Obesity Among Obesity Among ChildrenChildren

Obesity Among Obesity Among ChildrenChildrenJamie Falkner, EDTC/560Jamie Falkner, EDTC/560

University of Phoenix OnlineUniversity of Phoenix OnlineDr. ShawDr. Shaw

July 14, 2008July 14, 2008

Obesity Among Children

• Topics of discussion– Prevalence of obesity– Unhealthy choices among children– Parents and teachers encouraging he

althy habits– Steps parents can take for their childr

en

Prevalence of Obesity in Children

• Obesity is becoming a huge problem and is affecting people at a younger age.– “Since 1971, the prevalence of overweight

among US children has increased by more than 100% (it stood at 10.4% in 2000), and this prevalence is expected to continue to increase” (Kimbro & Brooks, 2007, p.298).

– “Today, more than 9 million children over age 6 are considered obese, which means that they face serious immediate and long-term health risks” (Koplan, 2005, p.57).

Unhealthy Choices Among Children

• Children do not become unhealthy on their own. The children’s parents, siblings, teachers, and peers have much to do with the healthy or unhealthy choices that are made.– “A 2002 study

concluded that by age two, one in five babies are eating candy every day” (Graci, 2006, p.93).

Encouraging Healthy Lifestyles

• Parents and teachers can help encourage healthier habits among the children.

– Parents can encourage their children to play outside more during daylight hours, increase interest in extracurricular sports activities, provide fruit for snacks, and provide healthier choices at dinner.

– Teachers can incorporate more activities that require physical activity, provide healthier snack choices, and instead of rewarding children with candy and sweets find an alternate reward

Encouraging Healthy Lifestyles

• The importance is high to encourage a healthy lifestyle at a young age; if children are overweight it tends to follow them into adulthood (Hamilton, 2007).

• Parents have to step in and help their children life a healthier lifestyle. Parents could:

– take the children to the park to play– take the dog for a walk and invite the

children to go along– limit the children’s time indoors on the

computer, watching TV, and playing with their video games

– limit the intake of sweets and fast food meals

– provide the children with healthy home cooked family meals.

References• Graci, S. (2006). 21 days to crack the code. Alive: Canadian

Journal of Health & Nutrition, 290, 92-93. Retrieved Saturday July, 12, 2008 from the Alt Health Watch database.

• Hamilton, J. (2007, March). A big deal. Australian Parents, pg.66,67. Retrieved Saturday, July 12, 2008 from the MasterFILE Premier database.

• Kimbro, R., Brooks-Gunn, J., & McLanahan, S. (2007). Racial and ethnic differentials in overweight and obesity among 3-year-old children. American Journal of Public Health, 97(2), 298-305. Retrieved Saturday July 12, 2008, from the Academic Search Premier database.

• Koplan, J., Liverman, C., Kraak, V. (2005). Preventing childhood obesity. Issues in Science and Technology, 21(3), 57-64. Retrieved Saturday, July 12, 2008 from Research Library database.