by Empress Djata

Created on: July 13, 2009

Surveys conducted by NHANES indicated that child and teen obesity is a problem in the United States. According to the CDC's 2007 report on obesity, children 2-5 years of age have increased to 13.9%, those 6-11 years of age increased to 18.8% and ages 12-19 years increased to 17.4%. These rising rates cause issues such as diseases and health conditions. The issues are high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and even cancer to name a few.

This is a rising trend in the United States that is affecting us physically, as well as economically. There are many health care issues associated with obesity, according to the CDC. The effects are direct and indirect Medical costs, due to this problem.

Developing an intervention program for young children can have a positive long term effect on their future. Changing the school systems overall sugar intake by adding more nutritional items to the school's menu and eliminating unhealthy one's from the school grounds, could be an effective tool. Providing information and resources to economically challenged families and increasing the physical activities of a child will aide in the fight against obesity.

Sugar, overeating, poor diets and limited physical activities are causing obesity in the United States. Excessive sugar intake is believed to have an effect on behavior. However, it is further believed to have a link to a child's hyperactivity. Studies have not yet proved that sugar is bad for children. But if you were to give young children in grades one through four, a lot of sugar you would see an unfocused, short term, boost in their energy level. What is the end result of this sugar in a child's body? Not to mention that poor diets, tend to consist of a high sugar intake level and limited physical activities.

This technology driven world that we live in is making it easier and easier for children to become inactive. There is a virtual kingdom at their fingertips. Between on-line activities and video games, or just the good old fashion television set with its upgrade to one thousand channels, it's a wonder if you can get a child to leave his or her bedroom. Physical activities have fallen by the way-side for many children. How do we reduce virtual technology time and increase physical activities in a child's day-to-day life?

Overeating is another critical issue in this area. This usually consists of products, which are full of sugar and low in nutritional value. Increasing

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