Childhood Obesity

Childhood Obesity
Public Health Issue: Childhood Obesity
Anna Walker, the Healthcare Commission Chief Executive explained that "Childhood obesity is a serious health problem that can follow people much later into life. It is a causal factor in a number of chronic diseases and conditions including high blood pressure, heart disease and type 2 diabetes” (Audit Commission 2006). The World Health Organisation, describes obesity as having “reached global epidemic proportions, with more than 1.6 billion adults overweight, at least 400 million of those clinically obese” (WHO 2005). In England, the Department of Health (DH), states that almost “1 in 4 adults are currently obese and projects that 9 in 10 adults will either be overweight or obese if this issue is not addressed.” Obesity is therefore an important public health issue and this essay will focus on childhood obesity as a Parliament report states that overweight children and adolescents have a 70% chance of becoming overweight or obese adults, it also implies more public resources over a longer time period. If obesity carries on into adulthood, in a hospital setting, the patient’s weight can have an impact on the health of NHS staff, as is already being noted by Unions (Mansfield, 2007). Epidemiology will be used to examine childhood obesity in children aged 2 to 10 within England and the relevant policies implemented in an attempt to reduce this ‘epidemic.’ The role of the nurse in helping to tackle the nationwide problem will also be considered.
A Parliament Report (2003) describes those who are clinically obese as having an increased risk of suffering from health problems such as, heart attacks, hypertension, colon cancer, osteoarthritis, back pain and type 2 diabetes. Including other problems, such as stigmatisation, prejudice and discrimination, a link has also been found between obesity and depression in both adults and children (Post 2003). Obesity can be determined by an individual’s BMI, which compares weight and height. In children different cut off points have to be used to define overweight and obese children and BMI should be expressed as a percentile in relation to age and sex (Post 2003).
Childhood obesity is a public health issue and Ewles and Summit (2003) describe public health as a focus on health and disease within a whole population. Epidemiology is important within public health as it is the study of how often disease, in this case obesity, occurs within different groups of people and why. Coggon et al (1993) explains that the information derived from the study of epidemiology is used to plan and evaluate strategies to prevent illness and as a guide to the management of patients in whom diseases has already developed. It also allows government funding to be utilised and allocated appropriately and effectively.
The statistics shown have been obtained from the Health Survey for England (HSE) report, and focuses on all children rather than sex as increase is similar. It will show how prevalence of overweight and obese children between 1995 and 2003 has changed over time, this is important and Graig and Lindsay (2000) explain, prevalence is used to measure the burden of chronic disease.
Between 1995 and 2003 the levels of obesity in boys rose by 5.3% and girls rose by 2.2%, for overweight boys this shows an increase of 7.1% and for girls 3%. The increase in obesity between 1995 and 2003 consisted of increases in all four age groups considered, namely 2-3, 4-5, 6-7 and 8-10. However, obesity increased by 5.3%, within 1995-2003 in children aged 8-10 this showed the largest increase and compared with the lowest increase in children aged 2-3 with an increase of 1.8%. The increase in obesity among 8-10 year olds was significant, but there were no significant increases for the other age groups. The report showed the North East and London as had the highest prevalence levels in England, with at least 18% of children aged 2-10 classified as obese in 2001-2002, with the lowest level, less than 11.9%, in Yorkshire and Humberside.
The prevalence of obesity was higher in families living in the inner cities and 1 in 5 classified as obese. There was also a clear correlation between obesity and deprivation, which takes into account eight factors including income, employment, health, disability, education, skills and training, housing and access to services. The prevalence of obesity among children and area deprivation showed levels of obesity increased 5.2% for those in the least deprived areas to 16.4% for those in the most deprived. The prevalence of obesity tended to increase as area deprivation increased, however no significant differences between those in the middle were found. This links with childhood obesity prevalence and household income, which increases from 13.3% and 12.5% in the two highest incomes compared to 16.3% and 15.8% in the two lowest incomes, out of a total of five income levels. Children living in managerial or professional households showed the lowest levels of childhood obesity, 12.4%, and highest among semi-routine and routine households at 17.1%.
