crux of its content. It is necessary to write an engaging topic sentence as it helps grab the reader’s interest . Check out this detailed blog on writing a topic sentence to further understand it.

End your essay with a conclusion by restating your research and tying it to your thesis statement . You can also propose possible solutions to control obesity in your conclusion. Make sure that your conclusion is short yet powerful.

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Obesity Essay Topics

Argumentative obesity essay topics.

• How does Obesity Affect Health ?
• What Causes Obesity?
• Is Obesity a Disease?
• What are the Effects of Obesity on Health?
• How Can Obesity be treated?
• What are the Risks Associated with Obesity?
• How Can Obesity Be Prevented?
• The Causes of Obesity
• The Effects of Obesity on Health
• Strategies for Reducing Obesity
• Solutions to the Problem of Obesity

Analytical Obesity Essay Topics

• What is obesity?
• Causes of obesity
• Diagnosis and treatment of obesity
• Preventing obesity in children
• Obesity in the elderly
• Epidemiology of obesity
• What are the causes of obesity?
• How can obesity be prevented or treated?
• How has obesity become a global epidemic?
• What are the health risks associated with obesity?
• How can obese individuals live healthier and happier lives?
• What are the economic costs of obesity?
• What is the role of diet and exercise in the prevention and treatment of obesity?
• What are the social and cultural implications of obesity?
• How can obesity be addressed in international health policy ?
• What are the future prospects for obesity research ?

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Persuasive Obesity Essay Topics

• Obesity is a problem that is becoming more and more common in the United States . What are some reasons for this increase in obesity?
• What are some of the consequences of obesity?
• How can obesity be prevented or cured?
• What are some ways in which obesity can be treated?
• What are some of the interventions that are currently being used to treat obesity?
• What are the ethical implications of obesity?
• What are some possible solutions to the obesity problem?
• What are the challenges that will need to be overcome in order to solve the obesity problem ?
• What are some possible strategies for dealing with obesity?
• What are some possible implications of obesity on the health of people in the United States?

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Cause and Effect Obesity Essay Topics

• How has obesity become such a problem in the United States?
• What are some contributing factors to obesity?
• How has obesity been linked to various health problems?
• What can be done to address obesity?
• What are some possible solutions to obesity?
• What are the long-term effects of obesity?
• What are the social and cultural consequences of obesity?
• What are the public health implications of obesity?

You can also check out Mental Health Essay Topics

Top Obesity Essay Topics

• Obesity and overweight: what is the difference?
• Obesity: causes & effects
• Preventing child obesity
• A Lifetime Condition – Obesity
• Nursing Phone Call Program for Obesity Control Among Paediatric Patients
• The Specifics of Obesity Among Pilots
• Obesity as a Worldwide Problem and Its Solution
• Obesity Among the Elderly and Behavior Intervention
• School Lunches Addressing Childhood Obesity
• The Rising of Obesity in America
• Childhood Obesity: Prevention Methods
• Advertising as a Current Issue in Childhood Obesity
• How Obesity Affects Our Health
• Obesity and Its Challenges Analysis
• Health Concerns and Obesity Among Acworth Residents
• Advertising and Childhood Obesity
• Obesity and Bariatric Surgery Intervention
• Pediatric Obesity and Screen Time
• Obesity Rates in Lithuania
• Obesity in America: Gastric Bypass Surgery and Bariatric Surgery
• Childhood Obesity and Related Program Evaluation
• Obesity Tackling on Critical Thinking Standards
• Obesity and Psychosocial Factors Affecting It
• Japanese Campaign Against Obesity
• Survey to Study the Relationship Between Fast Food Consumption and Obesity
• Obesity as a Family Issue in the Community
• Youth Culture, Obesity and Moral Panic
• Obesity Blame Culture and Its Major Causes
• Tobacco Consumption and Obesity
• The Problem of Obesity: Public Health Infrastructure
• The Main Reasons and the Ways of Obesity Prevention
• Dieting Habits Associated With Obesity
• Screen Time and Pediatric Obesity
• Food Addiction and Obesity in Children and Teens
• Health Promotion and Obesity Prevention
• The Problem of the Childhood Obesity in Modern Society
• Commercial Advertising Impact on Child Obesity
• What Is the Cause of Rising Obesity in the America
• Child Obesity and Overweight in the United States
• Global Trends in Overweight and Obesity
• The Problem of Childhood Obesity
• Dunet et al.’s Obesity & State Plan Article Critique
• Obesity in the UAE: An Overview
• Management of Obesity and Social Issues That Emerge With Its Development
• Childhood Obesity Intervention and Its Effectiveness
• School Lunch Program on Reducing Obesity Among Children
• Factors That Lead to Obesity Among Children and Adolescents
• Situational Analysis of Obesity in the United Arab Emirates
• Utilizing Pender’s Health Promotion Model: Patient Education
• Childhood Obesity as a Serious Public Health Problem
• Communication Between Sleep, Behavior and Obesity
• The Medical and Non-Medical Interventions in Obesity Among School Going
• Obesity Among Schoolchildren and Solutions
• Obesity and Nutritional and Surgical Management
• Obesity and Management
• Overweight and Obesity Among Primary School Children
• Screening for Obesity
• Overweight and Obesity Among African Americans
• Epidemiology of Obesity: Development and Impact
• Primary Prevention of Childhood Obesity Guideline
• Clinical Guidelines for Adult Obesity
• Five Issues on Obesity and Being Overweight
• The Relationship Between Hypothyroidism and Obesity
• Obesity in the U.S.: Ways of Addressing the Problem
• Obesity Challenge and Changes in American Society
• Public Health. Epidemiology of Obesity
• Obesity as a Public Health Issue
• Obesity in Adults: Issue Review
• Obesity Among the Elderly People in Warren Township
• Childhood Obesity: Problems and Issues
• Advertising and Child Obesity: Content Analysis of Food Commercial on Saturday Morning Television
• Obesity and Excess Body Fat in Humans and Rats
• Problem of Obesity in America
• Obesity in America Caused by Unhealthy Nutrition
• Television Plus Junk Foods Equal Childhood Obesity
• Teen Obesity and Social Stratification
• Obesity Issue in Oklahoma
• Potential Causes of Obesity
• Obesity Problem in America
• Bariatric Surgery and Obesity in America
• What’s Obesity: Brief Overview
• Critical Thinking With Obesity
• COVID-19 and obesity
• Obesity and cancer: the connection
• The most common health consequences of obesity
• Obesity and malnutrition in developing countries
• Healthy food promotion as a way to prevent obesity
• Preventing overweight on the societal level
• Physical activity as a way to fight obesity

