Childhood Obesity - Interventions Crucial in Mitigating Effects of Obesity, the Role of Nurse in the Prevention of Overweight - Coursework Example

Childhood Obesity in Australia Name of Student Student Number Institution of Affiliation Course Code Instructor Date of Submission Childhood Obesity and Overweight Problems Introduction The number of overweight children in Australia has been observed to be on the rise recently; with its causes being diverse and complex. This has prompted interventions and strategic measures right from the territorial, state to the national level, as well as global standards aimed at curbing the health problem which culminates to complicated lifestyle-related disorders later in life. This essay evaluates the aspect of childhood obesity and overweight problems in Australia, as well as the world at large, and consequently identifies its link to the lifestyle-related chronic disorders later in life. Health interventions introduced to mitigate the increasing problems and the role of the nurse will also be evaluated. Databases accessed to come up with this discussion and avail current literature included Science Direct, CINAHL and ProQuest. Key words utilized in the search of crucial information incorporated obesity, childhood, health interventions, risks factors and relevant obesity overweight statistics. Childhood Obesity and Overweight in Children Childhood obesity is defined by Karnik and Kanekar (2012) as the accumulation of fats in the body to the point whereby it endangers the health of the child. Overweight and obese children have the characteristic of excessive accumulation of fat in the adipose tissue resulting to an increased level of body mass index (BMI); where the weight is higher than the appropriate for the specific height of the child (Robinson, Denney-Wilson, Laws, and Harris, 2013). The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2013) indicates that overweight children in Australia have been on the rise for the past 30 years and statistics have doubled in the recent years with 1 in 4 children (25%) being considered overweight or obese. The increasing statistics have caused great concerns in the health care settings due to the implications of childhood obesity. There are a number of negative implications associated with childhood obesity and overweight kids, ranging from social, psychological and health problems (Camdem, 2009). Overweight children are more likely to be ridiculed by their peers due to their weight problem leading to low self-esteem or having a negative image concerning their body. Reversing childhood obesity calls for great efforts and commitments by parents, teachers and other parties involved in child care and upbringing (Theodore, Bray and Kehle, 2009). Measures that have been globally embraced to ensure mitigation of this problem involve encouraging children to engage in physical activities while in school, avoiding fast foods and sweetened refined foods, while embracing the habit of eating more of vegetables and fruits instead (Gonzales, Kohn and Clarke, 2007). There are various causes that bring about the increased levels of obese and overweight children in Australia and world at large which constitute; family eating habits, lack of engaging in active lifestyles and unhealthy dietary choices (Gill, Baur, Bauman, Steinbeck, Storlien, et al., 2009). The rising rates of overweight and obesity among children is a global concern in the health care settings and this has prompted the World Health Organization has introduced an International Obesity Taskforce aimed at implementing strategic measures to aid in mitigating the problem (Ben-Sefer, Ben-Natan and Ehrenfeld, 2009). Overweight and obesity cases come as a result of imbalance between the energy consumed and the energy that is utilized by the body during work or exercises. This shows that overweight and obese children intake more energy that the one they utilize in their daily chores (Stamatakis, Wardle, and Cole, 2009). This is further made worse by the lifestyles lead in the 21st century where most children engage in computer games, watching movies and other digital entertainment programs rather than engaging in physical activities. Thus, lifestyle changes are key measures which can be utilised to effectively address the issue of childhood obesity and curb its spread and gradual development into chronic lifestyle-related disorders later in life. Childhood Obesity and Development of Chronic Conditions in Later Life Childhood obesity has high chances of resulting to adult obesity and hence health problems are carried forward into adulthood. Indications show that 80% of obese children and adolescents will turn to obese adults (ICN, 2009). Obesity and weight problems have a major impact on how children feel about themselves and greatly contributes to how they relate with other. Due to the probability of developing low self-esteem, the situation impacts negatively in their psychosocial aspects in life which may be a precursor towards leading unfulfilling lives (Olds, et al., 2009). Obesity is a metabolic condition that is considered as a main factor in respect to some chronic disorders later in life and is correlated with increased morbidity and mortality (O’Dea, 2008). Obesity among children is a significant long-term health problem common within western countries and has been keenly observed to raise strategic measure to curb the trend. Being overweight or obese is a predisposing factor towards acquiring lifestyle diseases at later state in life (Denney-Wilson, Hardy, Dobbins, T. et al., 2008). Childhood obesity leads to physical, social and emotional problems in childhood, and also adolescence stage. This condition can lead to diabetes type 2 in childhood and cardiovascular disorders in adulthood (Gill, et al., 2009). The health problems that are related to obesity and overweight in children incorporate stress on the bones and joints especially around the hips, legs and ankles; fat accumulation in the liver; experiencing sleep apnoea and snoring; high levels of cholesterol; hypertension and diabetes type 2 (Rahman, Cushing and Jackson, 2011). Total obesity coupled with accumulation of fat in the abdominal area is considered to be independent risk factors for cardiovascular disorder. Cardiovascular disease risk is raised even with low and medium level obesity (Burke, Bertoni, Shea, et al., 2008). According to statistics, a 10% increase in body weight raises the risk of cardiovascular disease by 30%. Other lifestyle disorders associated with obesity include hypertension, atherosclerosis and diabetes (AIHW, 2013). According to research, Australian kids are exceeding time taken watching or playing video games a guideline termed as screen time with two thirds of children exceeding the maximum time limit of two hours per day (Olds, Tomkinson, Ferrar and Maher, 2009). The trend of increased range of sedentary activities likes TV viewing, video and computer