Argumentative Essay Sample on Childhood Obesity in the USA

Abstract

Childhood obesity emerges as a formidable challenge globally, manifesting a worrying trend despite concerted efforts by parents, health professionals, and policymakers to curb its rise. This lifestyle-related condition, exacerbated by dietary habits and sedentary behaviors, underscores the urgent need for a paradigm shift in parental attitudes towards nutrition and physical activity. While legal frameworks aim to mitigate this issue, the crux of combating childhood obesity lies in empowering parents to prioritize balanced diets and regular exercise for their children, thereby addressing the root causes of this epidemic and enhancing the effectiveness of collective interventions.

Hypothesis

Childhood obesity is caused by parents’ negligence when feeding their children by not adhering to the diet requirements per meal.

Introduction

The issue is current because it is spreading very fast and has a devastating impact on the world population. Globally, according to World Health Organization (WHO), overweight and obesity account for more than 2.8 million affected people die of the disease, meaning that the world is really struggling to cope with the challenges caused by the epidemic. Out of this number, more are half are child related cases. This situation is costly to parents and governments, especially those with limited resources. Notably, childhood obesity is a lifestyle medical condition caused by over-consumption of fats and sugary diet. In essence, unprecedented budget used to contain the disease in different states is not sustainable based on the economic situation in various countries, thus calling for an immediate intervention mechanisms to minimize its effects. Despite numerous attempts to control it, childhood obesity is evidently on the rise, posing a very serious challenge to the parents as they take care of the children.

Method and Material

This is a secondary research that will be carried out using secondary data to prove the hypothesis. In this research, the methodology to be used includes looking for secondary materials such as books, peer review journals and reports on the topic. The method is appropriate since there is a lot of useful literature about childhood obesity and its trends.

Result

After conducting the secondary research, it revealed that out of the global population, about 35.8 million of total world death is due to the epidemic, most of whom are children (WHO 1). Therefore, the focus should be on specific issues such as workable legal framework, extensive awareness campaigns targeting parents, formation of joint ventures and alliances, and objective implementation of the available regulations, which are aimed at minimizing the consequences of childhood obesity before the situation gets out of hand.

Result, Discussion

Topic Statement

In this research, the topic is childhood obesity (argumentative, problem-solution paper.

Problem Statement

The problem is the rise in childhood obesity in the United States. Childhood obesity in the United States is a growing anxiety to the parents various stakeholders in the health sector.

Relationship between Topic and Problem

In terms of the connection between the topic and problem, report of increasing number of children developing this condition is alarming. Therefore, the problem needs an immediate medical and social intervention. Basically, ignorance to dietary requirements and inadequate physical exercise is responsible for the increased cases of obesity in most parts of the country and globally (Harcombe 102).

Discussion

Adherence to healthy eating habits and creating enough time to carry out physical exercise are some of the precautionary measures that must be considered to make sure that the disease is minimized. Other than the parents, stakeholders who implement the mitigation programs include the government under the Department of Health (DOH), World Health Organisation (WHO), Food and Beverage Manufacturers, Food Retailers, Take Away Outlets, and Fast Food Chains (Harcombe 103). The coordination of all stakeholders will enable them monitor the content of food to make sure it does not contain high amount of salt, sugar and fat harmful to the body. Reversing the trend of childhood obesity will depend on the inclusive approach that the stakeholders agree to adopt (World Health Organization 1). Definitely, the success of this approach will help reduce the increasing cases of overweight and obesity, thus promote healthy living especially among the world fattest countries. This shows that the issue of overweight and obesity are worrying the whole world and threatens its population. World Health Organization is therefore working with developed and developing nation to formulate workable policies that would minimize childhood obesity.

There are academic theories available on the topic of childhood obesity, which include Food Reward Theory and Carbohydrate/Insulin Theory. Food Reward Theory postulates that the palatability value and reward of food determine body fatness. In this respect, high amount of reward/palatability will eventually increase the amount of fat in the body, leading to overweight and obesity (Harcombe 104). Therefore, reversing the patient condition would be achieved by a drastic reduction of the amount of reward or palatability of food (Musaiger 51). On the other hand, Carbohydrate/Insulin Theory postulates that high carbohydrate, fat and sugar content in food could lead to diabetes, overweight and obesity, an issue that increases the chances of a child developing obese condition. In order to lower the risk of a person contracting the epidemic, the amount of carbohydrates, sugar and fat must be significantly reduced.

Having understood the theories, reducing the increasing cases of childhood obesity in children relies on the effort that the parents and stakeholders have to put in place. For instance, the government under the Department of Health must formulate laws to regulate the amount of carbohydrates, fats and sugar in food to reduce prevalence (Yahia et al., 1). Notably, the success of these policies rest with the food industries since they manufacturer food and are best placed to regulate food content. In Whales, for instance, obesity is become more and more serious issue because there is inadequate coordination among the stakeholders. In this regard, food industries, retailers and fast food outlets do not adhere to the policies that the government has put in place (World Health Organization 1). In order to prevent the obesity within the food industry, manufactures must uphold integrity and morality.

Result, Solution

Solution Statement

The main solution for childhood obesity is increased awareness of the problem among the parents so that they could change the way they feed their children. In essence, a parent who understands the medical implication of childhood obesity and the cost of medication for the health condition is likely to be courteous about their children’s diet. This means that changing lifestyle and eating habit is very essential is the war against childhood obesity is to be won.

Two Objectives

The two objective of the above solution include the following. First, it aims to increase awareness of childhood obesity among parents since they are the sole care takers of their children. Second, it aims to improve the eating habits so that the parents become more courteous about their children’s daily meals.

Refutation of the Two Objections the creation of awareness might not succeed if there are no relevant laws and regulations governing the problem. This means that the mere creation of awareness without restraining laws may not change the attitude of some parents about obesity. Second, improving the eating habit is a personal choice, thus forcing people to eat or feed their children in a particular way does not necessarily mean that they will do the same. Parents have different attitude and preferences when it comes to feeding their children, thus making it difficult to achieve the second objective.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the escalating crisis of childhood obesity calls for a multifaceted approach, centering on heightened awareness among parents, the adoption of healthier lifestyle choices, and stringent policy implementation. The battle against this condition transcends mere awareness; it necessitates a profound transformation in societal norms and personal behaviors concerning diet and physical activity. Governments, along with health and food industry stakeholders, must collaborate to establish and enforce regulations that ensure access to nutritious food options and promote active living. Ultimately, the eradication of childhood obesity hinges on a collective commitment to fostering environments that support the physical and emotional well-being of the next generation, thereby securing a healthier future for all.