Childhood obesity threatens children in America. Obesity rates among children continue to rise on a yearly basis. According to the CDC, obesity rates have grown dramatically over the past few decades: “The prevalence of obesity among children aged 6 to 11 years increased from 6.5% in 1980 to 19.6% in 2008” (CDC, 2010). This statistic is alarming, but what is more alarming is that responsibility for this problem is being placed in the hands of the government. The government is not primarily responsible for this problem. Parents have the greatest impact on the lifestyle choices of their children and the relationship between parents and their children strongly correlates with childhood obesity. Furthermore, parents need to set good examples to their young children of body image and healthy lifestyle choices involving nutrition and exercise in their homes. By doing so, this obesity epidemic will slowly start to see significant improvements.
Creating a positive idea of body image to children is crucial for parents. A study done on how parents are key players in the prevention and treatment of weight-related problems found that mothers who were dissatisfied with their own bodies will in turn, have daughters’ who will think similarly about themselves (Golan & Crow, 2004). Parents who are very strict, or very lenient about body image in their homes, will most likely have children who suffer from either anorexia/bulimia or childhood obesity. A study done by the Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota found how remarks on body image in the home from parents can impact their children. A father being interviewed about his daughter said, “I tell her to quit wearing such tight fitting clothes. I guess if you could rephrase that I’d really be trying to tell her to lose some weight so those clothes don’t fit you so tight (Neumark-Sztainer, 2005).” Children will listen and observe to so much from their parents’ examples. It is so important that parents define and model body image in a positive way to their children. If parents do so, children will be more satisfied and comfortable with their own bodies, and therefore, will be preventing serious weight problems waiting to happen in the future.
Not only does the parents’ idea of body image strongly correlate with childhood obesity, but the lifestyle they live is very much reflected in their own kids’ behavior. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education found that parents can serve as the first model of eating to their children. They found that parents who tend to eat too much, or too fast even if they are full, will display a negative example for their children (Golan, Moria, Weizman, & Abraham, 2001). The study suggested that parents need to present a healthy eating style in the home, and to model healthy selection of foods as well as creating opportunities for regular physical activity for them and their children. In order for there to be any improvement in childhood obesity, parents need to focus less on weight and more on behaviors and overall health. Being a positive role model that encourages theses healthy behaviors to children is the first place for parents to start (Neumark-Sztainer, 2005). Parents need to be aware the even though they are setting a perfect example of overall health, it is possible for their children to still develop weight-related problems because of the prevalence of so many other influential factors. Sedentary activities, the media, and fast food advertisements are all examples of possible negative factors. (Neumark-Sztainer, 2005). A parent cannot give up on their children, no matter how strong the pull of unhealthy behaviors is. A model presented in the Journal of Nutrition Education emphasizes the importance of parenthood presence. The model emphasizes that, “the parent is active, being there, taking responsibility, and serving both as a source of authority and a role model for the obese child (Golan, Moria, Weizman, & Abraham, 2001).”
It is clear that parents need to teach children healthy habits, but it is crucial that these habits are taught from day one. The Alberta Institute for Human Nutrition stated, “The influence of parents is the most substantial during early childhood, and parents play a significant role in influencing the development of practices that can support the maintenance of a healthy body weight, or conversely, that can contribute to overweight in their children” (Olstad, McCargar, 2009). Even though children spend a lot of time at school and eat school lunch where there are unhealthy thing for kids to eat and not a lot of time for children to exercise, the influence of parents still comes out on top. Parents are with their children from ages 0-5; this is when healthy habits need to be introduced so correct choices can be made when kindergarten starts. If children don’t learn these healthy habits at an early age, it is much harder to learn them when they are older. (Olsatad, McCargar, 2009). Parents have so much control over what their kids eat and what activities they participate in especially at a young age.
Because of the large amount of control parents have, it is their job to teach their children about healthy eating habits and the importance of being active. Parents need to decide the amount of food the child is given and how often it is distributed. It is important for parents to make healthy and good food choices available to children. Parents need to teach children about variety of foods by giving their child a well balanced meal and healthy snacks throughout the day. One negative thing that parents often do is bribing their children with sugar and fatty foods. Parents should think of other rewards for their children. For example maybe a longer play time, or doing an activity they like. Parents need to be aware of the environment in which their child is eating in. Eating dinner should be a wholesome activity involving the entire family whenever possible. In addition, it is important for parents to give their children the right ideas about eating. Children should be able to see an example of self control set by their parents. It is okay to have dessert or a treat as long as it is eaten in moderation. Parents also have the job of teaching their kids how to get exercise. Children who grow up in a house where the whole family is active because their parents allow and encourage it is a great place to start. In the Framingham children’s study, children from ages 4-7 were twice as likely to be physically active if their mothers were active. (Olsatad, McCargar, 2009). It is important for children to learn that there should be a time everyday for exercise and that being active can occur all day long. Parents who teach things to children like taking the stairs instead of elevator or bicycling or walking to school instead of driving will instill in the children easy ways to be active throughout an entire lifetime.
After considering all this evidence, parents emerge as the only real solution to the problem of childhood obesity. Although schools may attempt to try and fix the problem through counseling or changing the school’s lunch menu, forcing a child to eat a healthy meal a few times a week will not fix the problem. Children eat most of their meals at home and the majority of their time for physical activity is available after school hours. Unfortunately, the government and schools feel the need to intervene because parents fail to recognize the problem. The Journal of Human Nutrition & Dietetics in a recent study recognized the ignorance of parents and the problem of obesity: “...parents typically fail to recognize obesity in their children and adolescents” (Reilly, 2010). Parents need to be educated on how to recognize this problem. Then they can do many things to help their children maintain a healthy BMI. They can encourage their kids to enroll in sports. Parents can also regulate the amount of television and video games they play. In a study by Journal of School Health on childhood obesity showed a correlation between BMI and watching TV: “A 1-hour increase in watching TV increases a child's BMI by 0.148 on average" (Hooker 2010). Most people know that watching too much TV is unhealthy. However, just like parents may be unaware that their child is obese; they might also be unaware how much time their children are spending participating in sedentary activities like watching TV. Parents have the main responsibility for preventing childhood obesity and teaching their children healthy habits.
Childhood obesity is such a big issue in America and is creating many health problems for children and future generations. These problems affect quality of life. It is clear that the only way to stop this epidemic is through early prevention. Parental involvement is absolutely necessary for success in preventing childhood obesity. Children are powerfully influenced by their parents’ example, therefore, parents need to be the example and teach their children healthy behaviors and ideas at a young age to help the obesity rates go down creating a healthier and happier nation.
