Childhood Obesity: A Review of the Current Literature
Stephanie M. Worley RN, BSN Student
NSC 486 Public Health Nursing (Online Section)
Department of Baccalaureate & Graduate Nursing, College of Health Sciences,
Eastern Kentucky University
Date
Childhood Obesity: A Review of the Current Literature
Overweight and obesity are defined as excessive or abnormal weight gain that may impair ones health (World Health Organization (WHO), 2015). In 2014, about 13% of the world’s adult populations were obese (WHO, 2015). According to WHO (2015), 42 million children under the age of five were considered overweight or obese in 2013. Obesity more than doubled worldwide between 1980 and 2014 (WHO, 2015).
There have been dramatic increases in childhood
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obesity worldwide, and childhood obesity has become an important medical, psychosocial and economic issue (Soto & White, 2010). Economic issues in the United States related to childhood obesity include income, education, food prices and marital employment (Cawley, 2010; Ogden, Lamb, Carroll, & Flegal, 2010). Low income families with children and adolescents are more likely to become obese than families with a higher income (Ogden et al., 2010). Ogden et al., (2010) also states that if the head of the household has a college degree, children and adolescents that live in that home are less likely to become obese when compared with heads of households that have less education. The price of a two-liter Coca-Cola dropped 34.89% and a McDonalds quarter-pounder with cheese dropped 5.44% from 1990 to 2007 (Cawley, 2010). From 1997 to 2003, the prices of fruits and vegetables increased by 17% (Cawley, 2010). Children of working mothers have been shown to watch more television, eat less healthy meals, and live a more sedentary lifestyle (Cawley, 2010). It is essential that nurses identify potential risk factors for obesity in children to formulate early interventions for prevention (Liou, Liou, & Chang, 2010). The purpose of this paper is to discuss the current literature in relation to the impact of childhood obesity, trends and epidemiological data related to childhood obesity, health people 2020 objectives, factors that contribute to childhood obesity, and the nurses’ role in preventing childhood obesity. Impact of Childhood Obesity Specific to children, numerous health risks are now known to be associated with overweight and obesity (Ben-Sefer, Ben-Natan, & Ehrenfeld, 2009). Cardiovascular disease is now known to be a key concern in children (Ben-Sefer et al., 2009). Atherosclerotic plaque has been observed in children as young as 3 years of age (Ben-Sefer et al., 2009). Increased rates of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, hypertension, asthma, musculoskeletal pain due to increased weight on joints, shortness of breath, obstructive sleep apnea, and increased number of cancers have been documented (Ben-Sefer et al., 2009). Studies have also shown that lower self-esteem, depression and negative body image are more prevalent in overweight or obese children (Ben-Sefer et al., 2009). Furthermore, consequences of childhood obesity include an increased risk of morbidity and mortality in adulthood (Soto & White, 2010). Trends of Epidemiological Data regarding Childhood Obesity Currently, in the United States roughly 17% of children and adolescents, ages 2-19, are obese (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2015). In 2010, 15.6% of children were obese in the state of Kentucky (Kids Count Data Center, 2011). McCreary County’s number of obese children was 21% in 2010 (Kids Count Data Center, 2011). More deaths worldwide are linked to overweight and obesity than underweight (WHO, 2015). Health People 2020 Healthy People 2020 set a goal to “promote health and reduce chronic disease risk through the consumption of healthy diets and achievement and maintenance of healthy body weights.” To achieve this goal, it is necessary for nurses to address the determinants of health related to childhood obesity. Determinants of health are factors that affect a client’s ability to obtain and maintain health (Nies & McEwen, 2015). Two objectives listed by Health People 2020 are to reduce the proportion of children who are considered obese and to prevent inappropriate weight gain in children. Schools have now developed programs related to screening, food guidelines, and physical activity to prevent childhood obesity (Soto & White, 2010). In 2012, 8.4% of children 2-5, 17.7% of children 6-11 and 20.5% of children 12-19 had obesity (CDC, 2015). As we can see here the rates of obesity go up with age. As nurses we need to focus on primary preventions to decrease childhood obesity and prevent inappropriate weight gain in children and adolescents. Factors that Contribute to Childhood Obesity Factors that are associated with childhood obesity include: Eating behaviors, physical activity and inactivity, ethnicity, family support and parental knowledge (Ben-Sefer et al., 2009; Liou et al., 2010; Stevens, 2010).
