All parents believe, or would like to believe, that their children are in a state of perfect health. In some cases, this is incorrect due to the parents and children 's lack of knowledge on what the actual state of optimal health is for children. For example, a hot topic around the world today is the issue of childhood obesity. This topic caught my eye because it is truly beginning to have a negative impact on today’s society and is something that needs to be addressed. Currently, my job at the Littleton YMCA provides me the with opportunity to work with children and teach a variety of fitness classes for kids. This has helped me to become passionate about promoting a healthy lifestyle, and showing younger generations ways in which to go about this. Gaining more information on this topic can help me to better …show more content…
Children that are obese tend to have lower social skills, according to an article based on children with obesity and their mental health called, “Psychological Aspects of Childhood Obesity: A Controlled Study in a Clinical and Nonclinical Sample”. The author’s of this article, Caroline Braet, Ivan Mervielde, and Walter Vandereycken, conducted a study that uncovered the amount of children that are obese and lacking social skills. Most of the obese children involved, ranging in ages from nine to twelve, proved to have a problem conducting themselves socially and were more dependent on their parents to do things for them. In an article called “Childhood Obesity: Public-Health Crisis, Common Sense Cure”, the authors showed a model that directed twelve different countries and roughly the number of kids that are struggling with being over weight or obese. The final article, “Risks and Consequences of childhood and Adolescent Obesity”, showed the different risk factors that are involved with childhood obesity. Thought this article did not have any real research or experiments involved with it, it had good information and facts on the
Many would argue that children should not focus on their weight because children should lead a youth with little worries, yet obesity affects a child much more than people with that argument think. Being overweight can cause increased risks for several serious diseases and even can result in decreased mental health on account of low self-esteem and social discrimination. Children who are overweight also are at least twice as likely to have heart disease, diabetes, and orthopedic problems (Internicola, 2009). Sadly, children are being pressured into unhealthy lifestyles even more so than adults are.
In the recent decades, obesity has grown into a major health issue in the United States within young people. With 31 percent of the United States of children being obese, the United States has become the country with the highest rate of obesity in the world. Obesity is not only found among adults, but it is also now found mainly among children and teenagers. The childhood is a very important period for the initiation of obesity especially in this time. Eating practices that children are taught or learn during childhood affects a person later in their life whether they know or not. Multiple studies have confirmed that childhood obesity in the U.S has been on a rise for years. One out of three children in the U.S are obese, most of them face a higher risk of having medical, social and academic problems. Childhood obesity also leads to many health problems among young people. Those problems include diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and many more others. These problems cause a rise in health care costs that their families might have to pay sooner or later. The influence of parents and the media play a big role in causing these problems to happen. Some people believe that a family with an obese child should not raise child protection concerns if obesity is the only cause for concern (Callaghan, 2010). However, doctors should always be mindful of the possible role of abuse or neglect in contributing to obesity. The result of some research that was done on the symptoms of neglect shows a clear correlation between childhood abuse and obesity in childhood. A study of American school children has found that after controlling for socioeconomic status, those who were physically abused were more likely to be obese (Callaghan, 201...
The article I chose to analyze is titled Get Fit With the Grizzlies: A Community-School-Home Initiative to Fight Childhood Obesity, which focused on social and physical health related determinants in their strategy to confront childhood obesity and promote change. The research done by C. Irwin, R. Irwin, Miller, Somes, and Richey (2010) in regards to the development of a community health promotion program has similarities to various aspects of the nutrition group’s video and components of their health promotional program structure. As previously noted, social and physical determinants to health aided in the process of development and helped determine societal needs, as depicted by this group’s population of interest. The population that the nutrition group used, involved 9-10 year old boys, who were already in a pre-established group who shared common interest i.e. cub scouts, were learning about nutrition in other areas of their life, parents actively participated and were present, presentation provided to them in a familiar environment i.e. cub scout meeting, and were motivated to participate in this program by earning a pin.
The purpose of this paper is to provide an individual health promotion for an 8 year old African American female who is in the 95 percentile for weight. Guiding change is a key component that a nurse must display in order to combat childhood obesity (Berkowitz & Borchard, 2009). The health promotion will aim to increase physical activity and enhance the individual’s consumption of nutrient dense food based on Healthy People Guidelines 2010, as well as improve the health literacy for the parent and the individual with regards to childhood obesity. It is essential that the nurse, parent, and child have open communication with mutually agreed upon goals (Caprio et al., 2008). The goals set forth by the nurse, parent, and child are that the attendee participate in at least 60 minutes of sustained aerobic activity 5 days a week for the next 6 months.
Up to 17% of children and teens in the United States are obese (Centers). Obesity is unhealthy weight gain due to poor diet and lack of exercise and is responsible for up to 365,000 deaths each year. Obesity is strongly associated with a decrease in the ability to exercise. An overabundance of fat tissue, which occurs from obesity, impairs the breathing process. The impairment of the breathing processes in youth has been linked to more damaging breathing problems in adulthood. The lack of exercise that starts a child down this path can be reversed and good exercising habits can be instilled by parents. Therefore if 1 out of 3 children are obese, what does that say about the health and wellbeing of these children? It says that these children can look forward to a life of medical problems, emotional issues, and higher costs than their non-obese counterparts. The most pressing of which are heart disease, type 2 diabetes, pulmonary...
