Max Mathues

Ms. Wilson

English II Honors

May 10th, 2019

The Decline of Physical Activity, and Increase in Obesity in Teens

In today's society, close to 73% of adolescents are not getting close to the minimum

amount of exercise they need to remain healthy. This is a problem because the teenagers and

children who are learning to be inactive in their youth are growing up to be overweight,

unhealthy adults. To understand the problem it is important to know what obesity and inactivity

are. “Obesity is a complex disorder involving an excessive amount of body fat. It increases your

risk of diseases and health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure”

​ hysical inactivity is a term used to identify people who do not get the
(​Mayo Clinic). “P

recommended level of regular physical activity”(​Stanford Health Care).​ The American Heart

Association recommends 30-60 minutes of aerobic exercise three to four times per week to

promote cardiovascular fitness​.​ It is important to address this issue now because out of all of the

adults in the USA, 39.8%

of them are obese, a trend which is sure to continue unless there is something done about it.

Obesity is the problem at the forefront in the war on inactivity. According to a study by

the NIH, 28% of all Americans are inactive, and more than 1 in 3 adults are overweight. There

are ways to combat obesity however, like building an hour of mandatory exercise into schools
curriculums or going on a daily walk, which would drastically reduce the amount of cases of

obesity and inactivity in america.

The second large problem with not getting enough physical activity is that many teens

who are overweight or obese struggle with their self esteem and body image, due in part to their

weight or physical fitness. Studies from the NIH show that over fifty percent of Americans are

not happy with their current weight, 34% of men are insecure about how they look, and up to

80% of women don't like how they look. This lack of physical fitness is the result of not

exercising enough, as well as not eating well enough in their day to day life. Something as

simple as a healthier diet can drastically change how a person looks and feels. A balanced diet

can be achieved by eating 2000 calories of fruits, vegetables, proteins, grains, and dairy.

Yet another major result of not getting the recommended amount of activity fit into their

day is that many people are suffering from many internal health problems, like heart disease,

weakened immune system, and even an increased risk of type two diabetes. A study from the

NIH found that “In general, after a year of consistent physical activity, they report feeling ill less

often than prior to their exercise regimen”(​Zimlich)​. This proves that a consistent schedule for

physical activity has a positive impact on people's health. One simple way of making sure

someone is getting enough exercise is by signing up for a gym membership and going to work

out at least 3 times a week.

All in all, obesity is a crisis in the United States, one that could be solved by everyone

doing something as simple as walking a couple miles each day, or eating healthier as a

population. This is a problem because many children are growing up obese and inactive, and
they are learning bad habits for their health, which follows them into their adult lives where said

habits might be harder to change.

Works Cited

Bélanger, Mathieu, et al. “Maintenance and Decline of Physical Activity during Adolescence:

Insights from a Qualitative Study.” ​The International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and

Physical Activity,​ BioMed Central, 21 Oct. 2011,

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3215642/​.

Department of Health.” ​Physical Inactivity and Cardiovascular Disease​, 2019,

www.health.ny.gov/diseases/chronic/cvd.htm​.

Neighmond, Patti. “Most Teens Aren't Active Enough, And It's Not Always Their Fault.” ​NPR​,

NPR, 3 Feb. 2014,

www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2014/02/03/268342478/most-teens-arent-active-enough-and-i

ts-not-always-their-fault​.

“Obesity.” ​Mayo Clinic​, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 10 June 2015,

www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obesity/symptoms-causes/syc-20375742.

“Obesity.” ​Stanford Health Care (SHC) - Stanford Medical Center,​ 2019,

stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-conditions/healthy-living/obesity.html.

Zimlich, Rachael. "CDC: Teens missing the nutritional mark: A new survey shows worrisome

