Yagual 1

Kimberly Yagual Professor Lago College Writing 1100-27 16 December 2013 Obesity and the Carelessness of Parents Although the delicious meaty burgers from Burger King or the crunchy sweet and sour covered chicken nuggets from McDonalds or even the oozing pieces of strawberry cheesecake in the fridge seem irresistible, obesity has become a major issue to teenagers in our 21st century. As children transition into their teenage years they begin to make their own food decisions but still hold lessons and influences their parents have shared with them prior to becoming a teen. Parents play a huge role in how these children see the harmful substances in unhealthy food and how they will live their lives, whether healthy or unhealthy. Change in teenage obesity will occur only if the teenagers themselves, with the help of their parents, fix the issue by learning to make wise decisions, building and learning self-control, and by keeping themselves busy and active because unhealthy food choices can lead to health problems that these teenagers will face throughout the rest of their lives. When children begin their teenage stage in life, making their own decisions becomes a new responsibility, especially with how they treat and refuel their own bodies. Decision making is a big step in a teenagers life; it is like freedom to them. At this stage they begin to differentiate the good and bad types of food and experience what foods affect them in a positive

Yagual 2

and or negative way. Parents play a big role in a childs life and they mold their children into young adults. To prepare these teens to make wise decisions especially when it comes to what they put in their mouths, their parents provide a base structure for their kids to go off from. According to an alumna from WSU, kids environment is primarily based on what their parents are doing and she states, "Like mother, like child. Morrison also came to finding that moms who eat when they are already full show a high control over the amount of food their child consumes and she gives the example that when a child is no longer hungry, he/she is usually forced to finish what is on their plate. Meanwhile, moms who eat in response to their emotions or who are easily tempted by the sight, scent or taste of food have children with a strong desire to eat. Morrison also says that parents need to show their kids how to eat right because a child will always be influenced by the parents (Morrison). While under the wings of the parents, self-control should be in the construction process. If parents influence their children in a positive way their child will follow their footsteps. Parents are these childrens role model and they themselves need to follow healthy eating habits, exercise/play daily and also show their child that they have self-control. According to an anonymous writer from the Dayton Daily News, Controlling one's weight is about exerting selfcontrol. That means denying yourself something that feels good today for the benefits of looking better and being more healthy tomorrow(Child's weight loss). Building self-control will allow a teen, to resist certain foods that they well know will do them harm teens will learn self-control and will realize that if they are gaining weight at an alarming rate, they may need to sacrifice a few candy bars or even a fast food meal. In San Antonio Express News Blum explains, Parents

Yagual 3

can influence what their children like to eatKids are born with a sweet tooth and a salty one, but they have to learn to enjoy other tastes. They often need repeated introductions to other healthy food choices" (Toren). From an early age, children should be active and involved in sports, school activities, and or even have play dates at the park with their parents. If a child is active at an early age, he/she will grow to be an active teen and will have the urge to continue to play around as they once did when they were children. One hour of moderate to vigorous exercise a day can help teens beat the effects of a common obesity-related gene with the nickname fatso, according to a new European study (Johnson). Parents also play a role in keeping their child active and should influence them to be active and exercise daily. If a parent is always inside the house and a couch potato, a child will model after them but if a parent is active and exercising and child will follow as well. In the transition stage from child to teen, teens begin to make their own decisions and unlike children their parents cannot control what kind and what portions of food they will consume. Although teens are still living under their parents roof and their parents do still control the food that fills the refrigerator, teen controls what he/she eats. They can always sneak bad food into the house from outside places and hide snacks in their room, with that said the teen is in control and the parent is out of the picture. Parents need to create that base for a child to work off from when they are teens. Parents form children into the teens they will be and therefore need to set a good example for their children when it comes to the way we humans can live a healthy lifestyle.

Yagual 4

From experience, although my mother has always been active, I never was influenced by her due to the fact that she was rarely home. I was always in control of what I ate no matter her opinion. I do not necessarily blame her for my weight at the current moment but if she was more involved when I was a child and taught me to choose food wisely I believe I would not be who I am today. If she would have showed me good eating habits, self-control, and had involved me in sports and such things I would not be obese. Yet again when I became a teenager that all was up to me but I feel she had to create this sort of frame for me to work in. Therefore, I see the parent as the main benefactor of how a child grows and develops. A change in teen obesity will occur if both the parents and teen work together to fix it. The parents serve as a guide and the child uses the influences from the parents to follow in the directions that the parents point them too. Obesity in teens seems to be rising at an alarming rate. The only solution would be for both the parents and the child to involve and care for their own bodies and health.

Yagual 5

Works Cited Carolyn, R. T. (2002, Jan 21). Parents influence kids' outlook on healthy diet, exercise. San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.wpunj.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/262112161?a ccountid=15101 Child's weight loss can become a family lesson in self-control. (2011, Jul 03). Dayton Daily News. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.wpunj.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/874835741?a ccountid=15101 Johnson, C. K. (2010, Apr). 1 hour daily exercise fight 'fatso' gene in teens. The Charlotte Post. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.wpunj.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/89140578?acc ountid=15101 Like mother, like child: New research on parents, preschoolers, obesity. (2013, Feb 07). Targeted News Service. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.wpunj.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/1285104543? accountid=15101