Childhood Obesity Essay Topics

• Impact of parents on the child’s obesity.
• Reasons why a child is obese if they are well raised.
• Compare excessive weight rates among adults and children.
• How can gadgets affect the increased weight among children?.
• How can wifi contribute to children’s lack of movement?
• Regular exercise promoting a healthy weight among children.
• Abuse of children leads to uncontrolled eating as they grow old.
• Neglected children tend to eat more as a sign of rebellion.
• Health effects of obesity on children.
• Rates of bullying among overweight children.
• The home environment causes children to eat junk food.
• Children raised with siblings are less likely to be obese.
• How to promote exercise and proper diet for children at school and home?
• How to encourage children to skip sweets to prevent obesity?
• What can the school do to tackle the weight issue?

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Obesity Essay Example

Childhood obesity is not a matter to take lightly. In fact, it has proven to be a very serious health problem not just within our state, but within the United States as a nation. Just as the size of our residents have, the issue of obesity has become much larger than it has before.

It is debatable as to what can be fully attributed to this lifestyle. In fact, I personally do not believe that the issue of obesity is a matter that can be blamed on one particular issue. At this point in human history, we have become unfortunate enough to see this result from genetics, overeating, inactive lifestyles, or just poor self-care in general.

The most unfortunate but most undeniable aspect of obesity is that it is a problem which our children have had the misfortunate to inherit. While the nation may be facing this problem, it is one which medical professionals and the general public alike have already acknowledged to the point of taking action against.

This is not to say that obesity is going to affect everyone. Municipalities throughout the country have different statistics regarding their obesity rates. Moreover, children, regardless of their genetics, must have the same opportunities to become who they want to be while they are still young.

To prevent future obesity in children, West Virginia, among the rest of the states in the union, have implemented legislative plans to work with the NPAP. (Abildso, et. al, 2016) This plan acknowledges the rising rate of obesity in our nation’s children as well as the need to make some significant changes. In West Virginia, the lack of Bachelor’s degrees and physical activity is notably higher than that of the US average.

Moreover, the population is predominately rural. (Abildso, et. al, 2016) This leads me to believe that a lack of proper education and resources can be attributed to West Virginia’s extraordinarily high childhood obesity rate. Moreover, those living in the country as opposed to densely populated areas have fewer access to health resources.

According to a study conducted in Charleston, the largest city in West Virginia, 78 percent of surveyed children met the criteria to either be deemed as obese or have hypertension. (Co, et. al, 2015)

Due to the high number of homeschooled students and students in rural communities, a five-year plan has been implemented in the state of West Virginia. (Partington, et. al, 2015) This plan focuses specifically on children.

From an early age, children in West Virginia will be educated in regards to physical activity as well as eating habits. As opposed to a traditional physical education course, children participating in curriculums that abide by this plan will be taught the significance of how the material of the class. The goal behind this is to encourage children to be wary of their fitness in order to avoid the many outlets for obesity that are promoted to them and their parents.

