McDonald’s, Burger King, and Hardees. Burgers, Fries, and Coke. This has become the typical diet of the average “on-the-go” American. For most, after a long day of work, the simplest outlet to preparing dinner is to order fast food. Each franchise is always readily available with satisfying, quick, and low-priced food items. Is there anything wrong with consuming these foods? No! However, it is the issue of moderation that arises. A recent study from the USDA’s Research Service reported that over 30% of Americans eat fast food everyday of the week. It is no wonder that one in three children and adolescents are at risk of becoming obese. A recent study conducted by the Department of Public Nutrition, School of Public Health, and Guilan University of Medical Sciences and Health Services focused on risk factors of obesity in adolescent Iranian girls. The article addressed the many areas upon which the study was conducted, such as data on age, frequency of eating breakfast, parental weight, and economic status. By observing the data collected from this study, researchers can gain more knowledge on combating the childhood obesity epidemic.
The main objective of the study was to “provide current data on the prevalence of overweight and obesity among school girls by location of residence, socioeconomic status, and maternal educational levels in Rasht, Iran.” 2,577 girls age 12-17 participated in this study. 10% of the female students from each class were selected among 25 low-income schools and 15 high-income schools. They were given a self-administered questionnaire on which the girls answered questions concerning their lifestyles: frequency of skipping breakfast per week, physical activity, hours of television viewing or video gaming, birth-rank, self-reported bodyweight, self-perception about body condition, and home address. Another survey was given to the parents to provide information on birth weight of the girls, parental education levels, employment
status of mothers, frequency of eating breakfast, weight before marriage, and current weight. In addition, anthropometric measurements were taken of the participating girls; body weight and height were the two areas considered.
The results of the study show that 18.6% of the girls were overweight and 5.9% were considered obese; also, 87% had no physical activity in the past week. The most shocking result, however, was that the prevalence of overweight/obese girls was higher among girls with more-educated mothers! Also, being overweight or obese was more common in low-income households. These are coherent because more-educated women are more likely to reside in a “low-income” area in Iran; this is due to inflation and the limited job opportunities for the well-educated. The results also show that the probability of becoming overweight is significantly increased in those who skip breakfast. Studies show that those who do not eat breakfast are more likely to snack throughout the day on energy-dense, less nutritious food. A final area reported was that being overweight or obese as a child is directly related to the parents’ being overweight or obese. The information on parental weight gain since marriage was used to illustrate how children and adults are overeating and gaining extra pounds in the same environment, and therefore, lifestyle changes should include all members of the family.
Each day many Americans face the devastating issues of hypertension, obesity, and type-two diabetes. Chronic diseases are the main cause of death for both Iranians and Americans. Therefore, stopping the obesity epidemic should be regarded as a public-health priority. This study shows that combat in areas of low-income and eating a healthy breakfast will reduce the risk of becoming overweight. However, most importantly, the study shows that children are at greater risk when one or both of the parents are obese. Obesity is now the most prevalent nutritional disease among children. Lifestyle changes not only between the mother and father, but rather among the entire family is necessary to defeat this ever-growing problem. Do you want your children to be destined to a life with a greatly increased risk of chronic diseases? Then cut out the fast food, choose healthy meal options, and engage in a form of physical activity that is fun for not only you, but also your spouse and children. The secret to weight loss is not special dieting or pills; it is solely to consume fewer calories than your burn. If your do this, you will make for a better life not only physically, but also emotionally and mentally for you and your family.
“Obesity among Iranian Adolescent Girls: Location of Residence and Parental Obesity.” Maddah, Mohsen and Nikooyeh, Bahareh (2010). Article: Journal of Health, Population, and Nutrition. February 2010. Web. 13 September 2010.
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