Who is to blame for child obesity? The answer is not simple  --  lately, there has been much controversy surrounding this topic. Finger pointing and heated arguments arise when the question of who to blame for this growing predicament is asked. Parents accusing food companies' advertisements, fast-food companies accusing school systems; no one wants to take the fault for increasing child obesity rates. The percentages of obese children in America have increased tremendously over the past decade, but unfortunately, very few people are taking a stand to decrease this problem. The main culprits of childhood obesity are parents, which the factors include: family's income, type of lifestyle, and the discipline that the child receives; the other culprit being influential advertisements. Due to today's continuously increasing rate of obesity in children, actions need to be taken promptly to eradicate this significant problem. 

Childhood obesity starts at the core of the child, which is the parents; more specifically the family's income, type of lifestyle, and the discipline that the child receives. Two of these factors being controllable for the parents while the family's income are not so much in a parent's control. The organization, Let's Move, America's move to raise a healthier generation of kids ran by Michele Obama, states that, "more than 23 million Americans, including 6.5 million children, live in low-income urban and rural neighborhoods that are more than a mile from a supermarket. These communities are known as 'food deserts' since they lack access to affordable, nutritious food. Lack of access is one reason why many children are not eating recommended levels of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains." (M. Obama 2) With that being said, many children are affected by the lack of income that the parents bring in and are resulting in the increase of their weight. Awareness for these 6.5 million children is nowhere close to what it should be, and it honestly seems invisible to the community and especially to the parents.  According to Isabella Gonzalez, a credible author of "Childhood Obesity: Do Parents Have the Right to Point Fingers?" Childhood obesity is caused by the parent's lack of awareness and responsibility." Gonzalez considers that child obesity is an action by a free will individual and in the driver seat for small individuals; children are being highly influenced by a more mature, older individual (parent). I completely agree with Gonzalez as parents control a lot in a child's decisions, but a parent's income can be out of their control. Is it still their fault? Absolutely, yes; a parent can implement healthy eating on a budget and increase smarter shopping. A study by CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) correlated between family income to children's physical fitness levels and obesity rates took place in California from 2010 to 2012. The results of the study showed that 56% of children in lower income families had lower fitness scores and a higher obesity rates (Yichen Jin, C. Jones 1). Low-income families typically lack access to super markets and healthy, affordable food options. According to FRAC (Food Research & Action Center), low-income neighborhoods frequently lack full-service grocery stores and farmers' markets where residents can usually buy a variety of high quality fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products (FRAC. Why Low-Income and Food Insecure People are Vulnerable to Obesity. 2015.). On top of that, when grocery stores are available to low-income families, healthy foods discourage these buyers due to higher prices for healthier options. FRAC states, "The potential for waste, whereas refined grains, added sugars, and fats are generally inexpensive, palatable and readily available in low-income families." "Waste" is cheaper than fresh, thus low-income parents are feeding their children the cheap side of food. Having a small budget means that the parents will usually stretch the long way to go the cheap way. Fast food's cheapness such as McDonalds, Taco Bell, KFC, and Wendy's, has lower nutritional quality and absurd amount of calories that eventually links to obesity and bad eating habits. This falls back on the parents, as they need to step up and be able to feed their children in the best nutritionist way that they can even if that means finding better ways with spending their money; yes, this can be hard for low income families but there are healthy solutions that these families are not aware of and just want to take the "cheap and easy" way. Finding ways to supply nutritional meals and avoiding the cheaper way will definitely help their children in the long run.

There are many solutions for low-income families that can help their children receive healthier foods. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is offered by the Department of Health and Human Services, also known as Welfare that can help low income families receives extra money to put food on the table. Welfare is a federally funded and governed organization that creates aid for those who have little to no income. Welfareinfor.org states, "Eligibility is determined using gross and net income, size of the family, and any crisis situation such as medical emergencies, pregnancy, homelessness or unemployment." (Welfareinfo.org. 2015). Many low-income families unknowingly meet the requirements for Welfare, as there are several different types of aids that they apply to such as health care, food stamps, childcare assistance, unemployment, cash aid, and housing assistance. As you can see, welfare can greatly aid a low-income family to creating a healthier life for their children. Going more in depth with one of the welfare aids, food stamps, can be a life changer for a low-income family as it is a source of money to supposedly help buy nutritious necessities for the family. Food stamps provide food-purchasing assistance for low and no-income people living in the U.S. This program that created food stamps is called SNAP- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and about 40 million people are enrolled in this program. SNAP states, "The main goal of SNAP is to help low-income households buy nutritious yet low-cost foods, and that's always been the case." (SNAP.2014) This aid is out there to grab for low-income families but it is the parent's responsibility to buy healthy foods with these stamps for their family. The smallest things like coupons and a lookout for sales can also make a difference. According to Coupon Statistics, the average value of a coupon in 2012 was $1.53 overall and that in 2012, coupon distribution amounted to $1,535 savings potential per person in the U.S. Healthy eating on a budget is not impossible and can be done, it just comes back on the parent to take the step forward for a change. These solutions prove that the use of coupons and government ran programs for low-income families can make a difference between putting a nutritious meal for their children rather than a quick and easy, unhealthy meal. These assistance are currently not solving the problem of decreasing child obesity because parents are not taking the responsibility to apply for help and give their children the best opportunity for a healthy lifestyle. I also think bringing more awareness to low-income families about these aids and solutions can make an impact. Awareness and responsibility are the biggest keys to success to make a change in a child's life. 

