Health in the UK - The solution for obesity for children - Essay Example

Health in the UK -- The solution for obesity for children The term ‘obesity’ can be defined as surplus quantity of body fat which leads to a number of health problems originating from fatness of one’s body. The body mass index or BMI is used to measure obesity in children and adults. One can see that obesity in children cause health, emotional and social problems. When the problem of obesity is superimposed to the context of healthcare scenario in UK, one can see that the same is considered as an extreme serious threat. Besides, the increase in child obesity is a burning issue in the healthcare scenario in UK. Thesis statement: The reason for the children obesity is closely connected to health, emotional and social problem (special reference to children obesity in UK and solution for the same). The reason for the children obesity in UK There are a number of factors that can be pointed out as the reasons for the children obesity in UK. First of all, high level of energy intake is an important reason for the children obesity in UK. Besides, modern lifestyle provides less scope for home-made food items. The children are forced to have food and drink from outside their homes. Handler (2004, p.74) states that popularity of junk food, inactive way of life and lack of exercise are the main reasons of obesity among children in UK. The children are attracted towards confectionary items, fast food and sugar sweetened drinks. So they are forced to face the effects of obesity and related health problems. Another important reason for the rapid growth of children obesity in UK is less involvement in physical activity/ exercise. For instance, the sedentary form of lifestyle hinders children from directly involving sports and games at their schools. Besides, children do not show much interest in physical activities like walking and cycling. The influence of television, computer games and the internet adds much more fuel to the current problem of obesity. Another reason for children obesity in UK is the negative influence of processed food items. The junk food which contains unwanted fat is not good for health. When children are attracted towards processed food items, there exists high possibility for obesity. One can see that high intake of junk food items and low physical activities/exercises constitute obesity among children. Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Committee of Public Accounts (2007, p.3) states that parents must show keen interest in controlling the high fat content diet and inactive lifestyle of their children. But from a different angle of view, one’s family lifestyle (say, modern way of life) allows less scope for home-made food and physical activities. This can negatively affect children because they are not aware of the health problems in future. Other reasons of children obesity are the lack of emotional attachment and low socio-economic grouping in the society. Great Britain National Audit Office (2006, p.9) states that children, parents and the society can play a vital role in reducing obesity among children. When the other members of a family fail to provide emotional attachment/support to a child, he or she may consider eating as a way to escape from that situation. This will ultimately lead to obesity and related health problems. In UK, children obesity is seen among groups which face problems due to low socio-economic status. So, one can see that all these factors can be considered as solid reasons for the children obesity in UK. Solution for children obesity There are a number of practical solutions to tackle children obesity. But the success of these practical policies may vary according to circumstances. For instance, large scale campaign using media is an effective solution for children obesity. On the other side, control and care from the side of parents can easily prevent children obesity. One of the possible solutions for children obesity in UK is to give ample importance to preventive measures. One can see that children obesity is a global problem. For instance, Grady (2010, p. A11) makes clear that lack of physical exercise at schools is an important cause of obesity among children in America. Other measures include policy solutions like research, creating public opinion (community participation and awareness campaigns), and support from media. But one cannot ignore the role of parents in attaining an effective solution for children obesity in UK. For instance, parents can form forums for collective decision making to tackle children obesity. Besides, parents can take apt decision upon their children’s food habits and physical exercise. Pryke (2006, P.5) makes clear that the control measures that can be taken by parents can reduce the scope of obesity among children. In the central level, the healthcare authorities and the government can help the parents and their children by providing food subsidies to the needy. In the local level, authorities and other agencies can help the children by providing advice on healthy food habits and exercise. The authorities can make use of the media as an effective tool for creating awareness on chronic diseases related to obesity. The teachers can play an important role in creating awareness about the possible health problems originating from obesity. The government, healthcare authorities, agencies, NGOs, parents, teachers etc can play major role in reducing children obesity. But the best possible solution for children obesity is self-control from the side of children. All these external forces must be able to create awareness in children that obesity will lead to chronic diseases in future life. Then only, the preventive measures/solutions will become successful. Summing, children obesity is a global issue which curbs the health of future citizens. The main reasons for the children obesity in UK are: high level energy intake, lack of physical exercise, consumption of processed food items and socio-economic problems. Besides, there is no easy solution for children obesity. But effective measures that can be adopted by parents, teachers, and healthcare authorities can save the future citizens from obesity and possible chronic diseases in future life of children. References Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Committee of Public Accounts., 2007. Tackling child obesity - first steps: eighth report of session 2006-07, report, together with formal minutes, oral and written evidence. Great Britain: The Stationery Office. Grady, D., 2010. Obesity rates keep rising, troubling Health Officials. The New York Times, 4 Aug. p. A11. Great Britain National Audit Office., 2006. Tackling Child Obesity - First Steps. London: The Stationery Office. Handler, C., 2004. Cardiology in primary care. Abingdon: Radcliffe Publishing. Pryke, R., 2006. Weight matters for children: a complete guide to weight, eating and fitness. Abingdon: Radcliffe Publishing. Read More