Obesity is a common and increasing nutritional disorder in influent countries. However, it can also result from hormonal imbalances, but majorly caused by eating disorders where the excess food gets stored as fats in the body. In many locations, there exists a number of challenges that interplay the environmental, cultural, social and behavioral factors. The factors affect health implications of both public policy and medical practices in obesity programs. Obesity prevalence varies by ethnicity, social class, race and residence. There are barriers preventing obesity reduction in urban communities, but there are groups helping overcome these issues (Black & Macinko, 2008). The challenge is to reduce the tension that results in creating barriers and facilitators. They explain that the barriers in overcoming the crisis of obesity in urban areas is mainly how to reduce the economic and social barriers responsible for the continuing poor habits often found in poorer areas of the urban communities. One major barrier is the lack of adequate grocery stores in urban areas (Gordon, Ghai, Purciel, Talwalkar, & Goodman, 2007). People tend to concentrate on other food products in the markets instead of fruits and green vegetables, giving the population higher chances of consuming more meat products. Another barrier relates to the limited opportunity to exercise, due to the limitations and dangers in the physical environment (Gordon et al., 2007). The dangers of this physical environment may include violence and crimes resulting from poorly lit streets, streets without sidewalks, lack of parks and accessible playgrounds, high motor vehicles traffic and the unpredictable weather conditions.
Facilitators of change include mobilizing community action programs to ensure that people living in impoverished areas can have affordable fresh fruits and green vegetables. They also include the provision of local programs and facilities that promote being active and eating well. Such groups often face beliefs and values that are barriers to change. For instance, Sekhobo and Berney (2008) suggest that in certain ethnic groups, being overweight might be more accepted or considered more desirable. In such cases, the facilitators of good health have to reverse that system of belief and perception of values.
Fostering the change process begins at the home environment with parents, relatives, the neighborhood environment and at the government level. Changes to diet and physical activity are two vital things necessary to change cases of obesity. Obesity reflects the effects of the mixture of both genetics and environment on physical health (APA, 2012). Parents and close relatives have the greatest influence because they are primarily the core sources of basic nutrition for their families. They can begin fostering direct change in kids by choosing nutritious foods and limiting fatty, as well as, fast foods at home. It is notable that making changes on their own is key to changing the childhood obesity epidemic. Limiting media like video games and T.Vs has great results when dealing with childhood obesity (APA, 2012). Youths get easily influenced. Therefore, teaching a system of healthy eating and increased activity early in life means that the same habits and good choices stay with the persons into adulthood and become part of them in the daily diets.
In addition, parents can influence their communities and schools in the area by demanding a health-based school nutrition. The “Let’s Move Campaign” has devoted $400 million dollars to bring grocery stores and healthy market foods to underserved communities (APA, 2012). Parents should work with local schools to incorporate learning about nutrition in schools and include afterschool programs. Also, there have been recommendations to initiate cultural celebration foods and tax unhealthy food items to help fight obesity (Perryman, 2011).
Communities can become empowered by running programs that foster change when it comes to obesity as well. Communities have a sense of belonging that results from people of similar relational characteristics, like interests, cultures, race, and occupation living together in the same locality (IOM, 2005). It provides an important locally based social influence. As a result, area organizations such as churches, community centers, fitness centers, schools and police agencies can reach and influence more people at a go. Hosting community events that emphasize exercise and nutrition can empower the community to help fight childhood obesity (IOM, 2005). Communities can propose and press local councils for more parks and areas of recreation with bike and walking trails that encourage physical activities. Playground and youth centers can incorporate programs catering to youth interests throughout the summer months to keep kids active (IOM, 2005). Also, added play space within a larger area in the community encourages family play and community interaction. Types of developments are examples of environment; justice, where every neighborhood and community participate in developing policies that create healthy environments where people live and work (IOM, 2005)
Creative tension is the method of getting people to understand rationale or vision, and aligning that vision. In leadership roles, this is a common challenge that many leaders face. The ability to have your staff, community or stakeholders learn and understand the vision in order to reach the goal can be overwhelming. Patterson, et.al (2008), says that there is a need to be able to persuade and influence stakeholders and target audience in helping the community connect with the public health vision. To achieve personal motivation, program organizers should be able to help children see and understand the long term effects of proper weight management. In addition to personal ability; targeting audience of children and their supporters who do not understand what they can achieve from this program can be met by setting for them incremental goals. Also, sharing methods for sustaining healthy and well balanced life can achieve the desired result.
References
American Psychological Association (APA). (2012).Confronting Childhood Obesity: How Parents Can Confront Childhood Obesity by Fostering Environmental Change in Their Communities. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/topics/obesity/childhood-obesity.aspx
Black, J. L. & Macinko, J. (2008). Neighborhoods and Obesity. Nutrition Reviews, 66(1), 2–20.
Gordon, C., Ghai, N., Purciel, M., Talwalkar, A., & Goodman, A. (2007, May). Eating well in Harlem: How available is healthy food? Retrieved from http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/dpho/dpho-harlem-report2007.pdf
Perryman, M. L. (2011). Ethical Family Interventions for Childhood Obesity. Centers for Disease Control: Preventing Chronic Disease Public Health Research Practice and Policy. Preventing Chronic Disease, 8(5): A100. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2011/sep/pdf/11_0038.pdf
Sekhobo, J. P. & Berney, B. (2008). The Relation of Community Occupational Structure and Prevalence of Obesity in New York City Neighborhoods: An Ecological Analysis. Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition, 3(1), 67-83.
