Childhood Obesity and Child Protection - Essay Example

An investigation of Childhood heaviness and Child Protection Table of Contents Table of Contents 1 2 2.Introduction 2 3.Literature Review 3 4.Study of Causes for Childhood Obesity 3 5.Obesity Prevention 4 6.Methodology 5 7.Explanation of the appropriateness of the approach 5 8.Research Questions 6 9.Conclusion 6 10.Bibliography 8 1. Abstract Obesity has emerged as a major health concern throughout the world in the recent times. One key area of concern remains obesity among children which is largely blamed on their erratic lifestyles and nutritional habits. An advanced research demonstrates that obese children are more prone to a number of grave healthiness problems which are typically anticipated in mature ages “i.e. coronary artery diseases, high blood pressure and diabetes {type 2}.” Post childhood, the children are more expected to suffer from the problem of overweight leading to a advanced risk of “heart attack and stroke, type 2 diabetes, bowel cancer, and high blood pressure in adulthood.” (NOËL CAMERON, N. G. N. G. T. H. E., 2006) As per the medical experts, it had been proven that the hazard of being prone to severe health problems soars in accordance with the extra heaviness a person gains. Being obese as a child might also origin “psychological distress.” Teasing (which is normal) about the look impacts a childs self-confidence and sense of worth and generally escorts to loneliness and hopelessness. The figure of children suffering from obesity in the UK has ascended gradually over the past 20 years. In United Kingdom, currently the obesity epidemic is considered a foremost health concern. (NOËL CAMERON, N. G. N. G. T. H. E., 2006) 2. Introduction Childhood Obesity is a severe physical condition. It is defined as carrying too much body fat for your height and sex. A person is considered obese if they have a body mass index or BMI (weight in kilograms divided by the square of their height in meters) of 30 or greater. Obesity is a risk factor for several chronic biological ailments. As studied earlier, obese children often turn into unhealthy, obese adults. Thus, most of these ailments manifest themselves during adulthood. One of the most hazardous consequences of obesity is type 2 diabetes. (KORBONITS, M., 2008) A study conducted by the National Audit Office (NAO) estimates that obesity directly caused more than 250,000 cases of type 2 diabetes in England in 1998. But what is truly alarming is the emergence of type 2 diabetes among schoolchildren. Another major health implication is the prevalence of coronary heart diseases and hypertension among obese people. (www.nao.gov.uk) The coronary heart disease is the leading cause of premature death among obese people. NAO had recorded that obesity caused some 28,000 heart attacks and approximately 750,000 cases of hypertension in England in the year 1998 alone. (www.nao.gov.uk) Excessive body weight may also lead to arthritis and joint pain. Besides these biological ailments, obesity also has serious psychological impacts on children. The social stigma related to obesity adversely affects their self esteem and confidence. They might consciously ostracise themselves from the society, leading to mental anxiety and depression. This study tries to comprehend obesity in a better manner by introducing a demographic angle to it. This also aids in estimating the possible causes of obesity, which might differ with age, gender, social class etc. This study also emphasizes on the proximities required to control the obesity and protect children from the dilemma. (DAVID CRAWFORD, R. W. J., 2005) 3. Literature Review “Childhood Obesity: Contemporary Issues” – In this book the author “Noël Cameron” highlighted a state-of-the-art description of the amplification of obesity in kids. The author also identifies the causes responsible and the prosperity of resources provides researchers with additional tools to be adapted for the prevention of the same. Childhood Obesity: Prevention and Treatment – In this book the author “Jana Pařízková” had highlighted the findings of diversified “reduction treatment” via a variety of investigations i.e. customized or hypo-caloric diet, exercises and other looms with regard to additional relentless obesity. 4. Study of Causes for Childhood Obesity The research done up to now reveals that obesity in children i.e. BMI-for-age exceeding the 95th percentile is possible to arise as a consequence of dissimilar amalgamations of causes involving an array of environmental as well as genetic factors. (www.dh.gov.uk) Though, its imperative to understand that load gain, whether leading to mild or rigorous medical obesity, usually transpires only when a kid eats extra calories than the ability to burn. (CATHERINE GEISSLER, H. J. P. J. S. G., 2005)A huge calorie surplus is usually a major factor which causes obesity. The environmental reasons responsible for the childhood obesity are: Insufficient Calorie Expenditure Through Exercise Excessive Snacking Family Behaviour Body Image Genetic reasons “Genes” influence a massive number of weight-related chemical processes in the human body. “Metabolic rate, blood glucose metabolism, fat-storage, hormones” are all controlled by the genetic inheritance. Also, study of adopted children specifies that adopted children have a tendency to apt for obesity issues related to their genetic rather than of adoptive parents. During the study, it was revealed that neonatal born to obese women were observed with reduced activities and an elevated tendency to achieve extra weight by the age of 3 months when judged against the child of normal weight mother. (KORBONITS, M., 2008) The finding of the study points towards a probable inborn drive to protect energy. Though genes effects on weight-related chemical processes in kids, it is not possible to relate for the impulsive increase in childhood obesity. However, a further investigation on the genetic symptoms is required and will be conducted in the future research. 5. Obesity Prevention During the study of a number of children suffering from obesity, it was felt that the modernized luxurious lifestyle is the major component responsible in the escalation of childhood obesity cases in UK. The study had also demonstrated that there is a noticeable diminution in the active participation of the children in school activities, outdoor sports and other activities meant for burning the calories. The modern lifestyle is leading the young generation towards the videogames, television and activities requiring less body movement. There is a stress on families to reduce food costs and cooking time, consequential in repeated eating of readymade food items that are high in calories and fat. (WIELAND KIESS, C. M. M. W., 2004) During study the issues of condensed access to fruits, vegetables and other nutritious foods and Urban and suburban plans that depress walking and other physical activities are also revealed however, these issues are deliberately planned for further research. To minimize the risks of the childhood obesity, there is a need to implement a motivation program for both kids and parents to emphasize on routine exercises and workouts. 