Overweight Children Essay Example for Free

Overweight Children EssayBeing heavy(p) is one of the major wellness problems among the youth of today. In the United States, the number of children becoming with child(p) is steadily increasing as they allot more(prenominal) time watching TV, playing video games, and surfing or chatting on the Internet (Nemours Foundation, n.d.). According to the field of study health and Nutrition Examination Survey, from the latter half of 1970s to 2004, the pervasiveness of excessive weight among children 2 to 5 years of age rose to 13.9 percent from 5 percent. Among children 6 to 11 years of age, it escalated to 18. 8 percent from 6.5 percent, while it increased to 17.4 percent from 5 percent among those who atomic number 18 12 to 19 years of age (Center for sickness Control and legal community CDC), 2008).Thus, certain efforts were made by health and education experts to dish p argonnts encourage their children to engage in sports, exercise, and feed a healthy, balanced meal. af t(prenominal) all, prevention is better than cure. If not taken care of, the excessive weight stinker make children vulnerable to certain diseases like high simple eye, diabetes, and other health illnesses (CDC, 2008 Boyse, 2007). Many experts suggest that one of the government agencys to overhaul these children to lose weight without sacrificing the food that they want to rust is to encourage them to engage in sports and other sort out activities (Weintraub et al., 2008 Nemours, n.d. Boyse, 2007). By engaging in physical activities, it willing not only help the individual shed body fat, it would also promote self-esteem (Weintraub et al., 2008).Definition, espial and Causes of Overweight Being adiposis is a result of imbalance between the food inhalation and the activities needed to spend the energies taken (Daniels, 1997). It is characterized by an exceptionally elephantine volume of body fat with respect to lean body ken (Stopka, 2005). To know if an individual is ob ese or heavy, his or her body mass indicant or BMI is computed (Stopka, 2005 Daniels, 1997). This method considers the proportionality of the individuals weight to his or her height child (Stopka, 2005 Daniels, 1997). The National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and health Promotion (NCCDPHP) states that individuals with BMI of 25 to 29.9 are considered as overweight, while those with a BMI of 30 and above is considered as obese (Stopka, 2005). A number of studies have discovered that that breastfeeding is associated with overweight children (Hediger, et al., 2001). Once a mother fails to nurture her child with the practice of breastfeeding, chances are that the child will become overweight in the future. Breastfeeding helps to lower the risk of obesity during the stage of childhood and adolescence (Hediger, et al., 2001).Most cases of overweight among children occur during the adolescence stage when the transition from child to adult happens (Hediger, et al., 2001). The fo od intake is later on built up as fats if not properly burned out of the body (Hediger, et al., 2001). Fat distribution is also changed during this stage which also incorporates hormonal influences. The define also varies concord to gender. According to Heidger and his associates (2001), girls are more likely to be overweight than boys. Most individuals on the adolescence stage are busy with their studies and accede in activities that will help them be informed and entertained. Many of them play video games and watch television receiver after school as their own way of overcoming stress and pressures from school. While in the midst of these activities, they also munch junk food and drink sodas. As there are high amounts of calories in unhealthy food and drinks, they make children overweight (Collins, 2007). The incessant rise of fast food chains, consumption of calorie-dense foods and taking too frequently soft drink bring out more energy intake (Collins, 2007).However, this wo uld not be a problem if the child regularly exercises and participates in activities. Lack of necessary exercise and physical activities also causes children to be overweight. When children play out more calories, they also need to burn more calories (Collins, 2007). Eating food that is detrimental to ones health without enough physical activities to burn it will tackle a child to be overweight (Collins, 2007). This is also said to be an environmental cause of obesity due to the technological means of entertainment visible(prenominal) for children today. Collins (2007) calls this phenomenon as modern obesity. Another cause of being overweight is the genetic roots of the child. The genes of the parents are inherited by children upon birth. Babies who are born to mothers who are overweight are more likely to gain more weight and are less active in actions (Collins, 2007). The metabolism of a child is also inherited from his or her parents. Thus, an obese parent whose metabolism is slow would have children with slow metabolism as well (Collins, 2007).The family eating habits also play a great influence as to why a child becomes