Obesity
CHILDHOOD OBESITY “If a child is fed when he is hungry, played with when he needs attention, and encouraged to be active when he is restless, he is not likely to grow up inhibited and passive or overstuffed and helpless, unable to control his eating because every discomfort is misinterpreted as a need to eat. ... Today’s children carry a ticking time bomb called obesity. Childhood obesity has become an epidemic and has wreaked havoc in children’s lives. ... The increase in obesity does not just affect the individual but it also affects the health care industry. Hospital expenses associated with childhood obesity rose from $35 million in 1979 to $127 million in 1999. ... It is a sobering fact that America’s children have become a vulnerable population for childhood obesity. Before any plan for intervention can be performed, the cause of childhood obesity must be recognized. Is genetics the only reason for childhood obesity or is it a lack of self control? ... Maybe cultural beliefs affect the incidence of childhood obesity? First of all, the word obesity must be defined. Obesity is an “abnormal amount of fat on the body. ... Obesity is the result of an imbalance between food eaten and energy expended…” (3, pp. ... A “fat” gene has been recognized recently but the implications on its position in the etiology and management for obesity is yet unknown. Disease processes account for less than 5% in causing childhood obesity. Some of the diseases that could attribute to obesity include hypothyroidism, adrenal hypercorticoidism, hyperinsulinism, or a dysfunctional or damaged central nervous system from tumors, infection, injury, or vascular damages. Other illnesses that may account for obesity due to decreased mobility are Down syndrome, muscular dystrophy, paraplegia, and spina bifida (2, pp. ... Although genetics and diseases can cause obesity in children, inactivity and poor self control with eating habits has become the primary cause for the dramatic increase in childhood obesity. According to the surgeon general, some of the major reasons for childhood obesity are lack of physical activity, unhealthy eating habits, and sedentary lifestyle, excessive amount of time spent watching television or playing video games (4, pp. ... Cultural habits and social beliefs also play an important part of childhood obesity. ... This puts them at a higher risk for obesity because of the high daily intake of carbohydrates and fats. ... According to their beliefs obesity is a sign of well-being. Socioeconomic factors are also crucial in the incidence of obesity. The prevalence of obesity is apparent between the upper and lower class children. Children in the lower socioeconomic groups have a much greater risk for developing childhood obesity, particularly in girls. ... According to Healthy People 2010, the number one priority for obesity is to reduce the incidence and prevalence of obesity in children.