Compare and Contrast between US and China

Every country has its own set of values and culture with few similarities and differences which
affect their pathway of accomplishing things. Different cultural traits make them distinct from
other cultures and these different traits, and practices of every culture make each culture unique
and different. We have selected two countries the US and China to compare and contrast child
obesity with cultural aspects. To compare and contrast child obesity we will be discussing a few
points. Firstly, we will be discussing the problems of child obesity in both countries. Secondly,
we will highlight the reasons behind this issue in both countries. In last we would be discussing
the possible solutions to this issue. These are the points to discuss the different and similar
aspects of both cultures.

Child obesity is one of the serious issues of health, which can further cause psychological,
physical, and social problems. People living in developing or developed countries all are victims
of child obesity. When compared to other countries in US Ethnic and racial groups are mostly
affected. One out of every six children is obese (Skinner, A. C., Ravanbakht, S. N., Skelton, J.
A., Perrin, E. M., & Armstrong, S. C. (2018)). In ethnic groups, mostly Hispanic black people
are affected as compared to non-Hispanic white people. Hence the number is increasing day by
day and this number held this steady since the year 2008. While the affected group of people in
China including mostly urban areas are affected. The people who are living in villages (rural
areas) are also a victim of this child obesity. One out of every five children is obese and it is the
second-largest country that has been affected badly and has the largest rate of child obesity
(Zhang, J., Wang, H., Wang, Y., Xue, H., Wang, Z., Du, W., ... & Zhang, B. (2015)). And the
most common thing in these two countries is the rate of child obesity, which has doubled
compared to past years.

Now discussing the reasons for child obesity in both countries the likely reasons between these
countries include the number of factors like Biological factors, family factors, Environmental
factors, and social factors is some factors founded in both countries. Apart from these factors,
high levels of sedentary factors are also common reasons between China and US. Lastly, they
gave similarity in case of lack of activities that physical activity, which increases chances of
child obesity. Further discussing more the reasons which are actually different in both countries
includes:

In the US people are more conscious about their diets and they are very focused on fat intake and
all due to which they are lacking in getting nutritious diets in a few cases (Garasky, S., Stewart,
S. D., Gundersen, C., Lohman, B. J., & Eisenmann, J. C. (2009)). In addition, some reasons are
of early childhood development that maternal smoking at the time of pregnancy, sleeping
duration, breastfeeding, heredity, family meals along with child care arrangements also leads to
child obesity (Kristensen, A. H., Flottemesch, T. J., Maciosek, M. V., Jenson, J., Barclay, G.,
Ashe, M., ... & Brownson, R. C. (2014)). While comparing it to China there are some different
reasons for child obesity that includes the areal difference (Ji, C. Y. (2007).) As people from
Urban areas are mostly affected because they have more intake of fast food which is very
unhealthy for our health. Because fast food items consist of high energy which is one of the
causes of child obesity. The second differential reason is found in the rural areas, where the
people are living in the villages and can't afford to have a proper meal. For them, the economic
factor is the major factor and cause of child obesity (Ji, C. Y., & Cheng, T. O. (2008).

In conclusion, both countries US and China are suffering from a higher rate of child obesity and
due to cultural differences, they both have different affected groups along with different reasons
behind child obesity. And for resolving these reasons on the country level both the Government
and the people need to play a major role. Like in the US diet conscious people need to increase
the intake of plant-based foods like vegetables along with the consumption of fruit. By doing this
activity they become able to get proper nutrition secondly government needs to initiate school-
based nutrition programs where they should aware children for intakes of fruits and vegetables.
While in China as Government has already launched new obesity plans to overcome obesity in
childhood and they need to be more focused in this area of educating them as they are
implementing nationwide programs related to public nutrition to overcome the high consumption
of energy. Secondly, for rural areas affected people governments need to introduce food schemes
where they can support people to take proper meals. Apart from differences, there are some
similar factors that are the cause of child obesity. Both countries are affected due to a lack of
physical activity and high levels of sedentary factors. For resolving it Government needs to play
a crucial role. Like increase focusing on providing education and educating people regarding the
disadvantages of child obesity because it has an impact on the long-term lifestyle of an
individual. Further, Government should also play a role in increasing physical activities by
establishing safety programs for creating more awareness among people and decreasing
sedentary factors by educating them.
References

Zhang, J., Wang, H., Wang, Y., Xue, H., Wang, Z., Du, W., ... & Zhang, B. (2015). Dietary
patterns and their associations with childhood obesity in China. British journal of
nutrition, 113(12), 1978-1984.

Ji, C. Y., & Cheng, T. O. (2008). Prevalence and geographic distribution of childhood obesity in
China in 2005. International journal of cardiology, 131(1), 1-8.

Ji, C. Y. (2007). Report on childhood obesity in China (4) prevalence and trends of overweight
and obesity in Chinese urban school-age children and adolescents, 1985-2000. Biomedical and
environmental sciences, 20(1), 1.

Skinner, A. C., Ravanbakht, S. N., Skelton, J. A., Perrin, E. M., & Armstrong, S. C. (2018).
Prevalence of obesity and severe obesity in US children, 1999–2016. Pediatrics, 141(3).

Kristensen, A. H., Flottemesch, T. J., Maciosek, M. V., Jenson, J., Barclay, G., Ashe, M., ... &
Brownson, R. C. (2014). Reducing childhood obesity through US federal policy: a
microsimulation analysis. American journal of preventive medicine, 47(5), 604-612.

Garasky, S., Stewart, S. D., Gundersen, C., Lohman, B. J., & Eisenmann, J. C. (2009). Family
stressors and child obesity. Social science research, 38(4), 755-766.