Childhood Obesity and Overweight, Research Paper Example

Introduction

Childhood obesity and overweight have appeared as a peril to children’s as well as adults’ health (Aiello, 2004). Childhood obesity and overweight have reached epidemic proportions and are considered major public health problems globally. Presently, there is no methodically reviewed evidence to support a given approach to prevention or treatment of childhood obesity and overweight. Physical activities, parental roles, and medicine entailed in treatment/prevention have improved results (Jimmy, 2005) though never satisfactory. Furthermore, the most effective method among the mentioned has been debatable. The paper examines the most effective method that can be used in reduction/treatment of childhood obesity and overweight.

Literature review

Internationally, there is prevalent concern about increasing rates of overweight and obesity. Since 1970s the numbers of children becoming obese have tripled. Researchers have shown and illustrated various ways of obesity and overweight reduction though not similar. The childhood overweight and obesity causes are complex. However, most scholars say that it is due to too much calories which are ingested. Much research has paid attention on children education and behavior change, but the employed approaches have shown limited success. Altering the environment in which children play and eat is now seen as important strategy in obesity fighting. The issue of child obesity and overweight has reached epidemic proportions and are considered major public health problem globally and nationally.

Between 1980 and 2007, overweight prevalence almost tripled in U.S. adolescents and preschoolers and quadrupled among kids between six and eleven years. Amid 2003 and 2004, about 17.3% of children from two to nineteen years were above 95% of BMI (Body Mass Index) compared to 5.6% in 1970s.

Presently, approximately 25.2 million children from U.S and adolescents are obese or overweight and kids from low socio-economic families are excessively affected. These are high figures and necessary precautions and treatments should be imposed urgently. Some of the challenges in obese treatment/prevention include the inability to identify correct method for its prevention/treatments. Some methods work better as compared to others. This study will examine the best method that can be used to improve patients’ (obese) safety and obese/overweight treatment. The paper therefore forms vital basing for childhood obesity and overweight treatment/prevention.

Research methodology

During this study, several sources were used to gather necessary information and data. Quantitative and qualitative methods of data analysis were used. Both primary and secondary sources were used in gathering information. The secondary sources used were the medical records and former research that had been conducted on childhood obesity. Numerous articles from journals and reports from research on childhood obesity and its prevention were used.

The medical records and research used touched on overweight and obese prevention/treatment was as well employed in this research. The data and information were collected from various medical centers (45 medical centers). The primary data collection methods included questionnaire and interviews. The information and data that were obtained from these sources were critically analyzed and presented using percentage charts and this marched Carroll, 2009 presentation standards. The charts gave easy comparison of the efficiency of the treatment/prevention methods.

Therefore, this context forms an important part in conducting further research on obese treatment and prevention. It as well forms important basing for obesity and overweight treatment and prevention. The research was grouped into two sub-units (two hypotheses under consideration) and each was determined separately.

This was to ensure that no data was left un-captured and for topic focus maintenance. For the ease and relevancy of the research, the following two null hypotheses were used:

1. a) Diet and child behavior affects childhood obesity and overweight.
2. b) Change in diet has led to increase in childhood obesity and overweight.

The relationship amid diet change and obesity was determined using the medical records. This was made possible by determining the number of obese children over the last ten years. Decrease or increase could hence be determined from the past medical records. The information that was obtained was used in examination and evaluation of the second hypothesis. It is true that diet has changed and continues to and medical researches reveal that calories, especially fat quantities have increased in modern foods (Aiello, 2004). The relationship was further determined using the interviews and questionnaires.

The second hypothesis and medical records were vital in that effectiveness of medicine could be determined by the increase or decrease in obese children over the research years (ten years). Among the used was Institute of Medicine (IOM). The questionnaires were as well posted to the medical centers under consideration after which they (medical officers) were called over the phone for confirmation. This was not easy and cheap but also ensured instant deliveries and early completion. Only the medical officers were sent the questionnaires to enhance clear and deep coverage of the research topic (effective method for obesity and overweight treatment/prevention). The questionnaire was simple and easy to fill. All the possible obese treatment methods were listed for easy identification. This reduced chances that a medical officer might forget/leave out any method uncommented. Brief explanation was required in every method and its effectiveness over the past.

The interviews however, were administered to various families randomly selected. This was in answering the first hypothesis.

To avoid research biasness, few obese children and non-obese families were sampled. Through the interview, the parental and children hobbies and activities (diet included) were determined. Parents were interviewed and few children as well though the questions were not similar. The parental role in children obesity and overweight reduction was hence determined. Diets (mostly eaten foods) were identified through the interview and children interactions. We focused on activities both inside and outside homes. The same information was collected from all the randomly sampled families. All the unnecessary information was eliminated after they were collected. The interview was administered on a public holiday to enhance response.

A total of 65 families were visited among which 49 responded and the other could not complete interview for various reasons. Overall, and in accordance to this research, this was low response rate and hence among the drawbacks in this research. The first hypothesis could not be explored fully as it was interviewer result dependent. Some responses were also vague, or respondents not familiar with obesity and low quality replies were given. Language barrier never appeared threat because the interviewers were contacted in their local languages. In case an interview was not found at home, a call-back card was placed under the door. Arrangements were made for re-visit. Most of the respondents were females as they have direct contact with their children and their diets.

