F as in Fat

 Childhood Obesity LEADS to Adult Obesity!

In the article, How Obesity Threatens America's Future 2011, it compares adult obesity and childhood obesity. In the past year, 2011, adult obesity increased in 16 states and did not decline in any of the 50 states. Four years ago, not one of the states had a rate over 30%, but as of now 12 states have obesity rates over 30%.
I was very interested in this article because I know that I am researching obesity in children, but if these obesity rates increase then it will only contribute to the adult obesity rates.

Here are some facts:

• Adult obesity rates for Blacks topped 40 percent in 15 states, 35 percent in 35 states, and 30 percent in 42 states and D.C. 
• Rates of adult obesity among Latinos were above 35 percent in four states (Mississippi, North Dakota, South Carolina, and Texas) and at least 30 percent in 23 states.
• Meanwhile, rates of adult obesity for Whites topped 30 percent in just four states (Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, and West Virginia) and no state had a rate higher than 32.1 percent.
• Nearly 33 percent of adults who did not graduate high school are obese, compared with 21.5 percent of those who graduated from college or technical college.

These are very interesting facts because I am fascinated that ethnicity's  have such an important role in the obesity rates. The fact I am most stunned by is the last fact. I feel like many people would not even think that not graduating high school plays a role in obesity, but as everyone can see, it does!

Here is one fact that I find not so surprising:
More than 33 percent of adults who earn less than $15,000 per year were obese, compared with 24.6 percent of those who earn at least $50,000 per year.

The reason I think this is not surprising is because as I have shown in previous articles, healthier foods tend to be more expensive. Obviously this is not true in all cases, but produce is generally more expensive than chips or cookies. 

Question: What are your feelings about how ethnicity affects obesity? Also, did you think it was interesting that graduating high school has something to do with obesity? Why do you think that is?

Bibliography

Health, Trust For America's. F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America's Future 2011. 2012. 12 March 2012 <http://healthyamericans.org/report/88/>.

Post, The Nutrition. Is Child Obesity an Infectious Disease? 12 March 2012. 12 March 2012 <http://www.thenutritionpost.com/kids/is-child-obesity-an-infectious-disease.html>.

Keegan Long answers about childhood obesity

For one of my blog posts, I wanted to ask one of my friends what they know about childhood obesity so that I could improve my blog after hearing what people know and what they need to know. I asked Keegan Long specific questions that I have seen come up many times while I have been researching. Here is what she had to say,

How would you define childhood obesity? Overweight children because they do not have access to healthy foods and resources to learn about better living.

Is childhood obesity common in the U.S. and why? Yes, because there are so many fast food restaurants and access to unhealthy lifestyles that is easier to become overweight. Also, these places are less expensive and are very convenient for people to go to.

Does childhood obesity begin with the parent's choices? Yes, because if you grow up in a unhealthy lifestyle and your parents are never giving you the opportunity to eat healthy, then you never will. If your parents feed you healthy foods, then you will grow up choosing those foods before the unhealthy ones.

Do you think childhood obesity is more common among poor populations? Yes, because it is cheaper, easier, faster, and more convenient for the people who can't afford healthy foods. Also, healthy foods are more expensive than cookies for example, so people who are not as fortunate, have to resort to these options.

Should school cafeterias be held responsible for this issue and if yes, what could they do to change it? The kid always has a choice of what he/she should eat, so as long as the school is providing healthy options for the child, then the school should not be held responsible. If they are only providing unhealthy options, and the kids do not bring their lunches, then they are obviously going to eat what is there, rather than not eating at all. In that scenario, the cafeteria should be held responsible.

Lastly, do you know of organizations involved in helping this problem and would you be interesting in getting involved? Yes, I know about the NFL's organization that is called play 60. I know that their point is to encourage children to be active for at least 60 minutes every day. I would definitely be interested in getting involved because I know that I would not want my children or any children to have to go through the issues, physically or psychologically, that comes with being obese.

Do you think that blog posts that I have posted would help her gain more knowledge about childhood obesity? Do you have any suggestions for improvement?

