Addressing Childhood Obesity, Research Paper Example

In the United States, the issue of childhood obesity presents a significant threat to the advances made regarding quality of life as well as lifespan. Since 1980, the prevalence of obesity has more than doubled, from 15% to 34%, among adults and has more than tripled, from 5% to 17%, among children and teens (Webb, 2013.) In modern society, the climate is one which promotes increasing intake of food, unhealthy foods combined with inadequate physical activity; these habits increase the threats of developing diabetes, hypertension, and other health problems used to be regarded as adult problems but are now increasingly experienced by young people.

This public health problem is pertinent to the nursing profession because it has a direct impact on patients of all ages, and nurses—particularly school nurses—are in an ideal position to have an effect on child obesity by influencing choices regarding food that is available to children in schools. I have been interested in this issue because in my own family and in medical settings, I have seen many instances of childhood obesity in which being overweight was reinforced by adults allowing unhealthy snacks and lunches consistently to be made available to children. This paper will discuss the issue of providing healthier lunch and snacks in schools as a way to combat obesity in school age children.

Childhood obesity is defined as when a child’s weight is extremely disproportionate to his or her height (Fighting Child Obesity: Taking a Stand to Control the Epidemic, One Child at a Time, 2010.) Individual physical and psychological development, coupled with social and economic growth is greatly affected by the weight of a person (Li, 2010.) In the United States, there are nearly 13 million children who are obese, and unlike certain conditions that children will outgrow, eight out of 10 obese children will experience obesity as an adult. The financial costs of obesity are tremendous, since providing treatment and care for obese children is estimated to reach more than $14 billion each year, and since most of these children will remain obese when they are older, those costs persist and usually rise into adulthood (Fighting Child Obesity: Taking a Stand to Control the Epidemic, One Child at a Time, 2010.) The result is tremendous financial burdens for families as well as insurance companies. The American Nursing Association is committed to addressing this problem by focusing intensely on methods of controlling childhood obesity since if the epidemic continues to grow at the same rate, children in America will have a shorter lifespan than previous generations.

In order to prevent obesity in children, interventions must occur early, before a child becomes overweight and establishes an unhealthy pattern of gaining weight. Recent statistics have demonstrated that even among children ages two through five years, more than one in five are already overweight or obese (Ward, 2011.) The vast amount of literature shows that speedy growth and excessive weight gain during childhood intensifies the threat of obesity as an adult. Extra poundage also raises the risk of a child for many negative consequences associated with their overall physical and mental health. They are more likely to experience a higher rate of conditions including high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, liver disease, asthma, depressive symptoms, anxiety, low self-esteem, low body image, and mood and conduct disorders (Ward, 2011.)

Despite the alarming prevalence of overweight in children and the health risks associated with excess weight, prevention of child obesity is not a seen as a priority for many parents. This remains the case in spite of widespread understanding among professionals that obesity prevention efforts must engage parents who are the key gatekeepers that shape the social and physical environment of the home, and, as a result, influence their child’s diet and physical activity behaviors. Multiple studies have demonstrated that most parents are unable to recognize when their child is overweight, especially younger children. Even when parents do appreciate the importance of good nutrition and physical activity, their day-to-day practices are likely to be determined by more acute concerns regarding child health and behavior, rather than the more sustained attention and effort necessary to prevent obesity

The government became involved in school nutrition programs in 1936, when through the Commodity Donation Program of 1936 meals were provided to low-income children at reduced or no cost during school, after school, and over the summer (Federal School Nutrition Programs, 2013.) Congress, in 1946, passed the National School Mount Act in order to permanently provide a federally-subsidized school lunch program as a means to improve the nutrition of children. In recent times, the law has grown to include free or low priced breakfast, milk, snack foods for after-school, and meals for children during the summer for students who meet income requirements.

Nurses are playing a significant role in the reversal of the childhood obesity epidemic; they are providing education to parents, children, families, and communities regarding the detrimental results of childhood obesity. By encouraging healthy eating habits and encouraging consistent physical activity, school nurses in particular educating students and teachers about the significant role that healthy eating habits as well as exercise play in achieving optimal physical health. In addition, nurses are additionally addressing this problem by attempting to achieve a culture of health in schools that involves mandating school personnel to serve as role models for adequate nutritional habits(Fighting Child Obesity: Taking a Stand to Control the Epidemic, One Child at a Time, 2010.)

In addition, nurses play a significant role in advocating for children when they support policy recommendations, for example monies for school wellness programs, mandating Federal nutritional standards all of the food that is available in school cafeterias, and establishing recreational settings in areas that are underserved in order to allow more opportunities for children to partake in physical activity. Nurses are also assisting parents and teachers to comprehend the significance of altering their own eating patterns and physical activities so that they can serve as role models for their children’s eating and exercise habits.

For the past decade, there has been a significant focus on the issue of child obesity, and in particular, the First Lady, Michele Obama, has initiated a well publicized program that is designed to change the lifestyle patterns causing childhood obesity in the United States. Her program contains four components: healthy choices, healthy schools, physical activity, access to affordable foods (Fighting Child Obesity: Taking a Stand to Control the Epidemic, One Child at a Time, 2010.) The American Nursing Association has partnered with Mrs. Obama to support the “Let’s Move” component of the program which focuses on staying active.

