Why is Childhood Obesity on the Increase?

The main reason for the increase in childhood obesity is the fact that more and more children are consuming an excessive number of calories. Time-constrained parents are feeding their children on calorific junk food and failing to encourage them to exercise. These children grow up thinking it is normal to eat whenever they feel like and sit around playing computer games all the time so that, unsurprisingly, many of these obese children turn into obese adults. This has serious implications for the obese individuals concerned and for society at large, which is why there is so much concern about rising obesity levels throughout the world.

It might be tempting to say that child obesity is on the increase because health professionals have just got better at measuring it. In the past, nobody even knew what was meant by Body Mass Index (BMI) let alone knew what their actual BMI was. Nowadays, most people are aware that their BMI determines whether they are overweight or not by taking into account their weight in relation to their height. Consequently, this measure is often used to determine whether children are overweight, and in some cases schools will regularly weigh their students and provide a report for parents, telling them whether their children need to lose weight or not.

It is obviously impossible to determine the exact number of obese children on the planet, but there is no getting away from the fact that however weight has been measured over the years, a growing number of children are developing health problems because of their weight. There are obese children who are developing conditions such as type 2 diabetes because their poor lifestyle choices have caused them to put on so much weight that it is affecting their whole body. Thus, it is not only that obese children have a good chance of turning into obese adults that is a cause for concern, when young children are already developing health problems because of their weight.

Although parents obviously don't want to see their children developing a weight problem, it is sometimes hard to say no, especially when many parents are themselves trying to lose weight. There are many parents who are not able to spend as much time with their children as they would like and so it is not only a case of feeding their children quick and easy-to-prepare meals; they 'treat' their children to junk food, which eases some of their parental guilt. As far as exercise goes, many parents are anxious about letting their children play by themselves, whilst having no time or inclination to accompany their children outdoors either.

It is therefore evident that parents have a key role to play in tackling childhood obesity, since it is they who feed their children and who are their main role models. Of course, living in a society where there is so much pressure on parents to work long hours in order to provide a comfortable lifestyle for their family certainly doesn't help the situation. Parents are often in a difficult position, because they can't afford not to work or to cut back on work, even though this means they have less time to be with their children and to encourage their children to make the kind of choices that will ensure they remain slim and avoid developing weight-related health issues.

What Role Should the State Play in Tackling Childhood Obesity?

Childhood obesity has become increasingly prevalent throughout the developed world, so much so that politicians and policy makers have decided that action needs to be taken. Obese children are more likely to become obese adults and obese adults have a greater chance of developing health problems that cost the state in terms of healthcare provision and through their reduced tax contributions. It is therefore in the best interests of wider society to ensure that youngsters learn to lead a lifestyle that will enable them to maintain their ideal weight and prevent the risk of potential health problems later on in life.

Politicians are in a difficult position, though, as in a liberal society individuals have the right to live their lives however they want, if it doesn't affect others in an adverse way, without the threat of state intervention. When it comes to obese children, though, it could be said that their parents' behaviour is having an adverse impact on their quality of life and that the state therefore needs to intervene. Young children, in particular, do not have the resources to go out and buy junk food, nor do they have the knowledge that is required to make the right choices for a healthy life.

Parents are supposed to guide their children and encourage them to make the right choices, so that they develop good habits that they can take with them into the future. When this doesn't happen, there are occasions when representatives of the state feel that it is necessary to intervene in family life. When a child is so overweight that he gets out of breath after walking only a few steps and avoids school as much as possible because of the constant bullying he receives, the school or social services may get into contact with the parents. After all, it is parents' duty to ensure their children are well-fed and healthy.

In a rich, developed country it is almost unthinkable that a child should go hungry, but by the same token, it is surely wrong to overfeed a child, especially when doing so is likely to have a detrimental impact on his physical and emotional development. There have been instances where social services have threatened to take obese children away from their parents, in the belief that taking them away is in their best interests. This hardly seems likely, though, when children have such a strong attachment to their parents who may not even realise that their weight is such a big problem.

Children may have picked up bad habits from their parents, but it is unlikely that parents willingly 'abuse' their children by overfeeding them and avoiding the issue of their weight. It may be that it is easier to avoid such a sensitive issue, especially if they have difficulties controlling their own weight and lack the knowledge to do something about it. Surely, when it comes to the role of the state in tackling childhood obesity, there should be more emphasis on educating parents, so that they know how to deal with their children's weight problem, rather than trying to punish them and, in doing do, punishing the children.

The Role of Parents in Fighting Childhood Obesity

Parents have a key role in fighting childhood obesity, since they are the ones who feed their children. More children than ever before are becoming obese and developing health problems and emotional issues that relate to their weight. Clearly, for so many children to be gaining too much weight there must have been societal changes that have made this situation possible. Parents realise that obesity is bad for their children, yet may feel a sense of desperation and powerlessness, because they don't know what to do to make the problem go away.

It doesn't help that many parents have issues with their own weight, as well. When they are unable to resist the temptation of chocolate and cakes, it seems rather hypocritical to deny their children such treats. Children pick up on their parents' behaviour and try to copy their parents. Parents who mostly eat fast food and snack on lots of junk food may well end up passing on their bad habits to their children. What is worse is when parents do not even recognise that their eating habits are a problem, despite the fact they are carrying too much weight.

Parents are supposed to teach their children to eat healthily and to encourage them to be active, but this is extremely tough when they have lost their way. If it is normal for parents to eat a calorific diet, this will no doubt be true of their children. Children grow up believing their way of eating is normal, so that trying to tackle their eating habits later on becomes extremely difficult. Parents therefore have to address their own eating habits and try to encourage the whole family to eat healthily. Even if they do not know what a healthy diet is, they should be able to find plenty of information online and in books on nutrition.

It is not only diet that parents have to work on, though, since most children are not getting enough exercise, either. Children should be doing at least an hour of exercise a day, but many would prefer to sit in their room playing computer games. However, childhood obesity is the result of consuming an excess number of calories. An inactive child requires fewer calories than one who regularly exercises, so that it becomes harder to stay within a sensible number of calories.

Parents therefore need to encourage their children to take up a sport or at least to get out of the house to play with friends. There obviously comes a point when children are no longer children and have to take responsibility for their weight. However, parents have a crucial role to play in fighting childhood obesity, since they are there to educate their children on matters such as diet and exercise. If parents get it wrong, this could lead their children to develop a weight problem that only becomes more difficult to tackle as they get older. That is why it is so important to focus on teaching children good eating and exercise habits, so that they can carry them into adulthood and hopefully stay healthy.