Obesity in School-Age Children - Research Paper Example

Highlighted in green in the following document is material that has been there from the beginning that you are still requesting in revisions. Please do not send back for revisions in these areas again. Obesity in School-Age Children Student name Instructor name Course name Date One of the most widespread adverse conditions among school-age children today is obesity. This is particularly a problem in the United States as younger generations become increasingly sedentary. Video games, television and computer use coupled with the need of many families to keep their children safe by requiring them to remain indoors after school until the parents return from work have led to a situation in which children’s weight is becoming a significant barrier to their health and well-being. Generally speaking, an obese person is considered to be any individual who carries more body fat than is considered healthy for their specific gender, height, age and gender. Although obesity is typically only thought of as an adult problem, children are even more at risk. While other conditions may be easier to hide under clothing or to mask in other ways, obesity cannot be hidden under clothing and often leads to children being teased or becoming the recipient of cruel jokes perpetrated on them by their misunderstanding classmates. The negative looks and disapproving stares from other children and adults greet them each time they meet the next set of eyes. This often unconscious reaction on the part of others can contribute to severe psychological damage that lasts a lifetime. Even when the weight is defeated, these emotional scars can significantly impact the individual’s ability to achieve the kind of happiness and fulfillment that should be everyone’s right. The physical ramifications of obesity are also unacceptably great. It is a well-known fact that obesity can dramatically lower life expectancy regardless of age. With obesity now recognized as being at epidemic proportions, it is of utmost importance to identify the most prevalent causes of obesity and the most effective means of treating it to help school-age children overcome some of the social disadvantages of being overweight. One of the most troubling aspects of obesity is its close connection with at least 30 adverse health conditions and innumerable psychological ramifications. Increasingly younger people are beginning to experience arthritis of the knees, back, hips and hands as a result of the long-term abuse their systems must endure. The risk of breast cancer is doubled for obese people as compared to those who maintain a relatively stable weight as an adult. Other cancers such as colorectal, esophageal, gastric and endometrial cancers are also much more prevalent among the obese, even at young ages. It seems unnecessary to list the higher risk of cardiovascular disease given its direct correlation with high levels of cholesterol in the blood which blocks the arteries of the heart (“Health Effects”, 2002). This problem is exacerbated in the obese because their veins are more constricted. This has the effect of slowing oxygen transmission to the tissues of the body and prompting complaints of breathing problems, sleepiness and general fatigue. Unsurprisingly, all of these risks and side effects of overweight and obese has an impact on a child’s growth rate and ability to develop. Even for children, obesity can increase the risk of stroke and hypertension, a statistic supported by the fact that more than 75 percent of people who suffer from hypertension are obese (Health Effects, 2002). Obesity Statistics (2007) indicates that one in every four children designated as overweight are already showing signs of diabetes and as much as 60 % have at least one risk factor for heart disease. Most people don’t realize obesity is the leading cause of liver disease (right next to alcohol abuse), gallbladder disease and pancreatitis (Health Effects, 2002). Children who are obese are also more susceptible to infection and pneumonia. There is plenty of evidence to indicate the severity of this condition must be addressed as soon as possible. Currently, statistics indicate there are more than 300,000 deaths in the United States each year as a direct result of the effects of obesity (Overview of Obesity, 2007). According to Obesity Statistics (2007), a quarter of all white American children were deemed to be overweight in 2001 and a third of all African American and Hispanic children fell into this category. Because these statistics demonstrated a sharp rise over earlier figures, it is correctly assumed that these numbers have not been significantly reduced in recent years. According to scientists with Cardiovascular Diseases, people who exceed their ideal weight range for their age, gender and body type by 40 to 100 pounds are considered to be obese while those who are more than 100 pounds overweight are deemed to be morbidly obese (Overview of Obesity, 2007). However, these definitions are altered somewhat when looking at the condition of children. The CDC (2009) indicates that while Body Mass Index (BMI) is a good measure for helping adults, it is only a basic starting point in measuring children. Body mass refers to the percentage of fat carried in the body as compared to other