Question

Childhood obesity is now considered a growing epidemic as of 2012 over 1/3 of children and adolescents were overweight or obese there are many factors that have been implicated in the increasing rates of overweight and obesity activity marketing of unhealthy foods socioeconomic status and genetics many other factors please choose one factor you see is the greatest driver of childhood overweight and obesity and discuss why are you feel this factor is the greatest driver of obesity in children

Answer 1

Lack of exercise or physical activity is the number one factor contributing to childhood obesity. Modern devices like mobile phones, laptops, etc together with the internet contribute immensely towards making children more sedentary. Earlier, when the internet and mobile games were not there, children used to play outside, which gave them enough exercise and made them healthy. With the introduction of internet and online games, children became more sedentary, but were continuing to eat junk food. Without the required physical activity to burn these calories, children can't maintain a healthy weight. It has been found that children with the required regular physical activity are able to maintain a healthy weight. When the calories are not burnt by physical activity, it accumulates in the body in the form of fat and children become obese. Thus lack of exercise becomes the maor contributing factor of childhood obesity.