The type of lifestyle that the children live can also lead to child obesity. US National Library of Medicine states, "Mealtime structure is important with evidence that families who eat together consume more healthy foods. Furthermore, eating out or watching TV while eating is associated with a higher intake of fat." Living in the 21st century, I know all of us can agree that life is fast and we are always on the go and time can be cut tight. Couch potato lifestyles can set in after a long day at work with can result in a lazy feeling to cook and fast food being the solution. Becky Sorensen, author of "Obesity in America and its children: Affecting the Lives of Millions" states, "One can call to have a greasy, large pepperoni pizza delivered to his door, or spend three minutes in the Wendy's drive thru and grab dinner for the whole family. People can even order food over the phone and go pick it up. Americans love convenience, and they are willing to pay a little extra money for it." This fast lifestyle is affecting children in the long run as they are not receiving the full nutrition that they need due their parents lacking the responsibility of feeding them a nutritious meal. The lack of time can result in a poor diet. St. Rosemary Educational Institutional article "Who is to Blame?" states that, " Children are helpless with the type of food their parents and families provide." Parents need make it a priority and show responsibility to slow down this lifestyle and focus on healthier solutions for their children. 

Lifestyles can definitely be hard to change around because our lives are so engrained in the U.S. but there are solutions such as meal preparation, budgeting/ recognizing the amount of money you are spending on food (eating out), and setting time aside to participate in physical activity with the children. Meal prep is a way for people to save time in the kitchen, keep money in the pocket, and keep you and your family on track with eating healthy. What is meal prep? It is planning and prepping your meals in advance for the week; taking time to cook items in bulk and eating leftovers for the week. This can adjust to the family's lifestyle while still serving a great nutritious value to the kids. Another solution is budgeting/awareness of how much money is really being spent on eating out. According to Trent Hamm, author of "Trimming the Average Budget: Eating Out", the average American family spends $225 a month eating away from home. Hamm states, "Much of this spending comes about simply because it's convenient. For example, I don't have time to make lunch, so I'll stop at Mickey D's and pick up a sandwich to go or if it's been a long day, let's go out to eat." (Hamm 1).  Budgeting the amount of eating out and making it into a "treat" would be a great first step. That $225 can go towards groceries and healthy substitutions that fast food. A third easy solution is setting time aside for the children to go outside for a physical activity will really help. Jeffery Tanji from UC Davis Health Systems states, "Think of activity as your family's "medicine". If you had to take a pill each day to keep yourself healthy, you would make it a priority to remember to do so."  Setting time to do physical activity as family could not only reduce the health risks but it also builds a bond in the family that can never be broken. This also goes for any income family, a lifestyle is a choice and setting time for a family choice is going to determine the lifestyle for the family. 

Disciplining a child can set them up for success with healthy lifestyle, especially with eating habits and healthy choice making. VicHealth research conducted by the Centre for Physical Activity at Deakin University, researches on how levels of childhood obesity increases due to lack of discipline from the parents. According to the leader of this research, Associate Professor Anna Timperio, states," Parents, say they are concerned about kids who sit for long periods of time without moving, but they may also allow these devices in their child's bedroom, and we know having television in the bedroom is associated with having a higher body mass index." (VicHealth. 2). Parents are allowing children to be lazy and allowing them to also eat whatever they please which is usually junk food. Saying no and monitoring a child's food intake around the house is important. Parents need to discipline their children to have healthy foods first and the other unhealthy foods as a treat.  The research found that the family environment is the most important factor in determining children's physical activity levels, with parents' habits greatly impacting their children. Set limits and stick to them. 

As I go on Google and search  "How to discipline a child", I encountered 194,000,000 results popping up; I was easily overwhelmed. What to do that will discipline a child and decrease child obesity? The three top solutions to this problem are starting healthy decisions early with the child, leading by example, and setting up a system to award the child. Starting healthy decisions early can really benefit a child in the long run, but it all starts with the parent's knowledge of food. We Can, an organization for ways to enhance children's activity and nutrition, takes time to create handbooks and videos for parents to provided the right balance for their children. After parents get the knowledge they can start their children on the right road of being healthy which can lower the risk for the child to become obese or any other health problems. Also being a good role model for the child can turn things around. Making sure that the parent is making healthy food choices and incorporating activity into their life can greatly influence the child to be more like the parent. EatRight Ontario, a group of dietitians, states, "As a parent, you have an important role in shaping your children's eating habits. By creating a positive eating environment and being a good role model, you can help your children develop healthy eating habits that can make a lasting impact on their health." Lastly, setting up a system or in other words, a game/tradeoff. For instance, for every 3 healthy meals the family eats, they can have one peanut butter Reese cup each. Having a balance between healthy eating with a reward of a small, tasty treat. Disciplining a child means teaching them to obey rules or a code of behavior, if not followed then using a punishment to correct disobedience. 

