Obesity in Children
Obesity is a growing problem in America with more than 64% of the U.S. adult population identified to be clinically obese or overweight. It is estimated that there are more than 300,000 deaths every year which are directly attributed to obesity. [CDC]. It would not be far fetching to say that obesity has in fact assumed epidemic proportions and is one of the fastest growing healthcare problems of our nation. There is a positive association between obesity and cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and other life threatening conditions. A disturbing fact is the increasing rate of obesity among children in the age group of 4 to 16. Unhealthy eating habits and the modern sedentary life style have only aggravated the risk factors leading to a health care crisis. Nurses as community healthcare providers have an important role in increasing the awareness and initiating nutritional programs and exercise activities aimed at controlling obesity at an early age.
The Obesity Crisis
An obesity crisis is looming large in our nation where more than 15% of all children (6 to 11) and adolescents (12 to 17) are clinically obese. Over the last two decades obesity rates have tripled among adolescents creating a grave health care problem for our young population. Asides the negative psychological effect that obesity has on the affected children they are also at an increasing risk of early affliction from cardiovascular complications, diabetes and orthopedic problems. The rather disappointing scenario is the complacency exhibited by primary care providers in identifying obese conditions among pediatric subjects. Our biggest problem is that inspite of the awareness generated about the prevalence of obesity and the health consequences, identification and tackling of the problem at the primary care level is still at a slack. One study suggests that only 20% of obese children are identified by health care providers. [Jennifer R. McCarthy] recent study which analyzed the rates of identification of obesity...
If children are more socially active, then the child obesity can be controlled. If food additives and artificial flavors are controlled, then child obesity can decrease. Methodology: The methodology that will be adopted for this research report will consist of two types: 1. Primary Sources: Primary data of this research will be collected through books. 2. Secondary Sources: Internet websites and scholarly articles will be used as secondary source in obtaining data for this research
, 1991). Implications and Recommendations The implication of the collective weight of empirical research into factors affecting childhood obesity strongly support the approach of positively reinforcing healthier food choices and also of positively reinforcing the voluntary selection of active play activities instead of sedentary play activities in children who are either at risk of obesity or already obese. (Epstein, Paluch, Gordy, et al., 2000; Epstein, Paluch, Kilanowski, et al., 2004). Since highly
The problem is however that results appear less promising in the long-term. The most effective period for weight loss occurs during the first six months, whereas weight gain once again appears after this time. While it is a good idea to implement school and work-based programs, commercial giants such as KFC and Macdonald's make it very difficult to sustain healthy nutrition and weight loss. Advertising that tends to focus on
Obesity and Its Consequences Obesity and its Prevalence Trends Final Research Paper: Obesity and Health Problems Obesity has significantly become an issue in the current century, which requires great intervention of the entire society. The research of this proposal aims at analyzing the situations related to obesity including; its causes, the effects it has on individual health, the manner in which it causes illnesses and related diseases and recommendations for easing the spread
Current United States Strategies to Solve the Obesity Problems The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity (1991) explained many strategies that can be used to solve the issues of obesity . These strategies together were called CARE, which means Communication, Action, Research and Evaluation. The purpose of these strategies is to focus on giving physical education to all school classes, improving the options of food at the
Obesity in the United States The extent of the Problem Obesity as one commentator says, is not just a "matter of aesthetics" but has become a major public health problem in the United States. Similarly, Federal health officials have categorically stated that "the growing prevalence of obesity in the United States represents a significant health threat to millions of Americans." Obesity is seen by health officials in a serious light and is
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now