Essay Example on Preventing Childhood Obesity

Introduction

Childhood obesity is a prevalent phenomenon in the majority of developed nations. Experts argue that it has reached epidemic levels in the US since almost 25% of children are overweight, and 11% are obese (Daepp et al., 2019). Obesity among children has significantly increased since 1971 in most nations. Even developing countries are reporting a significant increase in childhood obesity. For instance, Iran is ranked among the top seven nations globally, with the largest prevalence of childhood obesity. Additionally, the prevalence of childhood obesity among girls is higher among girls than boys, particularly among adolescents (Allender et al., 2016). Therefore, childhood obesity is on the rise in both developed and developing nations and seems to affect more girls than boys.

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Childhood Obesity

Before we proceed, it is critical to define childhood obesity and how it is determined. Childhood obesity is the condition where a child has an excess of Body Fat. Usually, a child was classified as obese when his/her percentage of body fat was at least 25% and 30%, respectively, for boys and girls. Various methods are used to measure the percentage of a child's body fat. For research purposes, the techniques utilized include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and underwater weighing (densitometry). However, these techniques are not normally applied in the clinical setting. Instead, the techniques used are; measurement of skinfold thickness, waist circumference, and body mass index (BMI) (Simmonds et al., 2016). While BMI is not very useful in identifying obese children due to its inability to distinguish between fat-free mass and actual fat, waist circumference is considered more accurate as it targets central obesity.

Perhaps of great importance to the study are the causes of childhood obesity. Medical experts cite various causes of childhood obesity; however, childhood obesity mainly happens when energy intake exceeds the amount of energy expenditure. Genetic factors are responsible for childhood obesity. However, the primary factors mostly attributed to childhood obesity are the cultural environment, lifestyle preferences, and environmental factors. In other cases, though a few (less than 1%), certain medical conditions and deficiencies are responsible for childhood obesity (Allender et al., 2016). Therefore, in most cases, childhood obesity is mainly due to one's cultural environment and lifestyle preferences.

Lifestyle Choices

What are these lifestyle choices and cultural preferences mostly responsible for childhood obesity? Dietary factors are amongst the lifestyle preferences attributed to the prevalence of childhood obesity. Significant dietary factors include; increased consumption of snack foods, sugary drinks, and fast foods. The inexpensive cost and ease of getting fast foods mean that many parents and guardians readily purchase these foods whenever they do not feel like cooking. Fast foods contain a lot of calories that are unhealthy for children, especially when taken frequently. Cultural factors responsible for the increase in childhood obesity include television, online, and gaming cultures (Sahoo et al., 2015). Presently, many children spend a lot of time in front of television sets watching movies and playing games. They also spend a lot of time online, socializing, and laying games. Such modern cultures mean that fewer children engage in physical activities, thereby accumulating body fat.

Childhood obesity is positively associated with certain health risks. For instance, Childhood obesity is associated with fatty liver illness, sleep apnea, joint pain, type 2 diabetes, hypotension, high cholesterol levels, etc. Additionally, childhood obesity is known to affect children's mental health since it makes them have a negative body image and low self-esteem amongst their peers (Jang, Owen & Lauver, 2019). Research also shows about three-fourths of childhood obesity continues into adulthood. As a result, childhood obesity exposes one to severe long-term illnesses during adulthood, i.e., arthritis, certain cancers, stroke, and cardiovascular diseases.

Community Agency

The community agency most relevant to this study is the award-winning Healthy Lifestyles Program provided by Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. The institution is a 156 -bed facility that is primarily dedicated to the needs of children. It was recognized as one of the best children's hospitals in the US by one accredited non-profit organization referred to as The Leapfrog Group. The hospital offers numerous pediatric services such as oncology, neurology, gastroenterology, cardiac care, among many others. Additionally, the hospital has an excellent program dedicated to childhood obesity. The Healthy Lifestyles Program is perfectly enshrined with the hospital's mission of improving the health and quality of life of the society it serves.

Under the able leadership of the Program Director, Dr. Shaista Safder, the hospital has successfully implemented the Healthy Lifestyles Program. The program mainly targets children with a high BMI (body mass index) and increased risk for obesity. The mission of the program is to investigate, prevent, and manage severities related to childhood obesity. Health care specialists assigned to the program analyze each child's health condition and family history and proceeds to recommend a program suited for a specific child (FOX 35 Orlando, 2014). To help a child permanently regain their pathway to healthy living, the Health lifestyle Program assembles a team of healthcare professionals; dieticians, exercise physiologists, sport medicine doctors, and pediatricians. Children selected to participate must strictly adhere to the program that requires them to perform regular exercise, eats healthily, bans all processed food, and required weekly measurement of weight.