The primary contributors to these findings have been academic minds. In the case of children, one would hope that a nurse or other medical professional would never be in a position to give them news regarding a negative health condition that they do not have the capacity to understand. However, those in medical fields have been the ones to conduct the necessary studies to reach these conclusions.

 In turn, this has made it easier to pass the necessary legislation to encourage children to be cautious of their health in hopes that they will be able to avoid obesity as adults. While obesity may seem to be a matter of appearing unattractive at an early age, the physical health consequences become more evident later in life.

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Nursing professionals were able to obtain the necessary medical knowledge that paved the way for the academic minds that were able to conduct these studies. As a child, obesity may be the only thing that a child knows. In this modern age, it is often a matter of genetics and disregard for one’s eating habits and physical appearance.

In the case of those who affected in terms of their genes, other health conditions are also likely to ensue later on in life. It is unfair to the child, who has not been educated to act any differently. As the majority of people in West Virginia live in rural communities and have low levels of education, a disregard for one’s personal health and appearance would not be surprising.

However, there is much more to this national problem than just outer appearance alone. As the previously discussed study indicated, many of the people who fell into the group of people who were obese also had hypertension. This indicates an extraordinarily high level of blood pressure, especially considering that the surveyed group was comprised of children.

As children are not yet knowledgeable enough to be held accountable for their actions, it is not fair to them that they inherit the same physical health issues that their parents did. These are avoidable through proper dieting and adequate physical activity, however.

The five-year plan that was established in West Virginia to accommodate specifically focuses on children who are at risk of becoming obese in their adult years. As this happens, it becomes harder to address one’s health conditions and change them for the better. As such, the plan focuses on teaching the importance of physical health at an early age, both in terms of physical activity and proper dieting.

Related FAQs

1. how to write an obesity essay.

The details related to your topic are to be included in the body paragraphs of your essay. You can use statistics, facts, and figures related to obesity to reinforce your thesis throughout your essay. If you are writing a cause-and-effect obesity essay, you can mention different causes of obesity and how it can affect a person’s overall health.

2. What is obesity?

Essay on obesity! Find high quality essays on ‘Obesity’ especially written for school, college, science and medical students. These essays will also guide you to learn about the causes, factors, treatment, management and complications related to obesity. Obesity is a chronic health condition in which the body fat reaches abnormal level .

3. Are there any research paper topics about obesity?

Not to waste your essential study time, we have composed a set of research paper topics about obesity to help you start the writing process quickly. How to Choose Obesity Research Paper Topic? You could be stuck in choosing an interesting, valuable topic for your next research paper .

4. What is a childhood obesity essay?

In many countries, obesity is becoming the leading cause of death. From an overabundance of unhealthy food to a tendency to be less active, the habits of parents often transfer to their children, resulting in the acuteness of a childhood obesity essay .

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Childhood Obesity - Free Essay Examples And Topic Ideas

Obesity leads to significant long-term health consequences. The World Health Organization claims obesity is one of the most prevalent and costly health problems facing our society (WHO, 2018). According to the Centers of Disease Control, in the United States, thirty percent of the population suffers from obesity and 1 in 3 children are either overweight or obese (2018). Childhood obesity not only affects children and adolescent’s physical health but can have lasting effects on social and emotional health as well. (CDC, 2018). Individuals affected by childhood obesity face a higher risk of developing heart disease, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, bone, and joint problems, sleep apnea, and multiple different types of cancer. These children and adolescents are also at risk for depression, social isolation, and poor self-esteem (CDC, 2018). Previous studies suggest that primary health care is key in monitoring and preventing childhood obesity and nurses have the opportunity to act as an advocate for intervention and change.

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Research and Literature Review

Golan and Crow (2014) conducted a long-term qualitative study assessing the effectiveness of family-based health center interventions. Participants of the study were randomly split into two groups, children-only and parent-only group. Both groups participated in 30 1-hour information sessions conducted by nurses and clinical dietitians over the course of a year. The information sessions for the parents-only group included teachings on nutrition education, proper eating behaviors, and patterns, coping with resistance, activity modifications, problem-solving, and parenting models. The child-only group were education on physical activity, self-monitoring, nutrition education. Problem-solving, eating modifications, and stimulus control. Individual sessions were provided if the participants encountered difficulties adhering to diet or needed further education. Data was collected over the course of seven years. At one, two, and seven years following the conclusion of the education sessions the children’s height and weight were recorded and assessed. At the conclusion of the study, 35% of the children in the parents‐only group reached a non-obese weight, whereas in the child‐only group, only 14%.

