Kiara Morris

Ms.Armbruster
4/14/16

The Risk Factors Of Obesity In Our Children

Obesity is the condition of being overweight and is an abnormal accumulation of body
fat.It is also defined as usual that may affect our health associated with increased rate of illness,
disability, and death. Obesity had increased tremendously since the year 1980.Some of the
people in the worlds population kills more people than underweight people. The causes of
obesity is a variation between calories consumed and calories enlarged. Someone can prevent
obesity by having a healthy diet and stay physically active.Childhood obesity can negatively
affect the brain development of children ages 6 to 11 due to the onset of metabolic syndrome,
depression, and diabetes.
Metabolic syndrome can affect childhood development because it can hinder the childs
brain development and it can also lead to memory loss and obesity. Metabolic syndrome is
associated with the development of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Obesity can
affect the brain of development of children who are obese exposing them to metabolic
syndrome. Antonio Convit, a researcher says, Children with metabolic syndrome scored 10
percent lower on mental tasks associated with learning when compared to other children not at
risk or suffering from metabolic syndrome (Diabetes In Control, 1). Children with Metabolic
syndrome have lower test scores than children without it. Metabolic Syndrome is causing the
childs brain chemistry to have low test scores because of its symptoms in high blood pressure
and its glucose metabolism and also the brain might function differently.Convit also stated that,
"We are seeing brain changes in kids with metabolic syndrome and we dont know if this is
reversible"(Diabetes In Control 1). He points out there has not been enough research into what
happens to the brain before diabetes onset in children.Children who are struggling with their

weight and on the border line for Metabolic syndrome can lead to professional help. Convit
feels testing for insulin resistance among at-risk children and better physical education
programs in schools may be part of the answer and he also explains, We should invest more in
physical education so kids are fitter and less likely to have insulin resistance, which is the main
driver of these brain changes"(Diabetes In Control 1). Children being physically active is a good
way for children to stay fit and to keep from getting metabolic syndrome.
Depression is a common mood disorder. It can affect the way how you feel, the way you
think, and eating. Children from 6 to 11 years old increased obesity from 7 percent in 1980 to
18 percent in 2012 ( Avant1). Unhealthy eating behaviors can decrease some childrens mental
skills. Scientists at the Agricultural Research Services Western Human Nutrition Research
Center were studying how stress and emotions shape behavior problems in people. According
to Avant, Langero says,Emotional eating and cognitive control both develop rapidly; therefore,
preschool ages may be best for some kind of anti-obesity intervention and he also adds,
however, further studies are needed"( Avant)1).There was an experiment conducted and
children were given a choice on what reward they prefered. Langero says, In one experiment,
children were offered rewards of candies, pennies, or stickers. They had a choice of getting one
item immediately or up to six items the longer they waited. The more likely they were to delay
the immediate gratification of one item and wait for more items suggests a higher degree of
cognitive control," ( Avant 1). Scientists were studying peoples behavioral patterns and when
children have poor eating habits, it affects their mental skills. Langero also says, Children with
lower cognitive scores tend to show more emotion than children with higher cognitive scores.
The more emotion shown the more snacks they tend to eat.(Avant1).Children with more
emotion eat more and they have low cognitive score. Emotional eating and cognitive scores can
increase fast if we dont find a way to stop it. In an observational study, Laugero and Joy
Pieper, were making experiments about pre school kids with their cognitive skills and their
emotional snacking.Laugero says ,The UCD campus were measuring cognitive control with 6

year olds and had parents involved and giving teachers reports.(UCD) doctoral student at the
time, conducted several experiments to examine the balance between emotional state,
snacking, and cognitive control in preschool children( Avant1). Emotional eating is dealing with
depression and which it could lead up to diabetes.
Diabetes can affect a childs mental ability and it can also affect their different emotions
they experience on a daily basis. It is also a life threatening situation when the body starts losing
insulin or when it starts to produce less insulin. There was an event going on at the White
House that the First Lady was hosting, about childhood obesity and how to prevent children
from getting diabetes, DeSanti says,There are 15 federal food programs serving the poor, lowincome working families, children, and elderly and disabled individuals. The largest is SNAP,
followed by the School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, and WIC. These are prime opportunities
to reach children with healthy food options and nutritional meals ( DeSanti 1). There are different
healthy breakfast and lunch programs at school for kids. The healthy meals given at school can
help the childs health and decrease obesity. If the children dont have healthy meals choices at
home they can have them at school .The public child welfare directors are more attentive today
on childrens physical and mental health. States are looking at various ways to implement the
intent of the law, through foster parent training on nutrition, obesity avoidance, exercise, and
health monitoring; ( DeSanti 1).A Secretary in Delaware says, I authorized new child care
regulations, including a requirement to follow the federal guidelines for Child and Adult Care
Food Program, minimum requirements for daily physical activity, and limiting television and
computer screen time for children in care (DeSanti 1). The secretary wanted guidelines for the
children to follow such as having healthy meals and having plenty of exercise.
Childhood obesity can negatively affect the brain development of children ages 6 to 11
due to the onset of metabolic syndrome ,.depression, and diabetes. Obesity can affect many
people throughout the world if we dont take care of the basic needs for our bodies. We should
all want our bodies to be in good condition because we will be able to function well and have a

healthy life. Obesity is one of the leading causes of death in America. We can all stop this
situation by making healthy choices for ourselves especially for the children in America.