To the Editor:

Two cheeseburgers, one large fry, one large sweet tea, and a 4-piece chicken McNugget.

All of that for under $10 at McDonald’s, one of America’s most popular fast food restaurants.

But not only is all of that under $10, these items combined contain 1,440 calories. The

recommended caloric intake for a child is anywhere between 1,600 to 2,200 calories a day. So,

the example listed above is almost at the recommended 1,600, and that is only for one meal. In

2019, the prevalence of childhood obesity in America was 18.5% and affected about 13.9 million

children and adolescents.

I am not here to criticize fast-food restaurants because everyone, including myself, has

had their fair share of cheeseburgers and fries that comes with convenience of being quick,

cheap, and enjoyable. The purpose of enlightenment here is to acknowledge the fact that

childhood obesity is always on the rise, while healthy living habits seem to be less of a standard.

School-age children, children who are between the ages of 6-12, have a very high risk for

obesity. This age group is very fond of junk foods and not particularly aware of the negative

effects that they may have on their bodies. So why not change that? I believe that no matter the

age of a child, it is important to encourage healthy habits and a properly balanced diet. I find

that in schools, health classes aren’t typically offered until late middle school and high school.

Why wait? Why prolong the education of properly nourishing one’s body and justifying why it

is important? It is never too early and it will never deem to be detrimental. If you find that your

child may not be receiving the necessary guidance related to this affair, do not hesitate to take it

upon yourself to inform them.

Nutrition is not the only considerable factor that comes with this subject of interest.

Level of activity and exercise are a major contributing factor as well. The school-aged group of
children are experiencing motor and sensory development, bone growth, and an increase in

energy and stamina. In other words, this is the prime time to encourage your children to get

involved with activities and sports! It has been well established that children in that age group

today have significant interest in playing video games, watching Netflix, and using their

cellphones. What do all of those activities have in common? They exhibit a sedentary lifestyle,

which does not provide too many benefits for the health of one’s body. I’m not saying that these

sources of entertainment should be completely prohibited, because that would make me a

hypocrite. What I am saying, is that children, especially school-aged children, should receive

more motivation to join the soccer team than to create a Netflix account.

The importance of childhood obesity does not pertain to one’s appearance. The

significance of childhood obesity derives from the exceptionally serious diseases and health

problems it can cause. A child who is obese is at great risk for developing diabetes, heart

disease, strokes, respiratory issues, high blood pressure, and even depression and anxiety, all of

which can result in death if not managed properly. So, the next time you’re feeling lazy and

make a quick stop with your children at the McDonald’s drive-thru instead of encouraging the

preparation of a well-balanced meal, or buy your child a new video game instead of a soccer ball,

ask yourself if this is becoming a lifestyle acquired from bad habits. But most importantly,

evaluate whether or not changes need to be made in the best interest of your child.

-YSU Nursing Student