childhood obesity by ms. carino

8/3/2019 Childhood Obesity by Ms. Carino

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December 2011

Prevent and

Treat:Childhood

Overweight

And Obesity

Diet and

Physical

Activity:A Public Health

Priority

Cheryl Ann R. Cario, BSN IV-A


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CHILDHOOD OBESITY

Childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century.The problem is global and is steadily affecting many low- and middle-income countries, particu-larly in urban settings. The prevalence has increased at an alarming rate. Globally, in 2010 the

number of overweight children under the age of five is estimated to be over 42 million. Close to35 million of these are living in developing countries (WHO, 2010).

Overweight and obese children are likely to stay obese into adulthood and more likely todevelop non-communicable diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases at a youngerage. Overweight and obesity, as well as their related diseases, are largely preventable. Preven-tion of childhood obesity therefore needs high priority.

Causes of Childhood Obesity

Many factors contribute to a child accumulating excess amounts of body fat (obesity):

Dietary HabitsA child who eats more calories than his /her body can burn will become obese over time.A diet of sugary, processed, convenient foods with a high calorie and a low nutrient content con-tributes greatly to a child becoming obese. Children today snack too much, have no pattern ofeating, eat even when they are not hungry or while watching TV and have no affinity for healthyfoods.

Sedentary Behavior

Parents and children are adopting a lifestyle with less physical activity. Other behavior likespending too much time watching television, playing computer and video games and not commit-ting to exercise, even in school, plays an important part in childhood obesity. This sedentary life-

style also encourages snacking of especially high calorie foods and junk food.

Emotional problemsSome children may be emotionally unstable and may resort to comfort eating. Stressful

life situations like divorce, death, abuse or an upset in daily life may trigger a binge or emotionaleating in a child. The child eats not because they are hungry but are unable to deal with the emo-tions that they are experiencing.

Genetic predisposition

Research has shown that being obesity is in the genes, an obese child may have obeseparents or obese siblings. These children may be more susceptible to accumulating fat as a re-sult of their genetic make up. However genetic predisposition does not guarantee childhood obe-

sity and with proper nutrition and lifestyle factors, there is very little reason why a child should beobese.

As a parents, you need to understand the seriousness of your child being obese in orderto prompt you to take decisive action. If an obese child develops diabetes during childhood he/she will almost certainly sentence themselves to a premature death. The diabetes is likely to de-velop kidney failure or heart disease or the child may even suffer the associated effects of diabe-tes which can include blindness.


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Diet and Physical Activity: A Public Health Priority

Unhealthy diets and physical inactivity are key risk factors for the major non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes. But there are

many ways you can work toward reversing or preventing childhood overweight and obesity. And

in doing so, youll lower the risk of your childs serious health consequences.

Physical Activity and Childrens Health

Active play and exercise have benefits in weight reduction or maintenance; physical activ-ity can reduce stress, boost the immune system, and strengthen the heart and lungs along withmuscles and bones.

If lifestyle changes are to be made, physical activity for overweight and obese childrenshould be provided in a setting that is enjoyable and capable of producing a positive experience.

Physical activity is defined as any body movement that works your muscles and requiresmore energy than resting and it generally refers to movement that enhances health (Department

of Health and Human Services, 2008). Therefore, physical activity includes exercise, sports,dance, and leisure activities.

Play together, Play ApartPlaying with your children gives kids playmates and demonstrates that you think

play is important. Children will learn a lot when they play on their own: problem-solving,conflict resolution and creative self-expression. You can do indoors and outdoors game.Parents can serve as facilitators and cheerleaders, or join in whatever youre all in themood today! These following three games for easy, active family fun:Forward March! Have a parade around the house (inside or out). Equip everyone with toy

musical instruments, or pots, pans, plastic containers, and wooden spoons. Take turns

taking the lead and setting the pace. Make up silly marching steps and cheers.Forever blowing bubbles: you know the rules for this one. One person blows the bubbles,

and everyone else chases them!Come dancing: Put on your favorite tunes and boogie down.

What Parents Can Do to Encourage Children:Set a good example by choosing action over electronics whenever you can. Walk to the

store instead of driving.Enjoy exercise. After a work-out or walk around the block tell your child how you feel.

Energized? Happier? Tired, but proud of what you accomplished?Play together. Children love your attention. Get you child out by taking him to the play-

ground or outside for a game of catch.Praise efforts, not results. Your child wont be able to ride a two -wheeler or sink a basket

on her first attempt. To fend off frustration, be sure to acknowledge how hard theyretrying.

