(Author)
Abstract
Obesity refers to the condition of having weight more than average fatness. This medical condition is thought to be caused by hereditary factors but some environmental factors are also involved in this problem. Obesity in childhood is becoming an important problem for the world. BMI that is more than the 97th percentile for age and sex in children is considered as the point for childhood obesity. Childhood obesity can increase the chances of other medical problems such as hypertension and diabetes. Prevention is considered as the best strategy in reducing the problem of obesity. Treatment of this condition usually starts with prevention. However, childhood obesity is one of the least clear problems as its definition in literature is still not clear.
Research Statements
Childhood obesity
Statement of the Problem
Childhood obesity is one of the most important medical conditions affecting children and adolescents (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2014). Everyone from parents to pediatricians and policy-makers are highly concerned about increasing rates of overweight and obesity in children (Paxon, 2010).
Research Question
What are the preventive strategies for childhood obesity?
Purpose of the Study
This study has been done to report childhood obesity and its preventive strategies.
Theoretical Framework
Body-mass index (BMI) is commonly used to define the weight and obesity of adults. However, in children different factors such as age, gender, height, race and pubertal status are considered in defining the concept of obesity that is not clear. It is supposed that BMI that exceeds the 97th percentile for age and sex is considered as childhood obesity (Crocker, & Yanovski, 2009) and working on this BMI can help in reducing childhood obesity.
Review of the Literature
Obesity is considered as the genetic disease that is caused by some inherited factors. However, some environmental factors such as decreased activity can also result in obesity. Prevalence of childhood obesity in the world has increased very much in the past 30 years. It is thought that many childhood problems such as type-2 diabetes in the early stages of life are attributed to this problem (Han, Lawler, Kimm, 2010). It can also adversely affect many organs of the body resulting in some serious problems such as fatty liver disease, hypertension, and psychosocial complications (Daniels, 2009). It can also increase the chances of mortality in adulthood (Bjørge, Engeland, Tverdal, & Smith, 2008).
Prevention at different levels of personal life and community is considered as the best option for reducing the prevalence of childhood obesity. Maximizing activities of daily living and minimizing static or sedentary behaviors are important to prevent obesity in children (Hawkins, Cole, & Law, 2008). In this regard, mothers can play more important role in prevention of obesity as compared to fathers (Brion et al., 2010). However, studies have shown that parents have only limited ability to recognize that their child is obese (DiTraglia, 2009). It has been reported that an energy deficit of over 250kcal per day is important to eliminate further increase of weight in approximately 90% of overweight children (Butte, & Ellis, 2003). This amount of reduction is almost equal to additional child walking for 1-2 hours per day at the rate of 1.9 km per hour. It can also be equal to the consumption of approximately 1/5 fewer calories as compared to normal days.
Researchers are of opinion that children with BMI ≥ 95th percentile or BMI ≥ 85th percentile having some medical problems such as hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and disturbed glucose tolerance must be treated for obesity (Han et al., 2010). Treatment of obesity starts with proper control such as the restriction of sweetened beverages and limitation on the number of times someone eats out. For children, there is no proper medicine available in the U.S. for pediatric obesity. Researchers have to consider that this is an important problem and they have to work on some medications for obesity. However, if the child has high level of cholesterol, a statin medication can help in fighting this problem.
Despite so much work, literature has no evidence-based, clinically meaningful definition of pediatric obesity that can help in finding optimal methods of prevention. This is due to the lack of continuing clinical trials for childhood obesity. Based on the research, it can be deduced that the next decade would see new and potent discoveries and combined societal actions that will help in removing this serious problem.
References
Bjørge, T., Engeland, A., Tverdal, A., & Smith, G. D. (2008). Body mass index in adolescence in relation to cause-specific mortality: a follow-up of 230,000 Norwegian adolescents. American journal of epidemiology, 168(1), 30-37.
Brion, M. J. A., Ness, A. R., Rogers, I., Emmett, P., Cribb, V., Smith, G. D., & Lawlor, D. A. (2010). Maternal macronutrient and energy intakes in pregnancy and offspring intake at 10 y: exploring parental comparisons and prenatal effects. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 91(3), 748-756.
Butte, N. F., & Ellis, K. J. (2003). Comment on" Obesity and the environment: where do we go from here?". Science, 301(5633), 598-598.
Crocker, M. K., & Yanovski, J. A. (2009). Pediatric obesity: etiology and treatment. Endocrinology and metabolism clinics of North America, 38(3), 525-548.
Daniels, S. R. (2009). Complications of obesity in children and adolescents. International Journal of Obesity, 33, S60-S65.
DiTraglia, J. (2009). BMI in children. Retrieved from http://www.consultant360.com/content/bmi-children
Han, J.C., Lawler, D. A., Kimm, S. Y.S. (2010). Childhood Obesity – 2010: Progress and Challenges. Lancet, 375(9727): 1737–1748.
Hawkins, S. S., Cole, T. J., & Law, C. (2008). An ecological systems approach to examining risk factors for early childhood overweight: findings from the UK Millennium Cohort Study. Journal of epidemiology and community health, jech-2008.
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2014). Childhood obesity. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/childhood-obesity/basics/definition/con-20027428
Paxon, C. (2010). Childhood Obesity: Brookings Institution Press & the Woodrow Wilson School of Public Policy & International Affairs at Princeton University.
