Essay On Obesity Among Children

“We cant close the gap on health unless we talk about nutrition”. The issue of food security can have a negative impact on the wellbeing of individuals and families in Australia, there are a number of different groups who are more vulnerable to food insecurity than others, due to social whereabouts. Food insecurities is defined as “ access by all people at all times to enough food for an active healthy life” by saying this Australia has been shown as food secure but this has people asking “why are certain groups and cultures running out of food to feed there families through out the year, if we are food secure?’ about 5% of Australians suffer from food insecurities this is usually caused by the access they have to food or the inadequate food

As a result of the health implications that follow childhood obesity, the total healthcare costs are negatively impacted. It is costing more for healthcare payers, including insurances, to cover the costs of the illnesses related to childhood obesity. The proper guidance to execute healthier decisions in food choices at fast food restaurants and engaging in more physical activity will help to manage these costs

In 2015, 15% of children between the ages of 2 to 15, in Scotland, were at risk of obesity, in relation to their Body Mass Index (Scottish Health Survey, 2015). For children, the BMI ranges changes as they grow and get older, as well as being dependent on gender. For example, if a 12 year old boy and a 9 year old boy have the same BMI, and the 12 year old is classed as healthy, it doesn’t mean that subsequently the 9 year old is healthy too. It can, in fact, allude that the younger boy is overweight. Obesity in childhood can lead to a plethora of health issues in later life, and the children are more likely to be obese or overweight in adulthood. The World Health Organisation identified some of the future health outcomes of being obese in childhood. These include cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, musculoskeletal disorders, such as osteoarthritis, and in the worst case; death. WHO has estimated that, globally, over two million people die annually from health problems associated with being obese or overweight (WHO, 2016). There are several contributing factors to a child’s weight, including; parental weight and activity level, geographical location and deprivation.

Childhood obesity is becoming more prevalent in the western world as statistics show that in Australia, one quarter of children are either overweight or obese. (Australian Bureau of statistics)

“During the past two decades, the prevalence of obesity in children has risen greatly worldwide. Obesity in childhood causes a wide range of serious complications, and increases the risk of premature illness and death later in life, raising public-health concerns.” (Ebbeling, Pawlak & Ludwig, 2002 p.471) Currently in the Australian community and schools there is an obesity epidemic in young people with many children doing less and less physical activity then advised. “In 2007-08 the National health survey, run by the Australian Government indicated that 24.9% of children aged 5-17 years old were either overweight or obese” (Healthy Active, 2009). These figures show that children are not being properly educated about healthy

Increasing rates of childhood obesity is a current and significant health issue in Australia. In Australia alone the obesity in children have doubled in recent years with a quarter of children considered overweight or obese. Levels of childhood obesity have been rising each year and for numerous reasons some which include the fact that children have been eating food which are high in sugars and fats and spending less time on physical activity. Studies have shown that when children become overweight they are more likely to become and stay obese while moving into adulthood, children also have an increased risk of developing both short and long term associated health conditions. Some associated health conditions include cardiovascular diseases,

Currently, in Australia, 1 in 4 children are classified as overweight or obese; and the setting surrounding children has been identified as an attribute for this rising prevalence (1). Between 1985 and 1995, Australian children aged 5-14 years, the growth of obesity and overweight epidemic doubled to reach 20% (2). Although the prevalence have plateaued over the last 17 years, the rates continue to remain high, and therefore a cause for concern.

Obesity is a health crisis amongst children and young people, which arises when there is a shortage in energy outflow and greater consumption of energy from food and drink; thus a build-up of excess fat is a result of this which indicates a risk to health (WHO,2015). Contributing factors increase in childhood obesity such as the availability of cheaper higher calorific food and physical inactivity (Marmot 2010). In addition the correlation between poor diet and obesity is evident from the figures released by the National Child measurement programme, which states that 22% children in year one in primary school are overweight or obese (Nutrition and Food Science 2011). Moreover, plummeting obesity in children is fundamental, as overweight or obese children are more likely to become obese adults (Bhadoria et al 2015) (Marmot,

Childhood obesity has taken center stage in the Australian public health debate. This is not surprising given the 500% increase in the rate of childhood overweight and obesity from just 5% in the 1960s to 25% today.(1) While many developed countries face similar obesity levels, (2, 3) this essay explores the childhood obesity epidemic in an Australian context. It argues that a portfolio of primary prevention programs will be needed to curb the incidence of obesity. The essay has three parts. The first looks at the impact of childhood obesity at an individual and societal level. The second identifies the risk factors for overweight and obesity in childhood. The third offers up some primary prevention programs and outlines the

Childhood obesity is a major health concern in NZ (No, Kelly, Devi, Swinburn & Vandevijvere, 2014). Evidence has illustrated a rapid increase in the prevalence of obesity among NZ children. The most recent NZ health survey revealed

From 1985 to 1995 the number of overweight 7-15 year olds almost doubled. The numbers of obese children has more than tripled 20 years on from that. At the current rate, it is predicted that 55 per cent of young Australians will be overweight or obese by 2020. This is a disturbing trend that needs resolved as soon as possible as it places a huge risk for future generations. Studies have proved that if a child is obese, and has obese parents, there is a high likelihood that the child will be obese as an adult. This is so because kids tend to share eating lifestyle habits with parents. If the upcoming challenge of obesity defeats the young people today, future generations will be hampered by medical and physical disadvantages. Are you starting to see why Australia is in desperate need to advance with this

The enquiry question will identify the leading causes of childhood obesity in New Zealand. Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition that affects children and adolescents (Mayo Clinic, 2014). It occurs when a child is well above the normal weight for his or her age and height (Mayo Clinic, 2014). This enquiry question will mainly focus on children who are obese in New Zealand. Through survey, The 2012/13 New Zealand Health Survey found that 1 in 9 children aged 2–14 years were obese (11%), in New Zealand (Ministry of Health, 2014). Childhood obesity arises because of the differences in health and lifestyle outcomes among different cultural people in New Zealand. The major causes which contribute are socio-economic inequality, access to and quality of health care, and health risk factors (Statistics New Zealand, n.d). The environments

Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition that occurs when a child is well above the normal weight for his or her age and height (Mayo Clinic, 2014). According to Sameera and Amar childhood obesity is a major public health crisis nationally and internationally, which arises because of the differences in lifestyle consequences among different cultural people in New Zealand (2012). This abnormality can cause various health risks such as diabetes and heart disease (World Health Organisation, 2014). The purpose of this essay is to analyse 3 major contributing factors that causes obesity among children in New Zealand. This essay will commence by identifying the behavioural factor such as lack of physical activity for children furthermore, it will discuss environmental factors, for instance, media and portion sizes of fast food intake in New Zealand. Lastly this essay will discuss sociocultural factors regarding cultural family background and how socio-economic status affects the rising issue of childhood obesity. THESIS STATEMENT?

High and middle income countries are facing rapid rise in overweight and obesity among children and adolescents as a consequence of easily available, cheap, high caloric foods combined with sedentary lifestyles. [3]

The report also indicated that obesity in children 7 to 12 years of age increased more than 50 percent between 1991 and 1998. One of the reasons American children and adolescents gain weight over the generations is that children expend significantly less energy on a daily basis than their parents and grandparents did at their age. Today's youth spend many hours participating in sedentary activities. Additionally, we eat more fast food and vending machine food than we have in the past. Health, physical educators, wellness specialists, and parents can play vital roles in reducing obesity rates in children and adolescents. The researchers propose some effective strategies and solutions for schools and parents to use when implementing obesity programs…..according to Green(2012).