Ashar Nadeem

16 October, 2016
Period 6
Whats the Skinny on Childhood Obesity? A Backstage Look at the Increase of Obese
Children in the United States
Research Question:
What is causing the growth of obesity in the United States, and how bad is the problem at its
current state?
Hypothesis:
The increasing rate of childhood obesity is represented by skewed data sets, and the causes
reported for the increase in obesity is due not to unhealthy eating habits, but socio economic
problems in addition to the educational background of both the child and their parents.
Background/History of the Issue:
The media has recently teamed up with a variety of power houses in the medical industry as well
as interests groups and in order to bring to light the fastest spreading disease in The United
States, obesity. From FLOTUS Michelle Obama to R&B icon Beyonc, celebrities across
America have also joined hands to advocate for the disease that is challenging the lives of
millions of children all across the U.S. However, recent studies coming out, as well as surveys
being conducted, have shown perhaps that the data being displayed in advocating for childhood
obesity may be skewed towards the higher range and frequency of obesity cases, as well as
tailored to specific regions of the United States. Despite the obvious rise in the percentage of
obese children since the 1970s, the numbers may not be as bad as being projected, and some
1

studies have shown that the percentage of obese children may have actually decreased over the
last five years. This new trend in child obesity, or lack thereof, in due to the radical changes in
socio economic development throughout the United States.
Rationale:
I feel that childhood obesity is an extremely important issue to learn and dissect, as it is no doubt
one of the deadliest diseases facing the young generation. The polio of the 21st century,
childhood obesity is threatening the lives and long term health of millions of kids across the
world, with a large concentration of these cases lying in the United States. Whereas once we
were the model country in terms of overall health and image, the changes over the past three
decades have quickly shattered that into the United States being the most obese developed
nation. Once a problem considered a foreign, third world nation one, the appearance of this
disease here at home has changed our stance and seriousness with regards to facing obesity.
However, I also feel that since the turn of the decade, childhood obesity has dropped, and this
can be solidified by data showing small, yet distinguishable, dips in the percentage of overweight
children in America. I feel that with the proper study, it can be proven that the United States is
not as severe a case of childhood obesity as it is made out to be. This is due to a whole range of
elements.
Basis of Hypothesis:
Specifically focusing on the problems that lead to childhood obesity, I found some very
interesting results that changed the way someone may view obesity. I am interested in viewing
and researching more about the causes of obesity and the correlation between cases, but my
current findings prove that most of these cases are similar and their causes are ones that are being
2

reduced. My study showed that 60% of obese children in the United States were of a deprived
economic background. Also, about 63% of obese children were born and raised in the lower
Bible Belt region. A host of other correlative elements are present that piinpoint obesity to
several very treatable causes. In addition, as socioeconomic policies and ideas are changing to
accommodate the modern ideas, it is interesting to see how the percentage of obese children is
falling. Due to a better economy, increased wages, and more liberal social policies within the
past five years, their is a direct correlation to the number of cases of childhood obesity.
Operational Definitions:
Bible Belt: The southeastern and southcentral areas of the United States which
tend to be more socially Conservative in nature.
Skewed Data Sets; Data that has been biased, tampered with, or taken out of
context/had parts left out in order to portray one outcome or another
Socioeconomic Policies: Policies that pertain to social and economic factors, such
as interactions, thinking, ideas, income, lifestyle etc.
Childhood Obesity: A condition in which a child is significantly overweight for
his or her age and height, up to dangerous levels which may be life threatening.
Descriptors Used for Literature Search:

Childhood Obesity in the United States

Causes of Childhood Obesity in America
True Data Behind Childhood Obesity
Demographics of Childhood Obesity
Effects of Childhood Obesity
The Real Numbers Behind Childhood Obesity