Tina Dallmann & Mindy Anderson
College Composition 2 Essay Outline
Child Obesity
Introduction to Essay
All parents explain to their children at one time or another, “Being skinny isn’t the only way
to be beautiful.” This is very true and a very important lesson to teach children in a society where
thin means beautiful. Parents, however, also have informed their children about obesity and how
important it is for them to maintain a healthy weight. The problem is that parents do not realize
obesity is a growing and very hazardous health problem, especially in children and adolescents.
Medical professionals need to and are, therefore, informing parents more about
child obesity and what measures they can take to help evade obesity or weight problems in
their children.
I.


II.


What can parents watch for in their child?
What is obesity?
a) Also known as corpulence or fatness (Obesity).
b) Excessive accumulation of body fat, usually caused by the consumption of
more calories than the body can use (Obesity).
Are parents recognizing the problem?
a) Brownell states, “parents need to pay more attention to the basics when it
comes to training, educating and rearing their children” (Bettelheim).
b) Half of parents asked to classify their child’s weight fail to recognize the child
is obese (Many Parents Don’t Recognize Obesity in their Child).
What are the effects of childhood obesity?
Health.
a) Childhood obesity is among the most prevalent nutritional problems that affect
children in developed countries (Bray).
b) Child obesity is a serious health risk and leads to a broad range of physical
problems such as:
1. High blood pressure
2. Diabetes
3. High cholesterol level
4. Joint disease (Epstein)
Psychologically.
a) Psychological and social effects may be even more devastating to the child
than the medical hazards (Shore).
b) Children are being teased for being overweight by their friends and peers,
which leads to:
1. Social isolation
2. Emotional withdrawal
3. Depression
4. Inactivity
5. More overeating & further weight gain (Epstein)
III.

How can childhood obesity be prevented?
a) Dr. Stern says, “I ask parents look at themselves if their child has a weight
problem” (Phalen).
b) The child’s well-being and adaptation to a healthy eating and exercise style
are more important than pounds lost (Shore).
Tips to keep your child healthy.
 Provide healthy food choices and allow children to help select and
prepare the food (Briskeborn).
 Encourage physical activity in sports teams and recreation programs
(Briskeborn).
 Set a good example (Briskeborn).
 Limit television watching and video games to one hour per day
(Briskeborn).
Conclusion to Essay
It is important for all parents to recognize what obesity is, learn facts about what this
disease can do to their children, and learn what they can do to help their children maintain a
healthy weight and comfortable lifestyle. Helping their children stay healthy during adolescence
will improve their self-esteem, health, and happiness in the long run.
Bibliography
Bettelheim, Adriel. “Childhood Obesity.” The CQ Researcher. 15 Jan. 1999. Vol. 9, No 2: 40.
Biskeborn, Kristin. “Schools, state team up for first ever student weight survey; find child obesity a
problem in South Dakota.” News from the South Dakota Department of Health. 25 Feb.
2000. 12 Oct. 2001 <http://www.state.sd.us/doh/News/News2000/obesity.htm>
Bray, George A. “Handbook of Obesity.” New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc, 1997.
Epstein, M.D., Bruce A. “Obese Children A ‘Growing’ Problem.” The Doctor’s Office. 6 Sept.
1993. 10 Oct. 2001 <http://ww.allkids.org/Epstein/Articles/Obese_Children.html>
“Many Parents Don’t Recognize Obesity In Their Children.” Obesity, Fitness, & Wellness Weekly.
9 June 2001. 10 Oct. 2001:3.
“Obesity.” Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
<http://www.search.eb.com/bol/topic?eu=58057&sctn=1>
“Obesity and Children: Helping Your Child keep A Healthy Weight.” Information from Your Family
Doctor. Jan. 2000. 10 Oct. 2001.
Phalen, Kathleen F. “Cutting the fat: CDC report targets childhood obesity.” American Medical
News. 25 Dec 2000 Vol 43, Iss 48:22.
Shore, Hennie. “Childhood Obesity: More Prevalent than You May Think.” Mental Health Net.
Feb. 1999. 10 Oct. 2001 <http://mentalhelp.net/advice/shore/hs020199.htm>