There is strong correlation between parental BMI status and rates of obesity among children. In households where both parents were classed as obese or overweight, 19.8% of children were obese, compared with 8.4% of children in households where one parent was obese or overweight. 6.7% of children were obese in households where neither parent was obese or overweight. This highlights the effect of family behaviours and the influence they have on child obesity, as it is likely that bad eating habits are inherited by children in households where both parents are overweight or obese.
The Audit Commission (2006) explains that obesity currently costs the NHS approximately £1 billion a year and the UK economy a further £2.3 billion of indirect costs, for example through unemployment and sickness. Projections estimate that without intervention by 2010 the annual cost to the economy could be £3.6 billion a year. Therefore, the Public Health White Paper listed ‘reducing obesity’ as one of its priorities (Department of Health 2007), choosing health, sets out the aims of the Government in the hope of helping and supporting people to make better choices for their health and the health of their families, if they wish to. A £372 million Government strategy ‘every child matters’ is aimed at helping everyone lead healthier lives from early years to school age by reducing the number of overweight and obese children, for example Healthy Schools, Food in Schools and Physical Education and School Sports. The most recent campaign ‘change 4 life’ is aimed at empowering parents and children to improve their health, encouraging them to work together.
A model of health promotion can be used to help implement health improving programmes. Tannahill's model, as cited in Graig and Lindsay (2000), describes the integration of prevention, health education and health protection. Prevention, in this case, is the National Child Measurement Programme, which aims to record the height and weight of all children in Reception Year and Year 6. This data will help plan services to support schools and target and monitor those at risk, it will also allow referrals and intervention of those at risk to occur early. Health education such as ‘change 4 life’ aims to promote healthy attitudes and educates the public of the increased risks associated with obesity. Health protection which involves regulation and policies, for example, public funds have been allocated to free activities for those under the age of 16. Funding for healthy school meals in primary schools and, guidelines based on nutritional standards, the Government requested that OFCOM imposed restrictions on the advertising of food and drink that is high in fat or salt or sugar (HFSS), ‘to reduce the exposure of children to HFSS advertising, as a means of reducing opportunities to persuade children to demand and consume HFSS products’.
Nurses have an important role to play in tackling obesity and can either work singly or as part of a multidisciplinary team in order to provide interventions to prevent and manage obesity. School nurses for example, can be the first to recognise a family that needs support to help them tackle their children’s weight, due to an initially assessment including measuring the BMI of the child and interpreted appropriately, as it is not a true measure of adiposity, the nurse needs to refer children who are overweight or obese. NICE guidelines states that the nurse needs to address lifestyles within the family setting, as it is important to help children establish healthy behaviours and maintain or work towards a healthy weight for example eating regular meals, including breakfast, in a pleasant, sociable environment without distractions, parents/carers should eat with children. Nurses can also advise on and encourage active play and help to reduce sedentary activities, by tailoring advice to address potential barriers such as, cost, personal tastes, availability and time, with the aim to improve people belief in their ability to change for themselves and their family. Nurses can engage with target communities, consult on how and where to deliver interventions and form key partnerships and ensure that interventions are person centred, and provide ongoing support. These require funding to establish and sustain training programmes for those who are involved in the care of children with obesity, which includes specialist school nurses, health visitors and GPs. This should be complemented by resources to allow all children to gain access to specialist regional obesity services, where appropriate. They can also provide guidance and advice on the most effective ways of losing weight and maintaining weight loss.
Ewles and Simnett (2003) who list five approaches to health promotion, and offer a practical guide to help nurses, and other professionals to work out which approaches suits the client’s needs best. For example behaviour change, which aims to help the person concerned to change attitudes and behaviours to encourage a new lifestyle conducive to that considered a ‘healthy lifestyle.’ Educational would aim to provide information on consequences and the causes of obesity so they can learn to adopt a healthy lifestyle if they wish. Finally, client centred is where the client leads and identifies a need, or a gap in knowledge concerned with obesity choices and actions.
