Childhood obesity is one of the most critical public health issues in the United States today. Over the past 30 years, the frequency of overweight children, defined as a body mass index (BMI) greater than the 85th percentile for age and sex has tripled (Miller, Rosenbloom, & Silverstein, 2004). Over 30 percent of all American children are overweight or obese and obesity has become a problem with long-term, life altering effects that persist into young adulthood and middle age. In fact, research suggests that obesity in young adults decreases life expectancy by 5 to 20 years, that pediatric obesity-related hospital costs have increased threefold during the past 20 years, and that the increased frequency and severity of childhood obesity is accompanied by medical complications such as impaired glucose tolerance, increased risk for heart disease, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia (Miller, et al, 2004).
In identifying the research for this critical thinking assignment, a key article delineating the problem with respect to effective interventions targeting obese and overweight children and their families was selected: Tyler and Horner (2008) offered a research study identifying an intervention process that was designed to assist low-income families and their overweight children in improving weight related behaviors. Four additional empirical studies were identified that also focused on this particular issue, the issue of obesity prevention and intervention. By narrowing the topic to strategies designed to prevent obesity in children or to intervene in order to foster healthier lifestyles, the research provides an in-depth focus on current strategies used in dealing with what Miller, et al (2004) have characterized as a pandemic with global implications.
Tyler and Horner (2008) examined a collaborative negotiation process, an interventional approach tested at a primary care, school-based clinic that assisted low-income fami...