It's a Wrap!

Hi Everyone,

This semester has flown by extremely fast and I can't believe we are entering our final week. As I look back on this semester, I have learned a lot from everyone's chosen topic. I wanted my blog to be a true depiction on where our country stands with childhood obesity. I believe we as a nation have made great strides in combating the disease but there is so much more to be done.

This topic was personal to me because of the weight problem I see within my family. I had mentioned my nephew in the beginning of my blog and how he struggles with his weight. I am happy to say he has started swimming for leisure. It's a start, and I hope he sticks with it. I already see a difference in his confidence and attitude.

Thank you to everyone who commented on my posts. I feel childhood obesity is a topic that resonates with everyone, whether you have had struggles with weight or you know someone who does. Let's try to help one another lead happy and healthy lives.

Presentation slides

https://plus.google.com/103350680814101499461/posts/3ocKLPHrXtQ

Childhood Vaccination Presentation

Obesity and Minority Populations

Childhood Obesity affects all children, but more so minority children. According to the CDC's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (2014), there are significant racial and age disparities in obesity prevalence among children and adolescents.

Here is the obesity prevalence for the following groups:

Hispanics 22.4%
non-Hispanic black youth 20.2%
non-Hispanic white youth 14.1%

It should also be noted the prevalence of obesity was lower in non-Hispanic asian youth (8.6%) compared to youth who were non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, and Hispanic (CDC, 2014).

Sekhar (2010) states some of the factors that affect obesity rates in Hispanic and black communities include eating patterns and accessibility to healthy food choices, lower levels of exercise, quality of environment, social or cultural attitudes around body weight, and reduced access to primary care or nutritional counseling. In addition, these factors may be driven by income, culture, and other dynamics that result in a disproportionate rate of obesity among black and Hispanic youth (Sekhar, 2010). 

What can we do to reduce these disparities?

I believe by having some kind of wellness plan that is delivered through community centers would be a great first step in combating childhood obesity. These centers would be in minority and low-income areas. Nutritional counseling would be provided along with weight management and recommendations for physical activity.

There is good news ...

Obesity and extreme obesity among U.S. low-income, preschool-aged children went down for the first time in recent years, according to a CDC study (CDC, 2014). 


Let's Move

The Let's Move Campaign addresses the obesity epidemic for all children and has made great strides in combating the disease. However, it does not specifically address the racial and ethnic disparities. According to Sekhar (2010), a more highly targeted effort is needed to address the gaping racial and ethnic disparities that exist in the realm.


References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Childhood obesity facts. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/childhood.html 

Sekhar, S. (2010). The significance of childhood obesity in communities of color. Retrieved from http://www.americanprogress.org/

Teach Children About Food

Hey Everyone,

Here is a live talk titled Teach every child about food. The speaker is Jamie Oliver, a British celebrity chef who shares his opinion about how we can end obesity and how sugar is killing our kids. It's a pretty interesting talk. The best thing we can do is educate, educate, educate. Let me know your thoughts.

Brochure

Get the Facts

An Epidemic

As we all know, childhood obesity remains a growing problem in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2014), approximately 12.5 million children and adolescents between the ages of 2-19 are obese. It's scary to know these children are at risk for developing other chronic conditions including heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer.

Facts

• In the past 30 year childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents
• The percentage of obese children between the ages of 6-11 years increased from 7% in 1980 to 18% in 2012
• Th percentage of obese adolescents aged 12-19 years also saw an increase from 5% to 21% during that same time frame

(CDC, 2014)

So what has happened? How did we get to this point?

• Walking to and from school has been replaced with car and bus rides
• Gym class no longer exists
• Parents have become more busier
• Less home cooked meals and more eating out
• Children now spend more time playing with electronic devices than running around outside
• Portion sizes have EXPLODED

(Let's Move, n.d.)

Now versus Then

The Let's Move Campaign website (n.d.) created a list of how children are spending their time and what they are consuming.

• 1 in 5 school age children have up to 6 snacks a days
• The consumption of 20 ounces of sugar-sweetened beverages is normal
• 8-18 year old adolescents spend an average of 7.5 hours a day using electronic devices
• One-third of high school students get the recommended amount of physical activity

30 years ago children were far more healthier and getting the recommended amount of daily activity. Fast food was a treat and playing outside after school was the norm.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). Childhood obesity facts. 

                    Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/obesity/facts.htm

Let's Move. (n.d.). Learn the facts. Retrieved from 

                   http://www.letsmove.gov/learn-facts/epidemic-childhood-obesity