The aim of a study conducted by Liu, Zhang, & Li (2012), was to assess the correlation of sleep duration and childhood obesity and how nurses play a vital role in assessing sleep patterns. A systematic literature search was conducted. The authors used two databases that include a large number of peer-review articles. The authors focused on two disciplines: nursing and medicine and searched for the key phrase “sleep duration and childhood obesity” Twenty-five studies were chosen for review. Data was collected through surveys that included sleep questionnaires and sleep logs. Obesity was determined by using the standardized BMI calculation and percentile ranking established by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. As a result, all studies indicated an association between sleep duration and childhood obesity. The study also suggests that literature evidence supports the need for sleep duration to be considered as a modifiable risk factor for childhood obesity.

A qualitative design with focus group interviews was used to assess the perceptions and challenges school nurses face when implementing guidelines to manage overweight and obese adolescences (Helseth et al, 2017). Twenty-one nurses were interviewed, and data were analyzed by qualitative content analysis. The consensus indicated that school nurses did not feel adequately prepared to implement school health guidelines. School nurses mentioned multiple barriers including training and support, professional collaboration, referral options, available resources, sensitivity of weight-related issues, and skepticism of BMI starting point for intervention.

In 2018 the American Academy of Pediatrics published a study analyzing the prevalence of childhood obesity amongst minorities based on behavioral risk factors and socioeconomic status compared to their Caucasian peers. The study used a longitudinal approach reviewing data from a large sample size (10,700 children ages 9 months old to kindergarten entry). Racial/ethnic groups were categorized as: Asian, African American, Hispanic, American Indian, and White (the reference group). Behavioral risk factors assessed were vegetable consumption, fruit consumption, and television viewing. The results showed that socioeconomic status played a larger role in BMI disparities than behavioral risk factors. Furthermore, the results identified a widening racial/ethnic difference in children’s BMI compared to Caucasian children. The study suggests that public health nurses can develop resources and encourage behavior that can create a healthy environment to help close the gap between racial and ethnic groups and children with low socioeconomic status.

Limitations in Childhood Obesity Studies

Limitations are found in all research studies. A common limitation found amongst childhood obesity studies, including (Helseth et al, Golan and Crow), is that the studies do not look at males and females separately. More research needs to be conducted to analyze the gender disparities. Gender can largely impact obesity as males tend to have higher BMI scores during early childhood and females during adolescence. Another limitation observed in the studies was the lack of validity that is associated with longitudinal studies. Studies that occur over the course of many years make it hard to see the full outcome. In Golan and Crow (2014), fifty of the sixty participants could not be reached. It is important for longitudinal studies to maintain communication in order to accurately retain outcomes.

Information provided by parents through surveys and questionnaires also act as a limitation. Especially, the behavioral risk factors were reported by parents and could have been subjected to misreporting or error. This could have contributed biased estimates which would result in an inaccurate assessment of risk factor contribution. Also, a major limiting factor in all of the studies was the disregard for birth weight. Children with low or high birth weights usually present a different growth trajectory than normal birth weight children.

Parents Influence

Childhood obesity is a very sensitive topic, however, in order to fight the epidemic, nurses should take a caring approach when sharing concerns. It is important for nurses to be committed to creating and promoting a healthy environment for children and their families in order to combat childhood obesity. Nurses should not only target the children but their parents as well. Parent’s influence over their children’s environment can improve their children’s adherence to a healthy lifestyle. Although biological risk factors are difficult to combat, nurses can educate parents on common environmental factors including healthy eating, physical activity, and sleep duration. When assessing the need for education, nurses should develop intervention through assessment tools such as access to fresh fruits and vegetables, availability of unhealthy foods in relation to schools, and proximity of opportunities for organized physical activity. Also, nurses should consider the disparities amongst certain racial and ethnic populations. Nurses can act as role models for parents and children by resembling the lifestyle they are encouraging for their patients and their families. If parents and nurses do not have a positive outlook or the ability to lead by example, it is likely children and adolescents will adopt similar feelings as well. Nurses have the ability to be a pivotal factor in curbing the childhood obesity epidemic and promoting a favorable lifestyle amongst our society’s youth.  

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Childhood Obesity: A Global Public Health Crisis

Sameera karnik.

Masters of Public Health Program, American Public University, East Stroudsburg, PA, USA

Amar Kanekar

1 Department of Health Studies, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, East Stroudsburg, PA, USA

Introduction:

Childhood obesity is a major public health crisis nationally and internationally. The prevalence of childhood obesity has increased over few years. It is caused by imbalance between calorie intake and calories utilized. One or more factors (genetic, behavioral, and environmental) cause obesity in children. Physical, psychological, and social health problems are caused due to childhood obesity. Hence, effective intervention strategies are being used to prevent and control obesity in children. The purpose of this manuscript is to address various factors influencing childhood obesity, a variety of interventions and governmental actions addressing obesity and the challenges ahead for managing this epidemic.

