Advocacy Project: Childhood Obesity

Purpose

I would like to present this topic to you all because it is a major topic in our society. The epidemic of obesity within young adults and children has increased in the United States. We hear about it all the time, but it seems that people are not taking enough action to change it.

Background/Reasoning/Evidence/Resources

Obesity and overweight has increased in children and adolescents over the past decade. In the years from 2003 to 2004, over 12.5 million kids from the ages of 2-19 years old were overweight. http://www.med.umich.edu/yourchild/topics/obesity.htm

Children at greatest risk are the ones who have both parents that are obese. Obesity varies by race/ethnicity. For example, white children are less likely to be overweight or obese than Black, Latino, or Native American children. In 1998, 21.5 percent of Black children and 21.8 percent of Latino children were overweight, while 12.3 percent of White children were. 

Childhood Obesity 

Obesity can cause many health related problems such as increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, breathing problems, trouble sleeping, as well as emotional problems.

Obesity In Children and Teens 

Overweight children tend to have poorer social skills than normal-weight children have and this may cause overweight children to socially withdraw. Also, obesity has a negative effect on a child’s learning.

Childhood Obesity

The school system has made some positive steps to reduce obesity among children. School curriculum’s include health and fitness classes, and schools have reduced the amount of junk food that is available as part of the lunch programs.  

Reduce Childhood Obesity

Instructions

Click on Childhood obesity quiz below and it will transfer you to the website.

Childhood Obesity Quiz

Then click on Start Quiz.

After you are done with the quiz record your score and report back about what you learned.