The problem of childhood obesity is currently being addressed on a variety of levels: earl, state, public and private. National and international organizations such as the Centers for Disease Controls as well as the World Health Organization have also waged major campaigns to combat childhood obesity. On the Federal level, there is a bill pending in the Senate that would supplement the budget for school meals by $4.5 billion; some of the changes under this law would create new standards for all foods available in schools, including items that are sold in vending machines, foods provided to children at mealtime, at sporting events, and even at fundraisers (Webb, 2013.) In addition, the bill would provide limits on sodium and fat that are contained in school food programs as well as limiting the number of calories contained in each meal served to students. If passed, this law would make significant inroads regarding the issue of childhood obesity. In addition, state legislatures are very active in developing in considering policy changes to help to provide children with healthier foods as well as safe and enjoyable physical activity during their childhood years (Childhood Obesity—2011 Update Of Legislative Policy Options, 2011.) In fact, in 2011, there were a record number of policy initiatives pertaining to nutrition and exercise for children proposed by state legislatures all throughout the country.

Besides the Federal and state governments that are taking measures to address the problem of childhood obesity, many private foundations have also adopted this issue as a priority. For example, the Clinton Initiative, the YMCA of America, and many private insurance companies have implemented programs that focus on promoting healthy eating choices and staying active during the childhood years in order to avoid problems with obesity during adulthood. In addition, there are a vast number of programs that specifically promote campaigns to target healthy school lunches for children, including several organizations that were created specifically to address this problem: Healthy School Lunches.org, an organization started by physicians who are concerned about the lack of healthy meals served at school; Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution, a program that encourages children to become involved in making sure that they have access to healthy foods at school; and support by the National Education Association, which takes great measures to reinforce the First Lady’s “Let’s Move” program.

Because of the relatively recent focus on the problem of childhood obesity, there has been a tremendous response to this problem by addressing foods that are available to children during their time at school. This has involved ensuring that breakfast and lunch programs provide the children with foods that support healthy nutrition in order to maintain a healthy body weight, and to ensure that children are engaged in regular physical activity at school, either during gym classes or organized games at recess, which will further help them develop and maintain healthy eating habits. Researching available programs to address childhood obesity indicates that there is a tremendous amount of attention as well as action being given to this area. The issue is being addressed on a variety of levels, and has come to the attention of celebrities, politicians, and other people who are in positions to inform parents and teachers about how to help children avoid becoming obese.

The status of this issue can be followed through a variety of professional as well as private web sites: Action for Healthy Kids.org, the American Council on Exercise, the National Association of School Nurses organization and web site, and the American Nurses Association, all of which presents articles, presentations, and working papers on the topic of childhood obesity. Reviewing the material and appears on these web sites and in the literature provided by these organizations indicates that they are extremely current regarding attitudes and policy changes that they are proposing and taking action on.

Because the issue of childhood obesity affects all segments of society, and in particular lower income families who may not have as much access to healthy foods, the issue should be addressed every level that can have an impact on the foods that children access to. That includes Federal programs to provide funding and policy changes that promote healthy nutrition and exercise, state and local programs that can directly make changes within schools regarding foods that are served an available to students, and private organizations that can raise money and publicize the issue of childhood obesity. This is a pervasive problem that requires all involved parties to take action, and there is some evidence that efforts have been successful so far: many, if not most, people are aware of the issue of childhood obesity and the need to address it in a way that improves the quality of life for children.

References:

Childhood Obesity–2011 Update of Legislative Policy Options. (2011). Retrieved January 24, 2013, from National Conference of State Legislatures: http://www.ncsl.org/issues-research/health/childhood-obesity-2011.aspx

Ward, D., Vaughn, A., Bangdiwala, S., Campbell, M., Jones, D., Panter, A., and Stevens, J. (2011, June 5). Integrating a Family-Focused Approach into Child Obesity Prevention: Rationale and Design for the My Parenting SOS Study Randomized Controlled Trial. Retrieved January 24, 2013, from Biomedical Central Help: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/11/431

Federal School Nutrition Programs. (2013, January 3). Retrieved January 24, 2013, from New America Foundation: http://febp.newamerica.net/background-analysis/federal-school-nutrition-programs

Fighting Childhood Obesity: Taking a Stand to Control the Epidemic One Child at a Time. (2010). Retrieved January 24, 2013, from American Nurses Association: http://nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/Policy-Advocacy/Positions-and-Resolutions/Issue-Briefs/Childhood-Obesity.pdf

Li, N., and Hooker, N.. (2010). Childhood Obesity and Schools Evidence from the National Survey of Children’s Health. Journal of School Health , 96-104.

Webb, M. (2013). The Fight against Childhood Obesity Enters the School Cafeteria. Retrieved January 24, 2013, from American Council on Exercise: http://www.acefitness.org/article/3042/