overweight. Preparing and laying too much food on the table causes a child to eat more. Shopping and buying unhealthy foods and calorie-rich items will also cause the weight of children to increase (Collins, 2007).Effects of Obesity Risks are always present once a child is overweight. Chances are that the child will accumulate certain diseases most of which are related to too much calorie, cholesterol and sugar intake. Bone problems are also expected for overweight and obese individuals. The social development of a child is also affected because of being overweight. The overweight children may find it severe to breathe. corpulent children are often inactive and lazy to do physical activities. This causes their hearts to weaken. With their relatively weak heart, it will pump harder than the principle sized individual. This condition is commonly known as cardiovascular abnormalities (Daniels, et al., 1997). Another cardiovascular abnormality that occurs in overweight or obese individuals is the escalation of blood pressure.When a child is obese, the blood pressure is more likely to increase. These cardiovascular abnormalities usually lead to a disease known as left ventricular hypertrophy which is a paramount condition among obese and overweight children (Daniels, et al., 1997). This disease is characterized by an increased left ventricular mass, along with lean body mass, fat mass and abnormalities in the systolic blood pressure which predicts the accumulation of diseases such(prenominal) as coronary heart disease, stroke and sudden death (p. 804). Hypertension is also common for children with too much weight (Daniels, et al., 1997 Nemours Foundation, n.d. CDC, 2008 Boyse, 2007). The disease Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is also common among overweight children with a BMI of 30 kg/m2, which, according to adult standa rd, is counted as obese. According to the National Cholesterol Education Program, acquiring this disease also makes them vulnerable to cardiovascular diseases such as a coronary artery disease (Daniels, et al., 1997). Being overweight also causes a child to mature early. In general, an overweight childs body develops faster than those who have normal body sizes. Overweight female children also kick in the pubertal stage earlier. This may be due to the fact that most overweight female children do not have strenuous activity that can help them lessen their weights. Since most foods taken by obese children are rich in oils and other fatty acids, they are also prone of having pimples, acnes and whittle problems (Nemours Foundation, n.d. CDC, 2008 Boyse, 2007). Psychological and social problems are also present when a child is overweight. One of the most common pop outs on this is depression. When a child grows bigger than his or her peers, he or she is more likely to be humiliated an d teased in school for having a different body shape. This is a delicate issue which the child may find hard to overcome. It also results in the childs low self esteem and negative self image (Strauss Pollack, 2003 Nemours Foundation, n.d.).The normal interaction towards other children is also limited because of this. More often than not, overweight children have fewer friends and their social life is limited to those who accept them as they are. Obese children are more likely to stay at home rather than go out and play with other people. They are isolated which makes them feel depressed, lonely, and worried out. Teasing overweight children is also said to be associated with increased suicidal tendencies out of frustration and depression. Their condition causes them so many complications physically, emotionally and developmentally (Strauss Pollack, 2003 Nemours Foundation, n.d.).Prevention of Obesity It is better to prevent being overweight rather than regret it once a child becom es obese. This is not easy to do but it ineluctably to begin as early as childhood days. This should be considered especially for those who are born to overweight parents. Behavior is also one trade veracious way of handling childhood obesity. Diminishing unhealthy eating habits and getting right exercise result in a healthier body and lifestyle. In addition, bring down stagnant physical activities like watching television and video games will also lower the chances of being overweight. Limiting the intake of calories will also give up one from being overweight. Instead of drinking sodas and other carbonated drinks, a child may switch to drinking fresh fruit juices. Fresh juices are healthier instead of artificially made juices. Drinking the recommended number of glasses of water a day (8 to10 glasses) will also help in replenishing doomed water in the body and digesting food easily, and therefore, prevent all those fatty food and huge amount of calories from getting stuck in t he body. The children should also be certified to avoid eating meals in fast food restaurants, where the meals served contain preservatives and too much food extenders that have more calories (Matheson et. al., 2004).Parents should also encourage their child to eat home cooked meals and convince him or her