Headlines-The Emergence of "Globesity"

by: Julie H. and Jamie R.

Childhood obesity is a problem in the United States. The percent of obese children is 16% (over 9 million), 6-19 year olds are overweight, and an additional 15% are at risk for becoming overweight. 34% of America is obese. Teenagers have 70% chance of being obese as adults. These are just a few facts and statistics about obesity in America.

Obesity is a medical condition; it is an unhealthy weight gain due to a poor diet, and lack of exercise. Obesity is responsible for over 300,000 deaths each year. Usually a child is not considered obese until his of her weight is at least 10% higher than what is suggested for their height and body type.

Obesity can be genetic, biological, behavioral, and cultural. It occurs when a person eats more calories than their body can burn. If one parent is obese there is a 50% chance that their children will be obese. If both parents are obese then there is an 80% of their children being obese. Some other causes of obesity are poor eating habits, lack of exercise, family history, medical illnesses, medications, stressful life events, family and peer problems, low self esteem and depression.

All of these statistics make us wonder how healthy our school lunches actually are. We all know they taste absolutely delicious (sometimes), but they may not be as healthy as we think. All that “juice” dripping from the delicious chicken patties is actually fattening grease. How do we know if it’s good for the kids? Most likely it’s not, and those kids having two lunches are getting double the calories, plus are most likely not working out later. So you have all those extra calories, no exercise, what does that equal to? Weight gain. Yes, it tastes good, but seriously, it’s not worth it! Our school lunches aren’t the healthiest. The breakfast for the 22nd of October is a cinnamon bun (whole wheat). The whole wheat part isn’t bad but with all the sugar and cinnamon on top of it, it over powers the nutritious part of the meal. The lunch for the 22nd is deep dish pizza, macaroni and beef casserole with bread, creamy coleslaw, chilled fruit, and cold milk. The only possible healthy things on the menu are the fruit, milk and possibly the coleslaw. Pizza is all grease and fat, macaroni is cheese (fat) beef is full of protein which is a plus but a casserole is fat and a lot of calories.

Obesity is a big problem in America. There are ways to prevent and treat this medical condition. To prevent obesity/weight gain, you can eat healthier, exercise more, and drink at least 68oz. of water every day. We can’t be you and make decisions for you, but you can help yourself to cure your obesity.