Community Health Issue Paper: Childhood Obesity
Introduction
Childhood Obesity in Ethnic Minority and Low-Income Community
Overweight and Obesity are among the most pressing challenges that are being faced worldwide (). It is am international public health priority (). The incidence of childhood obesity is rapidly rising throughout the world. The local socioeconomic environment, with often-profound disparities in physical and financial access to healthy foods and physical activity, may contribute to the obesity epidemic, particularly among minority groups, who tend to suffer even higher obesity rates than the general population. Higher obesity rates are associated with socioeconomic status and limited access to healthy foods (2005). Although rates of childhood obesity among the general population are alarmingly high, they are higher still in ethnic minority and low-income communities. Various environmental factors contribute to higher obesity rates among disadvantaged and minority children. Low income and minority children watch more television than white, non-poor children thus exposed to many commercials for high-fat and high sugar foods. Neighborhoods where low-income and minority children live typically have more fast-food restaurants and fewer vendors of healthful foods than do wealthier neighborhoods. Children in these neighborhoods often face many obstacles to physical activity such as unsafe streets, dilapidated parks, and lack of facilities (2006).
Reason for Selection
The increase in childhood obesity over the past several decades, together with the associated health problems and costs, is raising grave concern among health care professionals, policy experts, children’s advocates, and parents (2006). The issue of childhood obesity was selected because of its impacts on the children’s health and the community as a whole. Obesity in children can lead to different health problems. In addition, (2001) argued that childhood obesity is a strong predictor of obesity in adulthood. A better understanding of the issue is necessary to prevent and combat childhood obesity.
With the high and rising rates of morbidity and mortality due to obesity, the lost productivity, the impact on quality of life, and the burden on our health care system dollars–an estimated 7 billion in the year 2000–it is a problem that is too costly to ignore (2003).
Description of the Problem
Childhood Obesity threatens the long-term physical and psychological health of the children. It is arguably the most pervasive and serious threat to children’s health today and in the future.
Although obesity, like most other chronic health problems, is caused by complex interactions between genetics and environmental factors, the rapid increase in obesity over the past 30 years strongly suggests that environmental influences are responsible for this trend (Wakefield 2004).
Background Factors
According to , childhood obesity can be caused by genetic and hormonal factors. In addition, excess weight is caused by children eating to much and exercising too little.
Some factors that contribute to childhood obesity, according to Mayoclinic.com include:
Diet – habitual consumption of high calorie foods
Inactivity – inactive leisure activities, like watching television or playing video games
Genetics – some children who come from overweight families are genetically predisposed to put on excess weight
Psychological factors – some children overeat to cope with problems and deal with emotions such as stress or boredom
Family/ Social factors – the parents buy unhealthy foods, low-income families
The United Health Foundation identified the following as the factors that cause Childhood Obesity:
1. Biological factors
Although common obesity is not entirely biological or genetic, and individual behavior plays an important role for most obese individuals, the importance of biology is not to be minimized. Biological factors may govern behavioral responses to environmental conditions, foe instance, one individual may prefer the sour taste of fruits compared to the sweetness of baked desserts. Another individual may have physical abilities in sports that make exercise more enjoyable and easier to sustain.
2. Environmental factors
Convincing, causative, etiological factors
- Sedentary lifestyles
- High Intake of energy-dense, micronutrient-poor foods
Probable etiological factors
- Heavy marketing of fast-food outlets and energy-dense, micronutrient-poor foods and beverages
- High intake of sugars-sweetened beverages
- Adverse socioeconomic conditions
Possible (lower strength of evidence) etiological factors
- Large portion sizes
- Food eaten outside the home
- Psychological eating patterns
Local Data
According to The annual National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one-third are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight or nearly overweight (www.mayoclinic.com). According to a 2004 report by the Institute of Medicine Committee on Prevention of Obesity in Children and Youth, approximately 9 million American children over 6 years of age are considered obese – that is they have a body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 95th percentile as calculated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( 2005).
Childhood obesity rates are increasing in low-income neighborhoods and minority groups. Sedentary lifestyle and poor nutrition are among the reasons given for the increase in childhood obesity. In addition, children living in poor, urban neighborhoods are often forced by their parents to play indoors due to neighborhood safety concerns. Another possible contributing factor is the reduction in recreational sports programs for disadvantaged children, which further limits the after school physical activity options of minority children (2002).
Possible Interventions
The Surgeon General’s call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight and obesity () declared this a national priority and called on individuals, families, communities, schools, businesses, organizations, the media, the health care system, and the government to work together toward a unified vision for a healthier America.
Community-based Strategies
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1. Ensure daily, quality physical education for all school grades.
2. Ensure that more food options that are low in fat and calories. As well as fruits, vegetable, whole grains, and low fat dairy products, are available on school campuses and at school events.
3. Make community facilities available for physical activity for all people, including on the weekends.
4. Create more opportunities for physical activity
5. Reduce time spent watching television and in other sedentary behaviors.
6. Educate all expectant parents about the benefits of breast-feeding.
7. Change the perception of obesity so that health becomes the chief concern, not personal appearance.
8. Increase research on the behavioral and biological causes of overweight and obesity.
9. Educate health care providers and health profession students on the prevention and treatment of overweight and obesity.
Conclusion
Childhood obesity is one of the most pressing problems that most communities worldwide are facing. There are different factors that cause childhood obesity. One of these is environmental or social factors. Children who live in low-income and ethnic minority communities are found to be more at risk. This is partly because of sedentary lifestyle and poor nutrition. These children are also forced by their parents to stay indoors because of the safety concerns in these kinds of communities. Another contributing factor can be the reduction of recreational sports programs for disadvantaged children. Effective intervention requires proper education, involvement, and cooperation among the various groups and organizations in the community. The health care professionals also play an important role in the prevention, intervention, education and treatment of childhood obesity.
Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com
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