Childhood Obesity Nursing Essays – INTRODUCTION

There are many health topics and issues that are at the forefront of modern public health concerns, like cancer, HIV and the opioid crisis of the 21^st century. Childhood obesity is another issue that has become epidemic in the United States and its negative consequences can be extreme including, the development of serious diseases and a shortened life span. It is imperative to understand the causes and consequences of childhood obesity. What makes childhood obesity so frustrating is that it is, for most children, it is completely avoidable. Yet, still statistics on childhood obesity continue to grow. When one looks at children today, there are far and far fewer children seen playing in parks, playing basketball in their driveway or riding their bikes down the streets. Instead, many youths are spending more and more time in-doors entertaining themselves in many sedentary ways. As this has become the norm the statistics of childhood obesity has continued to increase each and every year (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2018). After reviewing the relevant information it become clear that the best way to address childhood obesity is a matter of understanding its contributions and treatments, but there must also be endeavors that focus on proactive prevention.

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BACKGROUND

Studies have shown that childhood obesity currently affects, nearly, 14 million children and teens. Among children 2 to 5 years of age 13.9% are obese, 6 to 11 year olds show  that 18.4% are obese and 20.6% are obese among youths 12 to 19 years of age (Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, 2018). Childhood obesity is a very real and serious health problem that is detrimentally affecting children of all ages, very often for the rest of their lives. Research into childhood obesity has proven not to just be medical problem but, also, a societal one (Pandita, Sharma & et. al., 2016).  There are some sociological studies that believe that a large part of childhood obesity can be attributed to social conflict theory. Social conflict theory looks at the inequality in society as necessary and therefore supports that inequality. It is not unknown that many of the youths that suffer from childhood obesity are seen more commonly among people living in economically depressed areas. The poorest communities across the country have less money, more fast food and often working parents. This encourages the unhealthy lifestyle and why socioeconomic inequality can be named as a contributing social factor (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2018). Many sociologists believe that social interaction is a valid theory to explain, at least in part, the phenomena of childhood obesity. Social interaction argues that childhood obesity is caused by the interactions that children have with the adults and their environment. If youths see poor dietary habits and limited exercise as being normal they are highly likely to emulate that behavior throughout their childhood and the rest of their lives (Sahoo, Sahoo & et. al., 2015).

DISCUSSION

The society that many youths are experiencing today can lead to many negative lifestyle habits. Today youths at younger and younger ages are spending far more time engaged with video games and other forms of media. Today youths eat fast-food and highly processed foods due to the fast-paced lifestyle and as the solution to family meals for working parents (Sahoo, Sahoo & et. al., 2015). Youths today eat far more unhealthy diets and live much more sedentary lifestyles than ever before in American history. The consequences of childhood obesity can be extreme and can easily lead to further and worsening problems in adulthood (Wen, Rissel & He, 2017, Childhood Obesity Nursing Essays).

Immediate Concerns: Children experiencing excessive weight and obesity are likely to struggle with some immediate issues that become more and more apparent. First and foremost their size will increase, of course, but there are other immediate consequences. Children who are obese do not get enough exercise and the more weight they gain the less energy they will have and will not bother to try. Children who are obese may also develop diseases far younger than other sufferers, like high blood pressure, heart problems and diabetes. There are also issues with the social stigma associated with obesity and the lack of acceptance from their peers as well. This social isolation is not healthy for children psychologically (Pandita, Sharma & et. al., 2016). The sooner these issues are addressed the less time the child will continue down this very unhealthy path, spotting the issues early is highly beneficial; it allows for a greater likelihood of not developing any of the long term consequences later in life.

