Childhood Obesity : An Adult Condition

Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic in the United States. More than one third of children are overweight. This figure is increasing rapidly. This epidemic puts children at risk for various health problems such as type two diabetes and heart problems. Although they are several risk factors for obesity, parents play a significant role in this issue. This paper will look into how parents are influential to their children, how they contribute to this problem and how they may help fight the fight against obesity. Obesity is a very serious problem and there are solutions that parents can apply to help their children lead a healthy lifestyle. Obesity does not only affect a person physically, but mentally and psychologically as well.

Childhood Obesity: A Review to Prevent the Risk Factors of Childhood Obesity in Our Community.

Obesity in adults can lead to an increased chance of obesity in children (Yipu, de Groh, M & Morrison, H, 2013). It is important that nurses focus on educating and preventing childhood obesity, and not just treatment or medication solutions. Providing benefits and support to families through public policies forms a base for healthy childhood development. Nurses can prevent obesity by providing high quality early child education regardless of parents’ wealth. Nurses should focus on a primary heath care setting in order to look at the situation as a whole and emphasize health promotion and prevention care in a community/population. It is also important for parents to understand the health risks their children face by them being obese, such as hypertension, risk of stroke, etc. Nurses should advocate for laws that protect the rights of minority groups, particularly concerning employment rights and health care accessibly. Nurse should be aware on the social determinants of health so they can educate and provide the tools to be successful. By understanding how the social determinants of health can affect their patient, nurses can strengthen their communication and also advocate for their patients by finding strategies to assist them. Public health nursing is essential to provide awareness and education to promote the health of the community. Nurses need to

Healthy People 2020 defines a built environment as the conditions “in which people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of life settings (e.g., school, church, workplace, and neighborhood)” (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2013, para. 5). The built environment plays a major role in physical activity and other obesity-related behaviors. According to Paxson, Donahue, Oreleans, and Grisso (2006), over the past forty years, the built environment has changed dramatically affecting healthy behaviors and outcomes such as poor diet, physical inactivity, obesity and the disproportionate burden of these health risks among certain subpopulations (Rossen & Pollack, 2012).

Does one ever wonder what factors contribute to the increase of childhood obesity? Childhood obesity is a major issue and common disease that is becoming prevalent and widespread. The amount of children that are obese has doubled and the amount of adolescents who are obese has quadrupled within the past thirty years. Children at a young age are already being diagnosed with medical issues such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Obesity itself is the second leading cause of preventable death. Currently, every one out of three kids is diagnosed as obese. Over the past years, obesity has highly increased in children and there are three things that lead to this issue; which are the consumption of fast foods, lack of physical activity, and certain family situations, like upbringing. Many critics and doctors believe that the best way to battle childhood obesity is by having the child engage in physical activities, cook more healthy meals at home, and reduce their portion size.

Childhood Obesity is becoming More Significant and leading to More Adult Obesity and Health Problems

Childhood obesity is a condition that affects children in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the rates of obesity in children have more than doubled in children in the past 30 years. There was increase of 18% from 1980 to 2012 in children 6 to 11 years of age, estimating that more than one third of children are overweight or obese. ("Childhood Obesity Facts," 2014) Obesity usually begins in children during the ages of 5 and 6. The most troublesome fact is that studies have shown that obese children between 10 and 13 have a predisposition of becoming an obese adult. ("Obesity in Children and Teens," 2011) Consequently, overweight teenagers have a 70 percent chance of becoming obese or overweight adults, and if at least one parent is obese the child’s predisposition rate increases to 80 percent. (Bishop et al., 2005)

Childhood obesity is currently a serious medical condition plaguing youth and adolescents all around the world, especially in developed nations. Childhood obesity occurs when ones weight or body fat exceeds what is normal for ones height and age. Children who are overweight are often troubled with poor self-esteem and depression. Overweight children are subjected to health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol at an early age. Many overweight children are unaware of the destruction they are causing to their health.

A quote from Richard Carmona says, “If the childhood obesity epidemic remains unchecked, it will condemn many of our kids to shorter lives, as well as the emotional and financial burdens of poor health” (“Richard”). Carmona is right in many ways. More than ever, childhood obesity is a huge problem in America today. This disease is causes health problems, emotional problems, weakness, and fatigue. Childhood obesity in America has become a widespread problem and will continue to worsen unless we enforce these three important solutions.

Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition that affects children and adolescents. It occurs when a child is overweight and well over the normal weight for his or her age and height. Child obesity is an important issue because the extra weight can lead children down the wrong path to health problems, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes to name a few. Childhood obesity can cause children to become depressed and have poor self-esteem. Emotional issues such as depression and poor self-esteem are another cause of childhood obesity. Dramatic life events such as a death in the family can lead to over eating. Some children overeat as a way with coping with problems in their lives or dealing with emotions like stress or boredom (Mayo foundation). The number of obese children in America has increased dramatically over the years, and if we keep going the way we are, obesity in children will continue to grow. In order to reduce childhood obesity we need to improve the diet and exercise habits of the entire family.

The way children are raised now will set them up for a life of healthy eating habits that will ultimately lead to breaking a pattern that is growing and has become a serious problem with children in this generation. According to pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Robert Lustig, at the University of California, San Francisco, it is the first time in recorded history we are seeing a decline in life expectancy, he states, “We know that people are dying younger…decline in mean life span of three months.”(University of California Television (UCTV), 2013). There are many causes and contributing factors to the increase of childhood obesity. According to the CDC the childhood obesity rate has doubled within the last 30 years alone. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015) The choices parents are making in the kitchen for their children, the lack of physical activity and the lack of regulation in the food industry are the leading cause of childhood obesity—a real threat to our existence.

Childhood obesity has gained a lot of attention in the last 15 years. Obesity is also so much more than just being fat; it is a serious medical condition that affects children and adolescent. Before they reach the age of five, 40 million of the world's children will become obese. According to Primary Health Care, “one in three children is overweight, very overweight or obese” (Bishop 12). Childhood obesity is a well known health issue in society today. Some may think of it as a disease such as cancer, but others disagree with this. According to a Health Progress, “Obese youth also are more likely to have pre-diabetes, bone and joint problems, sleep apnea and behavioral and psychological problems” (Donahue 80). The progression of childhood obesity

Childhood obesity is a complex health issue in today’s society. It occurs when a child is well above the healthy weight for the average age and height. Excess weight during growing years is of great importance for at least three main reasons. First, it constitutes a risk of overweight and obesity during adult life. Second, childhood obesity correlates with adulthood risk factors for common chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other morbidities. Third, obese children already undergo many health adverse effects including orthopedic problems, sleep apnea, impaired quality of life, psychological or mental disorders, and some cardio metabolic abnormalities. One of the most important obesity-related metabolic disorders is currently known as the metabolic syndrome (Segel 2). Americans do not realize or take note in that the lifestyle we live in needs to change. This issue sadly goes unnoticed in several ways. Some contributing factors in our society include the food, technology interrupting a physical activity environment, and food marketing.

Childhood obesity is a growing problem that needs to be resolved. Many people may say it is the Child’s fault, he is weak willed. This is just a common misconception; there are hundreds of different reasons for childhood obesity. I will just be scratching the surface of this paper. By the same token childhood obesity is a growing problem that needs to be resolved. We can achieve this by understanding some common misconceptions, understanding health problems, and understanding fitness.

Childhood Obesity is a condition of being grossly fat and overweight. When someone exceeds a certain weight for a given height they are considered obese. Lifestyle issues such as too little activities and too many calories from drinks are main contributors of childhood obesity. People eat for two reasons and those are either comfort eat or appetite eat. A study have shown that kids who go without breakfast before school are more likely than classmates to be inactive, unfit and obese. Girls who skip breakfast are 92% more likely obese than female classmates who eat before school, the equivalent figure in boys was 62%. This was notified as a key reason because the kids who didn 't eat breakfast snacked throughout the day and ate late at night as this became more and more of a daily routine, eating disorders become a factor. Some of the causes of childhood obesity are greater availability of unhealthy foods, little to no daily exercise, No safe place in many communities to play or be active. Plus companies are coming together to make their food be able to be more visualized and make people want to buy their food. Also it becomes harder to jump, hop, or even stand on one leg and they will become clumsier. More effects of being obese are Blount’s Disease, Flat Feet, Diabetes, and Asthma. Blount’s Disease is where a growth disorder in the lower leg cause it to go inward, Flat Feet is where one’s feet has no arch which makes it painful to walk long distance,