Psychological Issues in Childhood Obesity - Research Paper Example

Development of a Handout on Psychological Issues Associated with Childhood Obesity for the Parent and Teacher Organization at Cutoff Elementary TABLEOF CONTENTS Page Chapter 1: Overview 2 Nature of the Problem 2 Purpose of the Study 3 Significance to the Institution 3 Research Questions 3 Definition of Terms 3 Chapter 2: Review of Literature 5 Introduction 5 Beginning of Obesity 5 Psychological and Health Problems 6 Early Intervention 7 Summary 7 Chapter 3: Methodology and Procedures 7 Methodology 7 Procedures 7 References 9 CHAPTER 1 Overview Obesity is like a communicable disease contaminating the world. It is not only a serious problem in many industrialized countries but has spread all throughout many countries. Obese children, they say, are cute, but they are a burden to society. And they are the most vulnerable, including women. Some statistics can explain the seriousness of the problem. One American dies every ninety seconds from obesity-related diseases. There are more overweight than people of normal weight in America, and obesity is one of the lingering illnesses in many but all racial and ethnic classes. (Bailey, 2006, p. 14) According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for the first time in history, there are more overweight and obese people in the nation than people of normal weight. An estimated 61 percent of U.S. adults are either overweight or obese. Obesity develops more rapidly in black men after approximately aged 28 years. Worldwide, there are at least 300 million people obese and two to three times are overweight (Cooke and Wardle, 2007, p. 238). Researchers stipulated that if the prevalence of obesity continues to rise, especially among children, the negative effect on health and longevity in the coming decades could be much worse. Lifestyle characterized by inactivity is one of the causes leading to obesity and diabetes. Food is cheaper and there’s the convenience of fast food outlets proliferating everywhere and delivering tasty high-fat foods. There are also changes in the nature of work, time pressures in the daily living. Children would like to stay at home and play computer games. Technology has done a lot of inactivity for children. Obesity causes diabetes, a sickness borne out of insulin deficiency. Insulin is a hormone produced by beta cells within the pancreas. In simple terms, diabetes is energy imbalance – there is more energy intake with less energy output. A simple prevention in children must be early assessment of energy imbalance to counter obesity. Obesity can be prevented if people do not take it for granted. Measuring the body mass index (BMI) of individuals is a way of determining if a child is obese or not. This must be done on growing children, teenagers and adults, Americans who have the tendency to be obese. To solve the problem, the best way is to start in schools where parents and teachers interact, exchange ideas and find ways to solve the problem of obesity in children. The efforts of parents and teachers should lead to the development of a handout on psychological issues associated with obesity in children. Nature of the Problem Obesity is a major health problem. Women and children are the most vulnerable. Researchers found that longevity in the population could be in the worse situation if the prevalence of obesity cannot be controlled. (Cooke and Wardle, 2007, p. 238) There are varied health and psychological problems associated with obesity. Children who tend to over-eat but do not have enough activity will develop obesity. Obesity develops stereotyping and discrimination in children and also causes depression and other psychological problems. Stigmatization is associated with poor body image and low self-esteem. Purpose of the Study The purpose of the study is to determine the causes of obesity in order to develop a handout on obesity-related psychological issues. This handout could provide a clear picture on the problems faced by elementary pupils. The handout can also be a basis for a program of action for the school administration and the parent and teacher organization. Significance to the Institution This study is significant to the school administration especially to the parent-teacher organization which is very much concerned for the welfare and health of children prone to obesity. This is also important to health institutions, government and private organizations, in their quest to provide a healthy program in schools particularly the grade school level. Research Questions The research questions this study addresses are: What causes obesity in children and how can this be prevented? What are the mental-health problems and psychological issues associated with childhood obesity? Definitions of Terms Obesity Obesity is a malady that is the result of too much food intake but without much activity or exercise. Obesity can be determined by measuring the body mass index (BMI). Body Mass Index Health practitioners and physicians determine obesity by measuring a person’s weight in relation to the body structure. Illnesses can also be determined through an individual’s BMI and taking into consideration the age, gender, eating habits, physical activity, etc., of the patient (Bedogni, Tiribelli, & Bellentani, 2005, p. 1). To determine the BMI of a person, the social worker must divide the weight by the square of the height. Having a BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight. There are classifications of obesity according to BMI results. A BMI of 30-34.9 is mild obese and a BMI of 40 and more is already considered severe and extreme obese. A BMI of 30 is about 30 lb. overweight and equivalent to 221 lb in a 6’ 0” person and to 186 lb in one 5’ 6”. In children, the relationship between BMI and body fat varies considerably with age and with pubertal maturation. (Bailey, 2006, p. 23) Diabetes Diabetes is a sickness that is the result of not having enough insulin in the body to metabolize the sugar in the blood. Obesity causes diabetes although not all obese people have diabetes. Depression People with diabetes experience depression and feelings of unhappiness. Depressive symptoms affect cognition and the psychomotor activity in the young and adults. Patients lose appetite, unable to sleep and their normal way of life is very much affected. (Nouwen and Oyebode, 2009, p. 385) Chapter 2 Literature Review Introduction Obesity has been recognized as a major