components. Children with higher than recommended BMI measurements are further examined for height, age, gender and other factors that play an even greater role in the development of a child than they do for adults. This all contributes to their placement on a chart of factors that ranks the individual within a specific risk percentile. Children ranking between 85 and 95 percentile points are considered to be overweight while those scoring in a range higher than the 95th percentile are considered obese. This is an important distinction because children are still undergoing important growth changes. It is natural for children at specific points in their individual development to have a little more than what would be normal fat for an adult. It is important for proper growth and development that these children receive proper nutrition and adequate caloric intake as they work to adapt to healthier lifestyles. There are many factors that contribute to the problem of obesity, some of which cannot be changed and many that can. Falling under the category of things that cannot be changed is heredity which has been shown to have a strong impact on the individual’s tendency to gain weight and greater difficulty in trying to lose or maintain a specific weight. In many cases, children born into overweight families have already reached the stage of overweight before they are even in preschool. Metabolism (the level of efficiency with which the body burns off energy), illness and endocrine issues are other elements leading to obesity that no one has much control over. According to the Cardiovascular Diseases scientists, new studies are investigating the role of a substance called ghrelin which regulates appetite, triggers hunger pangs and produces a feeling of fullness in the development of obesity (“Overview of Obesity”, 2007). Another factor contributing to obesity that may or may not have a solution is the socioeconomic condition of the family as this has an effect on the information available to them, the ability of the medical profession to identify and assist families struggling with obesity and the types of food and activities that are available to the child. Among the factors leading to obesity that can be changed are two of the greatest contributing factors to obesity among school-age children – overeating unhealthy foods full of empty calories and spending large amounts of time in sedentary pursuits. This is where some of the socioeconomic contributors to obesity can be mitigated. In many cases, the food provided to children living in the lower income population comes in the form of fast food or inexpensive food items. These foods are generally high in calories but low in nutritional quality. One of the largest social disadvantages of children living in low-income homes is that they may have to spend daylight hours either in the classroom or locked inside an empty house, causing them to turn to fast food and comfort food as a means of finding fulfillment. Too much time allowed on the computer, watching television or playing video games strongly contributes to problems of obesity. For too many children, television is their primary source of connection to the world. TV commercials constantly promote foods that are misrepresented in terms of their nutritional value and entice children to go get something else to eat while they’re sitting there (Byrd-Bredbenner & Grasso, 2000). Studies have shown a strong correlation between obesity, regardless of age, and the amount of time spent watching television. This is what happens when enticement meets boredom and inactivity. Instead of playing outside and burning up calories, overweight children sit and snack until dinner time and often into the evening. Studies have shown what anyone with common sense already knows, obese children lose weight when they are allowed to spend less time in front of the television (Miller, 1999). Fast food is another strong contributor, feeding about a third of all children every day and adding about six pounds per year (Holguin, 2003). Although the problem of making fast food available in schools has finally been acknowledged, the truth is that many schools are actually dependent on the revenue the candy and soda machines bring in (Nakamura, 2001). While the physical ramifications of obesity are all too clear, the psychological damage can be even greater and often remains unexposed and unaddressed. This is the focus of a book by Silvia Rimm (2004). Childhood obesity can affect a person’s self-esteem, self-confidence, relationships with peers and their acceptance of self. This has an impact on all elements of their lives and can severely limit their options well into the future. Within her book, Rimm explores why these children’s interests are typically much different from the interests of average weight children, the reasons why sexual maturity might come earlier and the family conditions that typically contribute to an overweight condition in children and serve to keep them in that condition. For example, there is a widespread cultural belief that overweight or obese children are naturally lazier than other children in every way – internally and externally. Thus, teachers tend to view them as less capable in school and this lower expectation soon becomes translated to the child. As a result, the child