Analysis of the Problem of Childhood Obesity - Essay Example

CHILDHOOD OBESITY IN AUSTRALIA Introduction Childhood obesity is an increasingly emerging issue in many modern societies today. An increasing percentage of children in Australia are overweight and the majority of them are developing some diseases that are considered common in adults. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, obesity in children has dramatically increased in the last 30 years or so. An approximated percentage of teenagers and children (aged 3–18) are overweight in Australia. According to the Australian government, Department of Health and Ageing, “the 2007–08 National Health Survey results indicate that 24.9% of children aged 5–17 years are overweight or obese. 25.8% of boys and 24.0% of girls are either overweight or obese.”1 Various studies have indicated that childhood obesity is a complex interaction of various conditions. Contributing factors of obesity entail genetics, lifestyle, poor nutrition and lack of physical exercise, environment and some social cultural demographics. Overweight kids are at risk of various health complications during their childhood, which continue to old age. Obese teenagers tend to develop hypertension, increased cholesterol, heart stroke and other lifestyle diseases. They are also more prevalent to psychological challenges, which can result in drug abuse, stress, depression, low self-esteem and some eating disorders. The WHO and Australian Bureau of Statistics agree that because of such health challenges, childhood obesity accounts for more than thirty thousand annul deaths of children. In addition, the yearly amount spent on the condition is about 150 billion dollars. Obese children tend to become overweight as adults; therefore, the health challenges continue to old age.2 Discussion The percentage of obese children in Australia has heightened drastically since the early 20th century. There are various contributing factors that have triggered this drastic change, for instance, behavioral pattern of children, genetic factors and environmental factors.3 Genetic Factors A firm genetic foundation exists for obesity development. Some genetic features may enhance a person’s susceptibility to obesity, although there are various genes involved, and an intensive interplay amidst genetics and environment affects the degree of childhood obesity. Various genes have been associated with excess fat predisposition. Childhood obesity, in most cases, is the effect of an interaction among various environmental factors and genetic factors. For instance, polymorphisms in numerous genes facilitating metabolism and appetite expose children to obesity given that adequate calories are available.4 Therefore, obesity is a key characteristic of various conditions present during childhood development. Similarly, studies demonstrate that children from obese parents tend to be overweight more than children from normal parents. This is because of biological characteristics that may be inherited from parents. Environment and Advertising Various environmental aspects influence the healthy decisions of young people and their guardians. Australian society has become highly influenced by environments that enhance high consumption of unhealthy diets and less physical activity.5 Therefore, it is hard for children and teenagers to make healthy diet decisions and get adequate physical exercise at home, school and childcare centers. Many schoolchildren take sugary drinks and excessive calorie foods at school and homes. Advertising of high sugary and less healthy foods affect the ability of children to take healthy food decisions. In addition, high calorie foods, salty, sugary, high fat and reduced nutrient foods are increasingly advertised via many children and teenager media sources, while healthier food advertisement and marketing are nearly nonexistent in these media sources.6 Families that adhere to healthy eating habits and constant physical exercise will impart various significant skills to their children. In addition, in modern days, various busy parents have less time to prepare home-cooked healthy food for their children. This is because of various other responsibilities they engage in, such as jobs and education. Social economic status of the family plays a significant role in childhood obesity development.7 For instance, families with reduced income levels or unemployed parents tend to feed their children with excessive calorie food while high status families can afford balanced diet for their children. Behavior of Children Parents’ diet choices and attitudes have immense influence on the eating attributes of their kids. In Australia, the dietary behavior of children has changed from consuming healthy foods (like fruits, cereals and grains, and green vegetables) to high reliance on chemically processed foods, manufactured fast foods and sugary foods. Such diets are likely to have increased amounts of fats and low in essential nutrients.8 The popularity of modern technologies such as computer games and children programs has led to a highly sedentary lifestyle for various children and