Middle childhood Obesity
Gavin Herbst
July 9, 2014
2014Summer.SOCW3500.WT1: 2014 Summer Hum.Beh.&Soc. Env. SEC.WT1

I. Introduction
Problem Statement
The Health Recourses and Services Administration (HRSA), which is a division of the U.S Department of Health and Human Services; defines childhood obesity as body mass index (BMI) at or above the gender- and age-specific 85th and 95th percentile. The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association (JAOA) states that childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States (Wieting , 2008). The result of this problem is that middle age children are at risk for developing a myriad of acute and chronic medical problems. Medical problems that can develop are illnesses such as type 2 diabetes, asthma, high cholesterol, blood pressure, sleep disorders, and hormone imbalances which can then bring early puberty and menstruation. The JAOA reflects that these problems that can develop are all preventable. Furthermore, obesity starting in early childhood development to middle aged children has the potential to have serious psychological issues later (Wieting, 2008). Obesity in children has the potential to cause low self-esteem, a lower quality of life, and depression in the lives of middle aged children (Singh, 2007). The (JAOA) claims there are many causes for childhood obesity. Socioeconomic reasons are a huge factor contributing to the problem by children eating convenient prepackaged processed foods which are high in cholesterol and fats instead of healthy fresh products. The ever growing fast-food business has a far reaching impact on the problem and prevalence of childhood obesity which has helped create an epidemic. Genetics has a role in childhood obesity such as metabolism which can be inherited from parents (Caprio Somia, 2014). The problems associated with obesity can be carried onto well into adulthood. Physical inactivity is also a major contributing factor to middle childhood obesity with an ever increasing dangerous world we live in; parents all too often encourage their children to stay indoors where children are prone to play video games and watch TV rather than engage in physical activity.
II Socioeconomic and Demographic factors of middle child age obesity
Demographic impacted population
Middle childhood age obesity has increased three times as much over the past three decades (HRSA, 2010). Due to the fact that there has been a steady increase in obesity rates in children among all of gender, race, and socioeconomic disparities. Childhood obesity has been recognized as a major public health problem in the United States. The (HRSA) has put childhood obesity as one of the ten leading health problem indicators for the USA. The American Psychological Association has stated that Childhood obesity is the second leading cause for death in the United States and is on course to become the number one leading cause (Bennett, 2012). The trend increases of obesity have higher rates in African American, Hispanics and native Indians. Mexican American males have been observed to have the highest rates of obesity at 27% of children and African Americans at 22%. African Americans and Mexican Americans make up almost 50% of overweight children. White children make up 13%, African Americans and Mexicans have a 24% of risk for obesity. Native Indians have the risk of developing obesity which is at 39% and is the greatest risk of all race groups (JAOA, 2008). Studies show that obese children are five times less likely to participate in sports and school activities. These children typically display lower emotional, social, and school function than their more active counterparts. A big problem that is prevalent in middle child aged obesity is that there are none or too few supermarkets in low income urban neighborhoods. This limits the availability of fresh food and fruits for children to be able to eat healthily. Since the 1970s Obesity has tripled in children aged