preview

Childhood Obesity Has Reached Global Epidemic Status

Better Essays
Literature Review Recent statistics have shown that childhood obesity has reached global epidemic status. In the United States alone, approximately 34% of adolescents and young adults are considered obese or overweight (Pbert et al, 2013). The rates are equally concerning across the world and appear to have rates that are disproportionate among minorities and low-income families. The root causes include factors that are genetic, environmental, societal and developmental, but it is largely caused by controllable factors such as unhealthy diets and lack of physical activity. The condition is fraught with significant risk factors such as depression, low-esteem and a further increased risk of becoming obese adults. Furthermore, there is an increased risk of adult-onset diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases (Pbert et al, 2014). A preponderance of evidence in research literature shows that prevention should be the primary strategy for intervention and treatment of childhood obesity. The primary goal should be the prevention of its onset and a secondary goal of preventing weight increase after it has been successfully lost (Mahmood, 2015). Primarily, the strategy should be to address the controllable factors of obesity by educating children and parents/guardians on the risk factors and the strategies and/or methodologies for successful prevention and control. Several studies have explored such interventions during well-care visits and coordinated approaches in
Get Access