Obesity in Children and the Role of Public Schools - Essay Example

Obesity in Children and the Role of Public Schools ID Lecturer Childhood obesity is a serious problem in America. Children between the ages of 2 and 19 are at serious risk for chronic health problems. It is my objective to demonstrate through research that childhood obesity causes risk factors that lead to diseases that were formerly associated with adults. There is a direct correlation between the lack of physical activity, unhealthy diets, and obese youngsters. In addition to these factors is the disparity of cost relating to healthcare for obese children. In educating the public about this very serious problem, it is possible to greatly improve the well being of our children. Otherwise, America will have a generation of unhealthy and unproductive adults. The manner in which public schools have amended their policies to deal with obesity within children is something significant as far as America is concerned. (Wright, 2004) Cute, cuddly and chubby is often an expression used to identify ‘healthy’ babies. Strangers find it hard to resist pinching the rosy, fleshy cheeks of fat babies. Many parents proudly boast that their six month old wears a size romper that is designed to fit an 18 month-old toddler. Babies that are “off the chart” or above average in weight are at risk of becoming obese toddlers. Because they are larger than the average infant, parents mistakenly over feed these babies claiming “they require more.” While pediatricians are cautious in instructing parents to manage their infants’ weight, they do agree that overweight babies grow into overweight adults. Similarly, the public schools within America have stood up and taken notice. This has happened because at the state and federal level there have been policies made by the lawmakers to prevent childhood obesity, which means that these parent bodies have made their voice heard when it was needed the most. The children are thus being taught their most basic requirements concerned with their bodies – to keep healthy and health-conscious at all times possible. Approximately one in three children in the United States is overweight according to the May 17, 2008 issue of the Washington Post. Obesity at such a young age causes diseases that were once associated only with adults. Acting US Surgeon General Rear Admiral Steven K. Galson, MD, MPH, (2008) agrees that children and adolescents between the ages of 2 and 19 are overweight and at serious risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Studies show many of the overweight children will become overweight adults, causing damage to major organs that may be irreversible (Levin, 2008). These children start off from schools and it is this time within their schooling years that they learn to get addictive towards junk food, a lot of sweets, etc. The role of public schools thus becomes very important from the understanding of childhood obesity essentially. If these public schools cannot bring about a major reform within the kids’ eating habits, it is about time they must not teach what they cannot do in the first place. According to the American Heart Association, children are less fit than they were a generation ago. The primary reason is lack of physical activity. As a result, inactivity has increased the risks for high blood cholesterol, excessive weight and hypertension. While strokes and heart attacks are rare in children, developing an inactive lifestyle in early childhood lead to these risks later in life. The report concludes that 9.6 percent of youth do not mingle in vigorous or moderate physical activities. The advent of the computer and various video game systems have created a generation of sedentary, technically savvy children. Children growing up prior to the Atari and Super Nintendo era often created games that included running, which was good for circulation and muscle tone. Games such as ‘Tag’, ‘Ready set go’ or ‘Green light’ made champions of many boys and girls who were eager to compete against siblings and friends. Almost every child owned a hula hoop or jump rope. The probability of children owning these items today is very unlikely. The See-saw, sliding board and swings were a major attraction for the ‘Baby boomer’ generation. However, in recent years, playgrounds have been marred with criminal activities leaving few places for children to enjoy the “structured activity facilities” (Voss, 2008). This is especially true in lower income areas. Nonetheless, there is no evidence socioeconomic factors are responsible for inactive children. Another variable in the lack of physical activity among school aged children is the increased amount of television viewing. Children watch an average of 19 hours of television per week (Parenting, 2008). It is recommended that children earn television privileges; for an hour of studying or reading, one half hour of television would be permitted (Halliburton, 2006). When they are not watching television, the computer is the center of attention. MySpace, the Internet even Google are all culprits that assist in depriving today’s children of activity. There is no longer a need to travel to the public school library or visit places of interest like the museum, zoo or The Aquarian. Everything is accessible right from the desk or dinning room tables of many public school students. As a rule, children mimic the behavior of their parents. If mom and dad are couch potatoes, their child will certainly adopt this as a lifestyle. In order to promote fitness in a child’s daily routine, it is ideal for all family members to participate in a physical activity. Allowing children to choose the activity may maintain their interest. Physical activity within these public schools aids in developing large motor skills. Reducing other sedentary habits will not only increase blood flow and circulation, but may enhance social skills. Children of these public schools form relationships with peers through play and competitive sports. Encouraging playtime in public schools is essential in helping children