According to multiple observational studies, in the United States, the incidence rates for six obesity-related cancers have substantially increased among young people over the last several decades. These malignancies include uterine corpus, kidney, multiple myeloma, pancreatic cancer, gallbladder, and colorectal cancers (Mulcahy, 2019). In Florida, obesity rates among children and adolescents are considerably high. 12.7% of children ages 2-4 and 14% of high school students have obesity (State of Childhood Obesity, n.d.). However, youth ages 10-17 are at the highest risk of obesity, and almost 18% of them are obese, “giving Florida a ranking of 9 among the 50 states and D.C.” (State of Childhood Obesity, n.d., para. 1). In general, a lack of physical activity and inappropriate nutrition are the main reasons for childhood weight problems.
Local authorities have already implemented multiple measures in addition to federal policies. Florida currently participates in the Child Care Food Program (CCFP) which helps the state’s child care facilities apply the most appropriate practices “to ensure children have access to a variety of nutritious foods for healthy growth and to reduce obesity risk” (“Child Care Food Program,” n.d., para. 1). In addition, local authorities promote physical activity outdoors making streets more comfortable for bikers, runners, and walkers to motivate parents to walk with their children. Moreover, the state has healthy food financing funding and requires all students to participate in physical education (P.E.) (State of Childhood Obesity, n.d.). Unfortunately, these measures are not as effective as they are expected to be. Vegetable and fruit consumption among children is not sufficient, a considerable number of young people use a computer and watch TV excessively, and 78.7% of students demonstrate low P.E. participation (State of Childhood Obesity, n.d.). From a personal perspective, the local government takes appropriate measures to prevent obesity, however, there are other factors that influence children’s food consumption and physical activity. They include parents’ eating habits and lifestyles, modern trends in social networks, and children’s peculiarities.
References
Child Care Food Program. (n.d.). Web.
Mulcahy, N. (2019). Six ‘obesity-related’ cancers on rise in US young adults. Medscape. Web.
State of Childhood Obesity. (n.d.). Florida. Web.