Childhood Obesity as a Result of American Culture

Obesity in Americans and American children in particular, has been escalating at an alarming rate in the last few decades. The is due to the American culture as it has changed over time and the ramifications of that change on the American diet. Among preschool children aged 2–5, obesity increased from 5.0% to 10.4% between 1976–1980 and 2007–2008 and from 6.5% to 19.6% among those aged 6–11. Among adolescents aged 12–19, obesity increased from 5.0% to 18.1% during the same period (“Childhood Obesity and Overweight”). This rise in obesity, caused by poor diets, has been gaining media attention and is now being addressed by the government.

Iconic cultural American foods; bologna, hot dogs, fries, mac and cheese, ice cream, and hamburgers are all high in calories and low in nutrients, i.e., low nutrient density foods. These foods all contribute to the high childhood obesity rate and are found readily in the typical American diet. Fast food, cafeteria meals, and prepackaged foods have a negative effect on diets because they are often low in calcium, riboflavin, vitamin A, folic acid, and vitamin C, as well as being high in sugar, fat and saturated fat (Herbes). This type of low nutrient density eating combined with minimal exercise and large portions are the main causes of the obesity epidemic.

Legislation is trying to battle this epidemic by passing a bill that will put restrictions on school cafeteria lunches. Recently, President Obama has signed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, in which, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has put stricter restrictions on the nutritional value of cafeteria lunches. The authors of the legislation hope to reduce sugary, high-fat milk products, processed grains and starches, replacing them with fruits, vegetables and whole grains. The legislation also mandates that schools must reduce sodium levels, calorie counts, and drastically limit the amount of starches (e.g. potatoes and corn) that can be served (Parsons). If this is successful, it will greatly reduce the amount of excess glucose and fats that children consume, which often results in adipose, or fatty tissue. If the bill is successful in maintaining a healthy weight, the children will have a lowered risk of cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, bone wear, and other weight sensitive illnesses.

The bill however can only control the part of the children’s diet they consume during lunch. The rest of their day is highly influenced by the fast food culture, consumer centered society and sedentary lifestyles. Children are a reflection of the adult controlled culture in which they are raised. In order to positively change the climbing rate of childhood obesity we must adapt a long-term, healthy lifestyle as a nation.

Bibliography

"Childhood Obesity and Overweight." Overweight and Obesity. Center for Disease Control, 31 Mar. 2010. Web. 19 Jan. 2011. .

Herbes, Kirsten. "Dietary Trends, American." Internet FAQ Archives - Online Education - Faqs.org. Faqs.org. Web. 20 Jan. 2011. .

Parsons, Sarah. "School Lunch | Sustainable Food Articles & Issues | Change.org." Sustainable Food. Change.org, 13 Jan. 2011. Web. 20 Jan. 2011. .