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Understanding The Cause

This document discusses childhood obesity in the United States. It states that childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions due to many social and environmental factors that have negatively influenced children's physical activity and eating habits. As a result of increased obesity rates, children are at greater risk for both acute and chronic medical problems, as well as psychological issues like low self-esteem and depression. The document reviews the multifaceted causes of and potential solutions to childhood obesity, and the role that healthcare providers can play in patient education and advocacy on this important health issue.

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May Dianne Mansia Bautista
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38 views

Understanding The Cause

This document discusses childhood obesity in the United States. It states that childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions due to many social and environmental factors that have negatively influenced children's physical activity and eating habits. As a result of increased obesity rates, children are at greater risk for both acute and chronic medical problems, as well as psychological issues like low self-esteem and depression. The document reviews the multifaceted causes of and potential solutions to childhood obesity, and the role that healthcare providers can play in patient education and advocacy on this important health issue.

Uploaded by

May Dianne Mansia Bautista
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Understanding the cause & effect of the physical education to the

behavior of the setudent

Childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. As a result, children
are at increased risk for myriad preventable acute and chronic medical problems—many of which
are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. In addition, childhood obesity has serious
psychosocial consequences, such as low self-esteem, lower quality of life, and depression. The
multifaceted causes and solutions to this pervasive health issue are discussed in the present
review, as are pertinent health policy issues. Osteopathic physicians and other healthcare
providers can play an important role in patient and family education, direct care, and advocacy.

Many social and environmental factors have negatively influenced the physical activity and
eating behaviors of US children and adolescents. Financial and time pressures force many
families to minimize food costs and meal preparation time, resulting in increased consumption of
prepackaged convenience foods that are high in calories and fat.1 In fact, fast-food restaurants are
often concentrated in neighborhoods containing schools and therefore young customers.2
Children are also the target of junk food advertisements.3 As a result of these and many other
factors, childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions.

Since the 1970s, the rate of obesity more than doubled among US children aged 2 to 5 years,1,4
and recent data from studies conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC)5-7 indicate that this increased prevalence of obesity applies to all ethnicities in this age
group. Meanwhile, the number of obese children has tripled among youth aged 6 to 11 years and
doubled among those aged 12 to 16 years.1,4 According to the Institute of Medicine, more than 9
million children and young adults older than 6 years are overweight or obese.1

Childhood obesity increases the risk of multiple acute and chronic medical problems as well as
psychological issues, all of which can persist into adulthood and adversely affect quality of life.
Obese children can suffer from orthopedic complications, including abnormal bone growth,
degenerative disease, and pain.8,9 They are also more likely to have low self-esteem, leading to
depression and suicidal ideation, and to engage in substance abuse.10 One study11 suggested that
obese children may have a similar quality of life as children with cancer. Health issues related to
obesity are also linked with decreased life expectancy.1

The estimated 9 million overweight children—including 4.5 million obese children—are at


higher risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus, heart disease, cancer, asthma and other pulmonary
diseases, high cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, stroke, and other chronic illnesses.12
Compared with children at a normal weight, overweight children are 70% to 80% more likely to
be overweight in adulthood.13

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