Childhood obesity is not a new problem nor is it restricted to the USA. Over the past few decades, weight problems in children have been increasing rapidly, reaching what many people consider a crisis point in the last few years.

According to the US Surgeon General, since 1980 the number of overweight children in the USA has doubled and the number of overweight adolescents has trebled. While the figures have been highlighted continuously in the media in recent times and the government and various non-government organizations have conducted research and seminars and produced white papers, there has been no head-way made into the actual problem.

Discussions abound as to the reasons for this phenomenon however, there is no conclusive evidence of any particular cause. Nor is there substantiated research on what the effects will be. It is commonly accepted though that obesity is directly related to numerous health problems, the cost of which is born by the wider community. In fact,

Common theories as to the cause point the finger at increasingly sedentary lifestyles, marketing of junk food directed specifically at children, lack of education about nutrition and availability of junk food and upsized portions. Undoubtedly all of these factors contribute somewhat but I believe that we have to look deeper to see how we are failing our kids.

In fact, accepting that we are failing our kids may be the first truth we need to face. Children are not responsible for this problem. Should they know better than to eat too much candy or to drink too much cola? Of course. But we don't honestly expect children to take responsibility for their own well-being. If we did, we would try them as adults when they committed a crime.

I don't believe it is good enough to say that children are overweight because they would rather play computer games than play outside. As a child I wasn't given a choice. My television and computer time was limited - I was sent out to play with my brother and sister and the neighbors' children. Likewise with my junk food intake. I had no say in the amount of junk food I was allowed to consume. It was monitored by my parents.

These days it is considered old fashioned for a parent to intervene on a child's choices. But our children are suffering from obesity and related health problems, possibly even shortened life spans. Families are in a position where they can't be home to look after children - it is nearly impossible to raise children on a single wage or to return from work at a reasonable hour. Companies are given the right to self-regulate their policies regarding advertising to children and schools are under so much pressure for funding that they are willing to sell advertising to corporations who do not have children's best interests at heart. Lobby groups from restaurants and food manufacturers influence government policy and fast food restaurants offer the only playgrounds in poorer suburbs.

It takes a village to raise a child - we all have to be involved. Our cultural choices, our political choices and our views on corporate freedom are all contributing to this incredibly sad problem. The terrible "fact" about obesity in American children is that we are all contributing to it and we only make the problem worse when we try to blame the children's own choices.

Learn more about this author, Jacqueline O'Donnell.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about The facts about obesity in American children?
We want to hear your view. Write now!