Childhood Obesity

By: Heather DelPilar Becca Butler Dakota Tindell Denielle Saitta

Facts on Childhood Obesity:

Child health experts say childhood obesity is the most common health problem. 22% are overweight, 15% are obese. Almost 80% of obese 10-14 year olds will be obese when they are adults. Poor eating habits are typically formed during childhood.

Parental and Family influence on Obesity:

#1 influence growing up is family and parents. Genetics is about 5-25% risk for children to be obese. When parents force kids to clean their plate that can contribute to eating more than necessary. In low socioeconomic communities, parents are limited as to where to take their children to play (parks, etc.) because it is not safe.

Parental and Family influence on Obesity:

One problem is that there have been studies shown that some parents do not consider their kids to be overweight, when they so obviously are.

Parental and Family influence on Obesity:

Parents expose children to foods, and to what kinds of accessibility kids have to what foods. Parents model food behaviors. What food parents provide is huge. Parental feeding practices, aka scheduled meals; hurts hunger cues.

Parental and Family influence on Obesity:

Sitting together at dinner table is better than on the couch (or in front of TVs which forms bad habits; you eat more in front of the TV) Other siblings food choices are an affect on what the child eats Some cultures think it is better to be full than skinny Parent-child relationship is important: can lead to children eating their feelings

Parental and Family influence on Obesity:

Food restrictions can make children indulge in those foods when given the chance to eat them (b/c they never get to) Parent involvement (playing catch) Parents encouragement with foods and physical activities

Parental and Family influence on Obesity:

Parental support plays a big role Food portions given are important Meal times are important (dinner time shouldnt be so late) Parents being too lenient, letting kids choose what they want to do (TV and video games rather outdoor activities, etc.)

Parental and Family influence on Obesity:

Parents income can = cheaper foods If parents are too busy, they may result in buying quick and easy food (that the kids like) aka fast food Parents busy schedules can be a problem: not being able to take children to outdoor activities, sports, playgrounds, etc.

Family Impact
Children tend to model their parents and siblings lifestyle and traits. Kids mimic what their parents eat, drink, and how much physical activity they get or do not get. It is important to set a good example for children. Children are unable to fend for themselves so it is the responsibility of the parents to select healthy items.

Incorporating physical activity and playtime into a childs daily routine is necessary.

Physical Activity
Physical activity is defined by any body movement that works your muscles and requires more energy than resting. Walking, running, dancing, swimming, yoga, playing soccer, and gardening are a few examples of physical activity. Regular physical activity can produce long term health benefits. People of all ages, shapes, sizes, and abilities can benefit from being physically active. The more physical activity you do, the greater the health benefits.

Physical Activity
Recommendations:
According to the Centers for Disease Controls and Prevention, Children and adolescents should do 60 minutes (1 hour) or more of physical activity each day.
Toddlers who can walk on their own should be physically active every day for at least 3 hours. Amounts of physical activity greater than 60 minutes provide additional health benefits.

Most of the daily physical activity should be aerobic. Vigorousintensity activities should be incorporated, including those that strengthen muscle and bone, at least 3 times per week.

Physical Activity
Benefits:
Help children develop healthy musculoskeletal tissues for example bones, muscles and joints. Develop a healthy cardiovascular system such as the heart and lungs. Enhance coordination and movement control. There are many psychological benefits from physical activity by improving control over symptoms of anxiety and depression. Participation in physical activity can assist in the social development of young people by providing opportunities for self-expression, building self-confidence, social interaction and integration.

Physical Activity
Physical activity does not have to be just exercise for a child, instead it can be fun playtime for a child. Balance sedentary play (such as reading together) with plenty of active play. Set aside time each day for active play together, perhaps tossing a ball, playing tag or taking a family walk. Designate an inside and an outside area that's safe, where your child can freely jump, roll and tumble. Pick toys that "move"a ball or tricycle. Make physical activity fun for the child and also involve the family. Parents can model healthy habits by finding ways to be active in their daily routines and making activity a household priority.

Physical Activity
To increase physical activity, children need physical education, safe routes to walk and ride their bikes to school, parks and access to playgrounds and community centers. Schools should ensure that physical education is provided to all students in all grades and is taught by capable teachers. Schools can promote physical activity through comprehensive school physical activity programs, including recess, classroom-based physical activity, sports teams, and physical education. Schools play a large role in a childs life and it is crucial that they provide healthy meal options and physical activity opportunities for children.