Bibliography

Obesity, Teen. Teen Obesity. 29 February 2012. 7 March 2012 <http://www.teenobesity.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/Defining_Teen_Obesity1.jpg>.

Play 60

Just like Let's Jump, the program started by Michelle Obama, The NFL has begun a program to help childhood obesity called Play 60. The program was started in 2007 to make young fans, the next generation, healthier. The idea of Play 60 is to encourage kids to be active for at least 60 minutes every day. The program has been implemented in schools by having a players and NFL associates exercise the kids in school, after school, or even starting a team-like sport. "The NFL PLAY 60 initiative is prominent during the NFL’s key calendar events, including Super Bowl, Pro Bowl, Draft, Kickoff and Thanksgiving and is supported by many NFL players and coaches year round." As of right now, the NFL has donated over $200 million to decreasing childhood obesity through Play 60. Play 60 has been growing throughout the nation, but it has also partnered with many other organizations to help increase the success. Read the list of Play 60's partners.
For example, there is a program started by Play 60 called "The NFL PLAY 60 Challenge." This challenge is in partnership with the American Heart Association and it is for designed to help educated children and also the teachers about how to include fitness and eating healthier into their daily schedule. The challenge provides activities for the teachers to integrate into their day, that are short enough but give the kids some exercise. The teachers are also expected to teach the children the activities so that they can also do them at home.
Just like my feelings about Let's Jump, I think Play 60 is a great program. I think it is especially encouraging, because NFL players are getting involved and helping the children. Young fans are fascinating by meeting these players and being able to spend time and get to know them will definitely urge them to become healthier. The NFL has made this program remarkable and I can tell that they are dedicating because it has been implemented in many schools, and they have donated a ton of money.

How do you feel about this program and do you think it compares to Let's Jump? Also, would you be happy if programs like these were implemented in all of the schools throughout lower school?

Bibliography

League, National Football. NFL Rush Partners. 2012. 6 March 2012 <http://www.nflrush.com/play60/partners/?campaign=NFL_landing_p60_partners>.

—. Play 60. 2012. 6 March 2012 <http://www.nfl.com/play60>.

The Threats of Childhood Obesity

The Threats of Childhood Obesity article says that about 17% of children are affected by obesity. If obesity continues as they grow up, every major system in the body is affected. It is also said that about 10% of the national healthcare budget is spent on this issue. Currently, we are spending about $150 billion dollars a year and that number will only increase if obesity continues!

So, do genetics have something to do with obesity?
The answer to that question is yes, they can have something to do with it but definitely not the sole cause. Genetics seem to make the child more susceptible to the issue, but the true problem lies in our environment (the environment of inactivity and increased food consumption). It was interested for me to read that ethnicity does play a role in obesity. Statistics have shown that obesity is more prevalent among African-American girls and Mexican-American boys. The cultural factors are not exactly determined but as people, we need to be aware of those disparities.

What can parents do about childhood obesity?
It has been established that obesity can begin during pregnancy. Pre-pregnant weight, excessive weight gain during pregnancy, tobacco use during pregnancy, and diabetes during pregnancy, all contribute to early-childhood obesity. Breast-feeding reduces the likelihood of childhood obesity, because of breast-feeding initiation and duration. When the child begins to grow up, increased fruit and vegetable intake are a better option because fruits and vegetables are very filling. A child should be drinking Reduced sugar-sweetened beverages instead of very sugary drinks. "There's been a study published that suggests that over 230 calories a day could be saved if children switched from drinking a sugar-sweetened beverage to water." Lastly, reduced television time is a huge factor so keeping televisions out of children's bedrooms would significantly help.

Question: As a parent, will you have a television in your child's room? Also, do you think that a major reason of obesity results from their mother's pregnancy choices?

Bibliography

Mugford, Christopher. Childhood Obesity. 5 May 2011. 2 March 2012 <http://health.uml.edu/thc/HealthIssues/Chrischildhoodobesity/childhood-obesity-junk-food-high-calories.jpg>.

Rettig, Jessica. The Threat of Childhood Obesity. 7 May 2012. 2 March 2012 <http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2010/05/07/the-threat-of-childhood-obesity>.