Many children who are obese are the targets of bullying from other children. Self-esteem can be greatly damaged from a disease that can be prevented. Having an obese or once obese person tell the stories of struggle, difficulties and how life is greatly impacted by not eating right and exercising could have a great influence on just how serious obesity is. In the academic journal, “Childhood obesity and Self-Esteem”, has found that there are social and emotional effects from childhood obesity. Other than just low self-esteem, obesity can lead to “Smoking and consuming alcohol” (Strauss 3) compared to children who are not obese. Preventing obesity could also decrease the rate of smoking and drinking in children underage. The more than one solution to how this can be done, for parents and students, for schools “Replacing vending machines containing unhealthy foods and drinks and replace with healthy items” (Green 4). This has been increasing in many schools and even colleges; Montgomery College has also taken the steps of changing the vending machine. Another resolution for schools is to “Provide quality daily physical education for all students. Be sure to select activities that are fun, challenging, and aerobic in nature” (Green
Childhood obesity is a chronic health problem in the United States. Today, "nearly a third of youths are overweight or obese" (National Collaborative on Childhood Obesity Research). Obesity affects children psychologically and physically. Obesity is a chronic imbalance of more calories consumed than expended each day. Childhood obesity is closely linked with housing and food securities, children without stable homes are more likely to suffer from hunger, chronic disease, and malnutrition. Demographic, socio-structural, and environmental variables also play a significant role in the childhood obesity prevalence and incidents. For instance, environments with lower than the average neighborhood, availability of healthy foods and higher than
In order for children to achieve wellness, they are completely dependent upon the adults in their lives: parents, caregivers, friends, and teachers. In order to achieve wellness, teachers and caregivers must model and exhibit appropriate behaviors, i.e. exercise, healthy eating habits, personal hygiene, emotional fulfillment, and knowledge of healthy habits. Children begin learning this at home first with their parents/caregivers. Teachers are the next important person in a child’s life to help them achieve wellness (Sorte, et al., 2011). It is imperative for teachers and families to work together in order to achieve wellness for children.
"The increased prevalence of overweight and obesity particularly among children and adolescents is a severe public health problem" (Bray, 2005). According to our text, health education and health promotion are recognized increasingly as ways to meet public health objectives and improve the success of public health and medical interventions around the world (Gollust, 2014).
It presented some ideas that as an early childhood educator working with children, I could make available to families, such as creating awareness in parents so they are more knowledgeable about how important it is to get involved with their child’s school or Parent Advisory Council to help promote programs such as fundraising for healthy eating events or school lunch. Encourage parents and families to talk to model to their making healthy food choices to their children including making and eating together; To get involved with their child’s daycare provider or other caregivers to ensure healthy food choices are offered, and to encourage children to stay fit with fun activities. Physical activity can help increase children’s self-esteem and promote a healthy body weight and it is recommended that preschoolers under age five should be active for at least 180 minutes each day. This can include activity of varied intensity spread throughout the day. Children age’s five to 11 should aim for 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity each day.
Obesity is a modern epidemic in America and is starting to become our society’s “norm.” According to an article in Progress in Health Sciences, childhood obesity is the most frequent eating disorder (Koukourikos). There are several factors that contribute to the childhood obesity epidemic. Should we solely shun the parents of obese children for this? No, we should not. There is not one single person to blame, but several people, along with our society. Family, friends, and schools all play a very important role in teaching children about healthy food choices and exercise. Children may have a greater risk for obesity due to genetic factors. We need to constantly remind our children how important it is to maintain a healthy lifestyle so that
Childhood obesity is a serious problem among American children. Some doctors are even calling childhood obesity an epidemic because of the large percentage of children being diagnosed each year as either overweight or obese. “According to DASH sixteen to thirty-three percent of American children each year is being told they are obese.” (Childhood Obesity) There is only a small percentage, approximately one percent, of those children who are obese due to physical or health related issues; although, a condition that is this serious, like obesity, could have been prevented. With close monitoring and choosing a healthier lifestyle there would be no reason to have such a high obesity rate in the United States (Caryn). Unfortunately, for these children that are now considered to be obese, they could possibly be facing some serious health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and some types of cancers. All of these diseases have been linked to obesity through research. These children never asked for this to happen to them; however, it has happened, and now they will either live their entire life being obese, or they will be forced to reverse what has already been done (Childhood Obesity).
Obese children are suffering every day emotionally, physically, and mentally. Bullies in school and outside of school play a big role in the low self esteem levels of children in America with Obesity. Children do not really have a choice to be obese or not in some cases. Some people just develop this problem from heredity. This is why it is very important for parents to stay active, keep their children on a healthy diet, and make sure they are setting good examples for their children. Many adults don’t realize how much they are hurting their children by not simply making them go outside and be active. Being active is very important in child development. There has been a dramatic drop in the physical activity of children in America. This is caused by many new factors that kids in the past didn’t have. These factors include the rise in new technology, fast food industry, and just more things to take kids minds off of going outside. Another area where kids are struggling in, is the overeating problem that many people have seemed to develop. Americans are consuming way more than the amount of food that should be taken into the body on a daily basis.
Childhood obesity is a health problem that is becoming increasingly prevalent in society’s youth. For a number of years, children across the nation have become accustomed to occasionally participating in physical activities and regularly snacking on sugary treats. In result of these tendencies, approximately one third of American children are currently overweight or obese (Goodwin). These grim statistics effectively represent all the lack of adult interference, in regards to health, has done to the youth of America. The habits of over consuming foods and under participating in physical activities are all too common in the children of today. Children cannot solve this issue alone, though. These young people need to essentially be given the opportunities to make positive health decisions and learn about good, nutritional values.
Body mass that exceeds over 30 indicates the patient is obese. Obesity is having an excessive amount of body fat. For example, a person who is 5’2 and is about 200 pounds (muscle mass not included) is obese. A disorder which affects a person 's everyday life is known as a disease. A disease also causes other complications for that person. It is true that obesity can, in fact, cause other complications,but obesity can be self-treated. Therefore, obesity should not be considered a disease.