Running Head: CHILDHOOD OBESITY IN USA 1

HS 305: Unit-1: Childhood Obesity in USA

Sohel Chowdhury

Kaplan University

CHILDHOOD OBESITY IN USA 2

Abstract

Childhood Obesity is considered as one the major Health Issues in America because of the

increase rate of obese child in the year 2012 according to Childhood Obesity facts reported by

CDC. The CDC’s Adolescent and School Health page reports:

Childhood Obesity rate is more 200% in children under age group 6-11 years in recent 30

years which was 7% in 1980’s and reported 18% in 2012.

Surprisingly the rate of obese adolescents aged 12-19 years reports 400% which was 5%

in 1980 compare to 21% in 2012.

These numbers are good enough for childhood obesity to be reported as a health issue (Ogden,

Carroll, Kit, Flegal, 2014). Childhood Obesity in USA has two types of effects. One is

immediate which is: Obese child are more prone to Cardiovascular Disease like high

cholesterol /high blood pressure, risk of developing diabetes, bone and joint disease, sleep

problem (Freedman, Zuguo, Srinivasan, Berenson, Dietz, 2007). The long time effect is obesity

in childhood will turn them in obese adults; will bear the risk of heart disease, kidney disease,

cancer, bone and joint disease (Freedman, Zuguo, Srinivasan, Berenson, Dietz, 2007). As an

imaginary vision to an obese children who is totally impaired to perform the daily childhood

activity because of the overweight. The main reason of Childhood Obesity is the imbalanced diet

which turns from calorie imbalance- “Calorie intake versus calorie consumed”. Besides life style,

behavioral, genetic and environmental factors are involved for Childhood obesity (Daniels,

Arnett, Eckel, 2005).

References:

1. http://www.cdc.gov/healt h yyouth/obesity/facts.htm

2. Ogden C.L., Carroll MD., Kit B.K., Flegal K.M., (2014) Prevalence of childhood and adult obesity in the United States, 2011-2012. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION 2014;311(8):806-814.

3. National Center for Health Statistics. Health, United States, 2011: With Features on Socioeconomic Status and Health. Hyattsville; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2012.

4. Freedman D.S., Zugua M., Srinivasan S.R., Berenson G.S., Dietz W.H., (2007), Cardiovascular risk factors and excess adiposity among overweight children and adolescents: the Bogalusa Heart Study. Journal of Pediatrics 2007;150(1):12–17.

CHILDHOOD OBESITY IN USA 3