In order to collect materials for this review a detailed search of CINAHL, MEDLINE, ERIC, Academic Search Premier databases was carried out for the time period 1999-2011.

Some of the interventions used were family based, school based, community based, play based, and hospital based. The effective school-based interventions were seen targeting physical activity along with healthy diet education. The major challenges faced by these intervention programs are financial, along with stigmatization of obese children. Governments along with other health care organizations are taking effective actions like policy changing and environmentally safe interventions for children to improve physical activity.

Conclusions:

In conclusion, childhood obesity can be tackled at the population level by education, prevention and sustainable interventions related to healthy nutrition practices and physical activity promotion.

INTRODUCTION

Obesity is a major public health crisis among children and adults.[ 1 , 2 ] The range of weights for individuals if greater than the ideal weight, which is considered healthy for the particular height, is termed as either overweight or obese. Childhood-related obesity is an increasing concern with respect to the health and well-being of the child. Body mass index (BMI), a measure of weight with relation to height, is not only used as an outcome measure to determine obesity but also as a useful anthropometric index for cardiovascular risk.[ 3 ] For children between 2 and 19 years, BMI is plotted on the CDC growth chart to check for the corresponding age and sex related percentile. Childhood obesity is defined as a BMI at or above 95 th percentile for children of same age and sex.[ 4 ] Classifications of obesity in children depend upon the body composition of the child, as it varies with respect to age and sex of the child.[ 4 ]

MAGNITUDE OF THE PROBLEM

The prevalence of childhood obesity is increasing in developed and underdeveloped countries.[ 5 ] The development in reducing the problem of obesity and overweight is monitored nationally by using data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The report presented by NHANES for the year 2007-2008 estimated that 16.9% of children and adolescent in the age group of 2-19 years were obese.[ 6 ] Childhood obesity prevalence among preschool children between age group of 2-5-year-old girls and boys has increased from 5.0 to 10% between 1976-1980 and 2007-2008 and it has increased from 6.5 to 19.6% among age group of 6-11 year olds.[ 6 ] The data collected for the same period shows that the adolescent (age group 12-19 years) obesity has increased from 5.0 to 18.1% [ Figure 1 , Table 1 ].[ 6 ]

Graphically shows the increasing trend of obesity among children and adolescent population from 1963 to 2008. Source: CDC/NCHS, National Health Examination Surveys 11 (ages 6-11), 111 (ages 12-17), and National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) 1-111 and NHANES 1999-2000, 2001-2002, 2003-2004, 2005-2006, and 2007-2008[ 6 ]

Prevalence of obesity among US children and adolescents aged 2-19, for selected years 1963-1965 through 2007-2008[ 6 ]

Healthy people 2010 have ranked obesity as number one health problem showing that prevalence of childhood obesity has increased over the years.[ 7 ] Increased prevalence of childhood obesity may have adverse morbidity and mortality implications in the adult life of the child.[ 8 ] Childhood obesity concern has increased worldwide. There has been increased prevalence of childhood obesity in England, especially among school children over last few decades.[ 9 ] Childhood obesity is common in United Kingdom and according to the health survey conducted in 2004, obesity among 2-10-year olds was 14% and among 11-15-year olds was 15%.[ 5 ]

A Boolean search strategy where the key words entered for search were “factors” and “childhood obesity” “interventions” and “governmental actions” and “economic problems” in differing orders were used to extract studies for this narrative review.

FACTORS INFLUENCING CHILDHOOD OBESITY

Childhood obesity is due to the imbalance between caloric intake of the child and the calories utilized (for growth, development, metabolism, and physical activities). Normally the amount of calories a child consumes through food or beverages, if not used for energy activities, leads to obesity.[ 10 ] Factors causing childhood obesity are genetic, behavioral, and environmental. Obesity can be multifactorial in children.

GENETIC FACTORS

There are certain genetic factors which may lead to obesity in children. These genetic factors increase the child's susceptibility for obesity.[ 10 ] Genetic factors may influence the metabolism, by changing the body fat content and energy intake and energy expenditure. Heritability of obesity from parents also influences obesity in children.[ 11 ]

BEHAVIORAL FACTORS

There are some behavioral factors which can cause obesity. Sometimes children eat more or consume more energy via food and beverages which are not utilized appropriately.[ 10 ] Children may eat large portions of food, foods high in sugar, and energy-rich foods. Hence, energy intake is higher than energy expenditure. So this may lead to weight gain in children.[ 10 ]

