Should Childhood Obesity be an issue?

Obesity in America is an issue that is sometimes neglected. There needs to be somewhere that can stop the risk of obesity from growing. After reading "Too Fat to Fight,"it is evident that children have to be taught to eat right and make exercise a regular activity. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 17% of children and adolescents aged 2-19 are obese. This is becoming a problem not only because of the risk of disease and death, but because, according to "Too Fat to Fight,"nine million of teenagers 17-24 year-olds are too fat to fight in the military. Which is 27 percent of all young adults.

The issue becomes crucial when adolescents are too overweight to defend their country. Childhood Obesity should be an issue discussed by running presidential candidates.

Former running mate, Sarah Palin disagreed with Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" campaign stating that,

"Instead of a government thinking that they need to take over and make decisions for us according to some politician or politician's wife's priorities, just leave us alone, get off our back, and allow us as individuals to exercise our own God-given rights to make our own decisions and then our country gets back on the right track."

Former Governor of Texas, Rick Perry, gave a speech in 2004 about his reactions to the Conference on Child's Obesity in Texas. Throughout his speech, Perry calls obesity an "epidemic." He says that this "epidemic can be prevented with physical activity and dietary changes." He also states that he "want[s] Texans of all ages to form the fitness habits that will allow them to live longer, healthier lives while saving taxpayers billions of dollars in healthcare costs associated with obesity."

When Barack Obama was running for President, he discussed Childhood Obesity with nurses at the Ohio State Medical Center.

I found it difficult to find the Republican nominees opinions' on childhood obesity. While it is early in the election, I think it should be an issue if childhood obesity leads to American's not being allowed to fight in the army.

President Obama raises the issue of childhood obesity with a campaign endorsed by his wife, Michelle Obama. The campaign is called, "Let's Move." Michelle Obama is also featured in "Disney Channel's Magic of Healthy Living." Children are more likely to listen and realize the message of the program because it is being said by their favorite Disney Channel Stars and Michelle Obama.

Michelle Obama hold meetings and discusses obesity and fighting in the army. The First Lady visited the Army's largest training post at Fort Jackson. The training facility is making changes that include more rigorous workouts and better food choices. "Kids are spending too much time in front of TV and computer screens, not getting enough exercise and drinking too many sugary soft drinks", Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling said. He said that makes their bones too fragile for military lifestyles.

Starting with child and helping them understand the risks with obesity can help them grow to be strong and healthy to one day fight for our country.