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Megan Peterson
Professor Joseph Griffin
English 252
October 22, 2014
Imagine being a child that is overweight. You are constantly comparing yourself to other
children. You wonder why you cant run as fast as them, or have as many friends as them, and
you are constantly wondering if you are the subject of ridicule for those children talking to each
other on the playground. I was that child. I was a 100 lb third grader who did not understand why
none of my friends clothes fit and why I was bigger than most boys. I did not realize this until a
few years later when a neighbor came to visit us after we had moved to Virginia. The first thing
he said to me was, Megan, out of your whole family the person who has changed the most is
you! You used to be the chubby girl on the block! Yes, when I am going through a growth spurt
I gain weight and then shoot up like a beanstalk, but did I really deserve such a harsh reality
check?
As I have grown I have realized that I was not the only person to go through growing
phases in that manner. I am also not the only one to have been laughed at because of my previous
weight issues. This is a constant source of humiliation that children endure from their peers. No
parent wants to have their child coming home crying about their peers teasing them. So why is
this happening more frequently? What can you do to stop this? The answer is what you can stop
doing. Child obesity starts at birth and continues on throughout life. Parents need to take
responsibility for their childs eating and exercise habits from an early age and instill in them the
tools to lead a happy and healthy life.

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The Epidemic
Child obesity, and obesity in itself, has become one of the leading medical issues in the
United States within the past 30 years, being called one of the most challenging issues in the
21st century (Charry 245). Statistics have shown that now one out of three children under the
age of 18 is overweight or obese (Editors 1). A study on children in Nairobi gave further
insight into the severity of the epidemic. 563 students, ages 9 through 11, participated in an
observational study of their daily activities. Scientists found that on average the children spent
398 minutes of sedentary time, 463 minutes of light physical activity, and 36 minutes of
moderate to vigorous activity; 20.8% were obese (Mathuri 7). The increase in convenience of
food and entertainment are to blame. Parents no longer want to pack their childrens lunches due
to tight schedules so they give them money for school lunches. However, the school does not
provide healthy choices. There are bagel pizzas, French fries, and burgers at school that are
supposed to provide sustenance for children. Other than thirty minutes of school recess, most
children are not getting enough exercise. They have computer games, X-box, and the television
to provide for their entertainment. Behavioral transitions toward more sedentary lifestyles
coupled with increased consumption of high calorie foods has resulted in rising proportions of
overweight and obesity and decreasing levels of physical activity (Mathuri 2).
The Complications
The public is often told obesity is bad, however they are not given the hard facts. The
truth is that overweight and obesity [are] ranking as the fifth leading risk of death globally
(Charry 245). Yes we know it makes us feel bad about ourselves and makes us out of breath
when we walk upstairs, but do we know what is at risk of happening on the inside? Excess body

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fat leads to a higher risk for premature death, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipedemia,
cardiovascular disease, stroke, gall bladder disease, respiratory dysfunction, gout, osteoarthritis,
and certain kinds of cancers (Gibbs 1). Scared yet? Thats just a small summary. What is scary
is that if you looked at any epidemic-whether its influenza or the plague from the Middle Agesthey are not as serious as the epidemic of obesity in terms of the health impact in our country and
our society (Gibbs 1). On average, obese/overweight individuals spend thousands more in
medical bills than the typical person. The average obese person costs society more than $7,000
a year in lost productivity and added medical treatment (Freedman 1). This epidemic is not only
hurting the person affected, but it hurts society economically as well. However, the growth of
this epidemic is increasing in effects as the years go on. Obesity may shave up to five years off
average life spans in coming decades (Gibbs 1).
The Media
The media has gotten better and more creative with advertising their products. Food
advertisements are now, more than ever, more appealing to the young eye. This is problematic
because pre-adolescents may not have the cognitive abilities to grasp the concepts and
consequences at stake (Charry 244). Because of new technology and social acceptance of sitting
in front of the television for hours, children are being exposed to more of these advertisements.
Studies have found that children that see more television ads become fatter (Editors 1). It is not
just the food industry to blame, although they do play a large part, but it is the fashion industry
and the entertainment industry. Commercials depicting models and actors with the perfect
body add to body-image issues. Shows make overeating seem humorous; giving children the
idea that binge eating is acceptable. While watching television or playing electronic games

