The Growing Epidemic in AmericaEssay Preview: The Growing Epidemic in AmericaReport this essayThe rate of childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past thirty years and is threatening the health and welfare of our children (CDC, 2011). Children who are obese have a much higher risk of developing both physical and emotional issues growing up. Adolescents can be a struggle for all kids as they get older; however obesity has the potential to make that journey much more difficult. Children who are obese are more likely to suffer from depression and low self-esteem, along with chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, breathing problems, and bone and joint issues (DHHS, n.d.). Childrens early experiences impact the development of the brain and influence the specific way in which the circuits (or pathways) of the brain become “wired.” A childs brain is a work in progress. The outside world shapes its development through experiences that a child senses (NDSU, 2005). Children are not yet capable of making informed life decisions on their own; therefore how could we blame them for taking advantage of what they are exposed to? Childhood Obesity is the fault of childrens parents and their care givers and not the children themselves.
As Americans It is our responsibility to raise and influence the youth of society to be healthy, and productive members of their community as people were taught growing up. Parents and care takers are increasingly busy and do not take enough responsibility for their childrens health. Although it is easy to let children entertain themselves with their favorite video game, television show, or junk food it is taking an easy out. Between home and the community people live in, children are not getting nearly enough activity or encouragement from their remodels to get outside and play or eat healthy. The old saying “lead by example” has been around for a long time for a reason. Children look up to the influences in their lives, primarily their parents and care givers. Leann Birch, a Distinguished Professor of Human Development, and Director of the Center for Childhood Obesity Research, showed that the food consumption of toddlers
and primary and secondary school children is influenced by the social groups to which theybelong (Birch, 1999).Children look to those influences for guidance and sometimes need a push in the right direction.It is vital that the role models in our childrens lives start to learn how to positively influence and reshape the lives of the children in our society in order for them to lead healthy and productive lives long into the future. Studies show that the life expectancy for young adults has the potential to decline by five years if aggressive efforts are not made to slow the rising rates of obesity. It is also estimated that children who are obese have a 70-80% chance of becoming obese adults (DHHS, 2005). As children start to develop obesity related diseases at such a young age, the potential for more aggressive and advanced illness rises significantly. As parents and caregivers we no longer have the luxury of playing the blame game, trying to place the fault for childhood obesity on other facets of our childrens lives. It doesnt matter; what matters is that our children are sick and need help. As the saying goes “If youre not part of the solution, your part of the problem”.
A parents role in a childs development is integral. Parents are meant to be the biggest advocates for their childrens health and welfare. The parents make the all of the important decisions such as what food is brought into the house, the amount of physical activity allotted for each day, as well as being in charge of reinforcing the rules. How can children be expected to make the right decisions for their health when their brains are not fully developed? “A number of factors influence early brain development in children. These important factors include genetics, food and nutrition, responsiveness of parents, daily experiences, physical activity and love. In particular, parents should be aware of the importance of furnishing a healthy and nutritious diet, giving love and nurturing, providing interesting and varied everyday experiences, and giving children positive and sensitive feedback”(NDSU, 2005). Parents
and their children
should be well informed of the many educational and social values that influence their decisions. Parents may also take the time to learn, but can also try to help them make the best decisions when they are younger, especially when the family environment or family rules are the most frequent offenders. (http://www.nejm.org/content/18/18/1529.full.) Parents may also discuss and use their children’s experience with children’s care and resources for developing, fostering and raising strong, healthy, well-rounded, independent families/groups with a commitment to families and communities.
3. A variety of behaviors and activities can influence this cognitive development in children. However, there are some behavioral factors that can be included in a role. There are several different types of behavior, many of them not listed above, but are often a key part of parenting. Some behavioral factors are simply not in-tune with the development of intelligence, development of interests, and other developmental developmental, genetic, and developmental traits. They include, but are not limited to:
• Learning • Intimacy • Self-determination • Developmental and social-developmental changes (e.g., increased sensitivity and focus to different circumstances) • Attention span • Children may use other modes of expressing and expressing emotions. Often this means that they may use other behavioral systems, such as reading, socialization and social interactions, to learn to share information. Children generally don’t find behavioral learning beneficial, and it often happens that they are bored out of attention.
A key way a parent is able to develop their children’s needs/interests is by giving information to them through activities that are not in their control and that they enjoy by playing. When children are asked to participate in group activities (e.g., play or make food, eat or drink), they may feel more like adults and may not feel connected with the people in the groups that they are involved in. Kids who would normally be not to feel connected with adults also might want to engage in groups from time to time, since these groups tend to involve lots of adults talking to each other. Children may also like to make friends or try to get more exercise. So, children may be drawn to social activities, such as going to a restaurant, meeting friends, playing catch and playing video games. Adults can also explore social activities for their children by asking them to use social games, while parents may just be giving a variety of games/groups to their children, such as golf or tennis.
The way children are taught in these behaviors, and how they interpret the cues that are shown to them by adults, can help them navigate their development of intelligence. It is particularly important that kids have a sense that they are undervalued and ignored, perhaps because they experience problems with their parent, or that they cannot control their behavior. That makes them even less likely to understand and relate to others. In addition, children may have trouble learning more about the world around them, including outside world events that affect their individual and social development and develop children’s moods, and may experience distress in school because teachers treat them like a child who has not yet met the standard of the world, or who lacks a sense of self. Children may also be less interested in what people say when they talk to their classmates. Some children enjoy spending time with classmates, and some children do not enjoy this. And children may also have difficulty developing a sense of trust. Children who are in group activities or who participate in social groups may not be considered important in terms of their social social learning. Children should be trained to listen to their peers and learn to share information/stories whenever possible