How PARENTS influence the childhood obesity epidemic in America
Do parents realize the health risks of childhood obesity?
The title above contains a link of a
study done to find out if parents were aware of the health risks that follow
childhood obesity. The study was conducted in Westchester County, NY at a
pediatric doctor’s office. At the doctor’s office, the patients were 70% white,
12% Asian, 10% African American, 5% Hispanic, and 3% other or unknown. The
survey was completed by parents of children 4 to 8 years old. With every survey
a copy of the child’s health records were attached.
The end result of the study concluded that no matter the percentile of the child’s weight, the parents knew the health risks that came with feeding their child excess sugar and fat. The article did find that parents of children in the two highest percentile ranges, underestimate their children’s weight. In the end, parents know what not to feed their children. They just are uncertain with the child’s weight and where they stand in comparison with other children.
We understand that parents are not sure where their child falls compared to other children, but if a parent notices that their child is gaining weight they should seek help. Even if a parent doesn't have access to a doctor, they could get on a computer and look up the information. Many libraries have computers to one can use free of charge. There really isn’t any excuse for being ignorant.
We looked up on the internet height and weight percentages for children and came up with a number of results. We found this website, weight percentile, that is fantastic. It gives information on the child's percentages compared to other children for weight and height. It also has a chart and says whether the child is over, under, or normal weight. It gives an ideal weight based on age and height as well. This website is a good resource for parents to have, because according to the study, they are unaware of where their child stands compared to other children.
The end result of the study concluded that no matter the percentile of the child’s weight, the parents knew the health risks that came with feeding their child excess sugar and fat. The article did find that parents of children in the two highest percentile ranges, underestimate their children’s weight. In the end, parents know what not to feed their children. They just are uncertain with the child’s weight and where they stand in comparison with other children.
We understand that parents are not sure where their child falls compared to other children, but if a parent notices that their child is gaining weight they should seek help. Even if a parent doesn't have access to a doctor, they could get on a computer and look up the information. Many libraries have computers to one can use free of charge. There really isn’t any excuse for being ignorant.
We looked up on the internet height and weight percentages for children and came up with a number of results. We found this website, weight percentile, that is fantastic. It gives information on the child's percentages compared to other children for weight and height. It also has a chart and says whether the child is over, under, or normal weight. It gives an ideal weight based on age and height as well. This website is a good resource for parents to have, because according to the study, they are unaware of where their child stands compared to other children.
200 pound Eight Year Old is Taken From His Mother
If you click the title above it will bring you to an article. The article is about a recent case in Ohio, where an 8 year old boy was taken from his family for being morbidity obese. The boy weighs over 200 pounds. Based on his height and age he should only weigh 60 pounds. The government felt the parents were at fault for the boys size and considered it child abuse. The boy was placed into foster care. According to the article before taking the child away the government worked with the family for twenty months to get the boys weight down.
When we were doing research on our project their were so many opinions on taking the child from their parents. At first we thought that it was a little harsh to take the children away, but it was a good way to address the child obesity epidemic. Then we read what people had to say that were more education on the topic and our views started to change. The articles that were against taking children from their homes had many good arguments. The strongest argument was that the government should education and provide the opportunity for the families to make the lifestyle change. Also, taking the children out of the home will stress them out. When people have a problem with eating they use food to coop with hard issues. Taking them out of they're normally surroundings and away from their families can lead them to eat more. Like Dr.Spencer said in our interviews, "Eating healthy and exercising should a positive experience". Taking the children away from their parents is not positive. If they lost any weight it would be short lived because as soon as their went back into their old environment they would go right back to their old habits. Some better alternatives to help the children could be mandatory summer camp for all over weight families, mandatory classes to learn to eat healthy, or giving money to low income families to get healthier food. We feel that something obviously needs to be done and that these would be a good, positive ways to address the issue.
The people that are for taking their children out of their homes keep on stressing that it is child abuse. They say that it is a form of child abuse and should be treated the same way. Their main concern is just getting the children out of the unsafe environment.
The government should really think about setting up plans to help the children and families. The epidemic is only getting worse, something needs to be done fast.
Some articles against taking children away
Addresses both sides of the argument
Articles that are for taking children away from their families
When we were doing research on our project their were so many opinions on taking the child from their parents. At first we thought that it was a little harsh to take the children away, but it was a good way to address the child obesity epidemic. Then we read what people had to say that were more education on the topic and our views started to change. The articles that were against taking children from their homes had many good arguments. The strongest argument was that the government should education and provide the opportunity for the families to make the lifestyle change. Also, taking the children out of the home will stress them out. When people have a problem with eating they use food to coop with hard issues. Taking them out of they're normally surroundings and away from their families can lead them to eat more. Like Dr.Spencer said in our interviews, "Eating healthy and exercising should a positive experience". Taking the children away from their parents is not positive. If they lost any weight it would be short lived because as soon as their went back into their old environment they would go right back to their old habits. Some better alternatives to help the children could be mandatory summer camp for all over weight families, mandatory classes to learn to eat healthy, or giving money to low income families to get healthier food. We feel that something obviously needs to be done and that these would be a good, positive ways to address the issue.
The people that are for taking their children out of their homes keep on stressing that it is child abuse. They say that it is a form of child abuse and should be treated the same way. Their main concern is just getting the children out of the unsafe environment.
The government should really think about setting up plans to help the children and families. The epidemic is only getting worse, something needs to be done fast.
Some articles against taking children away
Addresses both sides of the argument
Articles that are for taking children away from their families
Austin's Story Austin story is proof that any family can get healthy. His family lost a total of 200 pounds. They changed their diet and became active. This video shows that parents can make a change. Austin's mother was diagnosed with diabetes and decided to make a change. This eye opening experience led her to make a life style change for the family. Their family supported one another to make healthier decisions. Even simply monitoring portions and makes a big change. Austin's has not only lost 47 pounds, but he also speaks at events to inform people about childhood obesity. His mom expresses how amazing it feels to see how he has more energy and feels better. This video is proof that parents can make a difference. At first Austin just ate unhealthy because that was all he knew. As soon as his mother started to instill healthy habits he made changes. Child just needs the resources and education to concur obesity.
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How to help your children lose weight.
We understand that losing weight is an on going battle for many families. We found a couple of websites for parents with obese children.
Help Cure Child Obesity is a website that has a number of helpful pages including...
Help Cure Child Obesity is a website that has a number of helpful pages including...
- This website has a section where parents can submit questions about their children and their obesity issues.
- If parents are dealing with their children being bullied for their weight they can post their story
- Diet plans for children
- Eating habits
- Teen obesity
- Causes of childhood obesity
- This website gives some general advise on helping to reduce the risk of childhood obesity.
- This site also has different ways for parents to prevent obesity for all the stages. It starts before the baby is even born when a woman is in her childbearing years and goes until the they are teenagers.