Childhood Obesity and Obesity Research Paper

Childhood Obesity

Obesity in young ones is a major public health issue in the U.S. as the figure of overweight teenagers has tripled over the last thirty years such that 17%, that is, 12.5 million of children and teenagers aged between 2 and 19 years are currently categorized as obese on the basis of BMI (body mass index) (Jackson, 2). CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) defines childhood obesity as a body mass index above or at the 95th percentile for kids and teenagers of similar sex and age. This paper reviews childhood obesity, outlining the causes, lifetime consequences to a kid, diagnosis, management strategies, and measures to prevent it.

Causes

The main cause of obesity is an imbalance of energy between calories consumed and those burned. Worldwide, the rise in energy- laden foodstuffs high in sugar and fat but short of dietary value together with decline in physical undertakings resulting from transportation modes, sedentary lifestyle, and urbanization have all added to this energy disparity (Mchugh, 95). Childhood obesity seems to be linked with maternal dietary status, low socio-economic status, low level of education and single parenthood status. It has also heightened with the increasing use of hand-held devices and media games, mass media promotion of junk foodstuffs and insufficiency of stay-at-home parenthood.

It has moreover been associated to ethnicity, gender, and age. According to WHO (World Health Organization), since the year 1976, the Caucasians kids exhibit the lowest obesity rates in all age brackets. In comparison, Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal Australians are 1.9 times likely to be obese similar to other non-indigenous Australians (Mchugh, 95). In Australia, female and male native teenagers have been recognized through study to have preferred and pursued gaining weight as an expression of success and health, encouraged and reinforced by their parents.

Strong connections have been founded between obesity in female adolescents and neglected healthy living promotion targeting this age group. Studies indicate a higher rate of obesity in single parented girl kids aged between four and nine since they lack exercise. The study proposes that single parents find their neighborhoods insecure for their girls and reduce their outdoor movements (Mchugh, 95). Additionally, obesity possesses deep environmental, social, cultural and economic roots, all of which require to be considered when searching for manners to tackle the child obesity issue.

Diagnosis

BMI, stated as kg/m2, that is, weight over height, is most frequently applied to define obese and overweight conditions. Using a growth graph, the pediatrician of a certain child will compute the child's percentile, together with how he/she contrasts with children of the same age and gender. The categorizations linked to obesity according to CDC are; 85th -94th percentiles -- overweight, and 95th percentile and over -- obese, and those 1.2 times the 95th percentile -- exceedingly obese.

Implications on the child

The health effects of obesity on children are well documented. It might cause cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and musculoskeletal, joint, and arthritic health conditions. It breeds depression, anxiety, social stigma, and bad self-image. It also decreases life expectancy and happiness. Childhood obesity results in breathing difficulties, hypertension, insulin resistance and apnea, increased blood fats, fatty liver, behavioral problems and low self-esteem. There is a 50% to 80% chance of a child who has obese parents being obese and infancy obesity results in adulthood obesity and earlier commencement of these disorders. It is therefore vital to start early to tackle the health risk of childhood obesity (Mchugh, 95).

It is clear that obesity only pose health effects not only for an individual, but also has huge social and economic ramifications globally and nationwide. According to several studies, obesity results in costs of around 58 billion dollars a year in Australia and leads to 7200 deaths. Research has come to a conclusion that over 200 lives and 51.5 million dollars a year in Australia, could possibly have been saved only if child obesity had been dealt with in 2004/5 (Mchugh, 95). Obesity also results in indirect costs through welfare, caregivers, taxation, and lost productivity. It is estimated that the indirect costs caused by obesity are 3.3 times higher…