Childhood obesity is a serious problem that can lead to adverse health outcomes in later life. In addition to various conditions caused by and exacerbated by excessive weight, obese children often experience peer bullying and body and fat-shaming. The issue in question concerns many families in the United States, and it can be argued that specific communities are more affected by the problem than others. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2019), 18.5% of children and adolescents aged 2 to 19 are obese. Moreover, Hispanic and non-Hispanic black populations have a higher prevalence of overweight persons than other communities, with 25.8% and 22% rates of obesity among young individuals, respectively (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019). Although many healthcare organizations address obesity, parents are in the best position in the community to bring about a change in their children’s lives. However, the lack of knowledge on the dangers of the condition and the belief that it can be outgrown have prevented parents from solving the discussed issue.
The thesis is as follows: parents should cooperate with local organizations to receive and provide their children with education on healthy living and the dangers of obesity because they are responsible for their children’s diet. It can be asserted that adolescents who are provided with healthy and nutritious food at home and see their parents lead active daily lives are less likely to gain excessive weight and experience obesity-related negative health outcomes. In addition, well-informed parents can educate their children on why it is essential to be active, eat foods high in nutrients and avoid products high in sugar. For example, the organization in Georgia, CHOICES, offers a parent/child cooking program that teaches families how to prepare healthy and affordable meals (CHOICES, 2020). The course is aimed at educating parents with overweight children on obesity and the importance of healthy eating. By cooperating with the organization and attending their courses, parents can better understand their children’s condition, the adverse effects obesity has on health, and how to encourage a healthy lifestyle. What aspects of education on obesity for parents should be considered the most vital and effective ones?
Reference
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). Childhood obesity facts. Web.
CHOICES. (2020). Cooking with CHOICES. CHOICES Fighting Childhood Obesity in Georgia. Web.