Public policy problem Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Public policy problem - Essay Example Generally speaking, a person is considered obese when that individual has more body fat than is considered healthy for their particular age, height and gender. Though obesity is normally only regarded as a grown-up problem, their kids face even greater risks associated with the condition. While other types of physical conditions may be easier for children to hide under their clothing or to mask in various ways, obesity is impossible to hide under clothing and too often leads to them being teased or otherwise tormented by cruel jokes by their misunderstanding schoolmates. The disapproving stares and negative looks from other adults and children greet them every time they meet another set of eyes. This often unconscious response on the part of other people can contribute to severe emotional damage that often lasts a lifetime. Even when the excess weight is lost, these psychological scars can drastically impact the child’s ability to achieve the level of fulfillment and happiness that should be every child’s right. The physical consequences of obesity are also unacceptably extensive. It is widely acknowledged that obesity can significantly lower life expectancy despite the person’s age. With obesity now accepted as being at pandemic proportions, it is of supreme importance to identify the common causes of obesity as well as the most effective methods of treating it to help children overcome the social and personal drawbacks of being overweight. One of the most disturbing features of obesity is its close association with more than 30 adverse health conditions and countless psychological ramifications. Increasingly, younger persons are starting to experience arthritis of the hips, back, hands and knees as a result of the long-term misuse their bodily systems must endure. The possibility of breast cancer is doubled for people who are obese as compared to people who maintain a somewhat stable weight as an adult or ‘normal’ weight as a child. Other cancers such as esophageal, gastric, endometrial and colorectal cancers are also much more common among the obese, even those at younger ages. It seems pointless to list the elevated risk of cardiovascular disease because of obesities direct correlation with higher levels of cholesterol in the bloodstream which blocks arteries of the heart (â€Å"Health Effects†, 2002). This problem is aggravated in obese persons due to their veins being more constricted. This has the effect of impeding oxygen transmission to bodily tissues and provoking complaints of sleepiness, general fatigue and breathing problems. Predictably, all of these side effects and other associated risks of obesity or just being overweight have a negative impact on a child’s rate of growth and their general ability to develop. â€Å"Even for children, obesity can increase the risk of stroke and hypertension, a statistic supported by the fact that more than 75 percent of people who suffer fro m hypertension are obese†