The other culprit of childhood obesity is influential advertisements. Advertising to children happens every second of the day, and you probably don't even realize it because I know I didn't till research being done. Referring back to the St. Rosemary Educational Institutions article "Child Obesity: Who is to blame?" it states that "[w]ith the average American child watching 19 hours and 40 minutes of television per week, they are getting a constant exposure to junk and fast food ( ... ) When these numbers are calculates together it means that over a span of a week a child can be viewing over 500 commercials just alone about sustenance." Fast food companies such as McDonalds and Taco Bell take full advantage of children when they watch television by shoving advertisements in their faces. To back that up, statics state that 80% of commercials on children televisions are junk food. The number of commercials presented in a 30-minute span is shocking. For example, a study shown on a children show on YTV: ""[B]etween 5:00-5:30 there were 13 commercials ranging from fast food, sugar drinks, and unhealthy snacks that bombarded the screen." This example is a prime reason why people need to take off the blindfold, as they are oblivious to just how many commercials we are exposed to. Aleathia Cezar, author of "The Effects of Television Food Advertising on Childhood Obesity" says, "Thirty percent of children 0 to 3 years of age and 43% of children 4 to 6 years of age have televisions in their rooms, which is factor that increases the children's likelihood of weight problems." Not only are advertisements taking place on the television but also on the Internet, children books/magazines, toys, and signs on the street. Inescapable. The Institute of Medicine of the National Academics found that the food marketing influences children's food preferences, consumption, and health.  Advertisements have branded many children's' minds and are a huge influence on obesity rates for children. Children are victims of advertisement's attack, and we have no idea that this is happening every single day; a constant reminder of junk food is definitely going to affect a child's mindset on food. 

Advertising is a huge business that can truly never be stopped but can be affected by adult decisions. The solutions to the amount of advertising that children are exposed to are cable restrictions, parental locks on TV, and supplying better resources that embrace healthy eating lifestyle/ positive vibes. Cable restrictions, meaning limiting the hours that the child watches television and the types of shows that are being watched. Going to Netflix, and only allowing the child to watch movies with no to very little exposure to unhealthy influences. Parental locks is very similar to cable restriction but the parent is putting a lock on the TV till the parent can supervise the child while being exposed to certain advertisements. Locking certain channels and certain times can stop bad habits and equal less risk for their child. Lastly, supplying better resources to the children such as a cook book or shows of healthy eating to push out the bad habits of unhealthy decisions and eating. Advertisements have been greatly exposed to this century's children and many unhealthy decisions have taken place to due to the mind games that these companies play. Advertisements need to be held responsible. 

Growing up in exercise and competing in softball at a high level has given me a strong stance against child obesity. I have always lived my life around healthy decisions as these decisions have helped me to perform at my optimum level and also giving me an advantage over athletes with a poor diet. Because of my healthy lifestyle, I have reached my long time goal and gained the opportunity of a lifetime to play division one softball at the University of South Carolina. I have gotten the backstage education on eating healthy and instructional exercising that most kids and adults do not have the opportunity to learn. Being healthy at a young age was not easy for me, though the more time I dedicated to softball, the more I realized the importance of being healthy. I became more aware of the advantages that the healthier, fit kids had over me in my sport. It was time to make a change. I also give credit to my parents for taking the responsibility to feed me nutritious meals and teaching me the positives of eating right. My parents budgeted their money to make healthy foods an option, adjusted healthy eating habits to my fast lifestyle, and disciplined the foods that I ate.  Parents are responsible for child obesity and it is time to bring out the truth; influential advertisements' and faulty parenting need to be held accountable.  

Childhood obesity has increased tremendously over the years and little to nothing is being done to decrease this problem. Excuses and not taking responsibility is what is holding back the culprits from making a change. According to a scholarly article, Health Affairs, a city called Somerville, Massachusetts is a prime example of potential success. With the leadership from the mayor, Somerville combines a series of school-based interventions with healthy food labeling program in restaurants, engagement of medical providers to the lower income and any one that was in need, and community infrastructure improvements to support physical activity. These initiatives slowed the rates of increase in the number of children coming obese. Imagine if the community as a whole came together just like mayor took action for his community, and put a stand to make a difference in our children's lives. Solutions are possible but the only thing stopping them from working is a determined mindset. Low-income family struggles, poor eating habits due to fast lifestyle, parents' lack of discipline for children all have solutions but it is now up to the parent to take the stand and make it right for their children. Advertising is a huge impact on today's world as well but by doing the little things such as setting in cable restrictions or parental locks can be less exposure for children, benefiting them in the long run. Childhood obesity is a disease and the main culprits increasing the rate of this disease are the parents and advertisement.

