my paper

Felicia Strobbe
Jordan Reynolds
English 102: Sec. 33
April 27, 2010

The Obesity Epidemic: Adolescents Must Survive

Eric Chavez is your typical fourteen year old teenager. He goes to school every day, comes home to do his chores and his homework, and has some really good friends. He also likes to play video games. For hours every night he plays Xbox Live where he interacts with other teenagers on a rampaging, killing spree in Call of Duty. His parents have been working overtime lately and have not been able to cook many meals, so Eric has been eating pizza, Chinese take-out, and drinking soda. After gaining fifteen pounds, his friends have started to make fun of him. Embarrassed and humiliated, Eric stays home now. Playing video games and watching television, Eric is slowing becoming obese.
Obesity in America is on the rise. In 2006, “65% of American adults were either overweight or obese” (Daniels 40). This is not something that should be taken lightly. In order to reduce this massive number we need to begin by helping and educating our kids because they, essentially, are the future. First, there are many influential factors that directly or indirectly affect adolescents – genetics, technology, advertising, schools – but the most influential are their parents. In order to prevent becoming overweight or obese, parents must take active responsibility and adequate preventative measures to protect their children’s health. School systems can also make an effort to prevent this increase by reforming cafeteria foods and nutrition education.
Before discussing influential factors, it is important to accurately define obesity. In her article “Obesity in Young Europeans: genetic and environmental influences”, Martinez simply defines it as having an excess amount of body fat occurring as a result of consuming more calories than expending calories (S56). It is necessary to note, however, that adolescents need to consume more energy at this stage in their lives because their bodies are still growing and maturing (O’Dea 66). More energy, in this case, means more nutrients that contribute to the health of the growing individual, found in foods such as fruits and vegetables, not nachos and soda.
A common misconception among Americans today is that genetics ultimately determine whether or not one will be overweight or obese. Genetics do influence weight gain, but it is the combination of genetics, environmental factors, and lifestyles that conclusively decide your weight (Martinez S57). If your genetic predisposition says that you are more likely to store fat, as opposed to others, then you are more at risk for weight gain depending your environment and lifestyle. Environmental factors among our youth, in general, include the technology they use, their school environment, and their peers. If one is sitting in a classroom all day and then proceeds to go home and sit in front of a television for four hours he is not expending more calories than he is consuming, a result from a lack of physical activity. However, if he exercises regularly, and eats a healthy balanced diet he can prevent the excess weight gain that his body is predisposed to through his genes.
A second influence that affects weight gain among adolescents is the use of technology. Computers, the Internet, cell phones, television, gaming systems, iPods – you name it, teens most likely have access to it. America has been consumed by the rise of new technological advances since the invention of the first television. Why? Because it’s convenient, it saves time, and it entertains us. Sometimes these benefits may become detrimental. For instance, Eric gained fifteen pounds as a result of his excessive gaming, and he’s probably not the only one. Many children eat or drink while simultaneously watching television, playing video games, or surfing the web. Judi Daniels states that gaining fifteen pounds increases your risk for diabetes by 50% (40). That is staggering! In addition, technology has eliminated physical activities that used to pervade our everyday lives. Escalators and elevators, for example, have eliminated the need for stairs. The Internet allows people to buy just about anything online from the comfort of their own home, cancelling that trip they would have otherwise made to the mall, the bookstore, or even the grocery store.
Some research has shown, however, that some technology actually promotes physical activity among adolescents. A group of pediatric doctors conducted a study on a group of overweight and non-overweight youth. They used an interactive gaming system in which the kids used a handheld remote and integrated physical movements – exercise and entertainment combined. Between the choice of two games, bicycling and dancing, dancing was the most popular. The study, overall, suggested that these games would arouse more motivation among youth to be physically active (Epstein 124-130).
Researchers also believe that some virtual, online games can stimulate the brain by incorporating educational activities such as problem solving and literacy skills. James Gee and Michael Levine state that games such as SimCity, Rise of Nations, and Civilization are great examples because students can achieve a more hands-on approach to the real world while developing educational skills too (Gee 49-52). However, this does not help our obesity epidemic. It encourages youth to spend more time online. Educators or parents may argue that the education benefit overshadows the sedentary aspect, and the kids will not be opposed to playing fun, entertaining games. But excessive use of the virtual world can possibly harm these kids in the long run if they do not maintain a healthy lifestyle outside of these games.
Advertising and fast food availability serves as a third influence among our youth population. In his article “The Effects of television food advertisement on children’s food purchasing requests”, Yasare Arnas states that “food marketers are interested in children and youth as consumers” because they are an easy target and will most likely remain loyal customers as they advance into adulthood (138). Fast food companies strategically place their restaurants in convenient locations because they benefit in profits. Locating near schools is one of these convenient places. For example, there was a chain of fast food places right beside my high school and many of my former classmates would skip class to go eat. Now, driving home from college, I see middle school kids walking home from school with Sonic or Taco Bell in their clutches. Why is locating next to schools so convenient for fast food restaurants? Because the food is cheap (a burrito from Taco Bell only costs $0.89) and easily accessible (walking distance from their school), which is perfect for kids who do not have a mode of transportation or a source of income. The combination of advertisement, availability, and cost greatly influences adolescent eating habits.
