Childhood Obesity

Childhood Obesity Amanda Palmer

Overview • Childhood obesity is present in 20-25% of children in the United States. (CDC, 2009a.) • The main causes of this epidemic are due to inactivity and unhealthy eating habits. (Vadiveloo, Zhu, & Quatromoni, 2009.) • If a person becomes obese as a child, they are likely to remain this way as an adult. They have a greater risk of developing severe health problems like stroke, sleep apnea, asthma, diabetes, and heart disease.

Overview • The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines obese children as being in the 95th percentile of children the same age and gender. • Studies suggest that obese children are prone to developing metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, just like obese adults. • They might also suffer from vitamin and mineral deficiencies and musculoskeletal problems because of the burden of excess weight on their developing bodies.

These factors increase the risk that a child will be obese by age 7: • Parental obesity • Higher birth weight • Spending more than eight hours watching TV when 3 years old • Sleeping less than 10.5 hours per night when 3 years old • Size in early life • Rapid weight gain in the first year of life • Rapid catch-up growth between birth and 2 years • Early development of body fatness in the preschool years (before age 5-6 years, when body fat should be increasing)

Management of Condition • An obese child cannot be ignored! There are preventative measures to avoid becoming overweight, but once a child reaches that level there are many things that can be done to combat the weight. Weight management must be a team effort which includes parents, the child, family, teachers, and health care personnel.

Ways to reduce obesity • Planning meals and incorporating nutritious meals • Ways to increase the child’s activity level: walk a pet, ride their bike to school, help run errands • Introducing child to outside activities like hiking, swimming, baseball, dancing • Help children develop positive self-esteem

Teaching & Support Modifications • Long-term weight management has to encompass all aspects of a child’s well being- physical, emotional, spiritual, and social • Weigh loss reduction plans should be under a doctor’s or nutritionist’s supervision • Adults should be good role models for healthy eating and an active lifestyle • Many resources available on how to assist children with obesity

How to address this in the classroom • Consult with the parents to see if they have an action plan in place for their child’s health • Only allow healthy snacks to be eaten in the classroom • For class parties, ask parents to bring in healthy alternatives to cookies, cake, and sugary drinks • Always have children active and engaged in the classroom and have some type of recess everyday • Have a water source in the classroom and encourage students to stay hydrated throughout the day • Encourage all students to stay healthy and have a positive self-image • Be a good role model in the classroom by drinking plenty of water, eating healthy snacks in front of students, and discuss ways to stay healthy after school and on the weekend

Research Sources • http://children.webmd.com/news/20050519/child-obesity-8-red-flags-watch • Marotz, L.R. (2012). Health, safety and nutrition for the young child (8th Ed.). Belmont, CA:Wadsworth. • http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=childhood-obesity-still-a-problem

Childhood Obesity