What can be done for the least cost, and as quickly as possible, to address the target issue and improve the health of the affected people group(s)?
Obesity in children has been increasing for the past two decades, creating immediate and future health risks(Nishtar, 2016). The growing trend has seen an increase in the population of people who are developing chronic illnesses. Obesity in children is a medical condition that the weight is above the norm for the children’s height and age. Several factors increase the risk of childhood obesity, such as the marketing of unhealthy foods, healthy foods are a costlier and sedentary lifestyle(Nishtar, 2016). Several efforts have been put in place to solve the obesity issue. However, their focus is generally on taking away some things, such as removing soda machines in the schools. Embracing healthy eating habits is a practical approach to decreasing the prevalence of obesity in children(Nishtar, 2016). Ensuring the children have access to healthy foods contributes to healthy development and reduces the risk of obesity.
In many instances, a child’s food preferences are determined by observing adults and what they are fed. Their caregivers offer young children food, and they should introduce healthy eating and lifestyle to the children. Early experiences of children with eating healthy foods promote healthy development and weight(Nishtar, 2016). When relationships with healthy foods are built early, the children will incorporate them into their diets as they grow older. Eating healthy meals as a family allows the children to have an experience early on in their life. Thus, it is easier for them to continue healthy eating habits as they grow. Parents should limit unhealthy foods at home as the children are more likely to eat them. Stocking the household with healthy foods such as fruits is beneficial to the children’s growth(Nishtar, 2016). Encouraging children to eat when hungry prevent incidences of overeating. Overeating leads to excess fuel being stored in the body, causing obesity. The schools should offer healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables instead of unhealthy foods in place of unhealthy foods in the lunchrooms. The nutritional benefits of the intake of healthy foods prevent childhood obesity and improve children’s health.
Where might each learner’s individual biases be present in considering possible interventions?
Obesity biasness is common in today’s society. While considering the possible solutions to combat the prevalence of childhood obesity, a learner may be biased and attribute it to unhealthy eating habits, which is not the case for every obese child (Lee, 2019). At times the genetic factors contribute to obesity. And hence the possible interventions should be inclusive of all factors that contribute to obesity among the general population. A learner may perceive that an obese child is lazy, and the judgment may contribute to developing ineffective preventions (Lee, 2019). Weight discrimination has an impact on the individuals, and in most instances, the caregivers of the children have tried embracing measures to help in weight loss. Blaming the parents, caregivers, and the child as the cause for obesity is a learner’s bias as they think the children and parents are unwilling to change their lifestyles (Lee, 2019). A learner’s biasness may also be attributed to their economic or racial backgrounds, thus having assumptions on obesity in children (Lee, 2019). The biasness by a learner can be attributed to the minimal positive interactions with children who are obese and the exposure to discriminatory remarks of the children by faculty.
What is the rationale for the selected approach to address this problem?
Healthy eating habits provide the body with the nutrients it requires to stay active and healthy. Unhealthy eating habits affect even people with healthy weight since it poses significant health risks such as chronic illnesses. A healthy diet filled with whole grains, dairy, fruits, vegetables, and protein helps maintain healthy body weight(Nishtar, 2016). A report by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention states unhealthy eating habits contribute to childhood obesity, thus the reason for the increase in chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes among children. Overeating causes stress on the body, which can lead to a low life expectancy. Eighteen percent of deaths in America are caused by obesity. The medical costs and loss of lives attributed to obesity can reduce if people embrace healthy diets(Nishtar, 2016). According to the U.S Department of Agriculture, $71 billion medical expenses can be saved if the population eats healthy. Public entities such as schools should ensure foods served are healthy, thus creating a strong notion that it is essential to have healthy eating habits. A healthy diet has a positive effect on the development of a child.
How realistic are the implementation plan and any preferred alternative?
Healthy eating habits are easy to embrace in the family setting since it does not mean doing away with the meals that members love but involves having a balanced meal (Nishtar, 2016). An old recipe can have a new spin to make it healthy hence the members do not have to give up their favorite food comfort. Healthy diets can be introduced to children at an early age. This can be facilitated by educating the caregivers on preventing childhood obesity through a healthy diet and the consequences of an unhealthy diet(Nishtar, 2016). The public amenities where the children spend their time can create healthy food environments and educate them on the importance of healthy nutrition on their bodies and well-being. The school environment can promote healthy lifestyle behaviors by encouraging children to eat nutritional school foods(Nishtar, 2016). It is logical to begin obesity prevention during childhood as excess weight and obesity in any stage from infancy increases the probability of obesity in adulthood. Healthy eating habits help in the maintenance of healthy weight among children creating a change in society.