Lubitz 1

Madison Lubitz
Mrs. Polasek
English- 9
15 January 2014
The Problem with Childhood Obesity
I. Introduction
A. More than twelve million kids in the United States struggle with weight
problems.
B. Most people dont realize they are obese and the health risks it causes.
C. The obesity rate in children is increasing at a rapid rate, education and
regulations need to be applied.
II. Argument 1
A. Childhood obesity causes health problems that will affect children into
adulthood.
B. According to statistics one- third of children suffer from obesity (Reece).
This illness can lead to type two-diabetes, depression, heart disease and many
more.
C. Studies show that overweight children are highly likely to become obese
adults, who have an elevated risk of many health problems. Americans
growing obesity rate is a prime reason for rapidly rising healthcare costs.
(Paulson).
Lubitz 2

D. Childhood obesity can be prevented but without regulations and knowledge of
the problem nothing will change.
III. Argument 2
A. The childhood obesity rate is growing exponentially.
B. In Canada, the number of obese kids has more than doubled since 1981.
(Ashton). Statistics have shown children as early as 2 are overweight or
obese.
C. Thirty four percent of children between ages of 2 and 19 were overweight or
at risk of becoming so in 2004 (Paulson).
D. This just goes to show how big of a problem obesity is becoming all around
the world. As the obesity rate increases so does the number of people
suffering from illnesses and dying.
IV. Argument 3
A. The more time kids spend watching TV and playing video games the more
likely they are to be overweight or obese.
B. According to statistics girls who watched five or more hours a day consumed
175 more calories daily than peers who watched TV less than an hour.
(Ashton).
C. The more time kids spend watching TV the less time they spend being active.
Girls ages 14 to 16 have less physical activity studies have shown less than
one-third are active. (Ashton).
D. All this lack in physical activity and increased time watching TV and playing
video games increases the chances of obesity.
Lubitz 3

V. Opposing Argument
A. Some may say obesity is a result of schools cutting back on gym classes and
recesses. And children who live in unsafe neighborhoods have a harder time
getting outside and getting physical active, so instead they sit inside and watch
TV or play video games.
B. Many people dont known that it takes up to 12 weeks for a diet or workout to
show results, many people give up before this time. These reasons arent a
reliable excuse because anyone can work out after school or at home by
themselves or with a partner.
C. In a recent study, it was shown that 94 percent of people who worked out
together stuck to their exercise plans, compared with only 57 percent of those
who went at it alone. (Reece).
D. Bad neighborhoods arent preventing exercise inside the house or school
sports. There are many ways people can stay in shape on their own outside of
the schools gym class. Swiss researchers found direct relation between
electronic video games to childhood obesity. They studied 872 children first,
second, third grades attending 10 different schools. Their findings prove that
electronic video games need to be limited to help prevent obesity (Games
linked to obesity). This proves with limited time watching TV or playing
video games and more exercise you can efficiently prevent obesity.
VI. Argument 4
A. Early education programs have been set up to educate parents and children
about physical activity and healthy eating.
Lubitz 4

B. Schools alone didnt cause the problem, but wed be hard pressed to solve it
without schools. (Howell Wechster).
C. This is true because schools can set guidelines for the children who eat
breakfast and lunch at schools in ways not every family can.
D. It takes up to 12 weeks to see results in a diet; progress is going to be slow but
its worth changing our ways to save the lives of the people living in America
which is the most obese country.
VII. Conclusion
A. With the knowledge of the rising obesity rate and the increase of illnesses,
schools and other programs are starting the change.
B. But schools alone cannot make the whole change.
C. Childhood obesity is a global problem that not one person can eliminate. The
progress will be slow but with the efforts already applied there is progress.







Lubitz 5

Works Cited
Ashton, Alison. "The Skinny on Childhood Fat." Copley News Service 4 Apr. 2001: n. pag. Print.
"Electronic Games Linked to Child Obesity." UPI 30 June 2004: n. pag. Print.
Paulson, Amanda. "Overweight Kids: Schools Take Action." Christian Science Monitor 2 May
2006: n. pag. Print.
Reece, Jonathan. "Letter to the Editor." The Princeton Packet 28 Mar. 2011: n. pag. Print.