Lack of physical activity also plays an important role in obesity. Energy gained should be properly balanced by energy expenditure. It is seen that children and teens nowadays lack the required amount of physical activity; hence the calories are not used properly and can lead to obesity.[ 10 ] In a recently conducted mixed-methods study conducted in Iran, lack of safe and easy – access place for physical activity and unsupportive family were the main barriers to physical activity among adolescents.[ 12 ]

It is seen that sedentary lifestyle is an important factor for obesity, as many children spend most of their time in front of television sets, play video games, and watch computers. Children snack more in front of television and spent most of their time sitting without any physical activity.[ 10 ] All these behavioral factors are in a vicious circle with one leading to another. Children are prone to sedentary lifestyle such as watching television, consuming more energy-dense foods or snacks with large portion sizes, and having reduced physical activity, giving rise to obesity. The television advertisements of energy-rich and sugar-rich foods influence children to make unhealthy choices. These unhealthy food choices may lead to weight gain and obesity.[ 10 ]

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

Environmental factors are those that surround the children and influence their food intake and physical activity.[ 10 ] These factors are seen in various settings such as at home, in school, and in the community. At home, the parent-child interaction is very crucial as parents can influence children food choices and motivate them to have a healthy lifestyle. Children spend most of their time at school, so school can promote healthy food choices and physical activity among them.[ 10 ] Community's lack of accessibility and affordability of healthy food can affect the nutrition of these children. Their lack of physical activity may be because of lack of facilities like safe side walks, bike paths, and safe parks.[ 10 ]

CONSEQUENCES OF CHILDHOOD OBESITY

Much health-related problems are associated with obesity in children. Childhood obesity also leads to health risks in adulthood. Health problems related to obesity are not only physical but psychological and social as well.[ 13 ]

PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL HEALTH ISSUES

Children who are obese have a negative body-image, which leads to lower self-esteem. Children feel depressed and are nervous about their obesity issue and this has a negative effect on their behavior. This may also reflect negatively on their academic and social progress. They feel socially discriminated and stigmatized by their peers and adults.[ 13 , 14 ]

OTHER HEALTH RISKS

Obese children have high risk of cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, and increased cholesterol levels.[ 13 ] Childhood obesity increases the risk of having insulin resistant type 2 diabetes.[ 14 ] Children may have high risk of having respiratory problems like asthma as well. Obesity causes shortness of breath and sleep apnea. The physical effects may also reflect on musculoskeletal system causing discomfort due to increased weight on joint, causing muscle and bone disorder.[ 14 ] Obesity may affect liver causing fatty degeneration of liver.[ 13 ]

BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS

Childhood obesity is a major public health issue. The complications caused due to childhood obesity are severe and could continue to affect the health of a child even in adulthood.[ 13 ] Hence, there is need to address this problem at every possible step through effective interventions and motivation strategies.

FAMILY-BASED LIFESTYLE INTERVENTIONS

Family bonding is a strong structure in the behavioral molding of the child. Parents and siblings are the people around the child who can influence child behavior and lifestyle.[ 15 ] Hence, effective interventions in a family setting can be beneficial to change child's behavior of overeating and unhealthy choice of food. Physical activity can be improved by small strategies like parking cars away from stores so that kids can walk and to take stairs instead of elevators or escalators. It is essential that parents are aware of the potential risk the child is facing due to obesity and take actions to control the problem. Effective measures to prevent obesity in future can be promoted by these interventions.[ 14 ] These weight-control interventions can be achieved and sustained by providing good support and a variety of strategies to parents.[ 16 ]

SCHOOL-BASED INTERVENTIONS

Children spend most of their time in schools. Hence, school plays an important role in the life of the child. There are many school-based intervention strategies. Some interventions focus on nutrition-based or physical-based aspect of weight-control independently, while others jointly focus on both aspects of nutrition and physical activity to achieve the aim of weight control in children.[ 17 ] Children take at least one meal at school. Hence, schools can encourage kids to make a healthy food choice like reducing the intake of carbonated drinks or sugary foods, encourage kids to drink healthy fruit juices, water, vegetables, and fruits. Schools which provide meals can have healthy nutritious food items with emphasis on a balanced diet.[ 18 ] Schools can involve kids in physical activity by strategies like lengthening the time of physical activity; involving them in moderate to vigorous physical activity for short durations, encouraging them to walk or active commuting, and taking stairs instead of elevators. Kids should be encouraged to participate in various physical activities like games and dance groups with more emphasis on non-competitiveness. Some school-based programs along with the help of community members can help to promote physical education skills and healthy nutrition among children, with focus on implementing this education for maintaining long-term healthy behavior. Classroom-based health education can make older children and teens aware of eating nutritious diet and engaging in regular physical activity.[ 17 ]

