Child Obesity Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Child Obesity - Research Paper Example Its relevance and priority in the nation’s thrust to monitor this chronic illness and seek ways to address it are seen in the following objectives, to wit: 19-3c. Reduce the proportion of children and adolescents who are overweight or obese and 19-2. Reduce the proportions of adults who are obese (Centers for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC), n.d.). The current research would initially define the scope and nature of the problem, the specific claim and justification of the claim, prior to delving into the method of data collection and a presentation of the research findings. In this regard, the paper aims to proffer a discussion of pertinent issues relating to changes in lifestyle due to technological advancements and how it has contributed in the spread of child obesity. Scope and Nature of the Problem Obesity in childhood, teenage and adults is considered an epidemic in the United States. The advancement in technology created rapid changes in the eating habits of individu als globally. However, as countries become more developed in terms of economic status, the greater the availability and affordability of innumerable choices of food that individuals, particularly children, can indulge in. In America alone, almost one out of three children is suffering from obesity (American Heart Association, 2011, par. 1). Lifestyle changes could be attributed as the major factor contributory to child obesity. Specific Claim Despite the many causes of child obesity; one of the most important is deemed the change in lifestyle due to technology advancements. Parents are sometimes blamed that they do not pay particular attention to their children and are usually neglectful of their child’s eating habits. While this certainly has some adverse effects on the children, it certainly is not the most important cause of the increase in child obesity. The main culprit is the technological revolution that has influenced all facets of global activities. From the advent o f smart phones to third generation video games, all these developments have led to children’s focus in front of personal computers and led them away from physical activities and regular outdoor exercises. The US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has emphasized the importance of physical activity in the prevention of diseases, especially chronic illness like obesity. According to the study, â€Å"regular physical activity has been shown to reduce the morbidity and mortality from many chronic diseases† (US DHHS, 2002, 2). The developments in technology have led children to stay most of the time in front of the television set, the computer or other electronic gadgets and devices. Justification of Claim With different researches undertaken to explore on the factors contributing to obesity, it is revealed in Medicine Net that ethnicity, childhood weight and hormones all have an effect in being obese. The statistics and information shown in AHA reveal that obesi ty in children causes serious repercussions in terms of â€Å"high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and elevated blood cholesterol levels. There are also psychological effects: Obese children are more prone to low self-esteem, negative body image and depression† (AHA, n.d., par. 2). The contentions of Burke indicate that â€Å"technology and childhood obesity are closely related because we have now become accustomed to having our eyes glued to the computer screen or television screen and are otherwise taken up with different forms of electronic