CHILDHOOD OBESITY
BY Abigail Ogunniyi RN
Obesity is an unhealthy accumulation of body fats. It is the most common nutritional disease in the United States of America. It occurs as a result of imbalance between food eaten and energy expanded. It can be caused by unhealthy eating, physical inactivity, genetic, hormonal, and medications. It is usually diagnosed by Body Mass Index (BMI) calculation.
Childhood obesity is a major public health issue, over the past four decades, obesity rates in the United States of America have more than quadrupled among children ages six years to eleven years, more than tripled among adolescents ages 12 years to 19 years and nearly tripled among children ages 2 years to five years. In 2000, for example 15.3% of children were obese compared to nearly 5.7% in 1980 (Clark, 2008). These increasing rates pose a serious health and economic threat to the nation. Being obese or overweight increases the risk of heart disease, type II diabetes and many other serious health conditions. Preventing obesity during childhood is critical as research shows that obese adolescents have up to an 80% chance of becoming obese adults.
To effectively address this problem, primary interventions includes teaching about the importance of healthy diet and physical activity. Advocating for healthy school meal programs as well as healthy diet in home settings; also advocating for increase in physical education time and providing schools with needed physical activity equipments.
Secondary intervention includes educating families/public regarding the consequences of childhood obesity including heart diseases, type II diabetes and other serious health conditions. Tertiary interventions includes referring obese children for counseling to improve self image if needed, promoting lifestyle changes consistent with weight management.
Obesity is an unhealthy accumulation of body fats. It is the most common nutritional disease in the United States of America. It occurs as a result of imbalance between food eaten and energy expanded. It can be caused by unhealthy eating, physical inactivity, genetic, hormonal, and medications. It is usually diagnosed by Body Mass Index (BMI) calculation.
Childhood obesity is a major public health issue, over the past four decades, obesity rates in the United States of America have more than quadrupled among children ages six years to eleven years, more than tripled among adolescents ages 12 years to 19 years and nearly tripled among children ages 2 years to five years. In 2000, for example 15.3% of children were obese compared to nearly 5.7% in 1980 (Clark, 2008). These increasing rates pose a serious health and economic threat to the nation. Being obese or overweight increases the risk of heart disease, type II diabetes and many other serious health conditions. Preventing obesity during childhood is critical as research shows that obese adolescents have up to an 80% chance of becoming obese adults.
To effectively address this problem, primary interventions includes teaching about the importance of healthy diet and physical activity. Advocating for healthy school meal programs as well as healthy diet in home settings; also advocating for increase in physical education time and providing schools with needed physical activity equipments.
Secondary intervention includes educating families/public regarding the consequences of childhood obesity including heart diseases, type II diabetes and other serious health conditions. Tertiary interventions includes referring obese children for counseling to improve self image if needed, promoting lifestyle changes consistent with weight management.
References
Clark, M.J. (2008). Community Health Nursing: Caring for Populations. (5th Ed.).
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
Note: This blog post reflects the work of Abigail Ogunniyi RN with minor editing by Shirley Comer RN and was completed as a class assignment. The content of this blog is for informational purposes only. Before beginning or changing a treatment or lifestyle regime you should consult your primary health care provider.
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