Obesity Health Promotion

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The purpose of this essay is to look at preventing the growing epidemic of obesity, from childhood to older adults by using health promotion. Following discussions in the group and with pupils visiting from the academy, obesity was the chosen topic. This continues to be a growing concern which increases the risks of contracting other health problems including heart disease and diabetes.
The essay will cover the prevalence of obesity in the United Kingdom and the growing cost for the National Health Service (NHS). The group chose the Empowerment, Behavioural and Educational models and their approach to health and well-being improvement within nursing practice. Last, how the nurse has an important role in health promotion.
As a group, we chose …show more content…

What is health? A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not just the absence of disease and illness (Sartorius, 2006). Health promotion is the use of resources put in place to work towards improving societies health problems. By educating and empowering individuals on how to care for themselves to help prevent disease (World Health Organization, 2017). Obesity continues as a growing problem although is preventable. Unfortunately, a problem not helped by the growing amounts of unhealthy foods on offer, takeaways, microwave meals and a general unawareness of the sugar content in our food and drinks (World Health Organization, 2016). The purpose of health promotion is to help individuals take control of their own lives, improving their overall health and well-being and lower their risk of further health conditions as they …show more content…

For adults, the proportion at risk or being overweight/obese has gone from 52% to 62% in 2008 and stayed stable through to 2015 (Gov.scot, 2016). Childhood obesity carries the risk of developing further health problems, include type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and chronic inflammation, although these can differ between ethnic origin because of cultural differences. There has been an increased risk of death caused by ischaemic heart disease in adulthood because of being overweight in childhood (Pulgarón, 2013). Children who are overweight are also at risk of negative body image, this can lead to low self-esteem resulting in loneliness, sadness or possibly an overall decline in their mental health (Talen and Mann, 2009). Being overweight can result in bullying, this can lead to individuals developing an eating disorder to lose weight, can also lead to depression, feelings of worthlessness and suicidal thoughts (Ebbeling, Pawlak and Ludwig,

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