Childhood Obesity Policy Brief February 2015 - Weebly
center279Is childhood obesity taken seriously?00Is childhood obesity taken seriously?The purpose of the policy brief produces an awareness of the epidemic to childhood obesity within the United States. Topics such as risks factors that contribute to the epidemic, environmental and behavioral factors, prevention and policy recommendation will be discussed in attempts to provide education and direct impact in reducing the epidemic. SummaryToday, children have many opportunities to engage in physical activities and live healthy lives. However, through research it is striking how many children and adolescence's struggle with this diagnosis. Up to one out of every five children in the United States is overweight or obese (Children’s health, 2014). Children who are obese or overweight have a greater threat of developing chronic disease such as diabetes and heart diseases. They are also at risk for developing depression, anxiety, and low self- esteem due to poor image. Children are dealing with this epidemic at younger ages. Depending on an individual’s social class, sex, and ethnicity can also directly influence a child’s risk of becoming overweight or obese. There are a number of programs the government has put in place to combated childhood obesity. However, the rising rates of this epidemic have proven that further interventions are needed. Risk Factors that contribute to the epidemic.Race, sex, poverty levels and ethnicity groups347471946426100There are many factors that put children at risk for obesity. Poverty is also an influencing factor. Poverty originates in various shapes, sizes, and colors. It affects one-parent families, two-parent families, married couples, and it does not discriminate against any ethnic groups or races. Poor families face great food and housing hardship. In 2013, there were 45.3 million people living poverty and the poverty rate for children under 18 years of age was 19.9 percent (U.S. Census Bureau, 2014). Research has provided a clear picture about the direct relationship between poverty and health. Poverty is not the only influencing factor to this epidemic. This disease has many factors that contribute such as sex, race, and ethnicity that contribute to the disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], Children and adolescents living in households where the head of the household has a college degree are less likely to be obese compared to those living in households where the household head has less education, but the relationship is not consistent across race and ethnicity groups (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2010). Children living in poverty-stricken homes receive inadequate food and nutrition. They consume a large amount of high calorie foods and sugar drinks. There needs to be a change in policies to improve the outcomes for children and adolescences. Research confirms that All boys and girls and non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic black girls in highly educated households are less likely to be obese compared to their counterparts in households where the head has less than a high school degree”(CDC, 2010). Environmental factors5420563214199The CDC states last year, only 29% of high school students participated in the recommended 60 minutes of exercise a day.The CDC states last year, only 29% of high school students participated in the recommended 60 minutes of exercise a day.36363402921812500000Children is a vulnerable population. Depending on their age, they lack the knowledge to make healthy lifestyle choices. Children can be exposed to toxins such as second-hand smoke, lead paint, and contaminated food or water supply. Other environmental risk factors that affect children’s health includes extreme weather conditions or limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables depending upon the region they live in.Behavioral factorsBehavioral factors directly affects childhood obesity. Children who sit in front of the television or computer screens tend to eat unhealthy snacks. There is also limited physical activity that is involved to burn calories. It has been suggested that television food commercials increase intake of sweet snacks among young children. According to a study, it is found that boys are susceptible to food cues in commercials and increase their sugary snack intake (Axschutz, Engels,& Strien, 2009). Measuring obesity, diet, and health risksChildhood obesity is the result of not getting enough physical activity and consuming too many high calories. Healthcare providers determine if a child is obese by using the body mass index (BMI) tool. According to the CDC, the BMI is calculated by using a child’s weight and height. The BMI dose not measure body fat directly, but is an indicator of body fatness (CDC, 2012). Childhood obesity has major health risks that affect the body. Some of the risks include high blood pressure, heart disease, type two diabetes, breathing problems such as chronic asthma and sleep apnea, along with social problems among peers. 