It is essential to acknowledge the impact that our schools have on students and their lifestyles as well. Most elementary, middle, and high schools involve their students in a classroom environment learning for eight hours a day, five days a week. Physical education is a class that is only required to be taken for two years in most high schools. Then there is the issue of school cafeterias. In his documentary, Super Size Me, Morgan Spurlock investigates school cafeterias by directly entering one and interviewing the kids and the workers. Many are shown eating French fries, Swiss Cake Rolls, cookies, pizza, and candy bars for lunch. Where are the nutrient dense foods – fruits and vegetables – that these kids should be consuming during this vital stage of their life? Spurlock sees the foods that are being offered and questions whether or not schools are setting up students to make bad food choices. Barbara Brown, of Sodexho School Services, responds saying that with nutrition education kids should be able to make good food choices without having to restrict their diet (Spurlock 2004). I disagree with her statement. Nutrition education by itself isn’t offered in most middle and high schools. A general health course is required, but nutrition education is only a small portion of the class. How can kids, therefore, be expected to make good decisions. After surveying 289 high school students, Christine Shannon and her colleagues found that 42% found it difficult to even identify which foods were considered high-fat and which were low-fat (232). In addition, peers greatly influence what a student will choose to eat, as well. It’s hard to resist those French fries when three of your friends at your lunch table are eating them. Would you be able to?
Although the classroom environment and cafeteria do not encourage a healthy lifestyle, some may argue that schools offer many exercise opportunities outside of their physical education programs – football, basketball, baseball, soccer, tennis, track, and even swimming – that serve to physically benefit the students. These extracurricular activities vary, as do kids and their opinions of what is or isn’t fun. By having more sports opportunities, kids have a greater variety to choose from. Some may even choose to participate in more than one.
Genetics, technology, advertisements, fast food, and schools are all influential factors that affect adolescents and their lifestyles, but the most influential are the parents. Dr. Gregory Green and Shirley Reese disagree saying “research has shown that the environment is the most critical factor.” In their defense they list television, computers, video games, and advertisements as proof that this is true (121). What they fail to acknowledge, however, is that parents can control all of these factors. They have the authority to set limits on the amount of time their child spends using the internet, watching television, and playing video games. The less time they spend watching television means the less time they will be subject to television advertisements promoting “high fat, high sugar-meals or snacks” (Green 121).
Not only do parents control environmental factors, but they also ultimately control what their children eat. It is their job to provide the food within the household, which includes buying groceries and cooking meals. Dianne Neumark studied whether or not family mealtimes made a difference in adolescent nutrition. She also believed that environmental factors were most influential. Her results showed that teens who ate more meals with their families showed “higher intakes of fruits, vegetables, and essential nutrients” (102). Still, some parents insist they have lost all control over their child’s weight gain; they do not know how to help them or control their eating (Regber 24). Preventative measures can be taken to ensure that your child does not overeat while providing them with a sufficient amount of nutrients for their growing, maturing bodies.
It is imperative that we grasp all of the influential factors adolescents are faced with when it comes to their eating habits. By knowing these influences, preventative measures can be taken to avoid weight gain and establish healthy habits within the individual. Parents can seek nutrition education and provide positive encouragement for their kids. In addition, schools can reform their cafeteria food choices while providing better nutrition education.
Because parents are the most influential, preventative measures should begin here. They “act as role models for children’s eating behaviors.” Their kids are more likely to take what they have learned from their parents and continue practicing as they enter into adulthood, proceeding to teach their kids healthy eating habits as well (O’Dea 67). It would become an on-going cycle. This means that parents should take responsibility today and receive nutrition education. The answer seems so simple, but what about those parents who work 60 hours a week to provide for their family. This leaves little time to worry about what they will be cooking for dinner. O’Dea states that nutrition education is just not enough. “…parents need to believe in the benefits of healthy food for their children and that these benefits outweigh any ‘risks’, ‘costs’, or barriers…including factors as financial costs, time costs, [or] lack of convenience” (67). I understand that all families are different. For some, revising their eating patterns may be painless. For others, however, it might be quite a challenge because they are so rooted within their ways. To change them would be to change their entire way of life, and that simply cannot be done overnight. Parents can also limit the amount of time their kids spend online or watching television. Interacting with their kids is also a great way for them to be physically active. Going to the park, taking the dog out for a walk, or both are just a few examples. Schools can make this transition easier for adolescents by reforming their ways, as well.
First, reform should begin inside the cafeterias, providing healthier choices and nutrition labels. Shannon’s survey also showed that 48.4% of the students “would like the low-fat foods in the cafeteria labeled as low-fat” (232). With this label they will be able to distinguish between the high-fat and low-fat foods. One-third of the students also said that if nutrition labels were posted they would use them to make food choices (232). Overall, the study suggested that if nutrition labels were provided and more low-fat foods were made available students would utilize them to make better decisions.
Nutrition education should also be addressed within schools, and with more emphasis rather than a single portion of a general health course. Providing food labels in cafeterias is utterly pointless if the students cannot read them properly. By teaching the differences between high-fat and nutrient dense foods they may make better decisions in the lunch line. Jennifer O’Dea believes that students should be taught only the positive benefits of nutrition, as opposed to the negative aspects saying, “Focusing on the potential benefits of a healthy diet and lifestyle rather than the risk factors for disease is likely to motivate adolescents to motivate adolescents to improve their health behaviours” (66). I agree that the potential benefits are more likely to motivate adolescents, especially when it comes to their outward appearances and physical performances, but the negative should be addressed to an extent. Potential diseases’ resulting from poor diet and exercise is serious business. Not only adolescents, but the public in general should be aware of these consequences because knowing them might persuade you to save your life.
What, you might be asking yourself, are these negative consequences? What are these diseases you speak of? Unhealthy eating and severe weight gain can lead to cardiovascular disease, stroke, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and many cancers (Kopelman 13-17). With 65% of the American population being obese we should be very concerned. This is why it is so important for us to begin taking preventative measures for our kids. In order to reduce this massive number we must understand the influences among our youth population. By understanding them, we can counter them or make our best efforts to reform them. By teaching parents nutrition education and revising our schools, children can learn healthy eating behaviors and carry them on into the next generations. It is our adolescents who must survive, for they are the future.

