The Prevalence Of Paediatric Obesity

The prevalence of childhood obesity has remained a serious matter in the United States over the years despite its recent decline (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015). Children who are obese can experience the same devastating health effects as adults who are obese – cardiovascular issues, diabetes, breathing problems, and so forth. In addition, children who are obese are more than likely to become obese as adults, therefore the development of a health fair that would highlight increased physical activity, increased in consumption of fruits and vegetables, and decrease in the amount of sugar sweetened beverages would be a start in tackling this problem. This single solution may not help reduce rates of childhood obesity in the United States by itself, but public policy action is essential (Robbins, Niederdeppe, Lundell, & Meyerson, 2013).

Childhood onset overweight and obesity and its’ associated health consequences are quickly becoming major significant public health issues facing America today. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) define overweight as a body mass index (BMI) between the 85th and 95th percentile while obese is defined as BMI above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex . The prevalence of overweight children, defined based on 2009 CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics data, has more than tripled in the past 30 years. Between 1980 and 2006, the incidence of overweight among children aged 6 to 11 years increased from 6.5% to 17.0% while overweight levels for adolescents aged 12 to 19 years increased from 5.0% to 17.6% .

This data can help lead to the decline in childhood obesity. An analysis of a subset of eight Randomly Controlled Trials had both a dietary component and control group showed that interventions containing a dietary component are effective in achieving weight loss in overweight and/or obese children and adolescents (Briggs, 2007). This research is valuable to the nurse that cares for obese children because it provides scientific evidence in which changes in diet habits as well as physical or behavioral patterns significantly affect the weight of the child over

“Between 16 and 33 percent of children and adolescents are obese” states (Children and Teens, 1). Yes, one fourth of all children in the United States are obese, and inevitably this number will continue to rise. Obesity is one of the most obvious conditions to recognize, yet one of the most difficult to treat for quite a few reasons (Children and Teens, 1). Childhood obesity has been an epidemic in the United States for many years, but has recently skyrocketed, due to lack of exercise and unhealthy food choices among children in America.

Childhood obesity in the United States has reached an alarming prevalence, this serious epidemic, which directly correlates to several health concerns. The future lies in the hands of today’s children and the first priority ought to be the empowering America's youth. Research is centered on treatment, however the point of convergence ought to be counteractive action. Two-thirds of Americans are obese or overweight, not to mention that the number of obese adults has double within the last thirty years. Furthermore, twenty five million children in the United States are currently obese or overweight. These children are at an increased risk for diseases, which incorporate diabetes, hypertension and heart disease, just to give some examples. It

America is facing a serious challenge! Children’s health is becoming a critical concern. Childhood obesity has become an “epidemic disease” that has rapidly grown over the years in the United States. According to the National Center for Health Statistics in 2011 states that, “childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years. In 2012, more than one- third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese” (Childhood, 2015, para.1).I would like to inform you all of childhood obesity in children, and ways to get involved in preventing obesity in our future generation. Childhood obesity has many factors, and is a preventable disorder that can be controlled, and if not, it could greatly affect the health of an individual.

In a research article by Gee, Chin, Ackerson, Woo & Howell, (2013) from the years of 1970 to 2000 the pediatric population in the U.S. tripled in obesity rates, interestingly from the year 2000 – 2010 BMI’s have held steady yet a staggering 30.4% of this population were either overweight or labeled obese. Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) performed a research study in 2001, which had three goals related to the study

Aim: The purpose of this literature review was to evaluate whether overweight and obesity interventions in pediatric primary care result in a decreased BMI and improved lifestyle behaviors compared to children without these interventions.

Childhood Obesity has now reached a critical level. The main reason for the growing number of obese children is inactivity. With obesity in children being related to many health issues, it is important that we not only stop the rise in childhood obesity, but reverse it. With their health at risk, it is imperative that we assure our children are in good physical shape and at healthy weight levels. The stakes are quite high, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “Being overweight during childhood and adolescence increases the risk of developing high cholesterol, hypertension, respiratory ailments, orthopedic problems, depression and type 2 diabetes…,type 2 diabetes has

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

The first study is a randomized clinical trial that aimed to compare the effectiveness of school based intervention with family based intervention in the treatment of childhood obesity. The review determined and compared the two strategies, school- and family-based interventions using components

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.

The prevalence of obesity in children has increased globally (World Health Organisation, 1997). It has thus become alarming as children with such conditions are at higher risk of developing health issues in the instantaneous, short or long term. The immediate health issue of obesity may result in social segregation and possible mental dysfunction (Friedman, Story and Perry, 1995; Must, 1996; Must and Strauss, 1999). Children who are overweight can be described by their peer group as being lazy or ugly (Staffieri, 1967). They may also experience bullying by their friends as a result of being overweight (Stunkard and Burt, 1967). However, this research will be focusing on the detrimental effect and management of childhood obesity in addition

Over the past 25 years, childhood obesity has become the center of attention for research. As a matter of fact, since 1980, there has been a significant number of intervention research have given details write up in the literature and more than 20 meta-analyses studies on prevention have been published between 1980 and 2009. (Seal and Broome 9) The scholars did studies about obesity with the focus on weight, body mass

The percentage of children with obesity in the United States has more than tripled since the 1970s (“Healthy Schools.”). Childhood obesity is a medical condition that affects children and teenagers who contain excess body fat. This condition is very common today, having about 3 million cases per year (“Healthy Schools.”). A sign that a child is suffering from obesity is when their weight is well above the average for a child’s height and age. Today about one in five school children, ages 6-19, are obese (“Healthy Schools.”). I will be addressing the causes, health complications, treatments, controversy, and supporting obese students.