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children are more likely to consume high fat and energy dense convenience foods and snacks
(Cowie 18).
The Parents
Believe it or not, but parents are the driving force behind obesity in their off-spring.
Adult perspective on acceptability is the most relevant one in that adults can influence their
children (Charry 244). Bottom line: Parents choices are mimicked by their children. Beginning
at birth the mothers eating habits come into play; high birth weight in a baby is an indicator of
later obesity (Navti 1). To keep children quiet or appeased parents offer technology or snacks.
This is not bad in itself, but moderation is key. Parents need to lead by example: 2 out of 3
adults are overweight (Editors 1). Adults need to stop thinking about convenience and start
thinking about health. For the first time in history, children may live shorter lives than their
parents (Charry 244).
Over exaggeration?
In recent years scientists have stepped forward trying to calm the chaos. Some are
claiming that this epidemic will subside in coming years; others are saying that this isnt an
epidemic at all, but a product of our genes. Oliver, a scientist at the University of Chicago said,
What really is going on is that a relatively small group of scientists and doctors, many directly
funded by the weight-loss industry, have created an arbitrary and unscientific definition of
overweight and obesity. They have inflated claims and distorted statistics on the consequences of
growing weights, and they have largely ignored the complicated health realities associated with
being fat (Gibbs 1).

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What some scientists do not account for is the role of mental illness. Mental illness does
not only include depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder etc but it includes eating
disorders. Binge eating disorder is an illness in which people over eat when they feel bored,
powerless, or stressed. This can also be a cause of obesity. Another thing that is not accounted
for in this epidemic is sexual maturity. Sexual maturity is better at determining the extent of
body fat in children and adolescents (Cowie 21). At different stages of puberty and sexual
maturity there will be fluctuation of weight. The complicated reality is that genetic differences
account for 50-80% of the degrees of obesity in the population (Gibbs 1).
The Answer
However much we want to be able to blame our genetics for the problem, we have to take
responsibility for our actions. Just because we are genetically programmed to love sweets, does
that mean that there is no solution? No. Genetics does play a part in it, but so does our
environment. It is partly environment- the eating habits of your friends, what food is more
available in your home and local stores, how much opportunity you have to move around at
work. It is partly biology- there are genetic dispositions for storing fat, for having higher satiety
thresholds, even for having more sensitive taste buds. It is partly economics- junk food has
become much cheaper than fresh produce. And it is marketing, too- food companies have
become masterful at playing on human social nature and our evolutionary programming to
steer us toward unhealthy profitable fare (Freedman 1). All of these factors sum up to obese
individuals. Of course the answer is simple: finding a diet and exercise program that work for
you and your family. However, the answer is a little more complicated. A 2007 study conducted
on 31 diet programs by the American Psychological Association found that as many as two of
every three dieters end up two years later weighing more than they did before the diet

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(Freedman 1). People are going for the quick fix, when in fact they should make small
sustainable adjustments in eating and exercise habits that are prompted and encouraged by the
people and environment around [them] (Freedman 1).
This proposal is based off of studies conducted by B.F. Skinner. Skinners focus of study
was the way behavior affects peoples actions in different situations. The point of applying this
to daily food intake and exercise of parents and children is to spot events or situations that may
be prompting or triggering certain behaviors and noting what may be rewarding and thus
reinforcing of some behaviors or punishing and thus inhibiting of others (Freedman 1). For
example: When your child is stressed or sad do they eat? While working out or playing does
your child feel self-conscious, making them less inclined to participate? If the problem can be
defined then an appropriate solution can be made. Brief behavioral counseling interventions (by
a professional or a parent) can help reduce the problem. In a study it was found that brief
behavioral counseling interventions reduced the number of drinks taken by problem drinkers by
13 to 34 percent for as long as four years; similar successful results were found for counseling
interventions for increasing athletic performance (Freedman 1). Children need to be given the
tools to properly handle their physical and mental well being. So often parents are afraid to say
something because they dont want to hurt their childrens feelings, and parents think that they
will figure it out for themselves. This is a false perception. It is better that parents take control of
the situation and encourage their child to be more active and make healthier decisions. Parents
need to address the issue in a kind thoughtful way before cruel peers leave emotional scars. As
previously stated, parents need to lead by example.

