Introduction
In the United States, obesity, diabetes, and other nutrition-related chronic diseases are on a progressive rise. However, childhood obesity has risen rapidly in many developed countries. According to the Mayo Clinic, this chronic disease affects more than 3 million children per year and is also a very common disease. Childhood obesity is a medical condition in which a child is significantly overweight for his or her age and height. A child can be classified as being overweight or obese through their Body Mass Index (BMI). Being a child with obesity, there are many risk factors that could take place. As they age, they will end up having more health-related problems arise.
Until the 20th century, the presence of obesity in the United States was moderate. Within the last two decades, obesity has risen to epidemic proportions. “34.4 percent of the population of the United States are now considered overweight but not obese; 33.9 percent are considered to be obese, affecting more than 200 million people” (Barton). Looking at these numbers, we have more than half of the population that is either overweight or obese. Obesity in children is similar in numbers. Children are getting diagnosed with obesity and/or obesity-related diabetes are continuously increasing over the past 20 years in countries around the world.
Childhood obesity has become a major health concern for physicians, parents, and health agencies around the world. It doesnʻt only affect their childhood, but it also affects you later on in life. In the article, Childhood obesity: A life-long health risk, it talks about how much of a risk obesity is to many young people around the world. “Underlying the accelerated vascular disease development due to obesity. It also highlights the importance of recognizing childhood obesity as a disease condition and its permissive role in aggravating the development of other diseases. The importance of childhood obesity for ...