EFFECTS OF TEACHING HEALTH HABITS TO OBESE CHILDREN ON EATING, EXERCISE, AND SELF ESTEEM
This study will investigate the effects of teaching obese children better habits of eating and exercise, on improved habits and self-esteem. The subjects for the study will be drawn from the general school population at M' Smythe Elementary in Pasadena, Texas (ages 6 to 10). Subjects (n = 20) will receive a brief intervention regarding nutrition, activity, and snacking. Subjects will serve as their own control. Each participant will be pre- and post-tested regarding eating behavior, activity, snacking behavior, and levels of self-esteem. The hypothesis will be tested through the application of quantitative analysis (one-way ANOVA) to the data collected.
Recent Research on Childhood Obesity 12
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Childhood obesity is described as "one of the most complex and least understood clinical syndromes in pediatric medicine" (Muecke, Simons-Morton, Huang, & Parcel, 1999, p. 19). Studies are not consistent regarding causes of this obesity, however, caloric intake, physical activity levels, and high-fat consumption are considered risk factors for obesity. High-fat foods offer a target for diet modification since these foods increase total caloric intake and they are risk factors of cardiovascular problems (Muecke, Simons-Morton, Huang, & Parcel, 1999). Epstein, Valoski, Vara, McCurley, Wisniewski, Kalarchian, Klein, and Shrager (1995) pointed out the consequences of inactivity. One year after treatment (increased exercise or decreased sedentary behaviors), the sedentary children group reported lower caloric intake and a liking for high-intensity activity, more so than the exercise group. The authors concluded that treatment of childhood obesity needs to involve the changing of diet and exercise. The authors conclude that treatment of childhood obesity needs to involve the changing of di...