unwind and release energy that has been controlled during the school day. (Lindsay, 2006) A regular routine of exercise builds strong brains, healthy hearts and self-esteem. Thus the role of public schools within such discussions is important right from the very beginning of a child’s admission within its boundaries. In addition to an inactive lifestyle, an unhealthy diet contributes to childhood obesity. Identified as a significant health risk, obesity has increased dramatically in the past decades. “This trend has been especially disturbing among children and adolescents within the past few years” (Power, 2007). Moreover, today’s families rely heavily on the convenience of fast foods which are high in saturated fats and calories. Increased fast food consumption and larger portion sizes are contributing factors to child and adolescent obesity. Busy schedules make meal planning difficult. Families rarely sit down together to share a meal. Nancy Gibbs (2006) identifies this as “food court mentality in her article, “The Magic of the Family Meal.” Properly planned meals promote a variety of food choices and a well balanced diet. In addition, dinner time provides an opportunity for bonding and reconnecting in the family unit. The recess times within the public schools must be properly checked upon by the teachers and instructors and they must know what the children are eating while remaining on campus. This will give them a better idea as to what exactly is happening within the childhood obesity discussions. The role of public schools is very significant as these can easily find the missing link under such issues. Introducing new foods to youngsters can be a strategic method in helping them adopt better eating habits. According to experts, creativity encourages young children to try new foods. Choosing a variety of colors and textures is not only visually appealing, but is conducive in eliminating mealtime boredom. Incorporating all the food groups ensure well balanced meals. In 1999, The American Dietetic Association (ADA) displayed a food pyramid that was developed especially for children. The recommendations for a child’s daily food intake would include 6 servings from the grain group, 2 servings of fruits, 3 servings of vegetables, 2 from milk and 2 from meat (Davis, 2003). Making mealtime interesting can be a challenging feat but with careful planning, parents can satisfy the palate and curb random snacking. Good nutrition begins before birth. Mothers who adopt good eating habits are more likely to have uncomplicated pregnancies. Moreover, being in optimal health during pregnancy often results in an uncomplicated delivery. "Pregnancy is an ideal time to make long-term changes to your diet because you are embarking on the lifelong job of nurturing your child," says nutritionist Maria Pari-Keener, MS, RD of Maternal Health Matters in New York. (Fern, 2007) Certainly, there are many benefits of eating healthy prior to the birth of your child. Healthy women have healthy babies; the average birth weight for an infant falls between six and nine pounds. Often overweight women have larger babies and usually experience difficulties during pregnancy and delivery that put both mother and infant at risk. Mothers who are obese are more apt to feed their babies earlier than recommended and those foods are often too rich for the infant diet. Establishing proper eating habits for children early in their lives helps them to continue with these eating patterns until they enter their adulthood (Walker & Humphries, 2006). The public schools must manifest a basis from which these issues could be resolved right from the very beginning. The problem must be nailed in the starting so that it does not grow up and become a monster at the end. In an effort to combat childhood obesity, there must be a universal standard for the nutritional value of meals served in afterschool and childcare facilities. Research (Story, Kaphingst & French, 2006) suggest these child care programs are providing poor quality meals and inadequate exercise. Childcare programs are managed by states whose rules vary accordingly. Federally funded programs such as the Head Start Program serve as a model for such institutions. Providers in regulated childcare programs are reimbursed by The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) for meals and snacks served to over 3 million children in care each day. Meals that are served in these facilities must meet minimal guidelines to satisfy the nutritional needs of children. Providers who participate in the CACFP have annual workshops which address topics such as food handling safety and how to prepare foods to achieve the maximum nutritional benefit. The CACFP is managed by the Department of Agriculture. Forming up similar linkages with the public schools could be the way to move forward and settle all these issues once and for all. Indeed this will ensure success within the discussions of childhood obesity in the times to come. The 2005 Dietary Guidelines (Story, Kaphingst & French, 2006) recommend children two years and older drink fat-free or low fat milk in addition to the RDA of fruits, vegetables, grains and proteins. However, there are currently no methods in place to ensure that children receive the recommended daily allowance of servings apportioned for each age group. The Dietary Guidelines advocates children spending at least 60 minutes of moderate exercise. The authors admit that “although many child care settings fall short in their nutritional and physical activity offerings, they offer untapped opportunities for developing and evaluating effective obesity-prevention strategies to reach both children and their parents.” (Story, Kaphingst & French, 2006) Another factor concerning obesity in children and adolescents is healthcare. According to a report in the January issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine (Bohm, 2007) children who are overweight or obese are more apt to use health care insurance. Overweight children often require evaluation and management rather than preventive