The percentage of overweight children in western society has increased by almost 20% in the last ten years. Discuss the causes and effects of this disturbing trend. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

In recent years, the proportion of overweight

children

Use synonyms

in Western countries has risen dramatically, with an increase of almost 20% over the past decade.

This

Linking Words

trend is widely regarded as alarming because it poses serious risks to both individual

health

Use synonyms

and society as a whole.

This

Linking Words

essay will discuss the main causes of

this

Linking Words

issue and examine its effects on

children

Use synonyms

and the wider community. One of the primary causes of childhood obesity is the growing consumption of unhealthy, processed foods. Fast food, sugary snacks, and soft drinks are often cheaper and more convenient than nutritious meals, making them particularly appealing to busy families.

In addition

Linking Words

, aggressive advertising of high-calorie foods targeted at

children

Use synonyms

encourages poor eating habits from a young age.

As a result

Linking Words

, many

children

Use synonyms

consume more calories than they burn, leading to excessive weight gain. Another significant factor is the decline in physical activity among

children

Use synonyms

. The widespread use of digital devices,

such

Linking Words

as smartphones, video games, and streaming services, has led to more sedentary lifestyles. Many

children

Use synonyms

now spend hours indoors rather than engaging in outdoor play or sports.

Furthermore

Linking Words

, in some urban areas, limited access to safe recreational spaces discourages regular exercise,

further

Linking Words

contributing to the problem. The effects of

this

Linking Words

trend are both immediate and long-term. Overweight

children

Use synonyms

are more likely to develop

health

Use synonyms

problems

such

Linking Words

as diabetes, heart disease, and joint issues later in life.

In addition

Linking Words

to physical consequences, obesity can negatively affect

children

Use synonyms

’s mental

health

Use synonyms

, leading to low self-esteem and social isolation. From a broader perspective, rising childhood obesity places increasing pressure on healthcare systems and can result in higher public

health

Use synonyms

costs in the future. In conclusion, the sharp rise in overweight

children

Use synonyms

in Western societies is mainly caused by unhealthy diets and increasingly inactive lifestyles. The effects extend beyond individual

health

Use synonyms

, impacting mental well-being and public healthcare systems. Addressing

this

Linking Words

issue requires coordinated efforts from families, schools, and governments to promote healthier eating habits and encourage regular physical activity.

yaris.efe

Feb 7, 2026

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site's author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Writing9 with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

content

Add more real life examples to back up your points.

structure

Make the flow from causes to effects clearer in the next draft with a quick plan in the intro.

cohesion

Use more linking words to connect ideas (and, but, also, as a result).

style

Keep sentences simple and clear; avoid long, complex phrases.

content

Explain each point with a bit more detail or data where possible.

structure

Intro and conclusion are present and touch the topic well.

coherence

Paragraphs have clear topic starts that show causes and effects.

content

The main idea is easy to follow and the message is clear.

Your opinion

Don’t put your opinion unless you are asked to give it.

If the question asks what you think, you MUST give your opinion to get a good score.

Don’t leave your opinion until the conclusion.

Here are examples of instructions that require you to give your opinion:

...do you agree or disagree?...do you think...?...your opinion...?

Discover more tips in The Ultimate Guide to Get a Target Band Score of 7+ »- a book that's free for 🚀 Premium users.

Do you want to check your IELTS essays?

Submit unlimited essays, letters and charts. Sign up right now and start improving your writing skills.

6
Linking words
meeting the goal of 7 or more
2
Word repetition
meeting the goal of 3 or fewer
0
Grammar mistakes
detected issues

0123456789.0505

Overall Band Score

Coherence and Cohesion: 6.0

Logical structure

Introduction & conclusion present

Supported main points

Accurate linking words

Variety in linking words

Lexical resource: 6.0

Varied vocabulary

Accurate spelling & word formation

Grammatical Range: 6.0

Mix of complex & simple sentences

Clear and correct grammar

Task Achievement: 5.0

Complete response

Clear & comprehensive ideas

Relevant & specific examples

Appropriate word count

5 paragraphs

330 words

🚀 Prepare for IELTS writing section today!

Unlimited Task 1 & Task 2 checks
Practice with essays, charts, and letters.
Personalized suggestions & mistake analysis
Spot every mistake and boost your score.
Topic ideas & vocabulary helpers
Expand your ideas and use the right words.
Progress tracking
Watch your writing improve with every practice.

Topic Vocabulary:

overweight
obesity
caloric intake
sedentary lifestyle
screen time
physical education
nutritious
psychological well-being
self-esteem
socioeconomic
healthcare system
life expectancy
obesity-related complications

What to do next:

Look at other essays:

7
band
There are certain countries where students stay with their families while pursuing higher education, whereas in other countries, they prefer attending universities in different cities. What's your take on whether the benefits of living away from home during college outweigh the drawbacks?
In this day and age, an increasing number of individuals pursue higher education. It is evident that most learners want to challenge themselves or sometimes need a good environment to study in. Nevertheless, I’m just partially in agreement with that point, some pupils will enter college in their city to live with their parents. Hence, being active away from home is wise. My view on this issue is that the pros of bread and butter in a close household outweigh the cons. I will shed light on both views in the following essay.
8
band
Some people argue that it is the government's responsibility to transport children to school while others believe that parents should do that. Discuss both views and give your opinion
It is said that the government should be in charge of kids' transportation, while others think that mothers and fathers have to take their children to school themselves. This essay will make the case that although parents' workload will be lighter if kids ride the school bus, creating a family bond by driving them to school every day is more essential.
7
band
Some people think that shops should not allowed to sell food or drinks that are scientifically proven to be bad for people's health. Do you agree or disagree?
There is an ongoing debate about whether stores should be allowed to sell products that are proven to be harmful to people’s health. While some individuals argue against restricting sales, I fully support the idea, as such products can have serious health consequences for the public.
7
band
Success is often measured by wealth and material belongings. Do you think wealth is the best measure of success?
In the contemporary era, physical possession of assets and monetary value are among the most prevalent factors that determine a person's success level. It is my contention that although high economic status is an effective tool to measure success, there are some other alternative indicators such as physical shape, wisdom and discipline to address how accomplished a person is.
7
band
Although many people value their public parks, this space could be better used for other purposes such as residential areas for the ever growing population or to develop business and boost economies. To what extnet do you agree or disagree with this?
Some people believe that public parks are not essential and that these areas could be used for more practical purposes, such as building residential housing or supporting business development. However, public parks play a crucial role in both human health and social life. While boosting economy and providing accommodation for the growing population is important, this process should not result in eliminating parks.

The percentage of overweight children in western society has increased by almost 20% in the last ten years. Discuss the causes and effects of this disturbing trend. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

There are certain countries where students stay with their families while pursuing higher education, whereas in other countries, they prefer attending universities in different cities. What's your take on whether the benefits of living away from home during college outweigh the drawbacks?

Some people argue that it is the government's responsibility to transport children to school while others believe that parents should do that. Discuss both views and give your opinion

Some people think that shops should not allowed to sell food or drinks that are scientifically proven to be bad for people's health. Do you agree or disagree?

Success is often measured by wealth and material belongings. Do you think wealth is the best measure of success?

Although many people value their public parks, this space could be better used for other purposes such as residential areas for the ever growing population or to develop business and boost economies. To what extnet do you agree or disagree with this?