data regarding physical activity and nutrition in kids and teens." ​Contemporary Pediatrics,​ Nov.
 2018, p. 28+. ​Academic OneFile​,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A564465184/AONE?u=ncowl&sid=AONE&xid=76fba028.
Accessed 2 May 2019
Problem-Solution Essay (Honors)
Score: /50
W.9-10.2.​ Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately
Standard
2.a.​ ​Introduction​ -
Introduce a topic;
organize complex
ideas, concepts, and
information to make
important
connections and
distinctions; include
formatting (e.g.,
headings), graphics
(e.g., figures, tables),
and multimedia when
useful to aiding
comprehension.
2.b.​ ​Argument​ -
Develop the topic
with well-chosen,
relevant, and
sufficient facts,
extended definitions,
concrete details,
quotations, or other
information and
examples appropriate
to the audience’s
knowledge of the
topic.
2.c​. ​Organization​ -
Use appropriate and
varied transitions to
through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
Exceptional (10-9)
❏ Write an introduction that is clear,
focused, and concise and that
creatively hooks the reader
❏ Provide ​detailed​ context to your topic
that aids the reader in their
understanding
❏ Present a thesis that presents a ​clear
opinion on a ​narrow​ topic.
❏ Establish​ an effective and
sophisticated ​organization to
illustrate the problem solution
element of the essay
❏ Use ​effective, highly relevant​, and
sufficient evidence ​consistently ​that
is appropriate to a understanding of
the audience’s knowledge
❏ Use ​textual evidence​ to support your
argument; provide ​relevant​ and
sufficient​ introductions to your
textual evidence.
❏ Provide ​clear​ ​and logical​ explanations
that connect the evidence to the
main idea of the essay
❏ Use formatting, graphics, and/or
multimedia ​effectively to​ ​enhance
the text (if applicable)
❏ Use ​effective ​transitions ​consistently
between and within paragraphs to
link major sections of the text, to
Proficient (8-7) Emerging Not Evident
(6-1) (0)
❏ Write an introduction that is
clear, focused, and concise
❏ Provide context to your topic
❏ Present a thesis that presents
an opinion on a topic
❏ Establish an appropriate
organization to illustrate the
problem solution element of
the essay
❏ Use appropriate, relevant, and
sufficient evidence with an
understanding of the
audience’s knowledge
❏ Use textual evidence; introduce
textual evidence
❏ Provide explanations for
evidence
❏ Use appropriate formatting,
graphics, and/or multimedia
that is appropriately aligned
with the text (if applicable)
❏ Use appropriate transitions
between and within
link the major create unity and cohesion, ​and to paragraphs to link ideas and to
sections of the text, create the problem solution pattern create unity and cohesion
create cohesion, and of organization of the essay ❏ Organize sentences and
❏ Organize sentences and paragraphs in paragraphs in a logical manner
clarify the
a logical manner that promotes unity
relationships among and focus​ throughout the essay.
complex ideas and
concepts.

X
2.d.​ ​Language​ - ​Use ❏ Use precise and language and domain ❏ Use precise language and
precise language and specific vocabulary ​consistently ​to domain specific vocabulary to
domain-specific manage the complexity of the topic manage the complexity of the
❏ Use ​effective ​word choice and syntax topic
vocabulary to
consistently ​to establish and maintain ❏ Use appropriate word choice
manage the a formal style and objective tone and syntax to
complexity of the ❏ Avoid repetition, redundancy, and ❏ establish a formal style and
topic. wordiness to create a ​concise and objective tone that is
2.e.​ ​Language​ - focused​ argument maintained throughout
Establish and ❏ Avoid repetition, redundancy,
maintain a formal and wordiness
style and objective
tone while attending
to the norms and
conventions of the
discipline in which
they are writing.

2.f.​ ​Conclusion​ - ❏ Summarize the main points ​using ❏ Summarize the main points
Provide a concluding original language and clear ❏ Address implications or
statement or section organization significance
❏ Articulate a ​extension ​that addresses
that follows from and
the implications or significance in a
supports the way that ​relates to the audience
information
or explanation
presented (e.g.,
articulating
implications or the
significance of the
topic).

MLA Style & Formatting Rubric

Requirements Your Score

MLA Style Heading and Page Numbers (2 pts.)

 ❏ The document has a heading including the author’s name, the
teacher’s name, the class and the date 1/2
❏ The document has page numbers in the top right of the page with
the author’s last name

Margins, Font, Spacing (2 pts.)

❏ The author uses 12-pt Times New Roman font 2/2
❏ The author uses double spacing throughout

In-Text Citations (3 pts.)

❏ The writer includes parenthetical citations after each
quotation/paraphrase from an outside source 1.5/3
❏ The citation includes the author or article name and page number
(if any)
❏ The citation is punctuated correctly

Example 1: “This is a fake quotation” (Wilson 1).

Example 2: “This is a fake quotation” (“Article Name” 1).

Works Cited Page (3 pts.)

❏ The author includes a Works Cited Page
❏ The items in the Works Cited listed are given in alphabetical 3/3
order by the author’s last name
❏ The Works Cited page is formatted correctly: 12 pt Times New
Roman, double-spaced, left justification (DO NOT CENTER
YOUR WORKS CITED PAGE)

Total MLA Score:

7.5/10