The increased prevalence of obesity in children over the past decade has given rise to several problems in the western society. This essay will examine the main reasons behind this trend and the consequences of childhood obesity on the mental and physical health of the young generation.
One of the major factors responsible for the rising numbers of overweight children in the west is the faulty dietary habits. This is because the parents nowadays have busier schedules and have less time for cooking, often resorting to readymade foods, which are not as nutritious as freshly prepared meals. As a result, junk foods like burgers, pizzas and aerated drinks, which are readily available as well as affordable, have become more popular. These foods are often very high in carbohydrates and fats, leading to excessive weight gain. Another contributing factor for this trend is more sedentary lifestyle. Earlier children used to spend more time playing outdoors, however, over the past decade, this trend has changed and kids nowadays often spend more time in indoor activities like video games and internet. Thus reduced physical activity has contributed to the rise in childhood obesity.
Being overweight has numerous detrimental effects on physical and mental health of children. There is higher risk of developing chronic health problems like diabetes mellitus and hypertension at earlier age. In fact, statistics have shown an upward trend in the incidence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in young adults which was earlier known to have its onset in later years of life. Obesity negatively affects the mental wellbeing, especially in adolescent years. This is because being overweight can lead to negative self-image, low self-esteem and therefore, loss of confidence in children. Furthermore, there are increased chances of being bullied and social isolation at school, sometimes leading to depression in early years.
In conclusion, the alarming trend of increase in overweight children over the past 10 years is mainly due to poor eating habits and lack of physical activity. This can lead to serious long term adverse consequences to the overall health of our young generation and thus, it needs to be addressed on an urgent basis.
The increased prevalence of obesity in
children
over the past decade has
given
rise to several problems in the western society. This essay will examine the main reasons behind this
trend
and the consequences of childhood obesity on the mental and
physical
health
of the young generation.
One of the major factors responsible for the rising numbers of
overweight
children
in the west is the faulty dietary habits. This is
because
the parents nowadays have busier schedules and have less time for cooking,
often
resorting to
readymade
foods, which are not as nutritious as
freshly
prepared meals.
As a result
, junk foods like burgers, pizzas and aerated drinks, which are
readily
available
as well
as affordable, have become more popular. These foods are
often
very
high in carbohydrates and fats, leading to excessive weight gain. Another contributing factor for this
trend
is more sedentary lifestyle. Earlier
children
used
to spend more time playing outdoors,
however
, over the past decade, this
trend
has
changed
and kids nowadays
often
spend more time in indoor activities like video games and internet.
Thus
reduced
physical
activity has contributed to the rise in childhood obesity.
Being
overweight
has numerous detrimental effects on
physical
and mental
health
of
children
. There is higher
risk
of developing chronic
health
problems like diabetes mellitus and hypertension at earlier age. In fact, statistics have shown an upward
trend
in the incidence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in young adults which was earlier known to have its onset in later years of life. Obesity
negatively
affects the mental
wellbeing
,
especially
in adolescent years. This is
because
being
overweight
can lead to
negative
self-image, low self-esteem and
therefore
, loss of confidence in
children
.
Furthermore
, there
are increased
chances of
being bullied
and social isolation at school,
sometimes
leading to depression in early years.
In conclusion
, the alarming
trend
of increase in
overweight
children
over the past 10 years is
mainly
due to poor eating habits and lack of
physical
activity. This can lead to serious long term adverse
consequences to
the
overall
health
of our young generation and
thus
, it needs to
be addressed
on an urgent basis.