In contemporary society, the problem of children’s health has generated much concern among people. It is believed that the rates of obesity among children have been on the rise, leading to more severe health issues than in the past. Thus, it is the aim of this essay to unveil the reasons behind this phenomenon and propose solutions to tackle it.
To begin with, one of the most evident reasons for this problem is the rise of fast food consumption among children. To be more specific, high caloric intake caused by fat, salt and sugar contained in fast food can lead to an energy imbalance if consumed in large amounts. For instance, studies suggest that even moderate consumption of fast food, once or twice a week, can increase the risk of obesity. This proves that with the daily intake of fast food, modern children are prone to gain weight, causing acute health problems such as obesity, diabetes and heart diseases. The problem here can even be worse if there is an absence of physical activities. It is undeniable that the improvement of technological devices enables children to have wider access to TV and video games, creating a tendency where sedentary behaviors are inevitable. Hence, the prevalence of obese children can be alleviated due to unhealthy dietary patterns and lack of exercising.
In order to discourage childhood obesity, schools should allocate more time for sports on school timetables. To elaborate, engaging in frequent exercise, motivated by the presence of peers during school hours, can enhance student’s physical health, while reducing the fat they have consumed. Additionally, unhealthy junk food should be banned from school menus. It is evident that children spend a major amount of time attending school, which means they have greater availability of fast food. By prohibiting this kind of food, students can get access to healthier dietary choices, alongside improving their wellbeing.
In conclusion, although I have to admit that the increasing prevalence of childhood obesity has some discernible influences on children’ health, this problem can be alleviated if schools take up some measures to reduce fast food consumption and support healthy lifestyles.