When I was younger, we hardly ever got the opportunity to go out to eat. It was a rare occasion because my family didn't think it was a responsible idea to spend money going out to eat when we had plenty of food in our refrigerator. Another strong reason was because of how unhealthy eating at restaurants can be. Despite the convenient prices and easy drive-thru services, fast-food restaurants have a certain reputation of serving unhealthy, grease-laden, high-calorie foods. According to Google Maps, there are close to 50,000 fast food chains across America. Focusing on Idaho alone there are over 2,500, 81 of which are located in Boise. Along with the growing convenience of fast-food, many schools across the nation neglect proper physical education from Mississippi to Idaho. Children today are at a higher risk of sleep apnea, gallstones, hepatitis, cardiovascular disease, and many other harmful consequences [AMu99]. Childhood obesity rates in the United States are significantly higher than they were in the 70's, but there are several ways that increased childhood obesity rates can be slowed down or stopped all together. Growing up, I never really saw a problem with obesity in our country. Mostly because I wasn't directly affected personally. Now that I've started college, the obesity issue is, in a way, hard to ignore. I am now fully aware that there are several different ways to avoid obesity and the consequences that come with it.
Between 1976–1980 and 2009–2010 obesity rates increased from 6.5% to 18.0% among 6–11 year olds. Among adolescents aged 12–19, obesity increased from 5.0% to 18.4% during the same time period. What characteristics deem a child to be considered "obese"? Obesity can be determined by calculating a child's BMI, or Body Mass Index. Body Mass Index is described as a weight-to-height ratio. BMI is not necessarily a diagnostic tool, but can assist in identifying weight problems in people of all ages.