EBP Population Health - Childhood Obesity among the Hispanic population living in Florida

Abstract

There is higher childhood obesity across the age ranges among Latino children compared to their white and Asian counterparts. Available data shows that Latino children have a 19% higher obesity rate than their white counterparts, who are at 11.8%, and Asian peers, who stand at 7.3%. It also turns out that the rate among Latino children is higher than the national average. They are only second to black children in the obesity rate. Black children stand at 22.2%. It is not uncommon to witness food swamps and junk food in Latino neighborhoods. It has been observed that fast food joints are, by far, more than markets for farmers and supermarkets. There is rampant discrimination against Latinos, apart from limited access to space for recreation and junk food marketing. The disparities in obesity rates among Latino children emanate from years of discriminatory policies and systems which have existed for a long time. Obesity has shown harmful and even fatal associations during childhood. These associations increase the rate of morbidity in various ways, including the heightened risk of cardiovascular disease and the incidence of diabetes. The program to prevent the incidence of Obesity in childhood intends to lead the member- countries on what they need to do to overcome the menace by adopting the recommendations provided by the Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity. The plan is mindful that any effort to stop diabetes is based on and could be infused into the existing policies across the globe and domains. The plan conforms to the Heavy people 2020's four primary goals.

Introduction

Latinos have been noted as one of the fastest-growing populations. The community currently constitutes over 22% of the total children below 18 years in the US. Of the population of Latino children, over 45% are overweight or obese. Overweight children of white descent constitute 25%. Childhood obesity is complicated. When a child's weight is above the normal weight of children of their weight and height category, it is noted. The triggers of an excess weight gain are the same across the age brackets. It has been noted that one's community background significantly influences obesity because such a background influences the choices they make (CDC, 2016). The United States faces a serious problem concerning childhood obesity. Both children and adolescents stand a great risk of poor health because of Obesity. The prevalence of Obesity among the mentioned age categories remains way too high. It was noted that obesity prevalence among children in the 2-19 age brackets stood at 13.7% million. The prevalence stood at 13.9% among children ages 2 to 5 years. Obesity prevalence stood at 18.4% among children aged 6 to 11 years. It stood at 20.6 % among children aged between 12 and 19 years. There is a higher prevalence of childhood obesity among certain communities. Hispanics report a prevalence rate of 25.8%, and blacks of non-Hispanic origin report at 22% prevalence higher than non-Hispanic whites who report a 14.1 % prevalence. Asians of non-Hispanic origin, at 11.0% and demonstrated a lower prevalence of Obesity compared to Hispanics and non-Hispanic blacks (Hales et al., 2017).

PICOT Question

How do the weight and other health-related issues (O) for children aged 2-19 years (P) participating in a dietary and physical education and exercise program (I) compare to non-participants (C) over three years (T)?

Culture and child obesity

Obesity among children is high among members of the Hispanic community because healthcare is not easily accessible. Food swamps and poverty levels are alarmingly high. The incidence of other but related health ailments is also just as high. However,...

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How Solution compares to the national health policy objectives as stated in Healthy People 2020

There are four overarching goals in Healthy People 2020. The above-proposed program encourages the stated goals (Healthypeople.gov, 2020). Maintaining healthy body weight, good nutrition, and physical activity are the core determiners of good health. Assuming a healthy diet and partaking in physical activity are also the primary interventions for managing health conditions like diabetes and obesity to prevent them from worsening (Healthypeople.gov, 2020).

Unfortunately, the majority of Americans do not eat healthy foods. They are also, largely, physically inactive. Figures show that the consumption of fruits by adults is at 1.1 times every day while vegetables are consumed at a rate of 1.6 times per day. There was an even lower intake among adolescents. Generally, the intake rates are way below the recommended levels. It has been noted that the adult majority and adolescents do not engage in physical activity, with figures showing 81.6% and 81.8%, respectively (Healthypeople.gov, 2020). The program will be comprehensive and will cover all children across socio-economic cadres.

Following the behavior patterns, there has been a dramatic increase in obesity levels. Studies demonstrate that one in three adults is obese, while one in six children is also obese. 16% of adolescents in the United States are obese too. Most deaths in the US occur due to obesity-related conditions such as type2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke (Healthypeople.gov, 2020). Apart from the serious health implications, Obesity and being overweight have exerted extra pressure on families and even the state's financial resources. The suggested program proposes the creation of an environment that encourages good health and wellbeing for every citizen. Helping Americans take part in physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, and eating healthy foods will change the obesity surge and other health…