Health Issues
Childhood obesity is the public health issue selected because the condition that has turned to be a major health issue in the United States. A child is considered obese if the body mass index is higher than 95 percent when compared to the age of the child. The rate at which cases of childhood obesity is reported is in the ratio of one to every three children. This shows that in every three children tested for obesity, one of them have confirmed childhood obesity. Childhood obesity is an alarming health problem in the United States where the percentage has tripled since the 1970s which means the number of children with this issue is increasing. Childhood obesity has put many kids at a risk of poor heath because it is associated with other conditions such as hypertension, heart diseases, and premature deaths. The public health issue is contributed to by the lifestyle of Americans which include diet and regular activities. Parents are expected to monitor the diet taken by their children to protect their children from contracting childhood obesity.
Childhood obesity in the United States has been prevalent for the last four decades with the number of obese or overweight children increasing every year. During the 1970s, only 5 percent of United States children were reported with obesity. Today, 17percent of children have been reported to have childhood obesity which indicates that the disease prevalence has increased. The prevalence of childhood obesity has been reported for the last four decades which require intervention to control the rate at which children are diagnosed with the public health problem. The prevalence has been increasing throughout the period, and the increase is not due to changes in genes or biology, but due to the creation of an environment that promotes overeating and inactivity.
The factors that have made childhood obesity to be public issues include the fact that the disease has a significant impact on both the physical and psychological health. Childhood obesity increases the chances of a child staying obese until adulthood, and it also increases chances of developing conditions such as heart failure and hypertension. Childhood obesity is a public issue because the more the children diagnosed with the condition, the more chances of having an increased number of obese population in future. Childhood obesity is among the most serious public health issues in the 21st century where it affects both the low and middle-class countries. The prevalence of the disease is increasing at an alarming rate where we have an obese child for every three children tested.
The latest data presented regarding childhood obesity indicates that 18.5 percent of children between the age of 2 and nineteen have obesity. This approximates to 12.7 million of children and adolescents in the United States. The figure shows that childhood obesity is a public issue in the United States with the highest percentage experienced by the Hispanic Americans compared to non-Hispanic. Childhood obesity is more common to children from low-income families because they lack access to proper nutrition. They also and a better environment where they can exercise their bodies.
A sedentary lifestyle is another factor that has made the children obesity a public issue. This is because most children in the United States spend their time watching televisions which decrease the time these children can use conducting physical activities. This has lead to increase in the number of children with childhood obesity which makes it a public issue.
Community environment is another environment that has contributed to increased childhood obesity hence making it a public concern. Children and parents are not in a position to make food choices in some of the environment that do not support healthy behaviors. Such places include schools, daycares and some communities affect the diet that a child is given and the physical activities provided. Most of the schools and day cars in the United States have contributed to the development of childhood obesity since children are exposed to unhealthy foods and have limited physical activities.
Behavior is another factor has grouped childhood obesity as a public issue. This is because most children are given high-calorie, low nutrient foods, and drinks. Fast foods have become the lifestyle of the American people where they get their foods from restaurants. This habit has increased the number of obese children and adolescents since most of the fast foods have high calorie which increases the level of cholesterol in the body. Sleep routine also contributes to childhood obesity where they spend most of the time sleeping rather than engaging in physical activities. Screen devices have also increased the rate at which children develop childhood obesity as children spend more time playing games with screen devices rather than that engaging in physical activity. This is another factor that has made children obesity a public health issue.
There are social implications of childhood obesity. They include discrimination where the child is secluded from the rest of the age mates. Children with childhood obesity tend to be avoided and stay alone because they cannot engage in activities that others find interesting. The separation that these children experience affects them socially as they lack the confidence to relate to others which also affect them in class work. Most of the children who grow with the condition of childhood obesity perform poor in-class work and do not pursue education to the highest level which makes the unemployed in most cases.
Children with obesity feel inferior, and they don’t aspire to be greater people in future which make them less motivated in whatever they do. They are easily teased by their peers and teachers which make them inferior, and this affects their social life as they have fewer people to interact with. Another social implication of childhood obesity is blame of parents. This is because the parents should be responsible for the diet of the children but when it is not observed, it leads to an excessive increase in their weight.
Families that have children with obesity are excluded from the society where they are not acknowledged as they are blamed to have contributed to the condition. This is a social implication because when the families are secluded, the children get affected as they lack the motivation to associate with children from other families. Obese children are also secluded from activities that are more involving with the fear that they won’t manage. Most of these activities can be good for them as they will engage them physically which can improve their condition.
The prevention and intervention measures that have been put in place to address childhood obesity in United States include family-based lifestyle interventions. This is where parents and siblings are involved in changing the behavior of a child in both overeating and the choice of food. Parents also ensure that children do not overeat and have a healthy diet to avoid becoming obese. Physical activities are encouraged where their children are discouraged from staying glued to televisions and being introduced to activities such as riding a bicycle and playing with other children. Parents are encouraged to also take part in reducing childhood obesity where they will include a diet timetable which will include healthy foods in their homestead.
School-based interventions for childhood obesity include reducing the number of meals taken by children while at school. This is because children spend most hours while in school where they are likely to take a single meal or double meal. Also schools provide healthy nutritious food items and encourage kids to make a healthy food choice which will minimize the risks of contracting childhood obesity. Physical activities are also encouraged in schools where fields are set aside for children to play. Communities organize social events that motivate children to engage in physical activities. Communities also advise parents on better feeding habits that should be adopted to reduce the risk of childhood obesity.
Hospitals in the United States are also included in advising parents and children on the importance of proper eating and physical activities. This is used for all parents and children who visit healthcare facility so that they can to embrace appropriate feeding habits as well as exercising.
The issues that are not being adequately addressed on matters relating to childhood obesity include inadequate groceries which are also inaccessible to most of the families and that contribute to high intake of unhealthy foods. The research shows that most of the low-income families at the greater risk of having children with obesity. This is because they cannot afford healthy diet and are