that these meals are more delicious than those that can be bought outside. (Matheson et. al., 2004). This will also guarantee parents that the food eaten by their child is clean and well-prepared. The parents should also stop preparing large servings for their child, as this entices a child to eat more and makes him or her always expect the same size of serving every(prenominal) meal time (Matheson et. al., 2004). They should also limit the inactivity of children by giving them scheduled time for television and playing computer games (Matheson et. al., 2004). It will also help if a child is encouraged not to eat and watch at the same time. Too much focus on the television progr am makes a child unaware to the amount of food already consumed. For difficult cases like gene-related obesity, it is important to counter this by doing physical activities. Regular exercise helps to achieve good digestion and good metabolism. Physical activities such as biking, walking, and swimming can also be done with the whole family. These activities also help brings the heart in good condition.Playing ball games also prevents being overweight and helps children become more sociable towards their peers (Campbell et al., 2001). Basketball and soccer are some examples of sports which can help overweight children lose and maintain their weight. At the same time, by engaging in these kinds of group activities, they will enjoy themselves with their peers (Campbell et al., 2001). Indoor physically activities like dancing will also help children lose weight (Campbell et al., 2001). In a recent six-month experiment conducted by Weintraub (2008) and her colleagues among fourth and fift h graders, they divided the 21 participants into two groups. The branch group received a health education program after school, while the other was subjected to a soccer program.Midway through the study until the end, a significant decline in BMI was found among participants in the soccer group as compared to those who were in the health education group. In three months, there was also a considerable increase in the everyday average and strenuous physical activities among children in the soccer group. The authors concluded that making overweight and obese children participate in an after-school soccer program is a practical, agreeable, and effective method to control the weight of these children.Excessive weight increases the likelihood of children to acquire fatal diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. Being overweight also negatively affects their self-esteem and self-image, leaving them depressed as a result. Encouraging them to eat a balanced diet and do physical activities such as family and school sports can aid overweight children in losing and maintaining a standard weight. This is a great opportunity not only for the children but for the whole family to stay fit and active.ReferencesBoyse, K. (2007, February). Obesity and overweight. University of Michigan Health System.Retrieved April 15, 2008 from http//www.med.umich.edu/1libr/yourchild/obesity.htmCampbell K, Waters E, OMeara S, Summerbell C. (2001). Interventions for preventingobesity in childhood a systematic review. Obesity Review, 2, 149157.Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2008, March 4). Overweight and obesity. Retrieved April 15, 2008 from http//www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/Collins, Anne (2007). Causes of obesity. Anne Collins. Retrieved April 14, 2008 from http//www.annecollins.com/obesity/causes-of-obesity.htmDaniels S.R., Khoury P.R., Morrison J.A. (1997, June). The utility of body mass index as ameasure of body fatness in children and adolescents dif ferences by race and gender.Pediatrics, 99 (6), 804807. Retrieved April 14, 2008 from Pediatrics Database.Matheson D.M., Killen J.D., Wang Y., Varady A, Robinson T.N. (2004). Childrens food consumption during television viewing. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,79 (6), 10881094. Retrieved April 14, 2008 from the AJCN Database.Nemours Foundation (n.d.). Overweight and obesity. KidsHealth. Retrieved April 14, 2008from http//www.kidshealth.org/parent/general/body/overweight_obesity.htmlHediger M.L., Overpeck M.D., Kuczmarski R.J., Ruan W.J. (2001). Association betweeninfant breastfeeding and overweight in youthfulness children. The Journal of American Medical Association, 285 (19), 24532460. Retrieved April 14, 2008 from JAMA Database.Stopka, C. B. (2005) Chapter 18 Students with temporary disabilities and otherspecial conditions. In J. Winnick (Ed.), Instructors Manual, Adapted Physical Education and Sport, 4th Edition (pp. 323-340). Champaign, IL world Kinetics.Strauss R.S. Pollack H.A. (2003). Social marginalization of overweight children. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 157, 746752. Retrieved April 15, 2008 fromArchpredriatics Database.Weintraub, D.L., Tirumalai, E.C., Haydel, F., Fujimoto, M., Fulton, J.E., Robinson, T.S.(2008). Team sports for overweight children. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 162 (3), 232-237. Retrieved April 15, 2008 from Archpredriatics Database.