The key to defining obesity levels is the issue of how we should define childhood obesity. Three different classification systems are commonly used; each uses a version of the Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by the square of person 's height in meters. Evidence shows childhood obesity to be associated with depression, especially among the very obese. Overall self-esteem is lowered and the cost to peer interactions is also noted in social network analysis. Recent research has shown 58 % of children with a BMI above the 95th percentile have hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or insulin resistance. Twenty five percent have two or more of these (Rudolf, 2004).
Child and Adolescent Food and Nutrition Programs
All children and adolescents, regardless of age, sex, socioeconomic status, racial diversity, ethnic diversity, linguistic diversity, or health status, should have access to food and nutrition programs that ensure the availability of a safe and adequate food supply that promotes optimal physical, cognitive, social, and emotional growth and development. The registered dietitian and dietetic technician have the duty to act as an advocate for the establishment of child-care, school, and community settings conducive to the development of good nutrition habits (Elsevier, 2007).
School wellness policies in California (2006-2007) included nutrition guidelines for all foods sold on school campuses throughout the day and also includes goals for nutrition education, physical activities, and establishment of a plan for implementation of the policy, including designating one or more persons within the local educational agency or at each school to be responsible for compliance and to be developed by parents, students, food service staff, the school board, school administrators, and the public (Briggs, Krikpatrick, & Zindenberg-Cherr, 2007). The school survey showed that teachers
References: Briggs, M., Krikpatrick, N., & Zindenberg-Cherr, S. (2007). California teachers support the Nutrition Competencies-new nutrition instructions guidelines. California Agriculture, 61(1), 40-46. Elsevier, B. V. (2007, September). Position of the American Dietetic Association: Child and Adolescent Food and Nutrition Programs. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 106(9), 1467-1475. Greves, H. M., & Rivara, F. P. (2006, January 3). Report card on school snack food policies among the United States ' largest school districts in 2004-2005: Room for improvement. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act, 3. Larson, N., & Story, M. (2007, May) School Foods Sold Outside of Meals (Competitive Foods). Healthy Eating Research. Rudolf, M. (2004) The Obese Child. Archives of Diseases in Childhood, 89, 57-62. Story, M., Kaphingst, K. M., & French, S. (2007). The role of Schools in Obesity Prevention. Childhood Obesity.