Obesity Problems among Latino Children - Essay Example

?Running Head: mission ment and goal objectiives Health Sciences and Medicines of the of the of the Professor] [Course] Abstract Latino is one of the fastest increasing populations in the United States with the number of children increasing every year. As per the National Council of La Raza, there are more than 16 million Latino children in the United States under the age of 18 and out of that more than 38% are obese. Obesity is often considered as a serious problem hampering the mental and physical growth of children along with affecting their health (Flores, Zambrana, 2001). Obesity often leads to diabetes, hypertension, cancer and other deadly diseases that need to be curtailed in the present as well as in the future. It needs to be understood that social, economic, and psychological factors play an important role in promoting and curtailing health issues in a particular ethnic group. However, it can be considered as a mystery that Latino children are more prone to obesity than any other ethnic group (Rodriguez (2011) The discussion aims at highlighting key issues behind the obesity problems among the Latino children along with developing aims, goals and objectives to control it through effective programs and initiatives. There is no denying that goals and objectives should be SMART targeting the group in an impactful manner along with offering solutions within the stipulated time for better results. Obesity, being a global phenomenon is often considered as an obstacle crippling the young generation of the world but the impact has been severe on Latino community that needs to be assessed and understood for developing a healthy society (Alban (2009) It is important to change the environment rather than behavior as environment affects the behavior directly that is further driven by perceptions and ideas (Franzini, Keddie, 2001). The discussion highlights the importance of a well structured obesity program for Latino children aged 12-17 in order to make them aware on obesity problems along with guiding and educating them using wide arrays of programs and tools. Mission Statement The mission statement for obesity control program among Latino children is to offer a platform educating and creating awareness on obesity issues along with curtailing them through health care initiatives. The mission statement can be considered as very specific that aims at controlling obesity issues among Latino children along with changing their environment with a belief of changing their behavior, perception and attitude towards obesity. Obesity Program and its Focus The name of the obesity program is “Let’s Go” that highlights the importance of moving on with a group willing to achieve common aims and objectives. The focus would be on Latino children aged 12-17 along with focusing on their economic and social environment often being a factor of promoting obesity. Program Goals The program goals revolve around changing the perception and behavior of children through a thorough analysis on their food habits and environment. The program goals include: To include more than 1000 Latino children for the obesity control program to be continued for a month To understand reasons and opinions on obesity To analyze the impact of social and economic environment To include parents and health care communities in order to garner their opinions and views on obesity To create health care activities, diet regimens and active participation of children in sports related activities To offer Latino children a platform of fighting with obesity Program’s Objectives The program’s objectives include: To educate children and parents on obesity issues along with offering them solutions To create a sustainable environment pertaining to healthy life sans obesity and diseases To offer long term solutions rather short term solutions and thus continuous development activities every quarter It needs to be mentioned that the program’s goals and objectives are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time bounded. This would help in achieving proposed goals and objectives in a desired manner. Details of the Program As per the US Census Bureau 2010, the number of Latinos has increased in California and Texas often considered as a home for some 16 millions Latino. This compelled to initiate the program in California’s East Los Angeles city. The number of Latinos is huge in this area with fair number of children aged 12-17. The program would be initiated by setting a camp in the heart of the city along with contacting the local health care communities and schools. As per the information garnered from schools and health communities, children and their parents would be contacted and asked to participate in the obesity control program. This would be a combined activity involving schools and parents to curtail obesity issues through sharing of ideas and opinions for a month. At first, demographic factors of children like age, sex and location would be recorded followed by assessing their heath by doing thorough health check up including body weight, health complications and attitude and perception towards health. After assessing their health; food habits and access to school, libraries, doctors and medical amenities would be analyzed and recorded to have a feel of social, economic and environmental factors affecting the health of Latino children. Required Sources and Resources In order to achieve desired goals and objectives, there is a need of adequate sources and resources. A team of 10 people including students, doctors and volunteers would be assessing the social, economic and environmental factors. It also requires help from the local schools and health care communities to step up and make their contribution count. A detailed strategy includes: Components of the Program The components of the Lets Go program are quite simple yet interesting focusing on social, economic and environmental factors. This would help in achieving the goals and objectives of the program in a desired manner along with offering solutions to obesity problems among Latino children. A detailed approach would include: Achievement of Objectives and End Results At the end of the month awareness, attitude, knowledge and perception would be analyzed along with offering detailed information on program’s results. This would further help in offering a clear guide to Latino children, their parents and local health care communities to continue the good work in the coming months and years. Conclusion The discussion over obesity problems among Latino children has been dealt with the development of an obesity control program and can be considered as an effective tool to curtail obesity problems in the present as well as in the future. References US Census Bureau (2010). The Hispanic Population. Available at http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/briefs/c2010br-04.pdf. Accessed October 03, 2011 Flores G & Zambrana RE. (2001). Health Issues in the Latino Community. San Francisco, CA: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. pp. 77-106 Franzini L, Keddie AM (2001), "Understanding the Hispanic paradox", Ethnicity and Disease. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Debra Alban (2009), “An uphill battle to combat Latino childhood obesity”. Retrieved from http://articles.cnn.com/2009-10-21/health/childhood.obesity_1_childhood-obesity-obese-children-diabetes-and-obesity?_s=PM:HEALTH Cindy Rodriguez (2011). “Latino childhood obesity: Seeking solutions at home and at school” . Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/16/latino-childhood-obesity_n_964876.html Read More