Running head: THE ANSWER TO END CHILDHOOD OBESITY 1

The Answer to End Childhood Obesity

Magda Bobadilla

Arizona State University

ENG 102
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Abstract
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The Answer to End Childhood Obesity

Many individuals leave high school clueless in terms of how they will get into

college, build up their credit score, own a home, and so on. However, they are also clueless about

what is most important, which is their well-being. Today the obesity epidemic is at an all-time

high and a distinct plan of action must take place in order to reduce the number of individuals

becoming obese. Do children even know the consequences of this epidemic? When are students

supposed to learn life skills? I am aware that some of these health courses are already

incorporated into students' curriculum but mostly in high schools. As a student at Arizona State

University, I advocate for a course that promotes physical education, nutrition, and cooking to be

required in elementary schools up until high school. I am invested in the effects that obesity has

on children whether it is physically, mentally or their overall well-being. This being because

studies show that children who are obese at a young age will continue to have weight issues as

they age, which intertwines with being more susceptible to diseases and disorders. These courses

will allow students to adapt to new health behaviors from the start. Therefore, decreasing the

number of obese children as students will no longer be clueless, instead, they will have the

knowledge and practice to know the importance of physical activity, how to cook healthy meals,

and the ability to distinguish what is healthy.

There have been tons of attempts in trying to decrease the number of children

becoming obese. Some were simply incorporating healthier meals in school lunches or informing

the public about the epidemic. Both of which have only made a minor difference simply because

there is no plan of action associated with both of these attempted solutions. For instance, by only

informing the public about obesity and its effects does not guarantee that people will act on their
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behaviors. This being because they might not have the resources; not all individuals can afford

certain foods, and not all people have the same access to safe environments in which they can

exercise outdoors or even be able to walk or bike instead of driving. On the other hand, school

cafeterias solemnly providing healthier meals to children without informing them as to how these

meals are beneficial for them leads to be a temporary solution. By incorporating a course that

covers physical education, nutrition, and cooking, students will not only be informed but will

have the resources to know what is healthy and how to cook a healthy meal. I wholeheartedly

believe that the foundation for lifelong good health is laid in childhood. Due to the amount of

time children spend in school, I find that schools have the opportunity to immensely decrease

obesity as children are easily influenced at this age. Annals of Medical and Health Sciences

Research found that preventive measures to control obesity should be taken from childhood to

save our future adults and prevent an economic drain on the country (1).

My proposal will potentially decrease the amount of disorders and disabilities,

along with increasing Americans life expectancy. Through multiple studies, the International

Journal of Obesity found that risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality is elevated

among those who were overweight during childhood. (2) Without an aggressive approach to

preventing obesity, health and social consequences will be both substantial and long-lasting. (2)

Allow me to put it this way, as children become accustomed to living a healthy lifestyle they will

carry these positive habits along with them and will continue throughout generations, potentially

ending obesity. Just like a child incorporates basic math skills up until their adult lives, these

skills will also be used equally. Gail Standt, a parent at Tri-C elementary stated, "I am going to

be thrilled if my child gets into Harvard but if they are obese or if they have a health issue
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because they haven't been exercising, the acceptance into Harvard is irrelevant. Health is the

most important thing and unfortunately, many people don't realize it until they don't have it." The

importance of physical health is being undervalued!

Also, obesity is a financial burden on America's healthcare system and the United

States healthcare system is in crisis precisely because we systematically neglect wellness and

prevention. "In addition to its serious health consequences, obesity has real economic costs that

affect all of us." According to The National League of Cities, the estimated annual health care

costs of obesity-related illness are a staggering $190.2 billion or nearly 21% of annual medical

spending in the United States." Sure, it might cost the school boards a few extra dollars to

include these courses into the curriculum, but it is evident that those numbers are nowhere near

to the amount of spending in fighting off obesity and the diseases associated with it. In other

words, these courses will be beneficial because although they will cost schools more money, they

will also save Americans billions of dollars in preventing obesity. Now, rather than waiting for

obesity to continue to expand and arise in more individuals and having to then pay to survive, we

can prevent this issue from the beginning.