Importance of School Systems in Preventing Childhood Obesity

Obesity
One in three children are overweight in our society today. In order to try to work towards lowering this number school systems have started to take a stand against obesity. In 2010 the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act was passed this policy includes goals for nutrition promotion and education, physical activity, and other school-based activities that promote student wellness. Although schools cannot completely prevent obesity problem on their own they are a good way to start pushing our society to take a stand.

Importance of School Systems in Preventing Childhood Obesity

Providing Healthful Food
Restricting foods and drinks that are high in fats and sugars.
Remove soda and junk foods. Place more healthy options in the vending and lunchroom.

When it comes to the school lunches placing many more healthy desirable options in the lunchroom to push the kids to start getting a healthier diet on a regular basis.
For example like salad bars and fruit and less fried foods.

Importance of School Systems in Preventing Childhood Obesity

Increasing Physical Education
One thing that has really increased childhood obesity is that children these days are starting to live sedentary lifestyles. Requiring children to get in at least half-hour of physical activity a day.
It is said that nearly a third of elementary schools do not have regular recess, and that only third of teens in todays society get more than twenty minutes of exercise at least three times a week.

Importance of School Systems in Preventing Childhood Obesity

Requiring Health Education
Health education has many benefits during childhood.
Increase knowledge, skills, and positive attitudes about being healthy.

Makes children want to improve their health by learning of the negative effects of living a bad lifestyle.
Like diseases such as hypertension and type II diabetes and many others.

These courses tend to benefit the children even after the course to make healthy choices throughout their lifetime.
Even has been shown to increase learning in other subjects, one study showed that reading and math scores of third and fourth grade students who received comprehensive health education were significantly higher than those who did not.

Healthier children tend to do better then those who live unhealthy lifestyles. Children who develop healthier lifestyles at an early age tend to live healthier lives as adults. Obese children tend to hold onto their weight into their adulthood.
Many consequences follow childhood and adult obesity.

Long-term Negative Effects of Childhood Obesity

3 Major Aspects:
Health Social Emotional

Long-term Negative Effects of Childhood Obesity:

Health Consequences
Obesity in childhood tends to persist into adulthood Diseases linked to obesity:
Sleep Apnea Diabetes Mellitus Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) Gallbladder disease Osteoarthritis Cardiovascular Disease (Heart Disease) Cancer

Skin Changes: stretch marks, deepening pigmentation

Long-term Negative Effects of Childhood Obesity:

Life Expectancy

Long-term Negative Effects of Childhood Obesity:

Social Consequences
Obesity is predictive of bullying for both boys and girls from early childhood More likely to be victims of bullying because deviate from appearance ideals Obesity in boys can go one of two ways
May be seen as physically dominant Popularity in peer groups OR victimized

Girls have no advantage through obesity Boys are overtly bullied (hitting) Girls are abused verbally (name calling) or relationally (social exclusion)

Long-term Negative Effects of Childhood Obesity:

o 10,039 randomly selected young people of 16-24 years of age

7 Years Later
Obese women
completed fewer years of school were less likely to be married had lower household incomes Had higher rates of household poverty

Obese men
were less likely to be married

o Study reported beliefs that social discrimination against overweight persons accounts for these results

Long-term Negative Effects of Childhood Obesity:

Unlike skin color or sex, obese individuals are ridiculed because weight is seen as something that can be controlled and changed.

Long-term Negative Effects of Childhood Obesity:

Emotional Consequences
Because of the negative view of obesity in Western society Obese individuals:
have negative physical self-perceptions have lower levels of self-esteem have lower general self-worth appear to have more behavioral problems experience higher rates of sadness, loneliness, and nervousness More likely to engage in high-risk behaviors such as smoking or consuming alcohol

Society does not tolerate excess weight. The effects of the social pressure to be thin can be powerful and permanent.

References
http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=1&ContentID=713 http://ijahsp.nova.edu/articles/Vol7Num1/pdf/Larocca.pdf http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/449670 http://jpubhealth.oxfordjournals.org/content/29/2/132.full?sid=7855085f-d782-45fa-a90c-d8a99a480542 http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/guidelines/children.html http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_center/staying_fit/exercise.html http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/exerciseforchildren.html http://jcem.endojournals.org/content/89/6/2583.full http://www.education.nh.gov/instruction/school_health/health_coord_education.htm http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=485135# http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/105/1/e15.full http://adc.bmj.com/content/91/2/121.full http://www.districtadministration.com/article/fighting-obesity-what-schools-can-do http://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJM199309303291406