Assessment of Children and Youth - Assignment Example

? Assessment of Children and Youth Assessment of Children and Youth More than often, children and youth participate in different physical activities as they grow up into adulthood. As a result, they become exposed to different dangers that come with the physical activities even though; they enjoy the outcome of physical activity. Therefore, it is essential to take specific precautions as children and youth undertake exercise and fitness testing by engaging parents and guardians in understanding their health complications. As a result, an assessment that involve enquiries on health history, risk factors and precautions medications recommended tests, health and lifestyle related behaviors, body composition, nutrition, motivational strategies and finally evaluation and recommendations ensures the attainment of healthy physical fitness of the children and youth without complications. Health History by a parent or guardian In most cases, the health history of a patient determines if there is a medical condition that a physician should give consent to before allowing an individual to undergo fitness testing and regular physical activity participation. An assessment of the health history of Joey, a child of ten years old, with a weight of 80lbs and height of 4’8” inches gave a clear indication of a child who is physically fit to undertake all activities. This is because, Joey has never had any heart complications ascertained by the doctor that would restrain the child from engaging in normal physical activities (Howley & Franks, 2007). In addition, Joey is comfortable after undertaking any physical activity because there is no case of chest complications reported not only when undertaking energetic physical activity, but also when Joey does not take part in physical activity. After actively participating in physical exercise, there have never been any case of stability lose as a result, of dizziness or consciousness loss (Marcus & Forsyth, 2009). In addition, Joey has got no reported joint or bone problem either in the back, knee, or hip defects. As a result, change in physical activity that involve vigorous throwing, moving and catching do not come about with any bone or joint complications that would lead to severe side effects. Joey has not been on any drug prescriptions for either blood pressure or heart conditions that would put him on continuous medication (Howley & Franks, 2007). Therefore, Joey does not have a medication that would hinder engagement in physical activity because of risks that would come about as a result of irregular blood pressure levels and heart complications. With no records, that indicate an alert from the doctor indicating any risk that calls for exceptional recommendations on the physical activity that Joey can undertake it is assumed that the child can suitably fit in any activity that children within the age of ten years and below can participate in actively without distinct precautions to follow. Risk Factors and Precautions In most cases, risk factor analysis can stratify participants in physical activity in terms of low, moderate, and high. The risk factor classification depends on cardiovascular, metabolic and pulmonary disease. Through a health status questionnaire that ascertain the risk factor, an instructor dictates the personal goals and fitness test results as it is easier to understand the changes in health status because of response to activity (Howley & Franks, 2007). With no evident increase in risk factors in Joey’s health that indicate a likelihood of contracting any complicated disease, Joey is free to undertake any physical activity without the practitioners consent. Just like other children who are more likely to react to changes in climate, precautions should be undertaken in extreme environmental conditions that pose a danger to Joey’s health as it exposes her to extreme health conditions that would affect her risk factor level (Marcus & Forsyth, 2009). Because Joey is not suffering from any medical problems like heart, chest, cardiovascular, metabolic and pulmonary complications and the young child is at low risk and there is no special attention needed especially in the choice of physical activity they undertake (Howley & Franks, 2007). Joey is healthy enough to fit in any physical activity that is considered viable for children within the child’s age group. Medications Even though, participants in physical activity could be undertaking medications for a variety of health reasons caution should be undertaken when choosing activities to engage children who are under specific risky medications. These include children who undertake medication for risk health complications like heart, chest, cardiovascular, metabolic, antarrhythmic, diabetes, hypertension and pulmonary infections (Howley & Franks, 2007). More so, drugs that are meant to control the heart rate and blood pressure limits the type of physical activity an individual engages in as they ensure they are keeping physically fit. In addition, complications that come about as a result of lipid lowering agents lead to potential anticoagulants that expose patients to susceptibility of being bruised as they engage in physical exercises to keep fit (Marcus & Forsyth, 2009). Nonetheless, an assessment of Joey’s medication history indicate that the child can participate in any physical activity because the physician has not prescribed any medication that is intended to risk engagement in any physical activity. Recommended Tests Physical fitness test using the president’s council on and sports tests on Joey gave the test of agility towards physical activity. Through the president’s council on physical fitness and sports test, Joey’s health standards are essentially ascertained from the cardio respiratory fitness, flexibility, muscular strength and flexibility tests carried out. President’s council on physical fitness and sports tests on Joey recorded curl ups of 40 and a pushups level of 8 indicate that the child has got a high muscular strength and endurance to physical exercises in basketball and baseball while at school and skateboarding and playing with friends (Howley & Franks, 2007). In addition, the President’s council on physical fitness and sports tests on Joey indicates that the child is flexible because the recorded value of sit and reach is twenty seven centimeters. This means that Joey can enjoy participating freely in any physical activities because of a level of flexibility that has a lower muscle fatigue exposure (Marcus & Forsyth, 2009). With a shuttle run of twelve seconds and one mile run of ten point three five, Joey has a muscular power that allows skill related fitness that allow the child in basketball and baseball while at school. Health and Lifestyle Related Behaviors Even though, Joey engages in actively healthy physical exercise, the child still engages in other leisure physical activities that are not healthy including playing his Nintendo Wii and computer games (Howley & Franks, 2007). Nonetheless, participation in active physical exercise through baseball, basketball, skating and playing with friends gives active physical exercise that keeps the child activity. However, the eating habits Joey takes for her daily meal is unhealthy and does not allow for a healthy diet as the child takes a lot of junk food with no vegetables but allows room for healthy fruits (Marcus & Forsyth, 2009). Body Composition Body composition of an individual can be easily ascertained using the height and weight ratio to calculate the body mass index (Howley & Franks, 2007). Being ten years old, with a weight of 80lbs and a height of 4’8 inches, Joey body mass index level is at 17.9. This body mass index level for a child at the age of ten years is healthy thus, indicating that Joey is normal and physically fit because, the BMI does not indicate overweight, obese or underweight abnormalities. Nutrition More than often, nutrition plays a more significant role in the body mass index as it leads to overweight or underweight condition and health lifestyle behavior (Howley & Franks, 2007). With a meal plan diet that is typically characterized by a granola bar for breakfast, pizza for lunch, ice cream and chips for snacks the nutrition level of Joey is highly affected. However, Joey gives a positive healthy eating habit by eating fruits rather than vegetables. Motivational Strategies Motivational strategies ensure that an individual participate more in physical activities they enjoy. Joey’s love for physical exercises in basketball and baseball while at school and skateboarding and playing with friends comes from self satisfaction the child gets from engaging in physical activity (Howley & Franks, 2007). In addition, the relaxation and self efficacy from engaging in computer games and Nintendo Wii games. Evaluation and Recommendations With the completion of assessment of Joey’s physical activity fitness level, it is essential to recommend behavior modification and exercise prescription. Through the stages of behavioral change, it is critical to enhance building self-efficacy because of a good health history with no risk factors, good physical fitness, and healthy body mass index (Howley & Franks, 2007). In addition, it is essential to bring out Joey’s own feelings about the problem behavior the child experiences in terms of nutrition and computer games engagement. Therefore, it is essential to bring out decision balance strategies that are aimed at shifting the decision balance to positive behavior change (Howley & Franks, 2007). This model of behavioral change used ensures that practical strategies that motivate behavior change are effective in behavioral change for Joey and enhance a positive trend towards keeping physically fit. References Howley, E. & Franks, B. (2007). Fitness professional's handbook. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. Marcus, B. & Forsyth, L. (2009). Motivating people to be physically active. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. . Read More