It is baffling that physical education and health classes are no longer core

requirements in certain schools, some being middle schools in Utah. In terms of the policy,

members from Utah State Board of Education found that children are "not ready for prime time"

or "stand for children's choice of freedom." Although I do believe in equality and freedom for all

individuals; as adults, parents, and educators, we are responsible for children's health and legally

children under the age of eighteen are to abide by certain standards. In my perspective, standards

are opportunities. Making physical education classes and health classes a standard, can result in

minors acting on their health as they will be able to distinguish beneficial behaviors from poor
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behaviors. For instance, I did not become educated about my health until college, only because I

am majoring in Exercise and Wellness. It took me nineteen years to realize that my eating habits

and daily activities were affecting my health and not just my appearance. In the case of teenagers

who are going through puberty and become obsessive over their body image, many will either

overeat because of hormonal changes or starve themselves to conserve their figure or appear

thinner. Now, if they were to be educated on their health as early as elementary, will this still be

as likely to occur? No, I can guarantee that it will not occur as often!

So, when does one become ready for "prime time?" The Utah Board of Education

describes "prime time" as an age group where children can obtain information and apply it to

their daily lives. Many might say that young aged children are not mentally capable of grasping

the importance of health education at such a young age or they do not know what is good or bad

for them. This is absurd. How are they expected to know right from wrong if they are not being

taught? If courses as complex as integrated sciences or mathematics are incorporated in the

curriculum and children have been able to obtain this information, that in fact, is not too useful,

then they can certainly learn about their health which will be life-long beneficial. I believe that

behaviors that one incorporates into their daily lifestyle at a young age are more likely to have an

effect on the individual. At the Heart Association meeting in Phoenix, a research team reported

that children are likely to adopt some of their caregiver's bad habits of poor nutrition (update).

Accordingly, children are following behaviors from their uninformed caregivers because they do

not know any better.

Out of previous attempts at decreasing the obesity rates, I believe that targeting the

school system will result in first-rate outcomes. There are also other methods that have been

assessed in the attempt to promoting physical activity and better dietary choices. One being
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schools sending body mass index (BMI) report cards to Parents. BMI report cards can be a useful

tool to inform parents about their child's weight status. These notifications could also curb

childhood obesity by prompting parents to encourage their children to participate in activities

that will promote their health. To end obesity, it is essential to bring schools, families, and

communities together to create a healthy school environment.

According to Bass, if children have obesity, their disease and risk factors in

adulthood are likely to become more severe. Today, nearly 160 million Americans are either

obese or overweight. This issue is not simply carrying extra fat, it also is associated with the

leading cause of death in the United States, cardiovascular disease, along with type 2 diabetes,

osteoarthritis, and many more. If this many people are being affected, why do we resist on

making a change? It is now estimated that one in five children in the United States is overweight.

According to the National Health AND Nutrition Examination Survey, overweight or obese

preschoolers are five times more likely than normal-weight children to be overweight or obese as

adults. (obesity society). Not only will these children suffer from health consequences but are

also prone to depressive symptoms, low self-esteem, and behavior and learning problems.

To conclude, it is evident that Americans need change. We are not living our lives

to our fullest potential, we are destroying ourselves, and this will only continue to happen in

future generations if change does not begin now. Obesity is harming children in all aspects,

health-wise, physically, mentally, and even academically. It is also costing Americans more

money as we are investing in trying to fight off diseases that are associated with high body mass

indexes instead of investing in trying to prevent them. I genuinely do not believe there is a

"prime time" in which children are ready to learn about their health. I believe that children have

the ability to learn about their health just like they can learn how to solve math problems at an
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early age. On another note, yes, I do condone that all individuals have the right to freedom, even

children. In these circumstances, however, I hold that it is an adult matter when it comes to

determining whether these courses should be implemented in schools. Besides, many children

enjoy physical education courses as they get to be active and interact with peers at school instead

of sitting through another lecture. In the long run, granting my proposal will enhance Americans

lives, save individuals money, and decrease the number of obese people.
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References

1. Nair, B. T., R., G., & Kumar, S. A. (2017). Correlation of Biochemical Variables to Obesity and
Prediction of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Children. Annals Of Medical & Health Sciences
Research, 739-43.

2. https://www.nature.com/articles/0800852
3. http://www.healthycommunitieshealthyfuture.org/learn-the-facts/economic-costs-of-obesity/
4. https://catchinfo.org/about/
5.
UPDATE: Lifestyles and Risk of Obesity for Children and Teens. (2016). Eating Disorders
Review, 27(3), 5.
Henningsen, A., Boros, P., Ingvalson, K., Fontana, F. E., & Matvienko, O.
(2015). Should Schools Send BMI Report Cards to Parents? A Review of
Literature. JOPERD: The Journal Of Physical Education, Recreation &
Dance, 86(9), 26-32. doi:10.1080/07303084.2015.1085340

1. Bass R, Eneli I. Severe childhood obesity: an under-recognized and growing health

http://www.obesity.org/obesity/resources/facts-about-obesity/childhood-overweight

(Correct Reference Page)