Essay on Are Parents to Blame for Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity is an epidemic in the United States. One out of five children in the U.S. are obese. In fact, â€Å"Approximately 17% (or 12.5 million) of children and adolescents aged 2—19 years are obese (Obesity rates among, 2011). The childhood obesity rates have steadily risen since 1980 and many children are now suffering from what were once thought of as adult illnesses, such as elevated cholesterol levels, hypertension, arthritis, and diabetes. Several internal and external factors contribute to childhood obesity; however, many people believe that parents are primarily to blame for obese children and adolescents. On the other hand, medical professionals and sociologists have studied the consistent decline in physical activity and†¦show more content†¦Therefore, genetics and early life patterns, such as breastfeeding, help to frame children’s metabolic states and future weight issues. While parents are not in complete control of all contributing factors of childhood obesity, they do share some of the load. One article states, â€Å"The problem of poor eating habits in children can be attributed to what they are given to eat by their parents. Parents have traditionally maintained primary responsibility for providing food and introducing children to an array of food choices† (Sealy, PhDMPH Farmer PhD, 2011). Home eating patterns are set early on and children learn how and what to eat from their parents. Proper nutritional food selection is established early in childhood and, â€Å"Children choose to eat foods that are served most often and prefer what has been available and acceptable in the parental household† (Golan, Ph.D Crow, M.D., 2004). Parents usually feed their children the same items they consume, which begins and continues the pattern of unhealthy eating. Is it unwise to believe that children who are fed diets high in sugar, sodium, fat, an d calories will gain weight at a higher rate than children who eat foods that are high in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and protein? Also, the link between overweight and obese parents and their obese children isShow MoreRelatedChildhood Obesity Is Not Just An Issue That American1535 Words   |  7 PagesChildhood obesity is not just an issue that American’s are dealing with—it has become an epidemic. Today, about one in three American kids and teens are overweight or obese. Most Americans blame fast food companies for the rise in childhood obesity which has tripled in the past 70 years. 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