begins putting less effort into his or her schoolwork and fulfills the expectations set for them. Likewise, the body’s ability to handle the additional weight naturally restricts the child’s ability to keep up with the healthier weight children on the playground, reinforcing their perception that they are just not able to keep up on other levels. This causes them to seek more sedentary activities, limit their friendship group and spend more time seeking comfort in their food and electronic interests. Throughout the book, Rimm paints a grim picture for the success of overweight child in attempting to overcome these hurdles to achieve a healthy lifestyle. This cycle sees the child increasingly gaining weight as a result of the emotional turmoil that occurs as other children begin to make fun of them or as they perceive themselves not being able to keep up with other children on the sports field. They begin seeing themselves as somehow less than average weight children in every way and stop participating in the kinds of activities that can help. Many adults within their communities reinforce these beliefs with the idea that an overweight child must be lazy and not as bright as other children. Perceiving these impressions of others, overweight children retreat to food as comfort while still shunning physical activity that further contributes to the weight problem. Obesity is the precursor of many significant health risks, yet there is no obesity panacea. Diet, exercise, behavior modification, medication and surgery have all had successes and failures in the treatment of obesity to varying degrees. The general consensus is tilting steadily toward surgery as the best option for obesity in adults, but there is no similar ‘simple’ cure available for children. Medications, exercise or dieting alone has proven successful in producing long-term weight reduction for less than 10 percent of the morbidly obese. A 2000 study indicated that gastric bypass surgery reduced not only weight for patients but instances of diabetes and hypertension within the study group as well (Sjostrom, 1999), but this option is not generally recommended for children. Solutions for children must focus more upon the process of gentle behavior modification. Rimm includes helpful tips and suggestions on how teachers, parents, friends and, most importantly, the overweight child herself can help to both overcome the taunts and discrimination to find enjoyable forms of physical activity and discover healthier ways of eating that will lead to a satisfying and healthier lifestyle. First Lady Michelle Obama has adopted the issue and initiated a Let’s Move campaign that effectively provides real solutions for children at all levels to reach and maintain healthy weights. Among these approaches are family and community oriented events and activities such as dancing, gardening and moving in any way. The campaign also focuses on highlighting healthier food choices and removing junk food and sodas from school corridors to be replaced with more nutritional options. The campaign’s website has specific outreaches for organizations to get involved including ideas and information for distribution. On the surface, obesity seems to be caused by poor lifestyle choices alone but for most, the choices made by those who are overweight are rooted at least somewhat within their biological make-up and economic social positioning. Obesity is responsible for the poor health of millions and the deaths of hundreds of thousands every year while costing taxpayers billions. The most viable way to stem this tragic and widespread condition is to identify it in the young and work with behavioral modification therapy as a means of achieving and maintaining a more healthy weight through a greater self-acceptance and self-value. From this early position of empowerment and control, young people are able to overcome overweight issues to achieve a more stable and healthy weight and social outlook. They become confident in their ability to effect change and realize that they are held back only by their willingness to accept their current state. These lessons translate well into all other areas of life as well, helping children retain a healthy body, spirit and mind capable of reaching higher potentials later in life. Works Cited Byrd-Bredbenner C & Grasso D. “Commercials During 1992 and 1998.” Journal of School Health. Vol. 70, (2000), pp. 61-65. “Health Effects of Obesity.” AOA Fact Sheets. American Obesity Association, 2002. Holguin, Jaime. “Fast Food Linked To Child Obesity” CBS News (January 5, 2003) Miller, Daphne. “Television’s Effects on Kids: It Can be Harmful!” CNN. (August 20, 1999). Nakamura, David. “US Schools Hooked on Junk Food Proceeds” (February 27, 2001) Common Dreams.org “Obesity and Overweight.” Centers for Disease Control (CDC). (2009). “Obesity Statistics.” Anne Collins. (2007). “Overview of Obesity.” Cardiovascular Diseases. (January 22, 2007). University of Virginia Health System. Rimm, Sylvia. Rescuing the Emotional Lives of Overweight Children. New York: St Martin’s Press, 2004. Sjostrom, C.D., et al. “Reduction in incidence of diabetes, hypertension and lipid disturbances after intentional weight loss induced by bariatric surgery: the SOS Intervention Study.” Obesity Research. Vol. 7, N. 5, (1999), pp. 477-484. Read More