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Obesity in Young ChildrenJill Bryant

+The Issue of Obesity

Not all malnourished children are thin. Overweight children can also be malnourished, because the bulk of their diet is often sugar, starches, and highly processed foods that lack the essential nutrients for good health.

It is important to address the issue of obesity in young children, because it can often be a sign of improper care at home, emotional disorders, stress, lack of physical activity and poor eating habits.

+A rapid increase in Childhood Obesity

The increase in childhood obesity in the world’s most developed countries over the past 30 years is astonishing.

According to the Center of Disease Control, the number of children who are obese has more than tripled in the last 30 years in the United States.

Due to many obvious factors (increase in fast food, processed foods, T.V, Video games, Etc.) highly developed countries show a much higher statistic of overweight and obese children.

+Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity among School-aged Children in Global Regions

Worldwide

Americas

Europe

Near/ Middle East

Asia

Sub Sahara Africa

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Column1overweightobese

Prevalence(%)

+Signs of Overweight and Obesity Overweight is defined as having a Body Mass Index at or above the

85th percentile and lower than the 95th percentile.

Obesity is defined as a BMI at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex.

Common signs or overweight and obesity that educators should be aware of include:

- teasing, ridicule, and rejection by peers

- Lack of coordination

- Shortness of breath

- Inability to perform highly physical activities

- Inability to participate in regular classroom activities because of excess weight

+Health Costs of Overweight and Obesity Overweight and obese children face a multitude of health problems that can

potentially follow them through their whole life.

Health Consequences Research has shown that as weight increases to reach the levels referred to as "overweight" and "obesity,"* the risks for the following conditions also increases:-Coronary heart

disease-Type 2 diabetes-Cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon)-Hypertension (high blood pressure)-Dyslipidemia (for example, high total cholesterol or high levels of triglycerides)

-Stroke-Liver and Gallbladder disease-Sleep apnea and respiratory problems-Osteoarthritis (a degeneration of cartilage and its underlying bone within a joint)-Gynecological problems (abnormal menses, infertility

+Childcare Provider’s Commitment to the Issue

While USDA provides requirements for healthy eating in schools, improper nutrition often stems from poor or unbalanced nutrition at home.

According to the text book, the following measures can be taken by educator to help facilitate healthy lifestyle options to treat and prevent overweight and obesity in young children:

- Stress the importance of meal planning and nutritious eating habits

- Increase parental awareness of daily activities that keep kids active (helping with errands, walking a pet, help with daily household chores)

- Acquainting children with new outside interests and hobbies such as bike riding, swimming, dance, neighborhood games, involvement in after school sports/ clubs, etc.

+CITATIONS

Baur, L., Lobstein, T, Uauy, R. (May 2004) Obesity in Children and Young People: A Crisis in Public Health. Obesity Reviews, 5. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com. ehost/pdf?vid=5&hid=5&sid=bf4a448a-a61c-41b6-ae63-800410f3544e%40sessionmgr4

Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (December 7, 2009). CDC Online. In . Retrieved January 25, 2010, from http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/index.html.

Cross, M., Marotz, L., Rush, J. (2001Health, Safety and Nutrition for the Young Child Edition 5 . New York, Wadsworth Publishing