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The Government
One of Obamas major campaigns is to fight obesity. First Lady Michelle Obama has
given many speeches trying to persuade people into joining the cause. Their targets to start the
ball rolling are the school systems. Several states passed legislation to improve school health
environment (Craig 2047). State governments are implementing obesity interventions and
prevention which is the major priority for policy makers, healthcare professionals, economists
and the general public (Craig 2047). One state that is implementing measures against obesity
(even before Obama was elected) is Arkansas. In 2003 Act 1220 was passed in Arkansas. This
Act included different components to help the schools combat child obesity. First, 15 member
Child Health Advisory Committee was to make recommendations to the State Board of
Education and the State Board of Health regarding physical activity and nutrition standards in
public schools (Craig 2047). Secondly, the school district had to establish Nutrition and
Physical Activity Advisory Committees to guide development of locally specific policies and
programs (Craig 2047). This Act also required schools to monitor student access to vending
machines as well as personally report the revenue made off vending machines. However, the
most controversial part of this act was the requirement of children K 12 to get BMI screening
with reports sent home to the parents (Craig 2047). How much more involved does the
government need to become in order to get the message through to parents? First Lady Michelle
Obama has started to talk about passing legislation to stop the production of King Size candy
bars and the availability of large sodas; because we are abusing our agency with an unhealthy
effect.

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Conclusion
We all think it is adorable when a baby is chubby or a chunky toddler is waddling around
because they are a little too big to properly run, but we need to consider the long term effects.
Although genetics do play a role in obesity, parental habits are also to blame. We need to stop
thinking about what is convenient and start thinking about how our actions will affect others.
Parents need to teach children healthy habits while they are young. More and more often you
hear about a child having a heart attack or a stroke on the news. There are those that like to
blame faulty products or genetics, but in all honesty it is their lifestyle choices. Obesity is
caused by an imbalance in equilibrium between energy intake and energy expenditure, not just
by genetics (Cowie 18). Parents please do your children a favor and talk to them about solutions
for a healthier lifestyle; instead of ignoring the problem and hoping it will resolve on its own.
Children do not have the cognitive abilities to resolve the issue by themselves. Remember that if
you do not help them, the world is a cruel place.

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Works Cited
Charry, Karinel, K. Charry@iseg.Fr ,Patrick2, Patrick.despeismacker@va.ac.bePelsmacker,
and Claude3, claude.pecheux@uclouvain-mons.be Pecheux.How Does Perceived
Effectiveness affect Adults Ethical Acceptance of Anti-Obesity Threat Appeals to
Children? When the Going Gets Tough, The Audience Gets Going. Journal of Business
Ethics. 124.2 (2014): 243-257. Omnifile Full Text Select (H.W. Wilson). Web. 24 Oct.
2014.
Cowie, Jean. Measurement of Obesity in Children. Primary Health Care 24.7 (2014): 18-23.
Academic Search Premier. Web. 24 Oct 2014.
Craig, Rebekah L., et al. Public Health Professionals As Policy Entrepreneurs: Arkansas
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(2010): 2047. MasterFILE Permier. Web. 25 Oct. 2014.
Editors, The. Underage, Overweight. Scientific American. Scientific American, May 2010.
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Freedman, David H. How to fix the Obesity Crisis. Scientific American. Scientific American,
Feb. 2011. Web. 25 Oct. 2014.
Gibbs, W. W. Obesity: An Overblown Epidemic? Scientific American. Scientific American,
June 2005. Web. 25 Oct. 2014.

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Mathuri, Stella K., et al, Correlates of Objectively Measured Overweight/Obesity and Physical
Activity in Kenyan School Children: Results from ISCOLE-Kenya. BMC Public Health
14.1 (2014):1-20 Academic Search Premier. Web.24 Oct.2014.
Navti, Lifater K., et al. Contribution of Socioeconomic Status, Stature And Birth Weight to
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