Childhood Obesity Amanda Palmer

Overview Childhood obesity is present in 20-25% of children in the United States. (CDC, 2009a.) 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.) 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 Parental obesity Higher birth weight Higher birth weight Spending more than eight hours watching TV when 3 years old Spending more than eight hours watching TV when 3 years old Sleeping less than 10.5 hours per night when 3 years old Sleeping less than 10.5 hours per night when 3 years old Size in early life Size in early life Rapid weight gain in the first year of life Rapid weight gain in the first year of life Rapid catch-up growth between birth and 2 years 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) 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. 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 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 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 Introducing child to outside activities like hiking, swimming, baseball, dancing Help children develop positive self-esteem 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 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 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 Adults should be good role models for healthy eating and an active lifestyle Many resources available on how to assist children with obesity 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 -obesity-8-red-flags-watch -obesity-8-red-flags-watch -obesity-8-red-flags-watch -obesity-8-red-flags-watch Marotz, L.R. (2012). Health, safety and nutrition for the young child (8th Ed.). Belmont, CA:Wadsworth. Marotz, L.R. (2012). Health, safety and nutrition for the young child (8th Ed.). Belmont, CA:Wadsworth. ood-obesity-still-a-problem ood-obesity-still-a-problem ood-obesity-still-a-problem ood-obesity-still-a-problem