In conclusion, statistics have shown an alarming increase in childhood obesity, aiming to reduce obesity is a target which is difficult to implement as it requires the coordination of many diverse organisations at regional, local and front line level, all who have a key role to play in tackling child obesity (Audit commission, 2006). During school years, children tend to develop life-long patterns of behaviour that affect their ability to keep a healthy weight. There needs to be opportunities for children to be active and develop healthy eating habits, and by improving children’s diet and activity levels which may also have wider benefits: regular physical activity is associated with higher academic achievement, better health in childhood and later life, higher motivation at school and reduced anxiety and depression. The overall aim should be to create a supportive environment that helps overweight or obese children and their families with the support of those involved in primary care, for example nurses, to help make lifestyle changes and parents (or carers) should be encouraged, with this support, to take the main responsibility for lifestyle changes for overweight or obese children, especially if they are younger than 12 years.

Childhoods Obesity
Childhood obesity has become an epidemic in our country. It is for this reason that our children are the way they are today. The issues that the children and young people are having today are that they have to fix their own meals or order takeout. Childhood obesity is a growing problem in our country and it will not go away by its self. The way that we can slow down the rate of childhood obesity and maybe turn them around to be proactive. The fitness and health is our parent’s responsibility and the schools could have a big influence on our children. The schools have our children the most part of the day and this is the reason they should take the time to figure out what they can do to help our children.
The way we use to eat back in the day was so healthy, now our children are having to eat fast food or microwave food. Another reason is all the electronics currently for the parents to let them do what they want. Just somewhere, they can be active. Technology in this day and time has made the lives of country so easy. People now a day’s ride instead of walking, email instead of taking a walk to a co-workers desk, or play the electronic games instead of taking the children to the park. Then when there is only one parent and they have to work. Well what are they to do but leave microwave or just eat anything the children want to eat. Then the parents come home come home and they eat this way to because they are too tired to cook. In the article “Why I Am Fighting Childhood Obesity” first lady Michelle Obama said, for many kids today, those walks to school have been replaced by car and bus rides. Afternoons playing outside have been replaced with afternoons inside with TV, video games, and the internet. In addition, with many parents working longer hours, or multiple jobs, they do not have time for family meals around the table.
It is clear now that between the pressures of today's economy and the breakneck pace life, the well-being of our kids has too often gotten lost in the shuffle (Obama, Michelle, 2010).
In looking at the obesity problem that we have in our children often continues to adulthood. We have the best economy and the beast health care system. We should have the least problems in obese children. While health education is important, schools adding more recess in our elementary schools would benefit our young children. They could have some warm up recess in the morning when our children get to school early, instead of just sitting on the floor waiting to go to class. Make use of the time that the children have and teach them how to use the time they have on their hands. The schools need teachers to help our children. Having schools begin a child and parent class.
Therefore, they will learn how to get the parents involved with their children's health and fitness. In the way children eat between meals, give them fruit, raw vegetables and cheese. When they are thirsty give them water or another low calorie drink. This will keep them hydrated and will regulate their metabolism. Another plan is eating fiber, poultry, and beans, fat free and low fat. This will help with cholesterol, blood sugar, and digestive disorders. In addition, a balanced meal that is low in fat and served in smaller amounts will help curb the bad eating habits. Children that are overweight have problems breathing, which can prevent a child from breathing the correct way in their sleep.
They will have orthopedic problems, because their bones do not develop correct and will not be able to support the weight. Moving around is a huge issue if a child is overweight.
Our schools need to change some of the foods they serve. They need to take pizza, French fries, and all the other junk food out. While researching the topic “Childhood Obesity” is to look at how it is now and how it can be. The issue that we will look at, is how can the change be made and how can we help our children make a change in this issue. There are associations, clubs, after school programs, and programs outside of school all over our country approving healthy habits. Even if it is to walk for thirty minutes a day or to eat smart, there are plans for everyone to change the way they eat.
The NFL has become involved with our children and our young adults. Mr. Shak O'Neal even had his own show for our young adults to show them what type of foods to eat and the portion of foods. He also had a program for each young adult because they worked out differently. In saying this about him, other people can start some kind of small group for our kids. Rather it is basketball, football, or cheerleading they all are very active. For some reason it is as if people are not responding to our health crisis. Parents and guardians have the final say on what they can eat.
