Introduction
- Attention Getter
Since the 1970s, the public has slowly noted the increasing cases of children becoming obese in an early age. Most of these obese children are recorded to have contracted heart ailments and diseases, which are commonly contracted by adults or in a later age. Various factors are seen to have caused this sudden inflation of obese children, from genetic changes to food consumption. While many believe there have been no efforts of intervention to reduce these cases, there are already strategies and policies in action that concentrate in reducing childhood obesity.
- Establish Credibility
For this speech, I will be noting several studies done by various experts in lieu of the intervention strategies, policies and proposals in combatting the problem on childhood obesity. Most of these sources has also appeared in several books pertaining to the topic.
- Purpose Statement
It is my intention that this speech would inform each and every one of you in realizing the importance of reducing childhood obesity as children are known to be the future of mankind. If they are in any form of risk at a young age, it is possible that some of these children may not see the future and end man’s development.
- Preview Statement
With the world slowly starting to understand the importance of health, it is important to understand that we, as citizens, must be open in accepting intervention for our future generation. If we continue to give bias over the importance of childhood obesity and consider it as a typical occurrence, we are depriving the children a chance to be part of the changing world. Cooperation between the various sectors of society may also fail if one turns a deaf ear over these proposals and policies.
Body
- Main Point 1
- Upon the onset of the inflation of childhood obesity cases, the government has launched extensive studies in determining the factors causing obesity. According to the study done by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention entitled “Children's Food Environment State Indicator Report” (2011), children’s food habits and diets are influenced by both physical and environmental factors, subsequently leading to childhood obesity .
- The study has identified several proposals and current policies that the government must be able to concentrate into in reducing childhood obesity. The CDCP called the creation of healthy food environments to reduce childhood obesity in the US, as the public now has a choice in preferring processed and fast foods over traditional meals. At present, the federal government has listed down guidelines, to restrict children from eating processed and fast foods and requiring them to intake a specific healthy menu once they are in public child care facilities and homes. The government has also launched programs such as the US Department of Agriculture’s Child and Adult Care Food Program that helps almost 3 million children in receiving meals with the standard nutritional requirements for any age while in public institutions such as foster homes and child care facilities. The United States Department of Agriculture has also launched the campaign in setting up guidelines nutritional standards for meals sold in schools, and in the market .
- Main Point 2
- As part of the government initiative, proposals are also concerned in changing the aspect of the health care sector for children. According to Christina Paxson, Elisabeth Donahue, Tracy Orleans, and Jeanne Grisso (2006) in the article “Introducing the Issue”, state-run health care institutions are now being given uniformed standards in offering meals and physical activities retrofitted to a particular age group. As of today, the only obesity intervention program that has a uniform standard is the Head Start program offered by the federal government, which is also flexible to cater to any children's background and condition .
- Aside from health institutions and child care facilities, schools are also given consideration due to their role to children as their second home. Mary Story, Karen Kaphingst and Simone French (2006) wrote in their article “The Role of Schools for Obesity Prevention” that, with the help of the US Department of Agriculture, school breakfast and lunch programs are tested if they pass the federal nutritional standards despite the complaints the government-tested foods are expensive for their regular budget. In contradiction to this budget problem, many US States and school districts have restricted competitive foods like junk food and vending machines in favour of offering nutritional meals for their students and regular physical activity. Some states have also promoted physical activity as an important part of school work and have evaluated schools randomly to show how much they have reduced the weight of these students. Schools are also seen nowadays to work hand in hand with parents to promote healthy eating and physical activity which they can do at home .
- Main Point 3
- The most important action currently done today to prevent childhood obesity is the reeducation of parents in readdressing their parenting styles and campaigning in the production and availability of foods that have the required nutritional value for their children. Ana Lindsay, Katarina Sussner, Juhee Kim and Steven Gortmaker (2006) addressed in their article and study that children tend to develop unhealthy eating habits because their parents are unaware of the contents of food available in the market, namely the processed and fast foods.
- In addition to the state and local obesity prevention, parents are now open to utilize direct and indirect intervention for their children. Guidelines are now created by schools for parents to limit their children's interaction to items that contribute to their limitless eating and physical activity such as television, and computers. Counselling is also another form of interventive action for families to create suitable schedules and guidelines for families to use to prevent obesity from developing (Lindsay, Sussner, Kim, & Gortmaker, 2006, pp. 170-172).
Conclusion
- Summary
As of today, these obesity intervention and prevention strategies are constantly changed to fit the current trends in children and their activities. However, the fact still remains that the government is still eager in reducing childhood obesity cases is visibly seen in regulating and assuring nutrition standards are followed. With the help of both health and public sector, the result of each policy and strategy immediately takes into effect. Parents are also slowly understand of the importance of helping their children stay fit and develop good eating habits.
- Re-focus the audience
Imagine a world without healthy children. Some may say it is a bleaker world, others would find it alright. Without children, no one would appreciate the changes technology and development has taken years to perfect. Without children, families would be broken and without a source for happiness and perseverance. Each one of us experienced childhood, and if we do not prevent the outbreak of childhood obesity, we are depriving these kids of their future. Fight obesity and welcome the future.
References
Lindsay, A., Sussner, K., Kim, J., & Gortmaker, S. (2006). The Role of Parents in Preventing Childhood Obesity. In C. Paxson, Childhood Obesity: The Future of Children (pp. 169-186). Princeton: Brookings Institution Press.
Paxson, C., Donahue, E., Orleans, T., & Grisso, J. (2006). Introducing the Issue. In C. Paxson, Childhood Obesity: The Future of Children (pp. 3-18). Princeton: Brookings Institution Press.
Story, M., French, S., & Kaphingst, K. (2006). The Role of Schools in Obesity Prevention. In C. Paxson, Childhood Obesity: The Future of Children (pp. 109-142). Princeton: Brookings Institution Press.
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Children's Food Environment State Indicator Report. Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