Liou et al., (2010) research report found that out of 8,640 students, 8.1% ate five servings of fruit and vegetables daily, 65% ate breakfast each day, 50% consumed a sugar-containing drink on a daily basis, and 1 out of 11 ate a nightly snack. Research results pertaining to physical activity and inactivity revealed that during the weekdays, 450 minutes/day were spent participating in sedentary behaviors (watching television, using the computer, internet surfing, and playing video games) (Liou et al., …show more content…
2010). Ethnic origin and socio-economic groups are associated with the development of childhood obesity (Ben-Sefer et al., 2009). Studies have shown that children whose families come from homes of either European or Middle Eastern background, are more likely to become obese (Ben-Sefer et al., 2009). Studies have also shown that children of lower socio-economic status are more likely to develop obesity (Ben-Sefer et al., 2009). African-American families are the highest risk groups for developing obesity in childhood (Ben-Sefer et al., 2009). A deficit in parental knowledge concerning the nutritional value of foods or the inability to correctly identify packaging content labels, may contribute to inappropriate food choices (Ben-Sefer et al., 2009). By modeling positive nutritional patterns and physical activity, parents will instill healthy behaviors in their children (Stevens, 2010). When children receive family support to adopt healthier eating and physical activity skills, they have a decreased chance of becoming obese (Stevens, 2010). The Nurses’ Role in Preventing Childhood Obesity Prevention is the best option available to address childhood obesity (Ben-Sefer et al., 2009). Family involvement is essential in addressing childhood obesity because family is central to a child’s care; therefore, family-centered care is extremely important when applying nursing care to children (Rabbitt & Coyne, 2012). Nurses need to assess child and family behavioral and social correlates of weight gain, to determine teaching needs (Rabbitt & Coyne, 2012). It is vital that health care professionals assess all six determinants of health, which are: biology, behaviors, social environment, physical environment, policies and interventions and access to quality healthcare (Nies & McEwen, 2015). Childhood obesity is a worldwide health problem and it is important that all healthcare professionals, working in hospitals and community health care, are actively involved in health promotion and health education strategies with children and their families (Rabbitt & Coyne, 2012). Nurses and other healthcare providers need to focus on strategies that will promote the health of children within the context of the family, school, and community (Rabbitt & Coyne, 2012). Conclusion The literature reviews and research findings listed in this paper are important to evidence based nursing practice because they add to the body of nursing research related to childhood obesity.
This allows nurses and other healthcare staff uncomplicated utilization of the best evidence available, to address the worldwide obesity dilemma in children. Eating behaviors, physical activity and inactivity, ethnicity, family support and parental knowledge are factors associated with childhood obesity. These factors share a close relationship to the objectives listed by Health People 2020. These objectives are to reduce the proportion of children who are considered obese and to prevent inappropriate weight gain in children. Nurses are in a unique position as they interact with families across healthcare and community-based settings to advocate, educate, and support children and their families. One suggestion for future research would be to develop nursing interventions designed to promote a healthy weight among children and to conduct an experimental research study examining the effectiveness of the
interventions.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) discuss about childhood obesity. With CDC, this research is very useful in helping others understand what overweight and obesity is. Having excess body weight for a particular height from fat, bone, muscle, water, or a combination of all is being overweight. Obesity is just having excess body fat. It states about obesity occurring to children and adolescents that has passed since 30 years. The first stage of this phenomenon starts as a person being overweight which will lead to obesity. More than one-third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese. The result for both of these terms is a caloric-imbalance which is an amount of too few calories that is consumed and is affected by many genetics, behavioral, and environmental factors. From this source CDC gives a specific estimate percentage of children aged 6–11 years that is more overly obese. In the United States in 1980 who were obese increased from 7% to nearly 18% in 2012. Furthermore over the same period, the percentage of adolescents aged 12–19 years who were obese increased from 5% to nearly 21%. Additionally, there is a list of health effects of childhood obesity and inform immediate and long-term health effects. Tips are also included here to prevent any other health problems relating to obesity. It does not clearly teach every step of how to prevent it, but giving out ideas on how to solve the problem yourself.