Long Term Consequences: The long term consequences of childhood obesity can be extreme. It can include all of the diseases developed in their youth and the continuing health problems have followed them into adulthood. Diabetes when unaddressed can lead to blindness and the possible loss of limbs. Heart conditions and high blood pressures can lead to an early death. The psychological issues associated with childhood obesity can affect the quality of life as surely as the physical consequences can. Children who struggle with obesity in their youth, through their teens and into adulthood are far more likely to suffer with issues of low self-esteem and poor self-image; they are more prone to developing depression and serious eating disorders. Obesity can also have a specifically negative impact on female fertility. Females can develop polycystic ovary syndrome, which if not properly addressed can lead to infertility. Girls who are obese are at a greater risk factor over their peers who are not obese (Pandita, Sharma &  et. al., 2016). All of these long term consequences must be taken seriously and greater efforts must be made to address childhood obesity so that these consequences can be stopped before they ever begin.

Childhood obesity continues to rise, not just in the United States but in places all around the world. The effects of obesity and numerous comorbidities are a public health concern world-wide (Atay & Bereket, 2016). Treatment is, of course, necessary for the many children who are struggling with their weight at such a young age. If the child has not development any other health problems due to their obesity status then it will necessary for parents to work with their children’s pediatrician to find a healthy dietary and exercise plan that will make sure the child receives the correct nourishment, as well as, aid the child in losing the extra and unnecessary weight they are carrying. The childhood obesity issue is becoming serious enough that parents are optioning to have their teens undergo bariatric surgeries, the making of the stomach smaller, which can be effective but also carry a number risk factors (Pandita, Sharma & et. al., 2016). There will, also, likely be a need to address the other health issues that children may develop, like diabetes.  It is possible to lessen the effects and even eliminate the effects of some forms of diabetes with the aid of a doctor’s care (Sahoo, Sahoo & et. al., 2015).  Most children respond well to these lifestyle changes, can maintain the lifestyle changes over a long period of time and overcome their health issues into adulthood. Childhood Obesity Nursing Essays

Again, treatment is beneficial from youths already struggling higher than average weight and obesity. However, as previously mentioned, childhood obesity is a completely avoidable health problem that can be prevented. Prevention is truly the most important endeavor in the fight against childhood obesity. Experts argue that the best and most feasible way to address childhood obesity is through keeping it from effecting children in the first place. In fact they argue that “…prevention is better than a cure (Pandita, Sharma & et. al, 2016). This means it will be necessary to improve the environments and role models in their lives. In other words it will be necessary for parents to play a part in their children’s relationships with food and exercise. They will need to start setting these positive habits when their children are still toddlers (Wen, Rissel, He, 2017). Starting healthier eating habits, develop a foundation of exercise and physical activity into children’s lives and setting that example through their own habits can be hugely influential in their children’s lives and their weight as they grow up.

CONCLUSION

The reality is that childhood obesity is without question a growing problem in the United States. As the reality of sedentary lifestyles and poor eating habits continue to be perpetuated in the United States and throughout the world, the worse it will get. More and more children, as young as 4 and 5 year old, are gaining unnecessary weight and suffering from, both, the immediate and long-term consequences of childhood obesity. They are facing stigmas and suffering from diseases that can negatively impact quality of life and even be responsible for ending their lives, very often at a far younger age than they would have had they not been obese. That being said, experts know the cause and effects, they know the sociological contributions, social conflict and social interactionism, that can influence children’s behaviors, they have learned to treat and, finally, understand the importance of prevention. It is time to start making these kinds of efforts more frequently and proactively in order to reach the largest number of children in need due to obesity or at high-risk to become obese.

Childhood Obesity: REFERENCES

Atay, Z and Bereket, A. (2016). Current status on obesity in childhood and adolescence:

Prevalence, etiology, co-morbities and management. Obesity Medicine. 3. 1-9

Pandita, A., Sharma, D. and et. al. (2016). Childhood obesity: Prevention is better than cure.

Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy. 9. 83-89.

Sahoo, K., Sahoo, B. and et. al. (2015). Childhood obesity: Causes and consequences. Journal of

Family Medicine and Primary Care. 4(2). 187-192

Wen, L.M., Rissel, C and He, G. (2017). The effects of early life factor and early interventions

on childhood overweight and obesity 2016. Journal of Obesity. 1-3. Childhood Obesity Nursing Essays

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). Prevalence of childhood obesity in the

united States.CDC. 1. Retrieved September 6, 2018, from