...Conquering Childhood Obesity Robin Rickards Chamberlain College of Nursing Childhood obesity has become prevalent not only in the United States, but around the world. Many factors contribute to childhood obesity. These factors include the imbalance of caloric intake with actual calories used, genetics, behavioral and environmental. Body mass index (BMI), is a measure of weight in relation to height. If the weight is higher than what is determined by the CDC (Center for Disease Control), a child is considered overweight or obese. For children, obesity is defined as having a BMI at or above the 95th percentile for children the same age and sex. BMI is also a useful index for cardiovascular risk. It has been established that childhood obesity has many factors to it, but what percentage of it is due to parents allowing their children to become a product of their environment? The imbalance of caloric intake with actual calories used for growth, development, metabolism, and physical activity is one of many factors involving childhood obesity (Karnik, Kanekar, 2011). Genetics play a part, by altering body fat content and absorption of energy. “Heritability of obesity from parents also influences obesity in children.” (Karnik, Kanekar, 2011). The behavioral factor of childhood obesity is directly correlated to lack of physical activity. A lot of children spend a great deal of their time indoors watching television, playing video games and being on the computer. Television...
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...Childhood Obesity Shaquella Burnam ENG 122 English Compositions II Erin Schwartz Jan 30, 2012 Childhood Obesity Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition that affects children and adolescents. It has risen dramatically within the U. S. and it is an awfully serious issue, which might cause several health and social consequences which can continue into adulthood. There are several people who do not understand that there's a problem with obesity relating to their kids. This paper discusses the causes of childhood obesity, the definition of obesity, the cause behind obesity, and additionally the health issues accompany with obesity. What is obesity? According to the Childhood Obesity Foundation (2011), Childhood obesity is a medical condition that affects adolescents. Obesity is an excess proportion of total body fat. Obesity is abnormally great amount of neutral fat inside the storage depot of the body; Obesity has been made public as an abnormal accumulation of body fat in proportion to body size. Obesity also referred to as over-nutrition that is that the generalized accumulation of fat each beneath the skin and throughout the body. (Definition of Obesity, 2009) The cause behind obesity Obesity occurs when a child is well above the normal weight for his or her age and height. Obesity is when a personal consumes plenty of calories from food than he or she burns. Our bodies would like calories to sustain life and to be physically active...
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...to Prevent Childhood Obesity in Florida The publication I chose is community partnerships to prevent childhood obesity. This publication is about an health issue which is childhood obesity. For over a decade, obesity rates have been on the rise. This health issue has recently been subsiding, but in order for this to continue, all depends on if the government, communities, and private sector continue to take action (NIHCM Foundation, 2013). In Florida, action is continued to be taken to address this obesity issue with support from an initiative of the Florida Blue Foundation (NIHCM Foundation, 2013). Six organizations from the state are given resources and training so that they can provide prevention activities. NIHCM Foundation's Promising Practices in Maternal and Child Health facts sheet shows programs being started, new collaborations which are promising, and dedicated space so leaders can share their success stories. As we can see the issue in this publication is childhood obesity that is on a continues rise. This is one of the nation's top health concerns. One in three youths are obese or overweight (NIHCM Foundation, 2013). The type of healthcare organization I would like to work for in the future is a nursing home or in a hospital, particularly in the pediatrics section. I enjoy working with the elderly and children. I would explain to two stakeholders of the hospital, which are providers and patients that today, In the United States childhood obesity has become an...
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...Epidemiology Paper on Childhood Obesity Obesity is a global epidemic affecting millions of the world population. Childhood obesity is especially worrisome as it is linked to higher incidence of health issues in adulthood (Lakshman, Elks, & Ong, 2012). There are many factors to look at when assessing the prevalence of childhood obesity, including culture, socio-economic status, food availability, activity, and genetics. To better understand this problem, it is essential to understand the factors that lead to obesity, how obesity is studied, and what are ways to help reduce the occurrence of obesity. Through epidemiology, this health concern can be better understood and provide the information needed to generate a plan of action to help reduce the risk factors that lead to childhood obesity. Epidemiology is “the study of the occurrence and distribution of health–related states or events and specified populations, including the study of the determinants influencing such states, and the application of this knowledge to control the health problems” (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2012, pg 255). Through epidemiology the questions of who, what, where, when, how, and why can be investigated to offer information about the dissemination or patterns of health measures. The Epidemiological Triangle allows epidemiologists to understand the relationships between agent, host, and the environment when looking at a specific health concern. When considering childhood obesity, the agent could be viewed...