The purpose of this paper is to provide an individual health promotion for an 8 year old African American female who is in the 95 percentile for weight. Guiding change is a key component that a nurse must display in order to combat childhood obesity (Berkowitz & Borchard, 2009). The health promotion will aim to increase physical activity and enhance the individual’s consumption of nutrient dense food based on Healthy People Guidelines 2010, as well as improve the health literacy for the parent and the individual with regards to childhood obesity. It is essential that the nurse, parent, and child have open communication with mutually agreed upon goals (Caprio et al., 2008). The goals set forth by the nurse, parent, and child are that the attendee participate in at least 60 minutes of sustained aerobic activity 5 days a week for the next 6 months.
Child obesity became a very serious issue that is taking on the health of the nation 's children. It is everyone responsibility to work on preventing and reducing childhood obesity, from the parents who are suppose to care about their children’s health, to the public health representatives, who should care about a future healthy nation, and everyone in between. Every part of society should create a set of lifestyle changes in order to save our kids from obesity. There are many aspects, which have to be changed or improved, including parent’s nutrition education, children’s physical activity and kid’s nutrition in a school and home, food industry and etc.
Exercise, food, technology, and money all play a role in causing childhood obesity. Lack of exercise among adolescents has been proven to be the leading cause of childhood obesity. According to a May 2012 Institute of Medicine report, only half of America’s children and one in four teens get enough activity to meet current guidelines (Doheny and Noonman 1). The recommendations call for children to participate in at least 60 minutes of vigorous to moderate physical activity every day (Hendrick 1). “Only four percent of elementary schools, eight percent of middle schools, and two percent of high schools provide daily physical ...
Obesity in the United States continues growing alarmingly. Approximately 66 % of adults and 33 % of children and teenagers in the US are overweight. Obesity is the result of fat accumulated over time due to the lack of a balanced diet and exercise. An adult with a BMI (body mass index) higher than thirty percent is considered obese (Whitney & Rolfes, 2011, pg. 271).
Childhood onset overweight and obesity and its’ associated health consequences are quickly becoming major significant public health issues facing America today. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) define overweight as a body mass index (BMI) between the 85th and 95th percentile while obese is defined as BMI above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex . The prevalence of overweight children, defined based on 2009 CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics data, has more than tripled in the past 30 years. Between 1980 and 2006, the incidence of overweight among children aged 6 to 11 years increased from 6.5% to 17.0% while overweight levels for adolescents aged 12 to 19 years increased from 5.0% to 17.6% . Not only has prevalence of child and adolescent overweight and obesity increased dramatically over the last several decades, but being an overweight or obese child puts one at a heightened risk for adult overweight and obesity .
Obesity is defined by Webster’s dictionary as increase body weight due to excessive accumulation of body fat. It is a condition or disease in which the “the natural energy reserve of humans or mammals, which is stored in fat tissue, is expanded far beyond usual levels to the point where it impairs health.” Obesity is most often measured by using the BMI (body mass index). BMI is calculated by dividing the weight in kilograms by the height squared in meters. A desirable BMI for children to sustain a healthy life is between 18.5 and 25. A child with a BMI over 25.0 kg/m 2 is considered overweight. A BMI over 30.0kg/m 2 is considered obese, and a BMI over 40 is morbid obesity. “An estimated 80% of overweight adolescents continue to be obese into adulthood, so the implications of childhood obesity on the nation’s health are huge”. (Survey on childhood obesity, 2014). Obesity is a chronic condition that develops as a result of genetic, behavioral and environmental factors.
