Childhood Obesity
On teen sitcoms from the 90s and early 2000s, it was rare that there was a scene set in a high school hallway that did not feature a vending machine in the background. Over the years, the number of vending machines seen on shows catered to teens and children have decreased, all while the childhood obesity rate was steadily increasing.
Childhood obesity was proven to be a growing problem across America, and ever since then, it has been the duties of organizations and specialists alike to help to minimize the spread of the epidemic. Are you a part of the problem or part of the solution?
External appearance has always been a concern, no matter who you are or how old you are. An early example of people indulging in their appearance is corset training, which dates back to as early as the 16th century. Corsets flatten the stomach and shrink the waist in order to obtain the hourglass shape (What is the History of Corset Training 1). As time went on, the physical appearance, mainly weight, continued to be a driving force behind the volume of someone’s self esteem. The aspect of self esteem could be considered the superficial level to an extremely serious problem.
Being overweight was not always a major concern in America, nor was childhood obesity. Observation of the weight of children began being observed during the first World War, and between World War One and Two, there was in increase in weight noted during public health surveys. Even though the trends in weight showed a slight increase, they were nowhere near the (The Nation’s Childhood Obesity Epidemic 1). Childhood obesity was not a well known problem until the 1960s, due to the introduction of Body Mass Index (BMI) calculations (The Nation’s Childhood Obesity Epidemic 1). Since the first release of BMI data in 1963, childhood obesity rates have been on a steady incline, and an exact cause has not been pinpointed. There are speculations though, which include: the lack of enforcement of physical education in schooling, the accessibility and rapid spreading of fast food restaurants, the convenience of entertainment and the “cycle continuing”, which essentially states that children who are born into obese or unhealthy families are more likely to fall victim to obesity (Marks 1). Psychological stress has also been noted as a possible cause of the beginning of unhealthy habits that later lead to being obese (Marks 1).
Physical education classes used to be a strictly enforced requirement, and now some states have done away with requiring the class in general (Marks 1). One of the most influential factors in the rapid rise of childhood obesity is the glamorization of fast food. Since the 1970s, the consumption rate of fast food by children has risen by five-hundred percent, and it is likely tied directly to the billions of dollars spent annually on fast food advertising geared towards children (Holguin 1). The advertising industry itself has continued to expand and thrive. Introducing new technologies over the years, such as the internet and cell phones, has allowed advertisers to extend their reach to an even broader audience. New technologies have also minimized the need for physical activity to keep kids entertained (Marks 1). A lack of a need to get up and be active to be entertained due to technology, coupled with the advertising on virtually every device has strengthened the pull of fast food, which in turn strengthens the trend in childhood obesity.
The most notable social effect of the childhood obesity epidemic has been the transformations made in public school facilities. Over half of the students enrolled in public schools eat half of their meals at school (Healthy Schools 1). By providing healthy food in schools, at least the unhealthiness of fast food has been eradicated for a significant period of the day. Another important step that was made in public school facilities was the removal and modification of vending machines. Vending machines typically contain sugar filled snacks and beverages like soda, chips and candy. Those machines directly contributed to the obesity epidemic, and to combat them, vending machines with healthier choices were implemented. The removal and modification of vending machines contributed to a decline in childhood obesity on regional levels (Rovner, Alisha J., et al. 1).
Childhood obesity gained momentum on major platforms during the 2000s. The most popular talk show host of all time, Oprah hosted a special centered around the epidemic. In the special, it was stated that “This might be the first generation of children to not outlive their parents.” (Obesity Intervention 1). The teenagers featured in the special are all concerned about their weight, and some of them have outside problems, which both tie into the psychological factors associated with the dangers of childhood obesity. For example, 14 year-old Jessica, has gained 30 to 40 pounds in a year, which takes a toll on her self-esteem (Obesity Intervention 1). Aside from just internalized feelings, some of the teenagers from the special find comfort in food because they cannot find it in other aspects of life. Raven is unhappy with her body, and is also dealing with a sick mother, and Josh says that he eats because he cannot handle the fact that he has not lived up to the precedent that his father set up for him.
Camus and Absurdity
Nowadays, childhood obesity is considered an issue because it poses health risks, and is not the standard of health; but had it been about a century prior, the overwhelming concern with childhood obesity would be considered absurd. Albert Camus was a French novelist, playwright and essayist (Cruikshank 1). In addition to all of those things, despite his denial, Albert Camus was an atypical philosopher. Camus was born on November 7, 1913 and passed away January 4, 1960 (Cruikshank 1). Throughout his lifetime, he became well known for his literary works and his pessimistic outlook.
His upbringing could have contributed to his view of life. The Camus family lived in Mondovi, Algeria (Albert Camus - Biographical 1). His father was a working class man who died in World War I, leaving him in a small home with his mother, grandmother and paralyzed uncle (Cruikshank 1). His living conditions could have influenced his dull view of the world later in life, but Camus described his childhood in Algeria through the statement, "I lived in destitution but also in a kind of sensual delight.” (Albert Camus Biography 1). Albert Camus was brilliant both mentally and physically, and he obtained his education through scholarships (Albert Camus Biography 1). In spite of his seemingly bright future, Camus was limited in his interests and career paths when he contracted a lung disease, more specifically, tuberculosis at the age of seventeen (Albert Camus Biography 1).