The responses from questionnaires, interviews and medical records were critically analyzed and presented in note form and charts. The actions were ranked according to the power in obesity control and this was based on the results from questionnaires, interview and former researches. All the unnecessary information and data (from medical records) were eliminated to reduce bulkiness of the answers (Jimmy, 2005). They were critically analyzed and presented in charts with explanations.

Challenges faced

Through the research, there were few challenges that were faced.  Only 39 out of 45 posted questionnaires were filled. Most families visited were also not aware of obesity and this gave us very difficult time in explanation and obtaining necessary information from them.

Research findings

Overviews of possible actions were recognized, and the research outcomes were gathered. According to the result and analysis, the following conclusions were made. Based on one of the research materials used (IOM Institute of Medicine), the researcher said, parental roles in obesity prevention are significant and lays emphasis on this idea. Carroll, 2009 says that the parents’ influences and control shapes the health behaviors and decisions of their children, more so their diet managements. This was confirmed by the interview and explanation from the questionnaires. We found that most obese children came from rich families where majority of their foods contain calories.

Out of 39 posted questionnaires, 26 mentioned parental involvement in overweight and obesity reduction. 39% of the respondents (medical officers alone) recommended that parents should provide balanced diet with reasonable restrictions of calories, especially fat minimized dietary fat (the same idea is also illustrated by Kowalski, 2007). Further 46.25% said “Modification of children behaviors is a vital element of obesity treatment interventions as the outcomes are great” though this was in various ways and languages. Among the activities and interventions that may result to treatment of obesity and overweight (according to 29.6% of medical officers) are; physical activities conducted at school and outside the school compound (home), and controlled nutrition programs in institutions as the research supported.

Adaptation of exercise programs or becoming more active is important as it aids in the burning of fats, raise expenditure of energy, and maintain weight lost and they confirmed that it has additional health advantages. The research further illustrated that not only does exercise programs help in fat burning but also in physical fitness.

The research revealed that families where the children were non-obese, the children were physically active. Most of the children who were obese or overweight came from rich or middle class families. They rarely do physical exercise as mostly use vehicles or motorbikes in transport. Furthermore, most of their foods contained large quantities of calories. The interview from 60.12% of the families where children were obese proved the fact. However, the same notion has been brought out by Kowalski, 2007 and 25% of the medical officers (as illustrated in the questionnaires)

Jimmy, 2005 in his book ‘Associations amid Obesity and Overweight’ also addresses the same idea. Parental actions and children’s physical activities had direct connection with childhood obesity and overweight. The use of medicine in obesity and overweight treatments scored low percentage in its effectiveness (6.36%) and was often opposed. The use of medicine could not be used in obesity prevention and often gave unsatisfactory outcomes (Kowalski, 2007 also illustrates similar notion).

The strategies to deal with physical activities, diet, and change in behaviors should be included in treatment programs. Self-monitoring, controlled eating can be used in obesity reduction. 36.23% of the responses supported the idea. The above are considered most effective and faster obesity reduction methods. Physical activities were also supported by numerous people. However, several scholars had pointed and as well as great number of medical officers said that the use of medicine is not good method. The reasons were medically backed-up and did not satisfy the research questionnaires and so could not be presented in this paper (Kowalski, 2007).

Conclusion

Though the research was never satisfactory, but covered the hypotheses under consideration. The research should however, be furthered by the future scholars. Based on the research result, it is evident that parental roles and physical activities determines, reduces childhood obesity and overweight (Aiello, 2004).

They were recommended by the medical officers and former researches have confirmed so. The parents therefore play very important role in ensuring that their children are not obese. They determine their children’s actions, and diets. The roles played by medical officers have less impact as compared to parental roles (Carroll, 2009). Based on the research outcome, necessary efforts are to be undertaken and new policies or programs on childhood obesity prevention should be developed. This will assist the families that are not well conversant with obesity reduction/prevention. The programs will help the families and parents on the diet, activities that are required in childhood obesity and overweight prevention (Kowalski, 2007). This can include development of a long-term vision for bicycling and walking for children. This will enhance the rate at which calories and fats are being burnt in their bodies.

Finally, we recommend that the local government and people implement obesity prevention actions and programs. The activities and assistance that will be offered by the programs will assist local residence to reduce obesity and hence prevention. The public, through the programs will also be educated on the disadvantages of obesity and overweight.

References

Aiello, B. (2004). Patients’ safety: Essentials for health care. Connecticut, USA: Engage Learning Center.

Carroll, D. (2009). Trends and Prevalence in obesity among US adults:  2005 research: JAMA, 303, 235-241.

Jimmy, W. (2005). Associations amid Obesity and Overweight: Children Activities and  Obesity control; Pediatrics 103(5): 1187–94.

Kowalski, M. (2007). Childhood Obesity and overweight: New York, USA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.