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Childhood Obesity : A Public Health Problem Essay

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Obesity has been a major health issue in the community for the past three decades, and has recently become a spreading concern for children (Black & Hager, 2013). Childhood obesity leads to many health and financial burdens in the future, and has become a public health priority. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2016), childhood obesity has doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years. Black and Hager (2013) state that pediatric obesity is a major public health problem that effects a child’s mental and physical health. Having childhood obesity also increases the risk of developing adult obesity and many other chronic illnesses. Childhood obesity will be further explored in the following sections and will include: background, current surveillance methods, epidemiology analysis, screening and diagnosis, and the plan of action. Background Childhood obesity is characterized by excess body fat, while overweight is defined as having excess body weight for a particular height and age, which ultimately carries significant health issues for the future. A high amount of body fat can lead to many health issues, both immediate and long-term health effects. Immediate side effects include an increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease, like high cholesterol and high blood pressure, prediabetes, and increased risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and psychological issues (CDC, 2016). Long-term effects include:

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