Strategies to Prevent Obesity and Other Chronic Diseases, Essay Example

Primary Causes

There are many causes of childhood obesity. Nevertheless, the most common reasons for childhood obesity are individual behavior and hereditary issues. Behaviors that can lead to childhood obesity include lack of physical activity, side effects of medications, and any physical impairment that can cause lack of mobility. Heart disease and Type II diabetes are genetic factors that can lead to obesity.

Preventative Strategies

Children learn by example, so parents must become active to ensure that children will be active too. By producing an environment that is conducive to healthy eating and living, parents ensure that children will be accustomed to these good habits.

Children & Diets

Children should never be told that they are being placed on a diet. I think the word has negative connotations and will have a negative effect on their self-esteem. However, parents should be selective in what they allow children to eat. This means that all members of the family are eating the same food, so that no one child feels singled out. Each child should be taught to eat properly and maintain a healthy lifestyle that includes exercise.

Promote Weight Loss

Parents need to make weight loss a fun encounter for children. They should not be told that they need to lose weight or that this will help them lose weight. By doing activities together as a family, everyone gets involved. One way to get everyone involved is to have a family fishing outing. That could include a hiking trip and just walking and doing activities outside. This can include leaving behind all processed and fast food for the weekend.

State Programs

One great program that has been implemented in many states is the promotion of salad bars in schools. This is a great idea because it gives children the opportunity to choose something other than what is offered. Some students will choose salad over French fries. Once children start to try different foods, they may even suggest it as an option at home. This would be beneficial to the entire family. I don’t think there are any negative side effects that could come from this program. Even if students only get salads at school, that is far better than never eating vegetables. The one thing that I would change is the fact that salad bars are only introduced at the middle school age. I believe that children should be introduced earlier in hopes that they will develop a desire to eat healthier.

References

Strategies to prevent obesity and other chronic diseases: The cdc guide to strategies to increase physical activity in the community (2011).