Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition that affects our children and adolescent. This topic has become an all so familiar topic of discussion among health organizations in the United States. Obesity is an increase in body weight resulting from excessive accumulation of body fat relative to lean body mass (Hockenberry, 2008). Childhood obesity, by either definition, has become an epidemic that every community is currently facing and should be correcting. The American Academy of Pediatrics defines a child at or above the 95th percentile as obese (Harper, 2006). Childhood obesity can lead to death, which is a devastating thing that can occur. This disease can also be defined as a genetic disorder. Looking at the historical significance and natural life history it is not a surprise that childhood is addressed as one of Health People’s 2010’s objectives (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2000). Primary, secondary and tertiary interventions can be done by agencies, the community and especially the community health nurse to reduce childhood obesity. The first step in the effort is to correct the problem and look at the historical significance. Primary interventions are interventions that prevent the problem. (Nies and McEwen, 2007). Increase in physical activity and education on health food choices in required health education classes are primary interventions for childhood obesity. An increase in physical activity can truly be beneficial especially if it is an enjoyable activity. A study conducted on a group of children entering kindergarten in 1998 who received a minimum of 5 hours weekly showed a negative effect on BMI for girls who were overweight or at risk for obesity (Harper, 2006). Under the Clinton admission, the secretaries of Health and Human Services and Education recommended 150 minutes of quality