6. Methodology This section provides rationale to support the utilization of quality research methods to pursue the study of childhood obesity and protection, understanding that the children are less motivated by the parents and surrounding environment and also there is a lack of awareness regarding the calamities of obesity. The adaptation and development of clinical interviews as a tool for data collection is supported by the literature from “Childhood Obesity and Health Research.” (FLAMENBAUM, R. K., 2006) The theoretical frameworks of Richard K. Flamenbaum (2006) and Norman A. Krasnegor will be used to create a clinical interview protocol for this study. The framework of “Berthold Koletzko and Peter Dodds” will be used to identify the reasons responsible for the childhood obesity and how can they be prevented with a strategically approach in co-ordination with medical grounds. This chapter will describe the investigation using the qualitative language of case study, with rationale for the proposed methods of data collection, data analysis and possible issues of validity and reliability. 7. Explanation of the appropriateness of the approach It is proposed in future studies to conduct an in-depth exploration in order to provide an in-depth description of childhood obesity and children protection from obesity. This study will further investigate strategically use (unit of analysis) via multiple sources of data. Students will be individually interviewed using a clinical interview procedure. The interview will consist of selected tasks for age and content, observation of actions and behaviors, and questions to probe for clarity and understanding. Analysis of the data will consist of in-depth descriptions of the cases, themes within each case and “cross-case” themes. The study will provide a detailed analysis of the cases with respect to the framework. This study is modelled on the procedures of the “Obesity Epidemiology: Methods and Applications” The interviews involved reading the questions to the students as often as needed, providing a variety of materials for instance base 10 blocks, counters, paper and pencil and allowing as much time as necessary for students to complete the problems, similar procedures were used in the Condition of Education. 8. Research Questions Past research has recognized “communal, environmental and genetic causes and associations of behaviors” considered to be linked with obesity and weight gain amid children. Much less research has documented the effectiveness of interference intended to manoeuvre those apparent causes and correlates. These concluding efforts have been introverted by the prime biomedical and social science problem-oriented study concept, highlighting reductionist move towards understanding etiologic mechanisms of obesity and risk factors. (HENRY WINTER GRIFFITH, F. J. D., 2007) The allusion of this problem-oriented loom are accountable for leaving a lot of of the most significant applied study questions unanswered and for dawdling efforts to avoid obesity and recover individual health. An alternative and harmonizing, solution-oriented research hypothesis is proposed, highlighting tentative research to categorize the causes of obesity. This subtle theoretical shift has major implications for phrasing research questions and making research results more pertinent to policy and practice. Finally, a "litmus test" for assessing research studies is projected to capitalize on the competence of the research project and aid to the endorsement of health and the hindrance and treatment of disease. (HENRY WINTER GRIFFITH, F. J. D., 2007) Further advanced research is needed to understand the below given processes Determine the precise factors that decide weight gain. Development of effectual weight preservation programs Development of stratagem for the deterrence of obesity Investigations to evaluate the relative profit of weight loss Vs physical activity 9. Conclusion This research proposal explained above highlights the research done up to now and methodologies adapted to understand the topic. With an epidemic as multifarious as childhood obesity, addressing the dilemma efficiently might depend on the level to which efforts are prepared to bring diverse sectors of society mutually to make certain that children and parents are provided with the information, tools and environments essential to make healthy choices. Obesity is a risk factor for several chronic biological ailments. As mentioned earlier, obese children often turn into unhealthy, obese adults. (JANA PAřÍZKOVÁ, A. P. H., 2005) Thus, most of these ailments manifest themselves during adulthood. Besides these biological ailments, obesity also has serious psychological impacts on children. The social stigma related to obesity adversely affects their self esteem and confidence. They might consciously ostracise themselves from the society, leading to mental anxiety and depression. While the above steps are being crystallised in the official realms, the actual need of the hour is a mass movement. (DAVID CRAWFORD, R. W. J., 2005)The masses need to promote healthy living and nutritional dieting habits. Strong family support is also essential to prevent children from falling prey to injurious lifestyles. Parents need to be more concerned about the health of their children, and ensure that their child gets enough physical exercise. It is only through active and enthusiastic participation that obesity can be controlled successfully. 10. Bibliography CATHERINE GEISSLER, H. J. P. J. S. G. 2005. Human Nutrition. Elsevier Churchill Livingstone. DAVID CRAWFORD, R. W. J. 2005. Obesity Prevention and Public Health. Oxford University Press. ELIZABETH POSKITT, L. E. 2008. Management of Childhood Obesity. Cambridge University Press. FLAMENBAUM, R. K. 2006. Childhood Obesity and Health Research: new evidence of myocardial functional abnormalities in overweight children. Nova Publishers. HENRY WINTER GRIFFITH, F. J. D. 2007. The 5-minute Clinical Consult 2008. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. JANA PAřÍZKOVÁ, A. P. H. 2005. Childhood Obesity: Prevention and Treatment. CRC Press. KORBONITS, M. 2008. Obesity and Metabolism. Karger Publishers. NOËL CAMERON, N. G. N. G. T. H. E. 2006. Childhood Obesity: Contemporary Issues. CRC Press. WIELAND KIESS, C. M. M. W. 2004. Obesity in Childhood and Adolescence: 24 Tables. Karger Publishers. www.dh.gov.uk. [online]. www.nao.gov.uk. [online]. Read More