Promoting Healthy Eating By Children

Childhood obesity has been increasing over recent years (Atay & Bereket, 2016). Kings Fund (2016) has shown a link to the lower socio-economic areas. Furthermore, World Health Organization [WHO] (2016) has recognised childhood obesity as a public health issue. Childhood obesity is the contemporary public health issue that is going to be explored throughout this assignment. Epidemiology will justify the reasoning as to why childhood obesity is a public health issue. A health promotion initiative designed to target obesity and the population’s health and wellbeing will be evaluated using Tannahills Model of Health Promotion (Tannahill, 2008). The health promotion initiative chosen is ‘Change 4 Life’ (Department of Health, 2011).

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.

Health has become a very popular topic in today’s society; how to lose weight, healthy body mass index, proper foods to eat to give your body nutrition, certain exercises to help lose weight here or gain muscle there, lower prices for a gym memberships, it seems to be a topic we are hearing about all the time now. However, there seems to lack of conversation about the health of the younger generation. Obesity among children is a growing problem in today’s society (Ogden, Carroll, Lawman, Fryar, Kruszon-Moran, Kit 2015).

The campaign we will be presenting is about obesity. In Sandwell, especially Smethwick; the number of children who are considered obese is 893 and the local value for this number is 25.9 where the England average is 19.0 and England’s worst is 26.5 ( as you can see the Sandwell figure is very close to England’s worst). These children are much more likely to develop health problems

There have been studies conducted to find out what has caused or what the leading factors to obesity are. Researchers are currently still doing research to find out what causes or what may be the lead to obesity. Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition which considers a child to be obese if their Body Mass Index (BMI) is at or above the 95th percentile for children and teens of the same age and sex. (Rendall., Weden, Lau, Brownell, Nazarov & Fernandes, 2014). Obesity is on a rise in the Unites States and all over the world and can lead or result to other health complications later in life. The crucial breakdown serves as an implication of outlining childhood obesity, collaborating problems of the disease and resolutions, as well as applying critical thinking to give a complete approach to deliver information on childhood obesity. This will be done through citation of scholarly articles, samples and other modes of supporting details.

“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

The number is alarming with one in five children also believed to be overweight or obese before they start primary school. Childhood obesity is a terrifying issue with many studies showing that childhood obesity is linked to obesity in adolescence and through to adulthood. It has been demonstrated that children with obese parents are more likely to obese themselves, continuing a vicious cycle. These children are presented with many complex health issues and risks, including a reduced quality of life. Every child deserves and has the right to a healthy life that they can get them most out of. These obese and overweight children deal with an increased risk of ?CVD?, they often experience asthma and/or wheezing and are continually presented with mental health risks due to poor self esteem, body image or

Childhood obesity is a condition involving the excessive accumulation of body fat that has negative effect on the health of the young individual. It is a worldwide epidemic affecting 1 in 4 Australian children (AIHW, 2012). There are many factors that could lead to a child becoming obese, including, the general lifestyle of their family (Diet and physical activity), their communities attitude towards health and wellbeing as well as their own knowledge on healthy habits. Advertising for healthy living in Australia is vital to get the message out to parents and children of how important healthy habits are. Campaigns such as 2 Fruit & 5 Veg and the Crunch & Sip programs in primary school come across in a way that is easy for kids to understand

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 is a greatest public health concern in our nation because it has an immediate and long-term effect on morbidity and mortality later in life. Experts in this epidemic suggest that there is an immediate need for an action and leadership that is required to intervene this disease (Reilly, Methven, McDowell, Hacking, Alexander, Stewart, & Kelnar, 2003). According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data for 2011 and

The prevalence of obesity in England rose from 14.9% to 25.6% between 1993 and 2014 and the trend is still increasing (Public Health England, 2016a). Furthermore, World Health Organization [WHO] (2016a) recognise obesity as a public health issue. Public health is about helping the population to stay healthy and protecting them from health threats (Department of Health [DH], 2016a). It is about preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through society (Detels, Gulliford, Abdool Karim & Chuan Tan, 2015). Obesity is the contemporary public health issue that is to be explored throughout this assignment. Epidemiology will justify the reasoning as to why obesity is a public health issue. A health promotion initiative designed

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

In order to promote healthier lifestyles for babies and children alike it is vital that we work together not only with that child but also with that child’s family, our colleagues and any professional body concerned with a particular child’s care. A Setting’s own policies and procedures can be a useful tool in promoting a healthier lifestyle for children in particular policies regarding diet and food and also outdoor and active play. All people within a child’s life can act as a role model and nursery practitioners are no exception, this in mind it is no surprise that they can be extremely useful in promoting healthier lifestyles for babies and children alike. Practitioners can act as role models by demonstrating routines that encourage health

Childhood obesity is a disease where excess body fat affects a child's health or wellbeing. With the number of children affected by the disease increasing, it is important to understand the consequences. Not only will obesity influence a child’s physical heath, but it can also affect their emotional and social health as well. Acknowledging that obesity is a preventable disease should help lower the number of children affected by it. It is not about dieting; it is a lifestyle change that should be adopted and practiced by the whole family. Being obese increases a child's risk of being an obese adult. I will argue that parent education regarding the physical and emotional effects of childhood obesity can protect the lives of children.

In 1946 President Truman signed into legislation that children living beneath the poverty line would receive free or reduced lunch. This would be the start of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). Free or reduced lunch for students who live in low income homes was intended to make sure lower socioeconomic children grew up to be healthy adults. The importance of healthy eating for children in the United States first started in the 1940’s with concerns that men who did not pass military entry exams had not received proper nutrients. Truman learned that children who had little to nothing to eat would not pass the military exam. This population was also more inclined to enlist in the military. With time the program has expanded to include free breakfast and a snack before leaving school. Michelle Obama is a strong and powerful advocate for healthy eating and reducing child obesity. These policies have now shifted to focus more and more on the healthy aspect of the meals of children for better learning. Overall the main goal is creating strong and healthy children, regardless of their socioeconomic status. In the process also keeping costs as low as possible.