games are a major contributor to the prevailing childhood obesity. Further, increased use of motor vehicle and trains for travel has reduced energy use among children (Singh, Mulder, Twisk, et al., 2008). Rarely will you find children walking even for short distances whether going to the market or for leisure activities like movies. Majority of the health problems associated with obesity normally manifest in adulthood with early signs being observed in children with weight problems (Stamatakis, Wardle and Cole, 2009). There are manifestation of eating disorders like bulimia or binge eating that are associated to overweight and obesity among children. Further, orthopaedic disorders arise which mainly refer to problems with the structure of the foot (Karnik and Kanekar, 2012). Finally, liver problems due to fat accumulation arise, as well as respiratory disorders characterised by blocked airways and restriction in the chest walls causing breathlessness during exercise. These conditions are critical in the sense that their development at childhood escalate to chronic conditions in adulthood (Burke, Bertoni, Shea, S. et al., 2008). Interventions crucial in mitigating effects of Childhood Obesity Various health interventions within Australia and around the world have been introduced to address the increasing cases of childhood obesity and overweight among the young. The state of Victoria leads in the curb of childhood obesity and overweight children with twenty five of its suburban areas being among the top in the national list places where children are most likely to led healthy lifestyles and participate in sport (Herald Sun, 2014). In the NSW a healthy eating and active living strategy 2013-2018 has been introduced aimed at providing the government with a framework for promoting and supporting healthy eating and active lifestyle (AIHW, 2013). This in turn will result to impacting positively towards mitigating the effects of lifestyles-related diseases which have turned out chronic in the recent years. Through such strategic measures, the community is encouraged to inculcate lifestyle changes at a personal level and come up with an environment that supports healthier living through initiatives like having better health plans, transport solutions and built environments (Rabbitt and Coyne, 2012). This strategy will ensure that every individual gains the opportunity to lead a healthy lifestyle through delivering an evidence-based program and policy initiatives. Looking at national measures in Australia, the Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) commissioned NHMRC in 2010 to come up with Clinical Practice Guidelines for the management of overweigh and obese persons in Australia (AIHW, 2013). The strategy which was developed for primary health care professionals, had guidelines to promote healthy eating plans, increased physical activity as well as behavioural changes as the main approach towards managing obesity to achieve a range of health benefits. Interventions aimed at curbing childhood obesity and overweight problems ought to take into consideration health professionals alongside other stakeholders that are involved in child growth and development (Carter and Bulik, 2008). These stakeholders span the fields of education, transport sports and leisure, as well as food manufacturing industry. Further, introduction of a multi-professional group is necessary in the implementation of strategies raised and eventually address the root cause of the problem. The Role of the Nurse in the Prevention of Childhood Obesity Nurses have a greater role to play in the curbing of childhood obesity. Creating awareness on the lifestyle activities that greatly contribute to increased obesity can well be carried out by registered nurses within health facilities and in the community (Karnik and Kanekar, 2012). The school nurses have a greater role of educating pupils the importance of leading an active lifestyle and eating a health balanced diet. Once a child is trained into a given life trend, chances are high that he or she will follow the lessons even in their adult life (Carter and Bulik, 2008). Thus, training children on matters pertaining to healthy diet and physical exercises is a step forward towards ensuring a future generation that will have less of obesity and overweight cases. The primary prevention measure of obesity aims at preventing the development of serious secondary complications later in adult life. Nurses have a greater role in ensuring that parents and children uphold health living lifestyles through provision of nutritional advice, weight management programmes, proposing ways of enhancing physical activities and strategies to minimize calorific intake (Ben-Sefer, Ben-Natan and Ehrenfeld, 2009). Nurses possess an ideal opportunity for improving health promotion strategies targeting reduction of risk factors to childhood obesity and overweight conditions in young children. According to International Council of Nurses (ICN, 2009) they act as teachers and role models the community, parents and patients in enhancing measures to mitigate increase of overweight and obesity problems. The actions undertaken by nurses ought to embrace a whole family approach since it is a challenge for obese children to alter their dietary or physical habits without the support of the family members (Rabbitt and Coyne, 2012). In order to come up with effective prevention and treatment for childhood obesity and related problems nurses ought to consider the psychosocial and cultural parameters affecting health behaviours associated with obesity. Generally, the concerns that face nurses in relation to obesity involve respiratory challenges, skin care, and difficulties in mobility and medication absorption issues from obese and overweight clients (Camdem, 2009). This makes them key stakeholders in addressing the prevailing problem by contributing in creating solutions. Nurses are highly important in establishing these factors since they interact with patients and parents at the community level and have first-hand information on lifestyles and behaviours embraced by various families (Rabbitt and Coyne, 2012). Consequently, nurses working in schools in conjunction with educators are in a position to come up with interventions through evidence based strategies that will address specific groups of pupils from a given area. In Australia, nurses have been presented with initiative of carrying out interventions aimed at ensuring that lifestyle changes are embraced among children prone to obesity and their family members (Olds et al., 2009). Nurses have the capacity to identify overweight and obese cases and consequently intervene for with the help of parents to curb excessive weight gain. Thus, it is expected that nurses should acquire effective skills and experiences aimed at addressing childhood obesity in Australia and the world at large. 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