“Cause and Effect Essay: Causes of Obesity in Children”

Obesity is known as the event of having an excessively high amount of body fat or adipose tissue in relation to body mass. (NRC, n.d.; Stunkard, n.d.) Individuals with a Body Mass Index of 30 or more are said to be obese because BMI is a common measure of expressing the relationship of weight-to-height. BMI is also a mathematical formula in which a person’s body weight in kilograms (Kg.) is divided by the square of the individual’s height in meters. (NRC, 2008) Obesity is caused by the following factors: dietary habits, physical inactivity, and depression along with other emotional problems.

One of the main causes of obesity in children is the children’s dietary habits. Nowadays, children tend to prefer consuming fast food meals, junk foods and drinks containing a lot of sugar rather than eating healthy and hearty meals. These kinds of food tend to be high in fat and calories and also low in other nutrients that cause children to gain extra pounds. According to Ferry, Jr. (2009), eating when not hungry, watching T.V or doing homework while eating are patterns and behaviors of children that is associated with obesity.

Another reason behind obesity in children is their physical inactivity. Children today are slowly translating to a very sedentary lifestyle due to the increasing popularity of T.V watching, computer browsing as well as playing video games. Children spend more time in watching T.V, which encourages more snacking than engaging in regular physical exercise. There are limited Physical Education classes in school nowadays and busy parents, who fear about their children’s safety, hinder their children from participating in school activities and engage in sports. (Ferry, Jr., 2009)

The last cause of obesity in children is depression along with other emotional problems. Depression can make a person eat to ease the pain they are feeling, causes a person to stay indoors and refrain from engaging in physical sports or even converse with other individuals. People with emotional problems tend to be pressured by their friends, family or other external forces. This limits a person’s capabilities and mood to exercise.

Due to these causes – dietary habits, physical inactivity and depression along with other emotional problems – occurrence of obesity in children is greatly increasing. However, there are ways to manage obesity in children. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (2008), parents of children at risk can start a weight-management program, and change eating habits such as eating slowly or developing a routine of consumption. Parents can also plain meals and make better food selection, control portions and make children consume less calories. They can also encourage children to increase their physical activity by walking or engaging in sports. There are just some ways to manage obesity; however, constant practice of these simple ways can prevent children from being part of the population of obese citizens.

Reference List:

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (May 2008). Facts for Families: Obesity in Children. Retrieved November 23, 2009 from http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/Obesity_in_children_and_teens

Ferry, R. (n.d.). Obesity in Children Causes. Retrieved November 23, 2009 from http://www.emedicinehealth.com/obesity_in_children/page2_em.htm#Obesity%20Children%20Causes