Rhetoric Analysis Essay Example on the Book "Childhood Obesity"

The book "Childhood Obesity" by Alicia Wright was written for the purpose of highlighting the effects of obesity on the teenage generation in the world of today, and how obesity poses a serious health risk in their growth and development. According to Wright, she argues that childhood obesity is a serious health hazard to children more so in their adolescence age, and the trends of childhood obesity are on the rise. Wright argues that data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) as from 1976-2006 shows an increase in the prevalence rate of children living with obesity. According to Wright, the intended audience are children from the age of 2-19 years. The author argues that, the increased trends in childhood obesity according to NHANES data, highlights an increase in obesity levels from 5.0% to12.4% for children aged between 2-5 years, 6.5% to17.0% for children aged 6-11 years and 5.0% to 17.6% for children aged 12-19 years (Barbour, 1).

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The author argues that these trends are negative for the normal growth and development of a child, and it can cause effects on their cognitive levels hence affecting them as they grow. Wright argues that, obese children at adolescence are at risk to be affected by health problems in their teenage age or when they grow up. Some of the health problems they are likely to encounter which are associated with being overweight and obese include; heart diseases caused by a large amount of body fat resulting from higher levels of cholesterol. Diabetes-type 2, dyslipidemia, polycystic ovary syndrome one of the leading causes of infertility among women, sleep apnea, arthritis, Blount's diseases, respiratory problems, liver damages and stroke. With an approximated 80% of children who were overweight at 10-15 years being obese adults at 25 years, therefore this highlighted obesity in adulthood is correlated with being overweight while in childhood (Barbour 1).

The author believes that there is hope in changing the obese level among the children generation. She argues that a collective effort towards sensitization, controlling and adapting to childhood obesity is the best way forward if anything is to be achieved in the fight against childhood obesity. Wright states that solving issues about childhood obesity can be reached through a collective education for people, parents and schools on effects of obesity among the children. Thus, coming up with the best way appropriate to enhance a real dietary culture aimed at generating a healthy population. According to the author, she argues that parents are the key role model image to their children. What they say, do and eat have an effect on their children growth and development. Wrights advocates for parents to be watchful on their dietary and be keen on what their children feed. Be it at school, playfields or even at home to have a say in how their children grow so as to enhance a healthy generation. The author also advocates for schools to watch on the diets offered to their students, and also enhance nutrition-based curriculum to educate the children on the need of having a balanced diet meal, and more so highlighting the effects of obesity.

Wright believes that children obesity is either caused by genetics or lack of exercise and taking unhealthy foods. The author, therefore, calls for parents and teachers at school to enhance their children to participate in various physical activities to enhance effective blood pressure and bone strength during their childhood development. Although the author, lamented the decline in daily participation of school physical education among teens. She highlighted a decrease for the last 13 years from 42% in 1991 to 28% in 2003. With a considerable increase of time in social media participation like watching, texting, browsing and social interaction have tremendously affected children development. This is because little to no time is placed for physical activities. Therefore, Wright calls upon parents and teachers to be strict on their children/students and develop a time slot for physical activities for them.

Wright in doing so, she is aiming at highlighting the effects brought about by obesity. Thus, she emphasizes the need for parents and teacher to take the front initiative in educating their children on the effects caused by obesity. The author also aims at enhancing a balanced diet system in the eating practices of various families and school to bring forth a healthy children generation.

The genre of this article is intended for the whole population, as it does not only target the children population. This is because, obesity is a problem for the entire population, and it can affect anybody within the humanity sphere. Therefore the readership sphere of this article is universal, as it cuts across race, colour, religion and even region. According to the author, she sees obesity as a phenomenon that is overboard and affects people from different levels and backgrounds. Despite the article focusing on children, she highlights the need for collective effort in mitigating and adapting to obesity. Wright emphasizes efforts taken by different celebrities and prominent personality for this cause, such as Tyra Banks, Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Oz in their respective shows. She highlights the efforts taken by Michelle Obama in her programme to end childhood obesity in America. Therefore, Wright calls for the efforts of people, parents, teachers and even media houses in setting the platform in fighting childhood obesity, which if not checked on time will result in a worldwide crisis.

The author has employed the use of statistical data, to highlight the extreme rate at which obesity is growing upon our childhood generation, according to the data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) from 1976-2006. Wright reason that if nothing is done on time, the world will someday be 100% obese, which will reduce the life expectancy ratio among the people of the universe to below lower levels. The author argues that childhood obesity tantamount to adult obesity. Therefore, with the health hazard that being obese comes with, it is evidence that obese people tend to have a shorter lifespan. Thus, the author calls for the people to be aware of their diets, their children diet and exercise in routine basis to alleviate issues of obesity to leave a healthy life. Wright calls on parents to limit the social media tendency within their kids that take most of their leisure time. And instead push them to appropriate active exercise activities that are instrumental in developing their cognitive levels, therefore enhancing strong, healthy, active and happy children with a high mentality and intense concentration.

Work Cited

Alicia, Wright. Childhood Obesity. Research Paper, 2011.

Barbour, Scott. Obesity. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press, 2011. Retrieved from http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/528648875