Teaching Obese Children Health Habits
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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 diet and exercise. Obese children may also have lower self concepts; self-esteem is predictive of adult obesity (Matz, Foster, Faith, & Wadden, 2002). Childhood obesity is increasing and threatens to become a serious health problem for large numbers of children (Dietz, Bland, Gortmaker, Molloy, & Schmid, 2002). The National Association for the Education of Young Chil
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ertal maturation and at menarche. It was also found that obesity rate in both groups was doubling, during the ten years between ages 9-10 years and 18-19 years. Consequences of this obesity include increases in Type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents (Kimm & Obarzanek, 2002). Inconsistent findings regarding obesity factors, may be due to measurement issues and definitions of obesity (Goran, 1998; Kimm & Obarzanek, 2002).
Major Studies of Treatment for Childhood Obesity
Efforts to reduce childhood obesity have increased in the past several decades (Moran, 1999). Moran reported that up to 30% of children are affected and yet this condition remains under-diagnosed and under-treated. These obese children may suffer from life-long physical and emotional consequences of obesity. Treatment needs to be initiated when the weight is obviously surpassing the trend in increasing height. Treatment plans need to include weight-loss goals, dietary and physical activity management, behavior modification, and family involvement (Moran, 1999).
Since childhood obesity is a national problem, steps are recommended for families regarding assisting the overweight child. It is suggested that the parents develop an awareness of the child'
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Some common words found in the essay are:
Huang Parcel, Council Foundation, Heo Pietrobelli, Peterson Gortmaker, Klein Shrager, Obesity Efforts, Pascual Waters, Obesity Robinson, Education Children, Pawlak Ludwig, childhood obesity, physical activity, obese children, treatment childhood obesity, obesity children, treatment childhood, food intake, physical activities, caloric intake, national association, et al, 2002 childhood obesity, national association education, british medical journal, kid source online,
Approximate Word count = 3190
Approximate Pages = 13 (250 words per page)
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