problem in many countries today. It is a problem because it causes economic costs to the family in terms of medical expenses. A study in the United States estimated the cost of medical expenses for obesity to reach 70 billion dollars. There are other costs related to obesity such as buying diet foods and formulating activities to prevent and treat sicknesses as a result of obesity (Kiess, 2004, p. ix). Preventing and addressing obesity costs $110 billion a year, roughly one percent of the U.S. gross domestic product (Burd-Sharps, Lewis, & Martins, 2008, p. 64). Health care should be a nation’s major concern and for some it is a burden. Schools and institutions of learning should help and should be a primary source of teaching the prevention of obesity. With limited resources, schools can pinpoint and target health care interventions. Authorities from the World Health Organization have prioritized measuring BMI of adults and children and prevention of weight gain. (James & Gill, 2008) Government and non-government health organizations in the United States have proposed a periodic measurement of height and weight for children. BMI should be calculated to determine obesity so that programs for prevention can be instituted particularly in elementary schools. This has been proposed by the United States Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality in determining diabetes in Black Americans. Diabetes mellitus is prevalent in this ethnic group. (Bailey, 2006, p. 5) The Beginning of Obesity Parents have the responsibility to look after their children in terms of health and nutrition. As parents are role models, they should take care of their health too. Mothers also have problems of excess weight. Mothers develop obesity during pregnancy and gain weight during gestation and even after giving birth. Obese mothers give birth to large babies and there’s a great possibility that these children may become obese. A study conducted by Charney et al. (1976 cited in Worobey, 2008, p. 3) found that infants considered overweight also became overweight when they reached adulthood. Therefore, it is imperative upon health professionals to address obesity at an early age. Children – at first – tend to ignore their obesity; they don’t feel it as a problem except when they experience the stigma and the psychological problem associated with obesity. Children who do a lot of exercise and are inclined to athletics provide themselves the solution to obesity. Yet those who are prone to do a lot of computer games with a tendency to overeat may experience the negative effects of obesity. According to Lobstein (2008, p. 131), prevention of obesity should start with the children. School administrations can easily formulate programs of prevention for school children. Prevention can also start with maternal health, prenatal nutrition and eventually to after-pregnancy, infant nutrition, to preschool and school-age children. Some interventions are designed to change dietary patterns while others are designed to increase physical activity, or decrease sedentary behavior, in order to increase energy expenditure. Many interventions are designed to tackle both energy intake and energy expenditure in a combined program. We cannot leave behind obesity intervention in children. It is of great importance that children learn how to control themselves in over-eating or taking in energy without much mobility as they are so engrossed with computers and other indoor activities. Binge eating causes obesity. It is characterized by over-eating within a specific period at an interval of two hours and an uncontrollable passion to eat large amount of food. Binge eating is also characterized by eating fast, eating until fullness is felt, eating too much food, and the feeling of guilt for over-eating. (Faith, Matz, & Allison, 2003, p. 19) According to James and Gill (2008, p. 157), the incidence of obesity increases as a person reaches adulthood but diseases associated with obesity decreases when one gets older. Psychological and Health Problems in Obese Children An obese child faces a lifetime of increased risk of various diseases and psychological problems. Some of these are negative stereotyping, discrimination, and depression. There are many others associated with these problems that can affect a child’s schooling and normal growth. Other sicknesses include diabetes and hypertension, lung problems, hyperlipidemia, and sleep apnea, among others. Even gallstones and menstrual illnesses can be attributed to obesity in children. Some of these illnesses only show symptoms after many years the child has obesity. (Cobert & Cobert, 2011, p. 39) In a study conducted by Hill, Draper and Stack (1994 cited in Byrne & La Puma, 2007, p. 86), they found that low self-esteem and poor relationship with other children related to obesity are predictors of mental health in children that may translate into psychological problems. Discontentment with one’s body, low regard for one’s self and binge eating are some of the psychological problems related to obesity (Byrne & La Puma, 2007, p. 86). However, studies on low self-esteem in obese children are not so conclusive, although more than half of these studies found low self-esteem in adolescents and not in children (Byrne & La Puma, p. 87). Another study by Gibson, Byrne, Blair, Jacoby, and Zubrick (as cited in Gibson, 2011, p. 240) found that higher body mass index was associated with psychological complications such as depression, dissatisfaction with the body, eating disorder, etc. Graph shows the relationship of weight status and psychological problems SOURCE: Psychosocial correlates and consequences of obesity, by M. Faith, P. Matz, & D. Allison (2003, p. 18) Body dissatisfaction is a serious problem for obese children as their daily functions are heavily affected. Obese children and adolescents experience teasing by peers and relatives, and it is more embarrassing for the female than the male (Grilo et al., 1994 cited in Byrne & La Puma, 2007, p. 86). Stigma is more pronounced in anti-obese sentiments of many people. Early Intervention In schools, we can help in instilling awareness on the children, and this can continue in their homes and as they grow up. Interventions can be measured and instituted in schools because this is where scientific data are available. But there are population-based interventions that are effective. Policy-makers are sensitive to prevention of obesity in children because children are