Writing, writing, writing, writing

Soo I'm in the process of writing my paper on a beautiful Friday. I've cranked out 5 pages since this morning. Only 3 more to go! My annotated bib had made things soooo much easier. When I'm writing and I remember information that I could incorporate as support I just refer back to my bib. I find the source, pull it out and know that I've already highlighted exactly what I'm looking for :D

I hope that everyone else is having a painless experience in writing their papers as well. :D

BUHH.

Writing is such a pain. I'm nervous about everything, so much so that I can barely write a paragraph in one sitting. I read over my annotated bibliography today and was reassured by the fact that I'm on the right track, but I know I'll still have trouble finishing my draft. I need to accept that my draft can be rough and stop trying to be perfect the first time around. It's essentially pointless because my final draft still won't be perfect. Either way, the paper will definitely be finished by Tuesday. I will not be at ease until it's done.

Paper Outline

Influences And Preventative Measures Toward Obesity in Adolescents

Thesis: I intend to find out what influential factors are affecting the national increase of obesity in adolescents and if it can possibly be prevented, better yet, reversed. There are many influential factors that directly or indirectly affect teens - genetics, technology, school - but the most influential are their parents. In order to prevent health problems, parents must take active responsibility and take adequate preventative measures for their kids. School systems can also make an effort to prevent this increase and make environments more comfortable for their students.

OUTLINE
I. Introduction - grab readers attention
II. Body
A. Influences
1. genetics
2. technology
3. school
4. fast/cheap food
5. depression
B. Parents: most influential
C. Preventative Measures
-parents
-schools
-sports/exercise
-health education
positive reinforcement
III. Conclusion: why is my topic important?

Note: This is a working outline. Subject to change.

Neumark-Sztainer, Dianne. "Eating among teens: Do family mealtimes make a difference for adolescents' nutrition?." New Directions for Child & Adolescent Development 2006.111 (2006): 91-105. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 12 Apr. 2010.

Neumark studied how family meals influence their kids' health. She pointed out that meal frequency often varies with different households and families interact differently. Some sit around a table while others are scattered. Overall her study suggested that adolescents who eat more meals at home get more servings of fruits and vegetables, therefore they get an adequate amount of nutrients. Adolescents need nutrients more at this time in their life because they are still growing and developing. This will be very helpful with my research paper because it supports my argument that parents are the most influential regarding teens and their weight.

The End Is Near..

The end is near! I cannot wait to be done with school.
And to be done with this research paper. It will be
a load of stress off my shoulders as soon as I hand in
the final product. I have so many things to do in my
other classes too, plus work, plus youth group. That's
college for ya!

Good luck to everyone working on their papers too! And
remember, the annotated bib is due this Tuesday. This
semester has gone by soooo fast, but not fast enough.

Felicia

Strategies for Composing Intro and Body Paragraphs

After reading chapters 3 and 4 of "Writing in the Margins" I have come up with a list of strategies that may be useful when writing my research paper.

For your introduction, Brown notes that you should creatively introduce your topic and grab the readers attention. To do so you may ask a rhetorical question, provide a popular quote, or set up a scene. There are many "attention-getters" so use one that fits your purpose.

For your body paragraphs you must persuade your thesis to your reader effectively, says Brown. To do so you should use personal experiences, refute counter argumets, use quotes/sources for support, figurative language, and stylistic devices - transitions, dramatic verbs, heightened diction, ..etc. You should also adequately organize your paper accordingly, whether you build up to your strongest argument, or begin with your strongest argument.

Using strategies when writing your paper can only be beneficial in the long run, especially when it must be eight pages. Brown offers excellent suggestions.