The limitations placed on Camus ultimately led to his pursuit of a journalism career, and by age 24 he was a published author (Albert Camus Biography 1). His work revolved around his answer to the most commonly asked philosophical question, “What is the meaning of existence?” (Maguire 1). Camus took the cynical route and came to the conclusion that life has no real meaning, and that trying to find meaning in the things that already exist is merely a waste of time (Maguire 1). According to Camus’ philosophy, nothing matters but things that are not concrete should not even be considered. The concept of religion is the epitome of absurdity in his eyes. It gives people a warped perception of reality and enforces an ideal that there is a higher purpose or something to live for. The Camus quote, “Do not wait for the Last Judgment. It takes place every day.”, essentially states that each day is its own individual, meaningless task, and that living for a positive verdict on judgement day is an absurd waste of time (91 Albert Camus Quotes on Death, Suicide, God Truth, Philosophy Fear, Rebellion, Freedom and More. 1)
Believing that each day is a waste of time is a strong indication that Camus would see a subject like childhood obesity and dismiss the idea of it completely. A major concern of those who research and try to find solutions to childhood obesity is the long-term effect that it will have on life expectancy (Belluck 1). Life was meaningless in Camus’ eyes, so a declining life expectancy rate is nothing to concern yourselves with or consider an epidemic. The psychological effects of childhood obesity would be considered an absurdity in Camus’ opinion because of his ideology, “Man is always prey to his truths. Once he has admitted them, he cannot free himself from them.”, which is essentially saying that things are not a problem until humans concern themselves with them (91 Albert Camus Quotes on Death, Suicide, God, Truth, Philosophy, Fear, Rebellion, Freedom, and More 1). When following Camus’ philosophy, self-esteem would likely be deemed a conjured-up concept that has no concrete meaning, therefore making it an absurdity.
Albert Camus’ lack of concern for life was the basis for his greatest personal philosophical question, “There is only one really serious philosophical question, and that is suicide” (Aronson 1). Suicide was the greatest absurdity because it showcased that life only means something if you are in control of your own fate, and nothing shows stronger control over your life than suicide. With that being said, Camus would definitely consider childhood obesity as obscenity because it does not have an immediate and direct effect on life or death.
Solutions
Childhood obesity is most definitely considered a widespread epidemic, but there are simple solutions to prevent it from spreading further. Obesity is based on the type of food eaten and the rate of consumption. America’s large portion sizes make a substantial contribution to the high rates of childhood obesity (Portion Sizes and Obesity, News & Events). Reducing the size of the portions would most likely decline the rate of childhood obesity. Another contributing factor to the current rate of childhood obesity is the presence of obese parents (Axe). Leading by example could help break a continuous cycle. The most influential factor in the rate of childhood obesity is the overconsumption of sugary, fatty and processed foods, and the underconsumption of healthy fats (Axe). An easy solution to that problem is to swap out the options that are readily available. By making unhealthy foods harder to access than healthy foods would make them seem like the more appealing to busy people who consider “fast” food as the most feasible option.
Conclusion
Childhood obesity was not always considered an epidemic, and it is important that
the things that contributed to the spread of childhood obesity are addressed. Discontinuing
the things that allowed that to become an epidemic could only have a positive outcome.
Despite certain factors that lead to childhood obesity being circumstantial (being a
product of obese parents, eating unhealthy food out of convenience), it is crucial to
explore the avenues provided by healthcare experts in order to contain this epidemic.
Works Cited
“Albert Camus - Biographical.” Nobelprize.org, www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/literature/laureates/1957/camus-bio.html.
“Albert Camus Biography.” Encyclopedia of World Biography, www.notablebiographies.com/Ca-Ch/Camus-Albert.html.
Aronson, Ronald. “Albert Camus.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Stanford University, 10 Apr. 2017, plato.stanford.edu/entries/camus/.
Axe, Josh. “Childhood Obesity and School Lunches.” Dr. Axe, 28 Feb. 2018, draxe.com/childhood-obesity-and-school-lunches/.
Belluck, Pam. “Children's Life Expectancy Being Cut Short by Obesity.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 17 Mar. 2005, www.nytimes.com/2005/03/17/health/childrens-life-expectancy-being-cut-short-by-obesity.html.
Cruickshank, John. “Albert Camus.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 18 Jan. 2018, www.britannica.com/biography/Albert-Camus.
Holguin, Jaime. “Fast Food Linked To Child Obesity.” CBS News, CBS Interactive, 5 Jan. 2004, www.cbsnews.com/news/fast-food-linked-to-child-obesity/.
“Portion Sizes and Obesity, News & Events.” National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/wecan/news-events/matte1.htm.
Rovner, Alisha J., et al. “Foods Sold in School Vending Machines Are Associated with Overall Student Dietary Intake.” The Journal of Adolescent Health : Official Publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Jan. 2011, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3011970/.
“The Nation's Childhood Obesity Epidemic: Health Disparities in the Making.” American Psychological Association, American Psychological Association, www.apa.org/pi/families/resources/newsletter/2012/07/childhood-obesity.aspx.
“What Is The History of Corset Training?” CorsetCenter.com, 8 Oct. 2015, www.thecorsetcenter.com/what-is-the-history-of-corset-training/.
“91 Albert Camus Quotes on Death, Suicide, God, Truth, Philosophy, Fear, Rebellion, Freedom, and More.” The Unbounded Spirit, 27 Mar. 2018, theunboundedspirit.com/albert-camus-quotes/.
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