...behavior of being lazy. These are most likely the main reasons why obesity rates in pre-school and schoolchildren more than doubled over the past decade. The terms overweight and obesity are used interchangeably quite often, despite the fact that they are not identical. Overweight is defined as an increased weight (not necessarily excess fat) for a certain height, while obesity indicates an excess in fat mass. Even though the long-term effect of overweight and obesity on morbidity and mortality in children has not yet been as well documented as in adults, multiple studies have shown that adiposity in childhood is correlated with the rising incidence of diabetes, hypertension and atherosclerosis observed in this age group. The consequences of overweight and obesity imply that the definition of who is overweight, and especially who is obese, is of utmost importance.
Childhood obesity is on the rise in many countries today. There are numerous causes of obesity in America, and the majority of them can be eliminated simply by household teachings. In her book Fed Up! Winning the War Against Childhood Obesity, Susan Okie explains how childhood obesity is taking over, “The growing numbers of obese children in the United States and in many other countries are victims of an epidemic just as surely as if they were infected with a virus.” The leading causes of childhood obesity include lack of exercise, poor diet, and genetic factors.
To help out with my research on childhood obesity I am creating this annotated bibliography. I am researching the health issues related to childhood obesity as well as the long term effects.
Nursing thrives on evidence-based practice and continual implementation of the nursing process. Evaluation and reassessment are key components to the success evolving and adapting nursing interventions have had. After reviewing all the data, there is a trend that catches the eye. The most successful interventions are those that are incorporated within a family or group setting (Mayo Clinic Staff). The development of a new nursing intervention to encourage healthy eating habits among teenagers and combat the epidemic of obesity should not only be targeted to the teens themselves, but also their families.
Childhood obesity is a serious medical problem that affects children. Obesity is a medical term, commonly defined as being extremely overweight, which is only half the case. (www.wikipedia.com) Many parent’s ask if their child is obese, or at risk of becoming overweight, and they ask what to do about it. MD, Dennis Clements tells parents: “Obesity is a family event, not an individual event”.
Obesity simply put, is an excessive amount of body fat. Obesity puts children at increased risk of disease and other health-related problems. Childhood obesity is a very serious and ongoing problem-putting children on the pathway to health conditions earlier in their life such as diabetes, elevated cholesterol, hypertension. Childhood obesity also has a link to depression as well as affects the self-esteem of children and adolescent. I recently performed a community teaching on childhood obesity and will be discussing the teaching experience, observation, summary of the teaching plan, epidemiological rationale for childhood obesity, evaluation of my teaching and the community’s response to the teaching.
Teens used technology consuming excessive amounts of exercise time throughout the day that caused the physical health problem of obesity. Teens were physically active throughout the day before technology was fully exposed to teens. According to the article, Obesity in Children and Technology, Cespedes (2013) stated “The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that approximately 10 percent of preschool age children and 15 percent of 6- to 19-year olds, can be considered overweight. In addition to eating more processed, high calorie foods, active play has been supplanted by technology” (para.4). Teens would take more time outdoors riding bikes, playing at the parks, walking with friends, and swimming at indoor pools that caused them to burn calories while having fun. Most of technology today was at a sedentary state that replaced many of the outdoor activities with teens playing sport video games, using their smartphones, and browsing the internet on the computer or tablets for coun...
Obesity and overweight have became a global problem in the last decade, according to the World Health Organization back in 2005 approximately 1.6 billion adults over the of age 15 were overweight, at least 400 million adults were obese and at least 20 million children under the age of 5 years were overweight. Experts believe if the current trends continue by 2015 approximately 2.3 billion adults will be overweight and more than 700 million will be obese. The scale of the obesity problem has a number of serious consequences for individuals and government health systems. Obesity is a concern because of its implications for the health of an individual as it increases the risk of many diseases and health conditions. Being obese means having so much body fat that your health is in danger. However, being fat is simply not an opinion. Having too much body fat can lead to many diseases. Obesity and overweight have become a global problem in the last decade.