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...Childhood obesity Childhood obesity Instructor: Matthew Fox Class: ENG122: English Composition II (ACE1222A) Name: Angela Walter Date: June 8, 2012 Childhood obesity Childhood obesity, I choose this topic because I have always had issues with my weight as a child just as well as an adult. Today I have high blood pressure, and Diabetes, I also work with pre kindergarteners and I sometimes see pre school children already having weight issues, so I guest you can say that I have a common interest in childhood obesity just as well in children who are over weight. In my research paper I will identify the meaning of childhood obesity, what causes it, what being an obesity child have to look forward to as a adult if the child dose not lose the weight, and or take control of their weight. How dose parents play a role in children having weight issues, what kind of foods are the family preparing for their meals are these foods high in fats, salt, and or sugar just to name a few, is it a diet plan in these families, or, are the children allowed to eat what ever they want. What race is affected the most with childhood obesity and why. Is it because there is no diet plan in the family, do the parents prepare a balance home cooked meal, why is it that the parents do not cook well balance meals, is it because of the economic that these families don’t plan balance meal, because they...
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...RUNNING HEAD: CHILDHOOD OBESITY 1 Childhood Obesity C. Kevin Barr SOC120 John Meeks February 8, 2013 CHILDHOOD OBESITY 2 Childhood Obesity and the Health Concerns Obesity is such a hot topic in America today and childhood obesity and the ethical arguments over obesity has greatly increased over the last 10 years. Health problems that occur from this deadly disease is something that no one wants to talk about. When people think about health, what usually is discussed is cancer or heart disease. Not many people really think about one of the biggest issues out there that is really not taken very seriously and that is obesity. In America there are hundreds of thousands of children that are overweight. Obesity is a disease, a disease associated with many other health issues, including congestive heart problems, diabetes among other physical and mental complications associated with this disease. We will discuss throughout this paper how one of the classical theories would help resolve the problems that are associated with the dangers of childhood obesity, then discuss the perspective of society and how it relates to relativism in today's world. There are many arguments about how childhood obesity starts, who's to blame for allowing this to happen and societies ethical and moral obligation associated with fixing the problem. Who or what is to blame for the...
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...for better public knowledge about the issues facing children who are struggling with obesity, with a primary focus on parental involvement. Parents need to understand the seriousness of allowing their children to consume whatever they want, and how much they want: We are seeing hypertension, heart disease, some cancers, breathing difficulties, and type II diabetes in more children today than ever before. Opposing arguments claim that it is not the fault of the parents; however, infants don’t have control over how much they are fed, and toddlers lack the cognitive development to make an informed decision about their food choices. Young children themselves are not to blame, so focus on parents seems reasonable. America is challenged with a growing rate of childhood obesity, and public knowledge regarding solutions remains inadequate. We can do a better job of promoting the issue by helping parents understand the seriousness of childhood obesity; the best way to approach this is likely through marketing. The Fight against Childhood Obesity The percentage of children and adolescents who are overweight and obese is now higher than ever before: Over the last 25 years, childhood obesity has more than quadrupled (Get America Fit Foundation, 2012). Childhood obesity is defined as a Body Mass Index (a measurement calculated using a child's weight and height) that is at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex. Obesity is caused by long-term positive energy...
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...Advocacy Campaign Childhood obesity is considered one of the major pressing health issues of our century. The rate of childhood obesity has increased alarmingly, with the number of obese children under five globally standing at over 42 million today. Approximately 35 million of obese children are living in the developing countries. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) children who are obese and overweight are very likely to stay obese into their adulthood; further, they stand a high chance of developing non communicable diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease while they are still young (Cheng, 2013). The purpose of this paper is to highlight the gravity of childhood obesity based on statistics and the health effects that the issue has on the children and impacts in the society. Further, the study will develop a health advocacy plan for the problem. Review laws, regulations, and ethical issues that could impact health advocacy plan in regards to childhood obesity. Population Health Issue and Population Affected Childhood obesity has spread to global dimensions and is progressively affecting many low- and middle-income countries, and particularly those that are domiciled in urban settings. In the US alone, one in every five children is obese or overweight; this number is on the rise. Although weight problems can be traced back to the family genealogy, however, this is not all children who come from families that have a known problem...