treatment, resulting in medical fees that are as much as $172 more than average. Laboratory fees are considerably higher for children that are overweight than for those who have healthy weights. One reason fees are higher is the fact that primary care physicians seek to identify early signs of “co morbid” conditions (Bohm, 2007). Screening for chronic diseases raises the cost of healthcare cost for obese children disproportionately higher than their slender counterparts. Secondly, more and more children are taking daily medications for childhood obesity related illnesses. Maintenance medications such as insulin for type 2 diabetes and statins to lower cholesterol create a large strain on healthcare. Early exposure to certain prescription drugs may produce negative side effects later in life such as depression. In addition, these drugs often create a domino effect in which supplementary medications are used to the reduce contraindications of the primary drug. Child and adolescent obesity is a major problem in America. Children have poor and insufficient diets and they are inactive. More often than not, these unfavorable behaviors are passed down from obese parents. As a result, many of the nation’s children are suffering from what was once known as “adult only” type diseases. Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, and hypertension are beginning to claim our children as victims. In order for our children to adopt a heart healthy lifestyle, parents must subscribe to the same. Over the past few decades, the family unit has become fragmented. Children are often left alone to prepare their own meals. The absence of parental supervision during meal time results in children eating foods that are loaded with saturated fat, sodium and calories. Furthermore, children are less apt to include vegetables and fruits in their diets. A simple solution is to plan to have at least one meal together each day, and enlist the child’s help in preparing the meal. Encourage children to choose fruit over snacks that are high in sugar and salt. Teaching children how to plan meals helps prepare them for eating better later in life. It is a good idea to become an advocate for nutritional awareness at the facilities that feed children. Parents should monitor the meals children eat away from home. Doing so may ensure that they receive balanced meals in daycare and afterschool programs. While video games are entertaining, like television viewing, the time spent in this activity should be limited. Families can establish an after dinner routine that includes a brisk walk or cycle around the block. Children learn from the examples their parents set. Activities like skating, badminton, or tennis are not only ideal for maintaining a healthy weight but may also reverse the negative effects of bad eating habits. (Blasi, 2003) In an examination of healthcare and public schooling systems, one discovers a difference in the cost for treating overweight and obese children and those with healthy weights. Children that have above average weights are in need of more aggressive screening and therefore require additional visits to their primary care doctors. Managing chronic illnesses produce a huge burden on the health insurance industry. Developing a lifestyle change wherein the need for frequent medical treatment or daily medications can be reduced, will greatly diminish the cost of healthcare for those children that are affected. Modifying eating and exercise habits of children and adults may prove to reduce the growing population of overweight and obese citizens. As with any change in behavior this may be difficult at first, but with consistent practice, the overall health of these individuals will greatly improve. References (2008). Childrens need for activity: fact sheet. American Heart Association (2008). Play and Learning. ABC Parenting: School Age. Retrieved November 27, 2008, from http://www.abc.net.au/parenting/articles/school_age_play_learning.htm Blasi, Mary. (2003). A Burger and Fries: The Increasing Dilemma of Childhood Obesity. Childhood Education, Vol. 79 Bohm, J. (2007). Health Care Costs Higher for Obese Children. Retrieved November 27, 2008, from NetDoc Web site: http://www.netdoc.com/Medical-News/pediatrics/Health-Care-Costs-Higher-for-Obese-Children/ Davis, J. (5 May 2003). WebMD. Retrieved November 27, 2008, from Childhood obesity seen even in preschool Web site: http://www.webmd.com/baby/news/20030505/childhood-obesity-seen-even-in-preschool Fern, D. (2007). Change Your Eating Habits During Pregnancy. Discovery Health, Retrieved November 27, 2008, from, http://health.discovery.com/centers/pregnancy/americanbaby/eatinghabits.html Gibbs, N. (4 June 2006). The Magic of the Family Meal. Time Magazine. Halliburton, A. & Gable, S. Ph.D., (11 October 2006). School-Age Children and Physical Activity. Levine, S & Stein, R. (17 May 2008). Catastrophe of shorter spans, higher health cost. Washington Post Retrieved November 27, 2008 Lindsay, Ana. (2006). The Role of Parents in Preventing Childhood Obesity. The Future of Children, Vol. 16 Power, M. (2007). Correlation between body size and diet composition in college females from 1992 to 2006. Thesis (MS) - University of Vermont, 2007 Reuters. (2008). Acting U.S. surgeon general to speak to society for adolescent medicine on prevention of adolescent overweight and obesity. Story, M., Kaphingst, K., French, S., (2006). The role of child care settings in obesity prevention. The Future of Children. Vol. 16(1), 143-168 Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, MN, US Voss, L. D. Hosking, J. Metcalf, B. S. Jeffery, A. N. Wilkin, T. J. Children from low-income families have less access to sports facilities, but are no less physically active: cross-sectional study (Early Bird 35). Child: Care, Health & Development Jul 2008, Vol. 34 Issue 4, p 470-474. Walker, W. & Humphries, C. (2006). The Harvard Medical School guide to healthy eating during pregnancy. New York: McGraw-Hill Wright, J. (2004). The Obesity Epidemic: Science, Morality, and Ideology. Routledge Word Count: 2,510 Read More