Childhood Obesity and Nursing Intervention, Research Paper Example

The ubiquity of overweight children and childhood obesity–which have adverse ramifications as children grow, develop, and mature into adulthood and causes chronic diseases–has escalated tremendously within the past few decades around the globe and has become a serious societal problem that must be dealt with immediately. Between 1980 and 2002, studies and research indicate that obesity among children and adolescence has increased by 17.1%, which has resulted in the germination of a vast array of hypotheses articulated to explain the health epidemic. These hypotheses primarily focus on changes in diet and physical activity as adequate preventative strategies (Burns et al., 2011, p. 890). Medical experts pinpoint fast-food advertisements and marketing that both parents and children internalize as the main contributor that has fueled this epidemic. Studies on childhood obesity validate the line of argumentation that social advertising and marketing–which often target poorer, more vulnerable minority communities–in addition to other systemic environmental factors play integral roles in the escalation childhood obesity rates. In order to overcome this nefarious epidemic, public policies related to childhood obesity in addition to social marketing strategies must address how the negative effects of childhood obesity will impact subsequent generations of children. Moreover, the contentious issue over whether or not parents of obese and overweight children should be held responsible for neglect–an issue that has been fiercely debated in legal and political discourses and circles– has led to increasing numbers of controversial court cases. Clinicians and nurses must remain vigilant of the possible role that parental abuse or neglect may play in rising rates of childhood obesity. Indeed, research has proven that children who belong to a strong family support system nonetheless continue struggle to eat healthy and to maintain a healthy weight (O’Callaghan, 2010).

Wofford (2008) conducted a literature review on the evidence pertaining to preventing childhood obesity. She ascertained that there are five distinct areas of note: targeting preschool children for prevention; prevalence; implications of familial involvement, especially the parents; prevention as the preferred intervention;  and the currency of professional involvement in prevention efforts. As such, prevention has been accepted as more effective and viable than any other so-called corrective approaches, which address obesity once a child has already become categorized as obese. Moreover, interventions that involve families and schools have yielded the best rates of success.  Wofford (2008) also discovered that the majority of professional guidelines or recommendations were unequivocally constrained by a dearth of an evidence base. Thus, future research must establish evidence-based guidelines in order to adequately address the problem of childhood obesity. Taking into consideration policies that may hinder the advocacy of healthy eating behaviors is of paramount importance. Extant literature on overweight and obese children propagates a family-focused approach to altering the dietary habits of youths, prevention interventions implemented during the nascent stages of childhood before poor eating habits are acquired, and the need for the community at-large to become involved in such interventions. Such findings suggest that nurses should develop advocacy and collaborative leadership skills in addition to a dexterity in social marketing. Such skills would contribute immensely to the prevention of obesity in children (Berkowitz & Borchard, 2009). Ultimately, nursing care for overweight or obese youths must focus on youth empowerment so that they can manage their weight while meeting their own needs. Self-motivation, self-esteem, and empowerment thus are significant concepts that promote physical activity and good nutritional habits.

References

Berkowitz, B. & Borchard, M., (January 31, 2009). “Advocating for the Prevention of Childhood Obesity: A Call to Action for Nursing” OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in      Nursing, 14(1).

Burns, J.J, Goff, S., Karamian, G., Walsh, C., Hobby, L., and Garb, J. (2011). The relationship between local food sources and open space to body mass index in urban children. Public Health Reports, 126(6), 890-900.

O’Callaghan, T. (2010.). Is childhood obesity a symptom of neglect? TIME.com. Retrieved December 8, 2014, from http://healthland.time.com/2010/07/16/is-childhood-obesity-a-symptom-of-neglect/

Wofford, L. (2008). Systemic review of childhood obesity prevention. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 23, 5-19.