In the last 30 years, the amount of obese youth in the United States has risen dramatically. At the same time, the amount of hours children spent watching TV has risen by leaps and bounds. The point? TV is related to the obesity epidemic sweeping the nation. Currently, the obesity rate for children is at 15%, up from 4% in 1970. From the research I have conducted for my independent ROGATE* research project, TV is directly related to the childhood obesity epidemic in three ways.
First, kids are consuming too many calories often in the form of calorie laden fast food and snacks. The recommended number of calories is 2400 daily. Extra calories turn into fat. TV is the culprit in over eating as food ads tempt excessive consumption. In a year, a child sees 10,”000 food ads. Of these ads, candy and fast food made up 51% of the total ads while 0% are for fruits and vegetables. (See pie chart.)
Second, children are physically less active than their parents were. Doctors recommend at least one hour of physical exercise a day. The hours once spent outside with friends is now spent in front of the TV. Physical exercise is important for the body. It burns off calories that we don’t need. A lack of exercise can lead to weight gain and eventually obesity.
Third in the correlation of obesity and television is the influence of parents. Children see their parents as role models on how they should behave. If a 5 year old sees his father come home and turn into a couch potato as he spends the evening watching TV and gorging himself on snacks, the child won’t understand this as bad behavior but rather acceptable behavior because to a young child, their parents always do the right thing. Studies have shown that if a parent is obese, the child has a greater chance of becoming obese and an even greater chance if both parents are obese.
The only way to plateau and eventually decrease the percentage of obese children is through parental involvement. It is the parent’s responsibility to set limits on TV watching, encourage exercise and monitor the consumption of junk food.
Obesity in our society is reaching epidemic proportions. This impacts not only individuals’ well being but the economic health of our nation. Obesity is linked to cardio-vascular disease, diabetes, premature death, which take a toll on families as well as our society. My research study was intended to draw awareness to this serious problem and the ways which all citizens, young and old, can address the issue.
8th Grade Student
Thomas Grover Middle School
*ROGATE- Resources Offered In Gifted And Talented Education. A program offered by the National Talent Network for Grades 6-12, where students present their own research to be evaluated by peers for achievement awards.
Link: https://www.eirc.org/website/Programs-+and+-Services/National-Talent-Network/Programs/Rogate.html
