Essay on Fast Food and Child Obesity

Listed among the various national epidemics is childhood obesity. In the United States, one in three children is obese. The primary cause for this condition is the kind if the diet that these kids are exposed. They eat too much and exercise less. It is, therefore, important to review a typical meal in a local restaurant and its possible contribution to child obesity.

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Consider the Subway, an American fast food restaurant. It boasts of a variety of sandwiches among which is the black forest ham (2017). The chart below indicates pertinent elements of the meal.

Serving Size (g) Calories Fat (g) Carbohydrates (g) Vitamin A Sodium Iron

Adult 219 290 4.5 46 8 800 15

Child 137 180 2.5 30 6 450 10

Generally, a typical black forest ham contains up to 57 calories. The amount of fat in the same snack is 1.5 grams with cholesterol, sodium, and potassium values at 24mg, 279mg, and 0mg respectively. Additionally, carbohydrates and proteins stand at 1g each. Iron measures a paltry 0.3mg. According to the nutritional needs of young children, the ideal amount of calories that they need should range from 1000-14000 calories (Thompson, 2016). Saturated fats such as those from ham should be avoided at all costs and instead be replaced with vegetables. A protein serving of 2-4 ounces is ideal.

In the pace of black forest ham, both parents and children can opt for a black forest ham salad which is low in cholesterol and fats as indicated in the table below:

Serving size (g) Calories Fat (g) Carbohydrates (g) Vitamin A Sodium Iron

Adults and Children 344 110 3 13 40 600 30

Since the restaurant has no portion for children, it may be prudent to serve a child with 150 grams of the black forest ham salad since 344g is a rather significant portion. It then implies that the amount of fat will be cut by half and this lowers the risk of obesity. Additionally, this salad is high in iron, and this reduces the risk of anaemia.

The recommendation to have pharmacologic interventions when a child is eight years old should be re-considered. At that tender age, it is unfair to administer medication for cholesterol. Instead, children should be encouraged to exercise and eat healthily. Given that this recommendation was given before collecting the relevant data, it may not serve the intended purpose.

Childhood obesity brings about risks high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Eventually, these may result in cardiovascular diseases (In Sheeler, 2013). High cholesterol levels affect the circulatory system causing the narrowing of the coronary arteries. Consequently, the flow of blood through the heart becomes increasingly difficult and one may suffer a stroke, and in severe cases a heart attack. High blood pressure, on the other hand, is responsible for the formation of blood clots in the arteries, a situation that if left uncontrolled, may result in a stroke.

Summarily, childhood obesity is a national disaster which can be managed by healthy eating. Parents are tasked with ensuring that their children cut down on fast foods regardless of the fact the eating out are becoming a fad. Reducing fats in a child's diet minimizes their risk for having high cholesterol levels. Consequently, they may not have to battle with cardiovascular diseases when they advance in age.

References

(2017). Retrieved 26 March 2017, from http://www.subway.com/en-us/menunutrition/nutritionThompson, T. (2016). Childhood obesity.In Sheeler, R. D. (2013). Cardiovascular diseases. Philadelphia: Elsevier.