Risk Factors Associated with Obesity

Risk Factors Associated with Obesity

                                                    

The obesity in children and teenagers is a prevalent issue in countries everywhere. Many young people lack the proper education necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle which can be blamed on their parents, the school systems, media and even society. A test was completed in Egypt that compared different risk factors associated with this rising epidemic and concluded that “low socioeconomic level of family, child's eating behavior and parental obesity are the main risk factors for the obesity among Egyptian children”. Even though this study was completed in Egypt, the results obtained can be implemented onto countries and children in these countries everywhere. It’s the responsibility of citizens all throughout the world to become more educated on the topic of obesity to save our youth and allow them to lead healthy lifestyles.

           An important risk factor of obesity is a child’s eating behavior. A critical part to having a healthy diet is based off of what a person consumes. A lot of times when the parents are not around to supervise their children they tend to consume the wrong things which can only harm, not help. Increased supervision would prove beneficial if parents knew what was the right foods for their children to consume. Basically, education is key. If parents know what is the right foods to feed their children, the obesity rates will decrease substantially. Learned habits usually start in the home and if children can be taught how to eat correctly by the people who have a good amount of influence over them they can only benefit in the long run.
       Another risk factor of obesity is parental obesity. When one or more of the parents are obese, their children tend to also be obese. Obese parents have proven to make the wrong choices when deciding how to lead their lifestyle. Majority of obese parents do not exercise enough and consume the wrong foods. Children will follow by example but if they are not given a good example to follow they will most likely end up exactly like their parents. Unfortunately, in a household where a healthy lifestyle is not exemplified, the wrong foods are bought which means the children will consume unhealthy items on  a daily basis. Also, if a child does not see their parents carrying on active lifestyles, they probably won’t be active either. If parents do their part and become healthy, it will prove very beneficial for their children in the long run.

The last critical risk factor associated with obesity is living in a low socioeconomic level. When you’re family is of low income with an unfortunate living situation, being healthy will not be your top priority. Parents, especially the mothers have a major affect on the health of their children. It’s been proven that “dieting and healthy weight control practices such as reducing high energy and fat intakes and increasing exercise are more common in women of a higher SES (socioeconomic status)”. Unfortunately, since health may not be emphasized adequately in a low socioeconomic home, the children will suffer. While at home, it is the responsibility of the parent to provide a healthy diet for their children and promote physical well being. Whether or not a child is of a low socioeconomic home or high socioeconomic home should not matter.

Although obesity is on the rise, it can decrease. With proper education, people all around the world can learn how to lead healthy lifestyles. When people start to lead healthy lifestyles obesity will decrease and our youth will be saved.

Works Cited
Zaki, Moushira, Sanaa Mohamed, and Manal EL-Salam. "Risk Factors for Obesity among Egyptian Children." EBSCO Publishing Service Selection Page. 1 Sept. 2011. Web. 10 Feb. 2012. <http://ehis.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=4>.

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