adolescents in Australia. Children are spending approximately six hours daily playing computer games and viewing television, and less time in practical activity. These habits utilize low calories and trigger drinking and snacking. Additionally, few children have guardians who participate in daily physical activity.9 Only few children in Australia participate in physical education at colleges. In addition, the busy schedules of parents and their fears concerning public security hinder a large number of children from participating in activity programs in school, such as sports, drama, dance and athletics. Short-Term Physical Effects Childhood obesity causes various physical effects on children, for example, difficulties in movement and standing, breathing difficulties after exercise or during normal routine activities, breathing problems during sleep and sleeping difficulties. It may also heighten joint agonies and discomforts.10 Long-Term Physical Effects Obese children and teenagers tend to become overweight as adults, may have increased risk of disabilities, adult morbidity, and increased adulthood premature mortality. Childhood overweight leads to increased risk of adulthood and lifestyle diseases such as asthma, type two diabetes, hypertension, inactivity, sleeping disorders, eating disorders and stroke or heart attack. In addition, these medical conditions may be disturbing to children and affect the health of the child.11 These problems may continue to affect the child up to adulthood, and in most cases, overweight children grow into overweight adults with these related medical challenges. According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, “Obese youth are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure. In a population-based sample of 5- to 17-year-olds, 70% of obese youth had at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease.”12 Psychological Health Effects Obese children suffer various psychological challenges, for instance, an overweight child may be neglected, teased, ridiculed or marginalized by his peers. This may immensely affect his personality and self-esteem and can result in anxiety, stress and depression. Such effects can be reflected in poor performance at school and behavioral challenges.13 Behavioral issues may include eating problems, moodiness, aggressiveness, isolation and depression. These personality perception and self-esteem challenges haunt the child even in the adulthood stage. Conclusion In conclusion, experts agree that childhood obesity is a serious health challenge all over the world. The health threat is intensively affecting both industrialized and non-industrialized nations alike, irrespective of the variations in rates. The physical, psychological and medical effects of the condition are alarming and thus significant steps should be implemented to combat the condition.14 With appropriate transformations in the diet, as well as physical activity, the adverse impacts of the condition can be prevented and children can experience a highly fulfilling and healthier development. Bibliography Barnett, Guy. The Millennium Disease: Responses to Australias Obesity Epidemic: A Selection of Presentations from Senator Guy Barnetts Seven Healthy Lifestyle Forums to Help Combat Childhood Obesity. Launceston, Tas: Office of Senator Guy Barnett, 2006. Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Health Effects of Childhood Obesity, July 7, 2012. http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/obesity/facts.htm (accessed October 1, 2012). Crowle, Jacqueline, and Erin Turner. Childhood Obesity: An Economic Perspective. Melbourne: Productivity Commission, 2010. Department of Health and Ageing. Overweight and Obesity in Australia, October 22, 2010. http://www.healthyactive.gov.au/internet/healthyactive/publishing.nsf/Content/overweight-obesity (accessed October 1, 2012). Dixon, Nicolee. Childhood Obesity. Brisbane: Queensland Parliamentary Library, 2004. Healthy Lifestyle Forum. Recommendations of the 2007 Healthy Lifestyle Forum to Help Combat Childhood Obesity. Sydney, N.S.W.: Sydney University Nutrition Research Foundation, 2007. Keller, Kathleen. Encyclopedia of Obesity. Los Angeles: Sage Publications, 2008. Moreno, Aznar Luis, Iris Pigeot, and Wolfgang Ahrens. Epidemiology of Obesity in Children and Adolescents Prevalence and Etiology. New York: Springer, 2011. NSW Health. NSW Childhood Obesity Summit: Government Response 2003. North Sydney, N.S.W.: NSW Dept. of Health, 2003. NSW Health. Prevention of Obesity in Children and Young People: NSW Government Action Plan 2003-2007. North Sydney, N.S.W.: NSW Dept. of Health, 2003. NSW Childhood Obesity Summit. Childhood Obesity – NSW Summit. [Sydney]: NSW Health, 2002. NSW Childhood Obesity Summit. Communique NSW Childhood Obesity Summit. Sydney: NSW Health, 2002. Reisch, Lucia A., Wencke Gwozdz, and Suzanne C. Beckmann. Sustainability and Childhood Obesity: The Pandemic of Overweight and Obesity. New York: Springer, 2010. Swan, Norman. Tipping the Scales: Intervention and Management of Childhood Obesity. Deakin, ACT: Rural Health Education Foundation, 2007. Read More