In an article, “Tackling Childhood Obesity,” John Rosemond stated, that the US Department of Health and Human Services says, “The causes of childhood obesity are multifactorial,” No they are not. The reason so many of our children are obese is that they consume too much bad stuff and move too little. Their diets are high in bad carbohydrates (i.e., junk food) like French fries, sodas and sweets, and low in fresh vegetables, fruits and healthy sources of protein. They spend entirely too much time in front of televisions, video games and computers and not enough time in physical activity. In addition, make no mistake; the best physical Activity for a child is free play.
A child enrolled in an adult-micromanaged sport is not getting Half the exercise kids got playing sandlot games in the 1950s and 60s, when childhood was very rare (Rosemond, John, 2011). Many people have stated that obesity is not towards our health. Sarah Mahoney stated in her article, “The Overweight Debate,” findings suggested, “Being over may actually protect against death from a multitude of diseases other than cancer and heart diseases.” (Mahoney,Sarah 2010). Another article that I found was, “Is Being Overweight a Big Deal? Body Mass Index and Health Dynamics of Elderly Americans” He stated feasible statements regarding the fact that the chance of mortality occurring as a result of obesity or being overweight is the same as the chance for mortality for elderly Americans who were not overweight, he even brought in factors such as that smokers are lean or n thin due to the chemicals in cigarettes, but the chances of lung cancer are still present (Zhou Yang, 2010).
These children are the future of tomorrow, the youth and children are the destined of our selves. When our adults have their own children they will have a sequel that will live through their child. If a parent allows their child to eat unhealthy foods and lets him/her to do what they want on their free time, without any kind of exercise, then that parent is letting him/her, the next generation, to throw away any potential he/she may have. Our parents are who are responsible for our child's diet. Parents need to take control of the child's eating habits or our country is going to be full of obese children. Besides our obese children we also have obese adults. Parents let's take a stand and do the right thing for our children, give them a longer life.
The last issues that will be discussed are the effects of obesity. Health, medical, physical and psychological is just a few effects from being obese. The physical are somewhat like the ones that are seen in adults who are overweight or obese. A few of the physical effects that are seen in childhood obesity is type 2 diabetes, cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Obese children often suffer from anxiety and a need of social skills. Most children respond to this by misbehaving in school and being disruptive and destructive. In some other cases children act out by being anti-social and with drawing. When they endure from anxiety they usually suffer in doing poorly academically. The other things children go through are the teasing from peers, not being able to play like the other children and being lonely. This sometimes will cause a child to eat even more as a comfort.
In this day and time we need to teach our children how to eat. This issue all starts at home. The parents need to take control and stop letting the children make the choices of what to eat or even stop giving them what they want as a reward. Our children need to be taught what type of food to buy when eating outside the home. One thing that might help with the child's eating is giving them a glass of milk before dinner if they want a snack before dinner. This way they will not be so hungry when they sit to eat and they will eat less.
Most children dislike most vegetables, parents need to find ways an invent ways of how to fix healthy meals. It is never too late to change a lifestyle to a healthier one. People that are in their old age are changing their lifestyle as long as they are doing everything in a safe way. It does not matter how young you are or how old anyone is to start eating healthier or start exercising. Take grandparents for a walk or your children. Make a family outing, go to the park and play games or just run with your children. In every part of America one will find people who are either overweight or obese.
There are so many things that the people can do. Not only for our children, but for our adulthood. If adults start doing this at home with their children when they are small then when they go to school they will eat the way that their parents taught them to eat. And if the parent sees that your child is gaining more weight than what you think they should, then you as a parent need to change the eating habits. Determining that there might be a problem with a child that you might know and that child belongs to a friend of yours what will you do?
Hopefully you would try and involve the friend’s family in your activities. Even though some people are overweight, they might not think so. People need to become more involved with the public. Start a group of your own, what the people can do is get friends together and take walks with them. This is the way to get involved in your neighborhood. It will not be easy getting people involved, but it has to be done for the sake of our children and young people. Ending childhood obesity will not be easy, not in any sense of the word. It is going to be a long road ahead for the country of America. The main foundation for the change that must be made in order to preserve our country.