Overview of Childhood Obesity

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Childhood Obesity Statement of Problem Childhood and adolescent obesity is a problem of significant concern. Whether obese or at risk, excessive fat is based on the ratio of weight to height, age, and gender of the individual (Ul-Haq, Mackay, Fenwick, & Pell, 2013). Today’s youth are considered the most inactive generation in history thus, childhood and adolescent obesity is more prevalent than ever before. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) documents the obesity rate in children ages 6-11 in 2012 at 18% (an increase from seven percent in 1980), and adolescents at 21% (an increase from five percent in 1980). The obesity rate in children has more than doubled and quadrupled in adolescents over a 30-year period (CDC, n.d). The factors responsible for childhood and adolescent obesity are related to childhood lifestyle, family influence, and community factors (CMA Foundation, 2008). The Healthy People 2020 goal, NWS-10.4, is to “reduce the proportion of children and adolescents aged 2 to 19 years who are considered obese from 16.1% to 14.5%” (Healthy People 2020, 2013). Overweight children and adolescents are at increased risk for severe medical issues that can last a lifetime. Interventions to reduce the incidence and improve the health of young people involve solutions at the primary (low risk youth), secondary (at risk youth), and tertiary (obese) levels (Sweeting, 2008). Parents, caregivers, and medical professionals can work together in diagnosing if the child is becoming obese or if the child is having a growth spurt (Ul-Haq et al., 2013). Review of the Literature The obesity epidemic is a globally acknowledged serious population-level public health issue. Obesity is the number two cause of mortality behind smoking in ... ... middle of paper ... ... (2013). How nurses can use the Teach Back Method to increase family caregiver and patient comprehension. Retrieved from http://campaignforaction.org/community- post/how-nurses-can-use-teach-back-method-increase-family-caregiver-and-patient Sweeting, H. (2008). Gendered dimensions of obesity and adolescents. Nutrition Journal, 7(1). Retrieved from http:www.nutriionj.com/content/7/1/1 Ul-Haq, Z., Mackay, D. F., Fenwick, E., Pell, J. P. (2013). Meta-analysis of the association between Body Mass Index and health-related quality of life among children and adolescents. Journal of Pediatrics, 162(2), 280-286. doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2012.07.049 Williams, J. E. (2011). Child obesity in context: Ecology of family and community. International Journal of Exercise Science, 4(2), 86-92.Retrieved from http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1324&context=ijes

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