Needs Assessment
Obesity among the young people is a big problem for the world, especially in the developed countries. For example, in Canada more than 26 percent of children and adolescents between the ages 2 and 17 are overweight or obese (Shields, 2006). In the United States, more than 17 percent of children and young people between the ages of two and nineteen years are obese (Ogden, Carroll, Kit, & Flegal, 2014). Obese youth is more likely to develop lifestyle illnesses such as diabetes and therefore are twice more likely to lose their lives before the age of fifty-five years.
The high level of obesity among young people is largely attributed to environmental factors such as greater access to high-energy foods and sugar-sweetened beverages (CDC, 2015). For example, youth who ate fruit vegetables and fruits five times a day were less likely to become overweight than those who ate those foods less often (Shields, 2006). Notably, about 71 percent of children between four and eight years old do not consume the recommended number of servings of fruits and vegetables (Wilkinson & McCargar, 2008). The likelihood of becoming overweight increases with the screen time spent on video games, TV, and use of computers. As such, there is a need to create more awareness among young people and parents to control these environmental factors and reduce the probability of obesity in the long run (Doheny, 2010). Interventions such as physical exercises, dieting, and medications focus on treatment, but few have been developed for prevention.
Goals and Objectives of the Awareness Program
Increase the level of understanding and knowledge among young people, parents, guardians, and teachers about factors associated with obesity
Equip young people with knowledge that can help identify when at risk of becoming overweight
Increase knowledge about measures that can be taken to manage obesity and overweight risks
Developing Awareness Intervention Measures
A sustainable awareness campaign program will be created by consolidating relevant and important information about obesity among young people. The educational information will be established from medical research theories and reports.
Implementing Awareness Interventions
Information about obesity will be published and disseminated to young people and parents in schools, colleges, homes, and social events. A hotline number will be rolled out where one can call and get immediate professional help. Conversely, a dedicated website will be created where young people can access information and help. Regular workshops will be held to educate parents and the youth about obesity.
Result Evaluation of the Obesity Awareness Program
Stakeholders will include parents, teachers, the local leadership, and celebrities. The awareness program will target to reduce the risk of the environmental factor contributing to overweight and obesity. Survey questions will address the following key elements:
Information about these factors will be collected through questionnaire surveys that will be administered every six months after the start of the implementation of the program. The subjects of the study will include young people between the ages of five and nineteen years, parents, teachers, and instructors in various educational institutions. The data collected will be quantitatively analyzed using Stata Data Analysis software and presented using graphs and pie charts to help the audience comprehend the results of the program. The information will be shared with the local policy makers, parents, health practitioners, and the youth to help reflect on the progress, lessons learned, and measures that need to be implemented.
References
CDC. (2015, June 19). Childhood Obesity Causes & Consequences. Retrieved from Center for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/causes.html
Doheny, K. (2010, February 10). Obese Children Twice as Likely to Die Young? Retrieved from WebMD: http://www.webmd.com/children/news/20100210/obese-children-twice-as-likely-to-die-young
Ogden, C. L., Carroll, M. D., Kit, B. K., & Flegal, K. M. (2014). Prevalence of Childhood and Adult Obesity in the United States, 2011-2012. The Journal of American Medical Association, 806-814.
Shields, M. (2006). Overweight and obesity among children and youth. Health Reports Journal, 27-42, 17(3).
Wilkinson, D., & McCargar, L. (2008). Prevention of Overwight and Obesity in Young Canadian Children. Canadian Council of Food and Nutrition.