generally not held responsible for their own health behavior, their behavior is assumed to be more open to influence than that of adults, and they can be more readily targeted than adults, for example, in school settings. Prevention of obesity is preferred to be instituted at an early age since once children are overweight, successful weight loss is difficult to achieve. Summary Obesity in children is a serious concern for all sectors of society. Early intervention should start in homes and schools. The government has been addressing the problem by promoting healthy habits in schools and universities. Workshops and programs to reduce obesity levels among the students and the youth population have been enforced. Programs in schools focus on addressing behavioral patterns of the young such as control and self-monitoring techniques. One technique that has been recommended by researchers is a combination of behavior modification, programs for physical activity, and proper nutrition. In a study where children in grades 7 and 12 were asked of their opinion about controlling obesity, they suggested fun and interactive activities that should be open to all students. The school has a lot to help in controlling obesity. In other words, programs to address weight problems and obesity must first start in school. Physical activity is the key to preventing obesity. Physical inactivity also cost billions of dollars for the government. Health care expenditures soar because of physical inactivity by the nation’s citizens, especially the young. In a study by Pratt, Macera, and Wang (2000 cited in Pivarnik, 2008, p. 26), using statistics from the 1987 National Medical Expenditures, they found that the annual medical cost spent by people who made use of physical activity in their leisure hours was greater compared to the cost incurred by individuals who were sedentary. (Pivarnik, 2008, p. 26) In other words, physical activity should be the primary program of action when addressing obesity in children. CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY AND PROCEDURES Methodology The problem of obesity in children was studied employing theoretical and practical methodologies. Secondary research was conducted from books, journals, and online sources including websites and other online publications. Theories and studies on children with obesity were sourced and analyzed to arrive at a clear picture of the real problem of obesity. From the analysis, we drew some hypotheses and conclusions regarding the psychological impact of obesity in children. Procedures We conducted a review of the literature on the different publications. We found that schools and universities, government and private, and communities can help address the growing problem of obesity in children. Physical education subjects should be required in all grades up to college, with programs for healthy food for the students, and a healthy environment in school and homes. Health professionals and experts have proposed that diet, exercise and enough sleep should be recommended on children to minimize and avoid obesity and diabetes in children. Parents will have a great role in the responsibility to develop a handout on psychological issues associated with childhood obesity. There should be full cooperation from the different sectors of society, and from the children themselves. Team work is essential. Sacrifice and care for one another are needed. Programs such as doing away from fat-filled foods, keeping on monitoring blood pressure, glucose, and following what the doctor and other health professionals say, can help fight obesity. What is only needed is a systematic approach and policy formulation that should come from the parents and teachers in order for these solutions to become a way of life and something that should be followed by children and adults. For example, we can avoid the risk factors that contribute to obesity from childhood up to adulthood. This we can do while at school and at home. We have to apply what we learn at school in our lifestyle. We have to focus on prevention, apply programs that promote, exercise, diet, and points on ways of life in the American setting. The best recommendations of diet, exercise, and enough sleep should be a part of our daily lives. Not only diabetics and obese people can do it but also everyone. In other words, everyone must have a change of attitude – from inactivity or full dependence on technology and robots to active lifestyle, full of energy and efforts to combat the disease. Diet and exercise are two simple but effective solutions to the problem of obesity and overweight. This can be a part of the daily programs at school and at school. Education can provide impetus in combating obesity. It can emphasize health and nutrition including how to be physically active and training in behavioral techniques to control complications of obesity such as overeating or binge eating. (Pitts & Phillips, 1991, p. 256) The handout on psychological issues associated with childhood obesity became a collaborated effort among the different stakeholders of this endeavor. Stakeholders included the parents, teachers, school administration and the elementary pupils themselves. The handout became a final draft after several consultations among the stakeholders. The final revision was forwarded to the board of the parent and teacher organization. References Bailey, E. J. (2006). Food choice and obesity in Black America: creating a new cultural diet. Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc. Bedogni, G., Tiribelli, C., & Bellentani, S. (2005). Body mass index: from Quételet to evidence-based medicine. In L. Ferrera (Ed.), Body mass index: new research. United States of America: Nova Science Publishers, Inc. Burd-Sharps, S., Lewis, K., & Martins, E. B. (2008). The measure of America: American human development report, 2008-2009. United States of America: Columbia University Press. Byrne, S. M. & La Puma, M. (2007). Psychosocial aspects of childhood obesity. In A. Hills, N. King and N. Byrne (Eds.), Children, obesity and exercise: a practical approach to prevention, treatment and management of childhood adolescent obesity. United States of America: Routledge. Cobert, B. & Cobert, J. 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Mousouli (Eds.), Obesity in childhood and adolescence: understanding development prevention, p. 3. United States of America: Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc. Read More