Overweight and Obesity: Mississippi State Nutrition - Essay Example

COMMUNITY INTERVENTION WORKSHEET HP 2020 Objective: to address the high prevalence of childhood obesity among 3-4 year olds National Data: About 18% of children, aged 2-5 years are obese in the United States. The rate has increased exponentially compared to the 1980s. The rate at which obesity rates among this group is worrying health experts. In 1980, obese children 2-5 years were only 5% compared to 18% in 2008 (Centers for Disease Control 4). State or Local data: Mississippi has the highest childhood obesity prevalence in the United States aged 2-19 years old. The percentage of 3-4 year olds is about 18%. Compare National vs. State/Local Data: childhood obesity in Mississippi for children 3-4 years old is 18% compared to national average of 15% (Obesity Society 3). Possible “Root Causes”: The high prevalence of obesity in children in Mississippi is multifaceted. One, the people of Mississippi prefers taking foods with high fat content. Mississippi parents pass this culture to the children when they are still very young. After all, the same parents, probably overweight or obese take care of the children and are unlikely to change. Joyce Shaw, a manager at a cafeteria in Mississippi claims that Mississippi culture of high calorie foods is not likely to change any time soon (Presutti 7). In addition, overweight and obese parents may have genetic mutations, which increase vulnerability to obesity. Children of such parents are likely to be obese from the onset (Bellows and Moore 6). Formula feeding; experts believe poor formula in children food may increase vulnerability to obesity. There are specific guidelines on the proper formulae but some parents disregard them. In this case, Parents do not give the children healthy foods. They do not even provide fruits for the young children (Obesity Society 6). Physical inactivity is another problem. In the state of Mississippi, many people are inactive. Data indicates close to a million residents in the state self reported they are not active. Parents who are not physically active encourage their children to be physically inactive. In addition, 3-4 year olds are becoming increasing attracted to television programs. They sit for long hours just watching television decreasing physical activity (Park 8). What agencies/programs are working on this issue: Many agencies, governmental and local state agencies are working to address the problem. Since these are pre-school children, awareness programs are used. What interventions are currently in place? Parents are encouraged to parent provide good healthy food, increase fruits and vegetables in the children diet and encourage the children to play with other rather than just watch television programs. Can you possibly build your intervention onto what is already in place? The intervention measures now are good. However, awareness needs to be more. Advertisements on State television programs should be encouraged. In addition, frequent awareness programs using mobile facilities for example vehicles. Another way is to organize local programs to support parents with children with obesity. What possible organizations are willing to partner with you on this intervention Funding?: Many organizations in Mississippi encourage healthy eating and fund projects to fight against childhood obesity. The 5K run/walk project, obesity campaign organization and the state government fund projects fighting against obesity in Mississippi. Collaborating with this organizations and the government is easy because of the common goal; eradicating obesity in Mississippi. What funding is currently available? Is there any source to look for new/additional funding?: A number of organizations are working for a better Mississippi. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation collaborated with other organizations and Mississippi to address this issue by banning fries and unhealthy foods and encouraging healthy eating. The government of Mississippi through Mississippi State Department of Health is willing to support intervention measures. The Mississippi government and local organizations like Robert Wood Johnson Foundation will support this project through finances and other resources Target population description: to make this project a success, parents and adults would be the best target. Adults in Mississippi either have children o plan to have children in future while the teenagers and the youth plan to have children in future. For the target group, the objective is for them to understand the importance of taking healthy foods. When they change eating habits, they also change that of the children. After all, the parents’ guide the children depending on what they belief is best for them. The idea is to educate the people on obesity comprehensively. This includes the impacts to individuals, the society and the economy and preventive measures. Diagnosis (describe the problem in PES format): Mississippi has one of the highest rates of childhood obesity with 15% of children having affected. With the rapid increase in childhood obesity in the state and United States in general, meeting the goals is challenging. Processed food producers and hotels in the country make it a challenge to address the problem. There are very many advertisements targeting the children. At the same time, there are no way these companies and hotels can be banned from airing their advertisements. After all, it is a free country. Intervention proposal Childhood obesity is of great concern to the people of Mississippi as the state government puts it. The state government, federal government and other local organizations are already trying to address the problem. This intervention project will facilitate enhanced intervention to the current intervention projects by providing more information and collaborating with the others. The intervention project brings together many people from the healthcare, the media and society representatives together. With this team, the intervention process will be much better. Timeline: projected timeline is ten years (2014-2024). Budget Item Cost Type Staff Payment (Full Time and Part Time) USD 10,000 Recurring per month Equipment(Computers, Printers and network installation) USD 10,000 One time Advertising USD 100,000 Recurring per month Travelling Costs (Hiring Vehicles, Fuel, Maintenance) USD 20,000 Recurring per Month Miscellaneous USD 10,000 Recurring per month Total USD 150,000 Recurring Costs per month USD 140,000 Total Budget per Year One USD 1780000 Project planning Monitoring: the progress of each phase is to be determined the success of the goals under specified resources and time. Evaluation: This project is in phases, each with its own targets. Dividing the project in phases makes it easy to manage and to meet the targets of each phase. Evaluation is on the different phases independently. Works Cited Public Broadcasting Service. Mississippi Wages Fried Food Fight Against Childhood Obesity. 12 May 2010. Web 16 January 2014. 7th Annual Sweetness "Fight Against Obesity" 5K Run/Walk and One Mile Fun Run. March 2013. Web. 16 January 2014. Center for Disease Control. Overweight and Obesity: Mississippi State Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity Profile. September 2012. Web. 16 January 2014. Presutti, Carolyn. Mississippi Has Highest Rate of Childhood Obesity in US. Voice of America. 23 October 2010. Web. 16 January 2014. Bellows, L and Moore R. Childhood Obesity. March 2013. Web. 16 January 2014. Obesity Society. Childhood Obesity: Prevalence. N.d. Web. 16 January 2014. Food Research and Action Center. Overweight and Obesity in the U.S. n.d. 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