30632407265Percent of high school students who were obese Youth risk behavior survey, 201300Percent of high school students who were obese Youth risk behavior survey, 2013AnalysisChildhood obesity is an epidemic throughout the United States. According to research, the percentage of children aged 6-11 years in the United States, who were obese increased from 7% in 1980 to nearly 18% in 2012. Similarly, the percentage of adolescents aged 12-19 years who were obese increased from 5% to nearly 21% over the same period (CDC, 2011).Financial encumbrances Childhood obesity is an expensive diagnosis. According to Duke Global Health Institute and Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School "Childhood Obesity is estimated to be $19,000 per child when comparing lifetime medical costs to those of a normal-weight child. When multiplied by the number of obese10-ears olds in the U.S., Lifetime medical costs for this age alone reach roughly 14 billion” (Duke Global Health Institute, 2014). This research noted that their study measured direct medical costs for obesity such as doctor visits and medications. It does not take into account indirect costs that include loss of productivity in working adults and absenteeism. Current Policy Recommendations: Becoming physically active provides multiple health benefits. Physical activity is one component that can reduce and improve obesity. According to the 2008 Physical Activity Guideline for Americans recommends for children and adolescents aged 6-17 years of age sixty minutes or more per day of aerobic activity, with most of the activity moderate or vigorous intensity. Muscle strengthening and bone strengthen activities also include at least three days per week (CDC, 2011). Aerobic Activities include running, hopping skipping, swimming and bicycling. Bone strengthened activities include jumping rope, basketball, tennis and hopscotch. Muscle-strengthening activities include playing on the playground, climbing trees and a game of tug of war. Eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables can decrease a child’s or adolescent’s chance in developing chronic disease such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. In a recent analysis, fruit and vegetable intake data showed that only one in ten Americans ate enough fruits and vegetables (CDC, 2011). Food pantries are scattered throughout communities for accessing food products when families are in need. Schools are also assisting with providing children healthy meals. According to a survey, around 32 million students eat school meals every day, and for many of these children, school meals account for up to 50% of their daily energy intake (Medical News today, 2014). Schools are now required to follow guidelines to improve the nutrition delivered through the meals they serve to children. Some requirements include limiting fat intake, offering fruits and vegetables, monitor portion size intake based upon the right1631950Policy Recommendations: Incorporate more physical activityProvide better health educationProvide healthier school environments and nutrition servicesIncrease the amount of playgrounds and parks in low income areasIntroduce sugar taxes of sweet snacks and sodas to discourage consumers to buy products. Provide incentives to farmers who sell crops of fruits and vegetables.00Policy Recommendations: Incorporate more physical activityProvide better health educationProvide healthier school environments and nutrition servicesIncrease the amount of playgrounds and parks in low income areasIntroduce sugar taxes of sweet snacks and sodas to discourage consumers to buy products. Provide incentives to farmers who sell crops of fruits and vegetables.students age. Conclusion The increase in childhood obesity has been directly linked to the intake of high-calorie foods, decreased physical activity, and increased use of televisions and electronics. In the perfect world, we learn about healthy eating, cooking three balanced meals a day, and participating in the recommended physical activity through school functions and home activities. Unfortunately, this is not reality, as parents are too busy to cook meals and many families reliey on prepairing cheap convenient foods. Government officials need to take a new approach at this epidemic. Reducing Obesity may include banning harmful ingredients at fast-food chains, introducing a sugar tax to discourage people from buying high-calorie foods and banding sweet food commercials on local television. Without giving families the building blocks that include education, they will not be successful in sustenaning healthier lives. Healthcare workers and government officials need to lead environmental change to support and empower families to take action for themselves. ReferencesAnschutz, D.j., Engels, R.C., & Strien, T. (2009). Side Effects of television food commercials on concurrent nonadvertised sweet snack food intakes in youth children. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 89 (5), 1328-1333. Doi:10.3945/ajcn.2008.27075 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Strategies to prevent Obesity and other Chronic Diseases: the CDC Guide to strategies to increase physical activity in the community. Retrieved from for Disease Control and Prevention. (2012). Overweight and Obesity. Basics about childhood Obesity measured. Retrieved from for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Strategies to prevent Obesity and other Chronic Disease: The CDC guide to strategies to increase the consumption of fruits and vegetable. Retrieved from for Disease Control and Prevention. (2010). Publications and Information Products. NCHS Data Brief. Retrieved from ’s health: Childhood Obesity. (2014) Retrieved from Global Health Institute. (2014). Over a Lifetime, Childhood Obesity costs $19,000 per child. Retrieved from: News today. (2014). Childhood Obesity: Prevalence of Obesity. Retrieved from States Census Bureau. (2014). Poverty 2013 highlights. Retrieved from ................
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