COMMUNITY-BASED INTERVENTIONS

Community plays a crucial role in healthy lifestyle of children. The term ‘community’ includes the environment around children along with other factors like geographic location, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.[ 19 ] This resource can be effectively used to promote healthy nutrition and healthy behavior. Community support is invaluable in implementing interventions and organizing social events like healthy food festivals, harvest festivals, imparting healthy messages, and educating and encouraging people to adopt healthy lifestyle. Thus, community can help children to get affordable and accessible healthy food options and encourage healthy nutrition.[ 19 ] Community organizations along with parents can promote nutrition and physical activity-based programs for children, eg., walk to school. Community can make the neighborhood safe and accessible to children and motivate them to increase physical activity.[ 20 ] Other programs like providing play groups with safe play grounds and bike paths for kids to play outside will reduce their time spent in front of television sets. Community can provide children with easy accessible facilities like gymnasiums and supervised physical education with strategies such as music for physical activities. Community can influence media or local entertainment to promote healthy educational programs for parents and children. Hence, making them aware of healthy intervention programs via the community is important to reduce childhood obesity.[ 20 ]

PLAY-BASED INTERVENTIONS

Instead of just advising children what to eat they can appreciate nutrition-related education in a better way when it comes to them via fun activities like playing games. Some countries are using board games for children to make them understand about balanced diet and thus leading to knowledge gain.[ 17 ] Interactive multimedia can be used for interventions. Interactive multimedia like CD ROM can promote healthy nutrition in children with the help of virtual educational games. When these games are used in real-life situations children can make healthy food choices. They can promote decision making and self-esteem for healthy eating behavior. Thus, these programs can help and motivate children to make healthy food choices and also understand the benefits of making such choices.[ 17 ] These innovative interventions can encourage children to lead a healthy life.

CHILDHOOD-OBESITY PREVENTION INTERVENTIONS

Preventive programs are conducted to control obesity in children and to modify the social and behavioral aspect of developing obesity. Some of the preventive programs revolve around educating the general population about healthy nutrition and providing information about health problems caused due to childhood obesity.[ 15 ] Health care professionals can advise their patients, especially parents, about healthy child nutrition, tackling health problems due to childhood obesity, and benefits of breast feeding among newborn children to prevent weight gain.[ 21 ] Federal or state actions to deal with childhood obesity are directing all the food vendors to provide exact calorie readable labels on their products, mentioning calories upfront on menus, restricting advertisements of unhealthy foods, and promoting healthy food making among parents. Some of the other actions are to improve transportation facility for people and children, like providing bike paths, making sidewalks, and providing safe and clean surrounding for children to walk and play eg. no-car roads.[ 15 ]

HOSPITAL-BASED INTERVENTIONS

Laboratory investigations of children who are obese and at risk of complications are important. Children aged 7 years and younger with no secondary complications of obesity are advised weight management.[ 8 ] Weight-loss programs like dietary management (eating more of fiber-rich foods) and increasing physical activity are recommended for children above 7 years of age with risk of secondary complications. Pharmacological therapy for children with obesity above the age of 12 years can include drugs like orlistat (which blocks fat from the intestine thus giving negative energy balance).[ 8 ] Medical professionals are considering the benefits of bariatric surgery in extremely obese children to avoid complications of obesity in adulthood.[ 22 ]

POTENTIAL CHANGES

There may be some potential barriers to these interventions, which may make the task of promoting healthy behavior and improving physical activity in children challenging. Some of these challenges are:

FINANCIAL CHALLENGES

Financial investment in these interventions is very crucial. All the intervention-based programs need monitoring of progress and sustainability over many years, which may be costly. In today's world of economic problems funding for such programs is limited.[ 17 ] School-based intervention programs require much effort on budgeting and planning, as the cost of educating the teachers about the program, and providing facilities and infrastructure to conduct physical activities is enormous and prohibitive.[ 17 ] Communities also find it challenging to make the neighborhood safe for children to play, to organize events, and to provide adequate facilities.

STIGMATIZATION OF OBESE CHILDREN

Obese children are mostly discriminated due to their body image. This may lead to a potential challenge for these children to come forward and opt for healthy programs. Stigmatization of these children by their peers and by others acts as a mental barrier leading to negative body image and fear of food.[ 17 ]

LOGISTICAL ISSUES

Literature reviews of school-based interventions conducted in the past have shown mixed outcomes. According to a recent review about school-based interventions for obesity prevention, 17 out of 25 intervention studies were effective in reducing the body mass index.[ 23 ] Some interventions targeting physical activity through physical education along with nutritional education worked in reducing obesity. Interventions targeting physical activity education and television viewing were seen to be successful in this review study.[ 23 ] While another review addressed school-based interventions by conducting a meta-analysis, concluding that body mass index may not be a good outcome measure among school kids.[ 24 ]

