Arby’s—one of the United States’ most popular fast-food chains—currently offers a deal called “Pick 5 for $5.”
You can actually buy a five-piece meal for five dollars, with choices that include a roast beef sandwich, French fries, potato cakes, mozzarella sticks, a cherry turnover, a milk shake and a soda. With this “great” deal, a person could possibly consume 2,200 calories in one sitting. The Food and Drug Administration suggests a caloric intake of 2,000 to 2,500 per day for the average person, if that puts anything into perspective.
There is a (literally) growing problem in America today. According to Eric Schlosser’s book “Fast Food Nation,” Americans purchase approximately 15 billion gallons of soda each year, about one-quarter of the population eats fast food every day and, shockingly, children today often recognize the McDonald’s logo before they recognize their own written name.
Our obsession with food has reached an extreme. The only hope for change in the future is to educate the people of the future—children.
Childhood obesity statistics have almost tripled in the past 30 years. According to the 2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 17 percent of children (aged 2 to 19) are obese. Being overweight not only damages self-esteem, but research shows that the side effects of being overweight are infinite and dangerous.
Side effects of obesity include psychosocial issues, cardiovascular disease, asthma, sleep apnea, orthopedic problems and Type 2 diabetes. From the moment they can speak and interact, children bully and ridicule peers that appear “different,” making obese children easy targets. Obese children often experience social stigmatization and are four times more likely to suffer from depression than children of normal weight.
Hypertension, high cholesterol and joint problems all typically exist among aging adults. However, in children with a BMI over 30, these issues are just as common. Before 1997, Type 2 diabetes was nonexistent in children, and now it affects over 39,000 kids. This disease often leads to heart problems and kidney failure and can only be prevented by a healthy diet and exercise.
So what is the problem? Why is America’s youth continuing to gain and gain weight? Most likely the answer lies in the fact that two-thirds of the U.S. population is obese or overweight. Children lead by example, so if a majority of parents are overweight, how will children ever learn to make healthy choices?
Educating parents is the first step to eradicating childhood obesity. According to a study by the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 60 percent of children watch two or more hours of TV per day and 30 percent eat fast food everyday—parents, I’m putting the blame on you.
First Lady Michelle Obama has initiated a new campaign to create awareness about the need for a healthier lifestyle. Titled “Let’s Move,” the campaign includes grocery stores offering more fresh produce and other healthy foods to underprivileged neighborhoods and seeks to reform school lunches. As Obama takes a stand against childhood obesity, it’s up to the government to create further progress. The Healthy School Meals Act and Child Nutrition Act would provide more fruits, vegetables and whole grains for students and regulate the amount of food and drinks high in calories, fat, sodium and added sugars available in schools. Government support is the best way to a healthier society.
School systems and leaders are beginning to do their part in transforming America. Now it’s up to parents to help their children maintain a healthy weight at home. Parents can do this by balancing calories with foods high in nutrients and low in sugars, serving reasonably-sized portions and reducing sedentary time. Whether it includes walking, playing outdoors, jumping rope or dancing, children need to stay active; just 60 minutes a day can make all the difference.
With the future in our hands and in the hands of future generations, let’s get moving America, while we can still see our feet.
Grace Roberts is a sophomore CCPA and journalism double major. She can be reached for comment at [email protected].