1. Implementation of Health Education to Combat Childhood Obesity
Presented by Melisa Morrow

2. Alarming Statistics
obesity among children age 6 to 11 has nearly tripled from 1980 to 2004
one-third of youth from age 2 to 19 are overweight
among 2-5 year olds, 27% are overweight or obese

3. Which Children are at Risk?
Factors to consider
Level of education of parents
Socio-economic status of family
Ethnic minorities (ie African American & Latino)
Immigration/Acculturation

4. Why Start Young? Impressionable Eating becomes pleasurable
Lifestyle habits are still being established
“Young children are more likely than older children to be influenced by adults, and eating and activity habits acquired early can track into adulthood” (Reynolds et al., 2013, p. 8)
Obesity as early as preschool can continue into adult life

5. Impact of Childhood Obesity
Lack of nourishment can impede proper development
Mental and social repercussions
Health risks later in life
Hypertension
Coronary heart disease
Type 2 diabetes
Osteoporosis
Dyslipidemia
Stroke
Sleep Apnea
Some cancers
Gall bladder disease
Ect

6. Implications for U.S. Health Care
“Obesity is a key driver of the health care system because it greatly increases the risk for acquiring many high-cost diseases.”
Treatment
Providing care
“We recognize that working with children-through schools and sports programs-is where obesity prevention needs to begin.”
(Kovner & Knickman, 2011, p. 359)

7. Solutions Home: Education for parents/caregivers Healthy choices
Portion sizes
Modeling

8. Solutions School: Nutrition education
Strategies aimed at appealing to children
Encourage physical activity
Involve parents/caregivers

9. Solutions Let’s Move! Community Enlist local sports teams
Public service
Community events
Let’s Move!

10. Conclusion Obesity in childhood is common and becoming more prevalent
Obesity in childhood can contribute to a host of diseases and health conditions in adulthood
Caring for obese patients puts a strain on the health care system
Obesity is preventable and there are ways to combat the trend

11. Questions?

12. References
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Reed, Monique. (2013). Childhood obesity policy: Implications for African American girls and a
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Reynolds, M., Cotwright, C., Polhamus, B., Gertel-Rosenberg, A., & Chang, D. (2013). Obesity
prevention in the early care and education setting: Successful initiatives across a spectrum of opportunities. Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 8-18.
Small, L., Bonds-McClain, D., Vaighn, L., Melnyk, B., Gannon, A., & Thompson, S. (2012). A
parent-directed portion education intervention for young children: Be beary healthy. Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing, 17, doi: /j x