Informative Speech
Channel: Amber Maz
Date: 24/02/2016

Title: A Lurking Epidemic
Topic: Childhood obesity
Purpose: To discuss the causes of childhood obesity and ways to prevent it.
Thesis: There are a number of factors that contribute to obesity in a child’s life such as specific diseases as well as lifestyle and environmental factors, but most excess weight gain can be avoided when children learn to eat healthy. 

Introduction: 

I. In some cases, environmental chemicals may increase obesity in children. (Vafeidi et al., 2015)

A. Obesogen chemicals found in foods have been linked to cause weight gain and diseases. (Hurlock, 2010)

B. Certain chemicals used in plastic, wrappers, and fragrances are mistaken as hormones that regulate the production of fat cells by our bodies. (Bravo, 2010) 

C. One rare genetic condition that causes obesity is Prader Willi syndrome. (Holcomb, Pufpaff, & Mclintosh, 2009) 


II. The family and environment can either promote or alter obesity in the child’s life. 

A. A child whose family is obese is at a higher risk for becoming obese. (Kaneshiro, 2015)

B. Financial and time pressure forces a family to choose unhealthy food options for their children. 


C. Children are exposed at school and through the media to advertisements and venders for sugary, unhealthy drinks and snacks. 

D. A child’s community may impact how much physical activity he can take part in. (“A growing problem”, 2010)


III. Having children eat healthy foods will promote a healthy lifestyle, thus reversing obesity. 

A. Fruits and vegetables should be included daily in a child’s diet. (Boscia, 2015)

B. Buying fresh foods locally promotes an organic lifestyle for children. 

C. Planting a garden helps engage children in a physical activity while educating them in regard to healthy food choices, portion control and being a good steward of the environment. (Nondi, Houston, & Frongillo, 2015) 



Conclusion:
References

Boscia, T. (2015). Project aims to grow local farms, shrinks childhood obesity. Cornell Chronicle. Retrieved from http://www.news.cornell.edu
Bravo, J. (2010). Obesity and Chemicals: A Matter of Environmental Justice. Safer Chemicals. Retrieved from http://www.saferchemicals.org.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2010). A Growing Problem. Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood.
Holcomb, M., Pufpaff, L., & Mcintosh D. (2009). Obesity Rates in Special Populations of Children and Potential Interventions. Psychology in the Schools, 46(8), 797-804.
Hurlock, H. (2010) Fat epidemic linked to chemical run amok. Diet and Nutrition. Retrieved from http://www.bcnew.com/health-diet.
Kaneshiro, N. (2012) Causes and Risks for Obesity - Children: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. U.S National Library of Medicine. 
Nondi, G., Houston, J., & Frongillo, E. (2015). Preventing Childhood Obesity Through Healthy Diet. The FASEB Journal, 29(1), 731-742.
Segal, L. (2004) The state of obesity in Nebraska. The State of Obesity. Retrieved from http://www.stateofobesity.org/state/ne.
Vafeidi, M., et al. (2015). Association of early life exposure to bisphenol A with obesity. Science Direct, 146, 379-387. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com