Obesity awareness is a global phenomenon. It has taken over smoking as
the leading cause of premature death and it is a disease that affects both
adults as well as children. However, the focus seems to be directed towards the
younger generation, as Childhood Obesity is increasingly becoming a major
concern.
This paper will be discussing two main causes among many, reported to
be responsible for the increase in Childhood Obesity. These causes, however,
are manageable with parental discipline therefore causing parents to be
responsible for their children’s excessive weight gain.
It is obvious to point out that the leading country suffering from
obesity is America with one third of the children suffering from it, Mexico
comes in at second place and surprisingly New Zealand with a case of 10% of
children suffering from the disease. Australia is in fourth place with an
estimated 8.2%.
Reports and researchers have argued that parents are morally and
causally responsible for the obesity of their children. Among the factors
predisposing to obesity, the first one I will discuss is a sedentary lifestyle
introduced through the rise of technology. Most researchers jump to the
conclusion that technology, itself, is responsible for the rise in children’s
waistlines. But what they fail to point out, is that, parents are the family’s
main source of income therefore giving them authority to make decisions.
A recent report from NZ Ministry of Health shows that 53% of children
in NZ watch TV for two or more hours therefore spending more time screen-viewing
instead of exercising. A child needs a minimum of an hour exercise per day and
shouldn’t be allowed to stay sedentary more than an hour at a time. Parents
should be more encouraging towards physical activities instead of allowing
technology, in their household, to become a constant companion providing value,
convenience and entertainment. Unless there is a strict control over the use of
media in their households, children are exposed to an early sedentary life and
less exposure to physical activities.
Associated with screen-viewing is the exposure to a significant amount
of food and drinks advertisements aimed specifically at children. These ads are
by its’ nature very exploitative. Children do not understand the persuasive
intent of advertising and they have a remarkable ability to recall content from
ads they have been exposed too. Products preferences affect children’s purchase
requests and these requests influence parental decisions especially
hard-working parents. Another reason parents need a strict control over media use.
This cause leads us to another explanation for childhood obesity which
is the easy access to high energy food. We live in an obesogenic environment where there is a higher concentration of fast food restaurants in the cities
and neighbourhoods within walking distance of each other. The way we eat and
what we eat has dramatically changed. A report from the NZ Restaurant Association details that "Kiwis ate their way through $1.5 billion worth of
takeaway last year, a 25% rise in four years". Fast food outlets give consumers
more of a choice that what supermarkets have to offer. A family can spend $10
on a takeaway meal for four consisting of 2 fish, 2 sausages and $3 chips. You
would find it very hard to feed a family of four, in a supermarket for $10.
These fast food restaurants seem to cater not only for low-income families but
also hard-working families who do not have time to prepare a home-cooked meal.
Fast food outlets catering for low-income families is a whole
different topic by itself. Because until theses fast food chains start selling
grilled salmon fillet with a side of steamed vegetable with the ease and speed
of a greasy burger, this problem isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
However, good dietary habits starts at home. Parents are morally and
causally responsible for the obesity of their children. Both causes discussed
above are manageable through parental discipline and a strict control over the
children’s behaviour and habits. Children are influenced by their upbringing
and they carry it with them their whole lives. Researchers have found children
are more likely to eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day
if their parents do so as well. Contrarily, the same is said about fast food
consumption.
Parents also have control over the possibilities of physical
activities per day. Exercise doesn’t have to be formal and structured, however,
instead of manipulating joysticks, remote controls and keyboards, parents
should encourage the use of playgrounds and/or taking up a sport as
entertainment. It will allow the children not only to be mobile but also to be
out in the fresh air instead of being exposed to exploitative media and a
sedentary lifestyle.
Obesity is gradually becoming a huge social problem however obesity
damage control can start in the safety of home. Parents are the primary role
models for their children and if these childhood obesity issues are
unaddressed, beginning at home, this trend is very likely to continue and
expand into the child’s adult life.
References:
http://www.health.govt.nz/health-new-children-2011-12
http://www.mcdonalds.co.nz/families
http://www.unce.unr.edu/publications/files.pdf
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article-2013
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health-2012
References:
http://www.health.govt.nz/health-new-children-2011-12
http://www.mcdonalds.co.nz/families
http://www.unce.unr.edu/publications/files.pdf
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article-2013
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health-2012
