The National Institute of Health reported in 2010 that one out of every three children is overweight or obese. Although society has played a role in creating an obesity epidemic, American society is also impacted by the rise in childhood obesity. Soda, video games and easy access to car rides have contributed to weight gain. Cancer, heart conditions and obesity are just some of the consequences kids with obesity face.
A Lifetime of Obesity
Epidemiologist David Freedman from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity studies reported to "Time" magazine that overweight children and adolescents are more likely to become obese adults. He mentions that the older the overweight child is, the more likely the child will become an overweight or obese adult. Therefore, the societal impact of childhood obesity is not limited to the span of the years of childhood.
Health Care
One of the most notable impacts of childhood obesity is the rise in health concerns at a much younger age. Health concerns such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma and high cholesterol are seen at much younger ages than ever before. There has also been an increase in obesity-related cancers. "USA Today" reported that 100,500 new cases of cancer were directly related to obesity with more likely to be linked. Considering more and more children are overweight and that they are likely to become overweight adults, these numbers may increase in years to come.The impact is that more Americans will have friends, family members and coworkers who face these health issues. Sick time and hospital and doctor wait times will all be affected.
Cost
There is also a definite increase in the cost and need for health care and research to treat theses ailments. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, states pay between $87 million to $7.7 billion in medical expenditures attributed to obesity. The National Institutes of Health reports that childhood obesity specifically costs about $3 billion a year. Americans help to pay the bill through taxes.
Mental Health Concerns
Kids Health explains that kids who are overweight or obese are more prone to emotion and psychological stress. Often times it is due to the stigma of being overweight which leads to bullying and teasing. Kids then become more prone to depression, unhealthy eating habits, poor grades, lack of a social life and substance abuse. The way this affects society is the need to protect children of all sizes. There is an increased need to educate society on anti-bullying, suicide prevention and of obesity prevention.
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