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...Childhood Obesity Danielle Borde ENG122: English Composition II Instructor: Peter Kunze July 29, 2012 Childhood Obesity Childhood obesity is an issue that has become more evident of a problem as the years have changed. I am interested in the facts as to how a child becomes obese and if there are any ways to either prevent it or overturn it. I want to prove that obesity weighs more heavily on nature rather than nurture. There are specific genes that some people have and some people don’t have that attribute to becoming obese. I know the schools are doing a lot to keep kids more fit and active these days. First Lady Michelle Obama has played a huge role in helping over turn childhood obesity. Her goals for her “Lets Move” campaign are, better school nutrition, better labeling of high calorie foods and drinks, growing support for farmers markets, and educating moms and dads to instill better eating habits (Christina, 2010). I believe this will be a very productive program. It has been said in the past that nurture was the main factor in becoming obese. This has become less of a factor since scientists have been looking more closely at the genes. Genes account for more than three quarters of the difference between children’s waistlines, with factors such as diet and exercise playing a much smaller role (MNT, 2008). A man named Nikhil Dhurandhar discovered a gene by the name of adenovirus-36(Ad-36), which causes fat cells to grow. Dhurandhar and his team...
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...Child obesity has develop in to epidemic globally. It has been recognized that the prevention of childhood obesity is a priority. The main reason for defining those children who are obese and overweight with identifying those individuals as being affected will help to predict health risks and provide them healthy lifestyle modifications to prevent chronic disease. Adolescent obesity has quadrupled and childhood obesity doubled over the last thirty years. Overweight is having increase body weight with a specific height from bone, muscle, water, fat, or a mixture of those areas. Obesities definition is someone with excess body fat. Obesity and overweight are resulted from “caloric imbalance” which is lower calorie burned in a day then the calories eaten. At time these are affected by numerous behavioral, environmental and genetic factors. (American Obesity Association) Overweight children are at higher risk to have health issues for vascular illnesses, as increased blood pressure or high cholesterol. An example of five to seventeen years old seventy percent overweight children have at least one health risk element for vascular disease. Children and teens who are overweight are at a higher risk for joint and bone issues, social, psychological and sleep apnea issues like lower self-esteem. Some longstanding health issue in adolescents and children that are overweight will likely be overweight as they age and consequently at higher risk for adult complications with their health...
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...There is a growing epidemic of childhood obesity in Australia and also worldwide. The prevalence of obesity has doubled to 65% of the world’s population live in countries where obesity and overweight kills more people than underweight does (WHO, 2011). Obese children are more likely to have health problems throughout their childhood, these health issues are associated with long-term health consequences to which the economic costs are enormous (Swinburn, 2008). Obesity in childhood is frequently tracked into adulthood, this is clearly a major contributor for the adulthood epidemic. Interventions and preventions have become key strategies in reducing the impact of childhood obesity. Through national and international health promotions, promoting healthy eating and physical activity in environments that reduce childhood obesity. The rapid increase of childhood obesity not only is it a burden on psychological, physical but also socially (Deckelbaum & Williams, 2005). Health care professionals such as nurses’ play a very important role in the prevention or management of obesity. Nurses’ can research current evidence in health promotions to find the best program for different populations by providing support and management of their illness (Bluford, Sherry & Scanlon, 2007). Throughout this is essay all these points will be discussed in more detail. Obesity and overweight have been defined as an excess or abnormal fat accumulation that may impair health within children and adults...
