NOTE: Free essay sample provided on this page should be used for references or sample purposes only. The sample essay is available to anyone, so any direct quoting without mentioning the source will be considered plagiarism by schools, colleges and universities that use plagiarism detection software. To get a completely brand-new, plagiarism-free essay, please use our essay writing service.
One click instant price quote
Obesity Epidemic in Children and Youth (1) Nowadays, there are many objective indications as to the fact that ever-increasing rate of obesity among Americas adolescents actually represent the very immediate threat to biological well-being of this nation. In his article Childhood Obesity Statistics and Facts, Jayashree Pakhare provides us with the insight on the sheer scope of this threat: 16 % children (over 9 million) 6 - 19 year olds are overweight or obese. This is three times what it was in 1980 (Pakhare 2007). However, only very few people seem to understand that such an alarming statistical trend has very little to do with American children consuming unhealthy food, or with the fact that teachers fail at educating children on the dangers of French Fries. Whatever the unlikely it might sound, the current rates of obesity among Americas youth directly correspond to the fact that, during the course of last twenty years, the neo-Liberal cronies have enjoyed almost a complete monopoly in the field of designing this countrys social and educational policies.
For example, even though that majority of citizens are well aware of unnaturally high rates of obesity among American children it remains a taboo, to even discuss the fact that it is namely the representatives of racial minorities, whose children are often five times more likely to be born with genetically predetermined inclination towards obesity, as compared with Whites. In her article Epidemic of Obesity among Latino Youth, Letticia Van De Putte states: According to recent studies (2005), Hispanic children are nearly twice as likely to be overweight than non-Hispanic children. The reasons for this are complex, with cultural factors playing a strong role (Van De Putte 2006). We will dare to disagree with the author it is actually the racially-biological factors that play most important role, within a context of ever-increasing number of American children being turned into walking hamburgers. In her article Higher Hispanic Obesity Rates not Related to Environment, Lorraine Heller points out to the fact that environment, inequality or the of lack of education, can hardly be blamed for the fact that in 2006, 60 % of Hispanic kinds, under the age of 15, have been officially diagnosed with obesity: A new study has revealed that the higher obesity rates of Hispanic children are not connected to socioeconomic factors It is suspected that Hispanics are at an increased risk of obesity on a genetic basis, but no-one has as yet identified the genes that would be responsible for this (Heller 2006). Therefore, it is not by a pure coincident that the beginning of epidemic of obesity among American teenagers had coincided with the time when the concept of multiculturalism has been given an official status in this country.
Ever since ancient times, people used to have a strongly negative attitude towards the practice of racial mixing (celebration of diversity), simply because there is a plenty of empirical evidence as to the fact that such practice results in the birth of mentally and physically inadequate children (the drop out rate among Hispanic students in high schools amounts to 45 %). However, todays America prides itself on being turned into interracial melting pot (diversity makes us stronger! ), which is exactly the reason why educational, living and health standards in this country continue to be undermined, as time goes by, thanks to the fact that crazed promoters of political correctness have succeeded in convincing many citizens that their existential inadequacy (obesity, stupidity, sexual perversity) actually accounts for their uniqueness, and as such, deserves to be celebrated. For example, in her book highly acclaimed book Reviving Ophelia, progressive educator Mary Pipher complaints that the percentage of teenage girls, suffering from obesity, has increased dramatically, during the course of last decade. However, the solution to this problem, offered by the author, can be referred to as anything but sensible: Our daughters need time and protected places in which to grow and develop socially, emotionally, intellectually and physically. They need safe places where they can go to learn about themselves and others They need to be valued for their personhood, not their bodies (Pipher 230). In other words, in order for the problem of obesity among teenage girls to be properly addressed, the additional hordes of psychologists, social workers, and councilors need to be hired and given the task of convincing fat teenage girls that it is their personhood, which represents an objective value, or that it is their physical unattractiveness which actually accounts for their uniqueness. (2) It is not a secret that in many Americas public schools, the classes of PE (Physical Education) have been banned, simply because educators like Pipher, believe that these classes promote intolerance.
In her article How Schools are Failing our Kids: Childhood Cases of Obesity and Asthma have hit Record Level, Katherine Gallia says: The government does not mandate that schools provide PE. It's up to the states and individual school districts to impose such rules. The result: In 1999, only 29 percent of students nationwide attended a daily physical education class (Gallia 2002). Thus, it is utterly inappropriate to discuss the problem of child obesity as thing in itself this problem is nothing but one among many indications of the fact that Americas national integrity is being undermined from within, as we speak. In todays America, fully adequate individuals, in physical and mental context of this word, are being looked upon with suspicion, because there are good reasons to think of them as not particularly committed to the idea that celebration of diversity represents their foremost priority, as citizens.
It is important to understand that White mentality recognizes the notions of health, physical beauty and intelligence as such that derive out of each other. However, these notions are now being referred to as euro-centric, and therefore evil. This is the innermost reason why more and more American children are being born obese governmental policymakers simply want them to be born that way, because physically inadequate people will be less likely to adopt active stance, while protecting their civil rights and freedoms from governments oppression. Therefore, improving childrens diets, as the way of improving their health, can hardly be effective. We need to go after the very roots of this problem; and, as we have mentioned earlier, the innermost reason why ever-increased number of American children suffer from obesity, is that Americas governmental officials simply do not posses (or pretend they do not posses) a scientific outlook in the essence of socio-political dynamics in just about any society. Bibliography: Pakhare, Jayashree Childhood Obesity Statistics and Facts. 25 Jun. 2007.
Bubble. Com. 28 Apr. 2009. web Heller, Lorraine Higher Hispanic Obesity Rates not Related to Environment. 7 Jun. 2006. Food Navigator USA. Com. 28 Apr. 2009. web Gallia, Katherine How Schools are Failing our Kids: Childhood Cases of Obesity and Asthma have hit Record Level. 2002.
BNet. 28 Apr. 2009. web Pipher, Mary Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls. New York: Ballantine Books, 2001. Van De Putte, Letticia Epidemic of Obesity among Latino Youth. 2006. Hispanic Communications Network. 28 Apr. 2009. web Abstract: This paper discusses real reasons for the high rate of obesity among Americas youth and contains propositions as how this problem should be addressed.
Outline: Part one Part two
Free research essays on topics related to: obesity rates, teenage girls, childhood obesity, american children, americas youth
Research essay sample on Obesity Epidemic In Children And Youth
