Mini-Project 3B: Childhood Obesity

Mini-Project 3B: Childhood Obesity
By Jessica Lamb


Obesity is prevalent in our society and is known as an international problem. We see it as an increasing epidemic among adults and children; however this paper concentrates mainly on children because it is important to recognize the problem and evaluate the solutions early on in their lives. In the last two to three decades, the number of overweight children and adolescents in the United States has doubled (Torgan, C. 2002). This statistic shows us how obesity is taking over the lives of children and is winning the battle. It is evident through statistics that this problem is getting out of control and is extremely serious because of the consequences that follow. Children who are obese have a 70% chance of being overweight in the future and also increases by 10% if one or both parents are overweight themselves (Torgan, C. 2002). The Merriam Webster’s Dictionary defines obesity as a condition characterized by the excessive accumulation and storage of fat in the body. The World Health Organization (WHO) determined that obesity is becoming more and more a global epidemic. In today’s society, consuming highly fat foods in our diets and having little or no physical activity makes it easy to become overweight or obese.

In order to better understand how the process of obesity works, we have to research the natural science aspect of it. Fat cells increase by numbers when a child is growing, however when the energy coming into the body is greater than the energy coming out of the body, fat cells are increased in size. If the fat cells are at their maximum size and the food coming into the body still exceeds the energy we burn off, the fat cells will start to increase in numbers. On the other hand, if diet and exercise is involved, then the fat cells will decrease in size, but not in numbers. The body mass index (BMI) is used to calculate 3 measurements, which are underweight, overweight and becoming overweight. The body mass index calculates the height to weight ratio and is very useful because it allows us to know where we stand. Any BMI between the 5 th and the 85 th percentile is considered to be normal, above the 85 th percentile means overweight and the 95th percentiles or above means that the child is excessively overweight (obese).

Research has shown that in today’s children, obesity is the most common nutritional disease. This is contrary to thirty years ago, where obesity was hardly seen in children. In a study done by Tremblay & Willms (2000), there was an increase in obesity of 17% among boys and 15% among girsl between 1981 and 1996. This drastic increase in childhood obesity has been seen in most of the westernized countries, but more specifically in Canada. Now, we are starting to see obesity at even younger ages. For example, a study by Canning (2004) showed that 25.6% of boys and girls in preschool (born in 1997) in Newfoundland and Labrador are overweight.

According to Neiman (2004), genetics can contribute to obesity; however the case is very low. He stated that only 1% of obesity is due to the fact that there are altered hormonal actions and if this is the case, by the help of parents and social workers, children can be guided and supported so they can work towards keeping their weight healthy. There is little possibility that genetics plays a huge role in the obesity of children however changes in the environment can effect how much energy is brought in and taken out and can definitely generate weight gain.

Eating high fat foods or overeating is another factor that causes obesity. Nowadays, in schools we see more and more fat foods that contribute to this growing epidemic. For example, now high schools serve more high fat foods and less of the foods that are nutritious and students have access to soda and candy machines. A study by King et al. (1999), showed from 1990 to 1998, the percentage of fruits and vegetables consumed by grade 6 students had decreased drastically. Another study in The Journal of Pediatrics (2004) showed that children are eating their food quickly and as a result, there is a larger intake of fats and a lower intake of fruits and vegetables. High calorie foods from fast food restaurants have low costs and are much more accessible than healthy foods and also contribute to the obesity problem (Casey, 2005). Many researchers suggest that if these factors are not included in the children’s lives, then childhood obesity will start to decline.

As well, childhood obesity can be caused by the lack of physical activity/exercise. According to Tremblay (2003), any type of exercise has an opposing effect on obesity. Exercise decreases the risk of being obese by 20% to 40%. Watching television or playing video games is an activity that children like to do, however it increases the risk of becoming obese by 10% to 60%. Twenty-five percent of Canadian children between the age of seven and twelve are obese and according to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada it is because children watch television and play video games in replacement of physical activity. Children seem less likely to walk to school than back when their parents were going to school because of the changes in technology and the environment. Also, it is known that children who are inactive are like that because their parents are inactive as well and they don’t set a good example.

There are many different ways in which parents, teachers, schools and administration can do to help prevent childhood obesity. They need to start off by calculating the child’s BMI and begin to monitor how they progress month by month. Parents, teachers, schools, community leaders and health professionals have to come together with determination and help prevent this problem. Another way to prevent childhood obesity is to incorporate all kinds of fun physical activity in a child’s life and it should be modeled by their parents. An ideal way for a family to exercise together is to ride bikes together because it is a form of physical activity and it is quality time spent together. Programs should be created to educate parents and children and how to prevent obesity and it showed parents certain ways in which they can encourage their children to eat healthier and change their behaviors that contributed to obesity. It is important to cut unhealthy foods out of the whole family’s diet and to encourage your child get involved and to help cook healthy meals. A study done by James (2004) showed that getting rid of carbonated beverages in schools help prevent weight gain in children. The study was conducted at 6 primary schools and they were split up into 2 groups; the controlled group and the intervention group, where the controlled group consumed greater amounts of soda than the intervention group. Results showed that the percentage of obesity in children in the controlled group rose 7.5%, while on the other hand, the intervention group’s percentage decreased by 0.2%. To help our society with this growing epidemic, I think that the government needs to implement laws about the physical activity in certain schools. Some of the secondary research states that children and not getting enough physical activity in their daily lives and that schools aren’t making in mandatory for students to engage in gym class. By making it mandatory for children to engage in gym class, we would see childhood obesity as less of a problem. Also, parents and authority figures should encourage their children to eat healthy and lead healthier lifestyles. As well, schools should also get involved and get rid of the soda and junk food machines and replace them with more nutritional options.

Canning, P. M., Courage, M. L., & Frizzel, L.M. (2004). Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in a Provincial Population of Canadian Preschool Children. Canadian Medical Association, 171(3), 240-242. Retrieved from Proquest [Online Database] on May 17, 2008.

Casey, L. (2005). Growing Too Big: What parents should know about childhood obesity. Family Health, 21(1), 10. Retrieved from Proquest [Online Database] on May 21, 2008.

James, J., Thomas, P., Cavan, D., & Kerr, D., (2004). Preventing Childhood Obesity by Reducing Consumption of Carbonated Drinks. Journal of Pediatrics, 259-263. Retrieved from InfoTrac [Online Database] on May 16, 2008.

King, A. J. C., Boyce, W. F., & King, M. A. (1999). Trends in Healthcare of Canadian Youth. Ottawa.
Nieman, P. (2004). Childhood Obesity. Retrieved on May 20, 2008 from http://ditk-kids.com/articles/childhood_obesity.htm.

Torgan, C. (2002). Childhood obesity on the rise. The NIH Word on Health. Downloaded from: http://www.nih.gov/news/WordonHealth/jun2002/childhoodobesity.htm on October 10, 2008.

Tremblay, M.S., & Willms, J. D. (2000). Secular Trends in Body Mass Index of Canadian Children. Canadian Medical Association, 163; 1-11. Retrieved from Proquest [Online Database] on May 19, 2008.