US GOVERNMENTAL STRATEGIES TO REDUCE CHILDHOOD OBESITY

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, identifying effective intervention strategies that can target both improvements in physical activity and providing nutritious diet to reduce childhood obesity are important. These evidence-based programs can be effective in managing obesity in children.[ 21 ] Interventions encouraging mothers to breastfeed their babies can be effective in reducing the risk of obesity in children.[ 21 ] The United States government is changing the health policies involving transportation, land use, education, agriculture, and economics so that it can have an important impact on healthy environment and health of people in turn reducing obesity.[ 21 ] The United States government, along with other health organizations, is developing healthy environments like improving population access to healthy and fresh foods, building walk paths, bike paths, and playgrounds in underserved communities. State governments with the assistance of different health organizations are also getting involved in promoting healthy lifestyles for people. The First Lady has also initiated an obesity prevention and control program titled ‘Let's move’.[ 21 ]

FUTURE IMPLICATIONS

Childhood obesity is a major public health problem. Hence, implementation of the available effective intervention programs is essential. Important data regarding evaluation of childhood obesity prevention schemes can be collected and can be used to make stronger and more effective strategies including policy building to reduce future childhood obesity rates.[ 25 ]

CONCLUSIONS

Childhood obesity has become a public health crisis, not just in the United States but all over the world. Childhood obesity problem can be reduced by educating children and parents about healthy nutrition and encouraging them to be physically active. There are effective interventions and government policies for prevention and control of childhood obesity. Sustainability of these interventions is a key factor, so that children can adopt these healthy behaviors as a lifelong practice and have a healthy life. This will lead to a nationwide healthy future for the kids.

Source of Support: Nil

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

Childhood Obesity: Epidemiological Research Essay

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Examples of Epidemiology in Article

Example of epidemiological research integration, area of greatest learning description.

Epidemiology is used in multiple instances in this article to make a compelling case for the advocacy and prevention of childhood obesity. Primarily, the authors examine the relatively high childhood obesity rates making a connection with its effects on health. The article provides that pediatric obesity has been on an upward spiral recently, with over a threefold rate increase since the 1970s (Berkowitz & Borchard, 2009). Data is also provided relating the prevalence of the condition with the study group, wherein the case of 2010, which affected over 33% of adolescents in the U.S., is an example. Consequently, due to such high incidence and prevalence rates, a link is made between the condition and other long-term illnesses such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, type II diabetes, and other cognitive and social challenges. This examination positions childhood obesity as a severe health issue that requires quick intervention.

Additionally, the authors use epidemiology to show that the condition is more prevalent in specific subgroups than others. This demographic analysis of pediatric obesity posits that those from lower-income families are more at risk when compared to their higher-income counterparts. The authors also provide that children of color are more vulnerable than those of White descent (Berkowitz & Borchard, 2009). The analysis offers perfect evidence for understanding the discrepancies between the different subgroups. It also leads to an increased focus on some communities over others, promoting equality in resources and healthy living.

There are various ways that I can utilize epidemiological research in support of policy formation and reformation on societal issues such as childhood obesity at different administrative levels. However, I will specifically use it to measure risk factors or behaviors outcomes in designing an intentional intervention for such societal problems at the state level. Through this dynamic, I can confidently tell why certain individuals are more vulnerable and how the contributory factors can be altered to efficiently help them in dealing with such conditions before they reach unmanageable levels. Similarly, with this piece of information from epidemiological research, I will have the capacity to tell why such behaviors are common to specific individuals. Ultimately, it will be easier to convince the affected groups of the changes they need to make for healthier lifestyles.

This week, my area of most significant learning is that DNP-prepared nurses must be ready to utilize epidemiology in research and champion policy changes. This spans their development of essential skills such as collaborative leadership, advocacy, behavior change, and critical thinking. With such skills, they can act as a link between the affected groups and the people. Moreover, in making this link, the principles learned will adequately equip them with the required information to make informed recommendations that benefit those affected by the given societal issue and the larger population. The learning also insinuates that DNPs must be ready to explore these challenges objectively to embody them and understand them at all levels of occurrence and intervention.

Similarly, this area of greatest learning also alludes to DNPs acting as agents of the people in policy changes. This is simply because, through epidemiology, they can have a dynamic view of the overall stature of the community affected by a problem such as childhood obesity. In this regard, it becomes easier for them to represent their interests and needs. Besides, it puts them in an advanced position to lobby for resources that can assist such individuals. Therefore, it is clear that the scientific principles of epidemiology place the role and status of DNPs in advocacy and policy development as diverse.

Berkowitz, B., & Borchard, M. (2009). Advocating for the prevention of childhood obesity: A call to action for nursing . OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing , 14 (1). Web.

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Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Childhood Obesity: Epidemiological Research." March 31, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/childhood-obesity-epidemiological-research/.

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