The program's goal is to assist children already obese, and those at high risk of obesity regain their pathway to a healthy life using the 5-2-1-0 rule. The 5-2-1-0 rule comprises a few basic instructions recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, which aim to provide children with healthy living. Rule 5 recommends that the child be provided with five servings of vegetables and fruits daily. A typical serving is approximately a cup or a piece of fruit like a banana or slice of watermelon. Rule 2 recommends a maximum of only 2 hours of television/screen time daily (Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, 2020). By limiting screen time, the child has more time to engage in physical exercise, crafts, and arts. Rule 1 represents one hour of daily physical activity. It is recommended that the child perform a wide range of activities, i.e., stretching, balancing, bone, and muscle-strengthening activities. Lastly, Rule 0 recommends almost zero sweets and sugary drinks. Parents and guardians are advised to provide children with low sugar low-fat yogurt, natural fruit juices, and plenty of water instead of artificial juices and sodas. Completion of the program and adherence to the rules means that children are protected from severe illnesses in the future, such as diabetes and heart complications.

Population of Interest

In the US, over 10% of children aged between 2-17 years are considered obese. The rate of childhood obesity has tripled in the past decade. Such a significant rise is a recipe for a future increase in severe health conditions, i.e., cardiovascular illness, type 2 diabetes, and adult morbidity. The high prevalence of childhood obesity among children aged 2-17, the population of interest, is highly associated with a sedentary lifestyle (Jang, Owen & Lauver, 2019). Other significant factors are dietary, sleeping, and television habits. Therefore, to effectively address childhood obesity among the population of interest, it is also critical to investigate the risk factors responsible for childhood obesity. Even with the recent advancement in medical science, it is challenging to reverse obesity acquired from childhood. A child's weight predicts their future health as adults. Some habits responsible for childhood obesity are hard to reverse once established in a mature individual, i.e., unhealthy eating habits, addiction to television, and poor sleeping habits. Thus, it is critical to combat childhood obesity while it is still early.

The project aims to prevent the progression of childhood obesity into adulthood among already obese children and those at high risk of developing obesity. The project plans to include children that meet the following criteria: aged between 5-17 years; BMI more than or equal to the 85th percentile; willing to undertake a mandatory six-week therapy (Arnold Palmer Hospital Pediatric Residents, 2015). Critical information concerning the population of interest will also be collected. The information will primarily comprise of the potential risk factors for childhood obesity, i.e., amount of daily physical exercise, details of dietary intake, history of obesity within the family, family status (two parents vs. single parents), amount of daily screen time, average sleep duration, and gender. This information aims to assess a child's exposure to the risk factors of childhood obesity to determine the best childhood obesity treatment and prevention program.

Project Details

The project aims to assist children aged 5-17 that are already obese and those at high risk of obesity. With assistance from parents, the project will take the participants through a four-week program to reduce their body weight. However, every participant will be required to undergo a mandatory medical examination. The medical examination will be performed by a trained healthcare partitioner, preferably a nurse. The nurse will begin by measuring and recording the participant's weight and height in a personal health chart. The BMI of the child is calculated to determine if the child is above the 85th percentile. Using the blood pressure monitor, the nurse will measure and record the participant's blood pressure level. Also, to be included in the chart is a blood test to determine the participant's cholesterol and blood sugar levels. The participant is advised to refrain from eating or drinking anything 3 or 4 hours before the medical test.

Conclusion

Thus, after the medical examination, the participant must fill a brief questionnaire in collaboration with the nurse and parent/guardian. The questionnaire will collect critical information regarding the participant's exposure to risk factors most attributed to childhood obesity. One of the questionnaire's items pertains to the participant's sedentary behavior, particularly the hours spent in front of the screen (computer, phone, and television). The second item regards the type and frequency with which the participants engage in indoor activities like art, craft, and reading. The third item pertains to the type and frequency of physical activities performed. The fourth and perhaps the most critical item concerns the eating habits of the participant. Many details will be collected regarding eating habits, i.e., type and frequency of food consumed, portions of fruits and vegetables consumed daily, amount of water taken, and the frequency with which the participant's consumes fast foods sugary beverages.