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...Childhood Obesity ENG 122 Childhood Obesity Obesity is a serious medical condition that is defined as an abnormal constant accumulation of excess body fat that are usually twenty percent or more of a persons average body weight, according to PubMed Health (Obesity in Children) September 2011. Children are the biggest targets of this deadly disease of being overweight. In the U.S. childhood obesity has been on an alarming high rate, which has been impacting the health of American people. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2004, childhood obesity is one of the most significant health issues in the American Society and the second leading cause of preventable deaths in the U.S. Childhood obesity is a very serious disease that impacts many children and should not be taken lightly, its time that people put forth the effort to take preventive measures in the cure of the deadly disease. More focus is needed to help prevent childhood obesity from everyone parents, guardians and the government. People need to be aware of the risk and consequences of being obese and overweight in children before it is to late and their children become one of those statistics. Therefore, everyone toward fighting this deadly disease of childhood obesity needs a greater attention to put this to the forefront of government issues. According to PEW Research Centers 2011, children and teenagers are developing diseases that have been linked to adults...
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...Obesity in Children After reading the material for this week, the student began to research obesity in middle childhood. The student discovered the causes of middle childhood obesity, the effect of obesity on a child’s health, psychosocial, and cognitive development, and ways to counteract obesity in middle childhood. The student has provided information on obesity solutions in her area, a national program to help stop childhood obesity, and has suggested other ways to help stop childhood obesity. The Causes of Childhood Obesity Genetic factors contribute to childhood obesity (Parke & Gauvain, 2009). Obese children often remain obese throughout his or her lives. Children suffering from obesity often have obese biological parents. Children adopted by normal-weight adoptive parents may become obese if the child’s biological parents are obese. According to Parke and Gauvain (2009), studies have shown that infants who have overweight parents are more responsive to the difference between sweet-tasting solutions and water. The preference for sweets at a young age increases the risk of childhood obesity. Middle childhood obesity also derives from the child’s role-model’s eating pattern and behavior (Parke & Gauvain, 2009). If the parent or role-model is eating junk food, lives a sedentary life, and watches too much television, the child is likely to do the same. Parents encouraging and prompting children to eat more because of his or her size contributes to child obesity...
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...How Child Obesity Affects Children from Low-Income Families American children are getting fatter everyday. This includes a variety of reasons such as the lack of exercise, steady high calorie diet, and junk food. This problem affects many children living within the United States, but children from low-income families are more at risk of becoming obese. The reason, not only stems from their limited knowledge of healthy lifestyles but the cost and availability of nutritious foods as well. Childhood obesity has become a topic that garners much concern from parents, pediatricians, and politicians alike. During the 1970’s only 15% of children were obese, since then the percentage has been increased up to 30% (Donahue, Grisso, Orleans, and Paxson, 3). Despite the high overall levels of childhood obesity, impoverish children from ethnic minority groups present higher numbers. For example, 31% of Latino children, 23% of Black children, by contrast only 15% of both White and Asian children are considered obese (Grier and Kumanyika, 187). This makes up a 24% overall obesity for children within New York City. Asian American children are an exception to the general pattern of higher obesity rates amongst ethnic minority groups. The government is now becoming more concerned about this issue. Some of the ways they have tried to alleviate this issue is by making programs that create “opportunities for students to make informed choices regarding healthy eating behaviors” (Datar and...
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...Childhood Obesity’s Impact on Healthcare The current epidemic of childhood obesity spans the globe affecting the majority of the industrialized world (Trasande & Elbel, 2012). In the United States, this epidemic will have an increased negative impact on the healthcare delivery system if not addressed at every level of the community. The importance of understanding this issue and working towards solutions will make for healthier American children and ensure decreased health problems as our children grow into adults. This type of effort will ensure a reduction in unnecessary health problems and fiscal cost for every citizen that utilizes the U.S. healthcare delivery system. Healthcare managers throughout the nation must educate themselves on this issue and be a vital part of the solution. When is a Child Considered Obese? The most accurate way to determine obesity is through the Body Mass Index (BMI) and actual measuring of the body mass composition (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Utilizing a height for weight and age chart doctors is capable of defining a child’s body mass index for his or her age (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). The recommended BMI for a child’s age will determine if they are at a proper weight, overweight, or obese. Many families are unaware of this index and fail to understand where their child may be in accordance with medical guidelines. When discussing the standards for children age two to twenty, the average BMI...
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