Offer positive reinforcement. If your child makes a healthy choice, notice out loud. When

he learns a new skill, record it on video and show it to friends and family.Ask her to teach you. Request a lesson! Children love to show off their expertise.


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How much physical activity is enough? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), National As-

sociation for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE), and Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine(CASM) encourage daily physical activity for children of all ages:

Infants should have ample opportunities to explore their environment and should not be con-

fined to a stroller or carrier for longer than 60 minutes/day.Toddlers should accumulate at least 30 minutes of structured, vigorous physical activity and

at least 60 minutes or more of free play.Preschoolers and school-age children should participate in at least 60 minutes of structured

physical activity during the day. They should also be given opportunities to engage in sev-eral hours of unstructured physical activity.

Eating Habits and Childrens Health

Diet has a direct effect on the quality of a persons health and well-being. It is also important tonote that all persons throughout life require the same nutrients, but in varying amounts. Young

children have a significant need for nutrients that support growth and provide energy; older chil-dren require nutrients to maintain and repair body tissue and provide energy.

Nutrition is the study of food and how it is used by the body. It is not only concerned withthe quantity and quality of the food in the body for growth and renewal as well as maintenance ofthe different body functions (Basic Nutrition and Diet Therapy, 2008).

Nutritional needs of children differ from that of the adult: there is larger requirement forgrowth so there is a greater need for protein, vitamins, and minerals; their activities are propor-tionally higher than those of the adults so the adults calorie allowances per unit body weight mustbe increased; selection of foods requires some modifications especially for young children; child-hood presents period of rapidly changing attitudes and emotional development a period when

food habits can be most favorably channeled.Young children shouldnt eat too many fiber-rich foods, either, as these may fill them up so

much they cant eat enough to provide them with adequate calories and nutrients.However, as kids approach school age, they should gradually move towards a diet thats

lower in fat and higher in fiber. And by the age of five, their diet should be low in fat, sugar andsalt and high in fiber with five fruit and vegetables a day just like adults.

Fortunately, whatever their age, children can easily get a balanced diet and lower theirrisk of becoming overweight or obese by eating a variety of foods from four main food groups:

Bread, other cereals and potatoes these starchy foods, which also include pasta and rice,provide energy, fiber, vitamins and minerals

Fruit and vegetables these provide fiber, vitamins and minerals and are a source of antioxi-dants.

Milk and dairy foods these provide calcium for healthy bones and teeth, protein for growth,plus vitamins and minerals.

Meat, fish and alternatives these foods, which include eggs and pulses, provide protein and

vitamins and minerals, especially iron. Pulses also contain fiber.


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In contrast, foods from a fifth food group that includes fatty and sugary foods like biscuits,

cakes, fizzy drinks, chocolate, sweets, crisps and pastries, that add little nutritional value, shouldbe limited.

Children's Vitamin and Mineral IntakeChoosing foods from each of the four main food groups will help to ensure that kids

receive all the vitamins and minerals they need for good nutrition and health.Worryingly, figures from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey of Young People re-

veals that many children have inadequate intakes of many nutrients, including vitamin A,riboflavin (vitamin B2), zinc, potassium, magnesium, calcium and iron, particularly oncethey reach the teenage years and have more control over what they eat.

In contrast, the survey showed these poor intakes of vitamins and minerals werecombined with too much salt, sugar and saturated fat.

Its particularly important that children and teenagers eat a diet thats packed with

vitamins and minerals. In fact, older children often have higher requirements for nutrientsthan even adults in order to support growth for example, 15 to 18 year old boys need

more thiamin (vitamin B1), niacin (vitamin B3), vitamin B6, calcium, phosphorus and ironthat adult men! Similarly, 15 to 18 year old girls need more niacin, calcium, phosphorusand magnesium than adult women.

Calorie Intake for ChildrenAlthough obesity is a major problem, children and teenagers still need enough calo-

ries to grow and develop into healthy adults. Kids who are really active may need more;those who are inactive may need less.

Salt Intake for ChildrenIts important to ensure that children dont have too much salt. While adults shouldhave no more than 6g of salt a day, children need even less as they have smaller bodies.

So dont add salt to cooking or meals and check information on labels when youbuy processed foods such as crisps, ready meals and sauces even if theyre aimed atchildren. Opt for those with the least sodium its the sodium in salt thats linked to health

problems like high blood pressure. Bacon, ham, sausages and cheese are also high insalt so limit these, too.

The maximum amounts of salt children should have at different ages are:13 years 2g a day (0.8g sodium)46 years 3g a day (1.2g sodium)

710 years 5g a day (2g sodium)11 years upward 6g a day (2.5g sodium)


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childhood obesity by ms. carino

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