Whose Responsibility of Childhood Obesity - Research Paper Example

?Cover page Whose Responsibility is Childhood Obesity? Defining the roles in society in obesity of children Sociology June19, 2012 Content I. Obesity problem 3 II. News Reports 3 III. Insight of responsibilities 4 a. Responsibility of schools 4 b. Could obesity be the responsibility of parents ? 5 c. Overview of government policies on obesity 6 IV. Conclusion 8 V. Works cited 9 Your name Professor’s name Sociology June 18, 2012 Defining the roles of society in obesity of children Obesity problem Obesity is one of the major health problems in the US. Many years ago, this is not a prevalent problem, but change of lifestyles brought a bulging population that is now a main concern in the US and in many other countries. Obesity is the result of having too many or excess fats and too few calories expended, as a consequence of its environment, genetic, and behavioral factors (CDC, June 7, 2012) News reports USA Today warns the public that 42% Americans may turn to be obese by 2030 ”if nothing is done to control it.(Hellmich, Nancy, 08 May, 2012). World Health Organization reported childhood obesity as one of the most serious health problems in the 21st century as it affects many low and middle income countries. WHO estimated that the number of these children in 2010 to be over 42 million globally and about 35 million of these children live in developing countries. Fig. 1 shows the rapid increase of overweight among US children for ages 6-11, and if nothing is done, it is feared that health cost maintenance to government may be as high as $147 billion a year, or 9% of health expenditures and if the health rate of obesity remains at 2010 level, a substantial savings of $529 billion up to 2030 will be realized in terms of weight-related expenditures (USA Today) Reports said overweight and obese children, are more likely to remain obese until adulthood if not controlled. Obesity could cause diseases like cardiovascular disease and diabetes at an early age and even heart stroke, many types of cancers and other chronic diseases. The basic reasons behind the increase in weight among children, according to the findings of WHO, is the increase intake of energy foods which are high in fats and sugars but is low on vitamins, minerals and micronutrients and the reduced level of physical activity Insight of responsibilities The eating behaviors and physical activity of children are influenced by many sectors of society, like family, health organization, government and the school. The intervention of each one of them is the only solution to solve the obesity problem. Alone, they cannot do so, but with the interrelated help, obesity problem can be controlled. The importance of each other’s help should not be overlooked; and this study provides an insight of their responsibilities. a. The responsibility of the school. School is the second home of children. This is where children spend most of their time; so this is also an excellent place for physical activities and nutrition. Almost all young people go to school. The role of promoting physical activity and healthy eating has been a part of the curriculum of education and is not a new one. Schools can use existing resources and facilities that can support physical activity of students, and has potentials of reducing obesity and overweight. The school can get the most out of its resources in developing the knowledge and skills of students important for a healthy lifestyle. The school has the ability to make policy intercession, assignments of personnel, or even change of its environment. It can change choices of food in the cafeteria and in the vending machines toward healthy food. School cafeterias have vending machines that offer choices of junk foods. Friedman and Swartz (2008) reported the marketing promotions of food and beverage industries in schools wherein they offered lucrative contracts. Schools will carry their products in exchange for gym equipments, school equipments or even cash. In exchange, vending machines offered sugar sweetened beverages, salty foods, and candies, and it becomes the regular food consumption of children. Processed food and junk foods are easy to prepare, so it would be a good proposition if these food could be replaced with healthy food. The school can recommend healthy dietary practices and plan physical activities for children. The recommendations cited by Katz, David, L. et. Al, (October 2007) to control the obesity problem on children are to combine nutrition with physical activity; to allot additional time to physical activity in school like competing in sports and dancing; and to reduce sedentary activities like watching television an internet gaming. Could obesity be the responsibility of parents? A study puts the blame on parents because of its heavy influence on the food intake of children.(Live Science) Their research proved that “if parents are eating poorly, chances are, children will do the same” Key findings of this research showed that teen obesity crisis starts at home” because children find their parents as role model, such that their behavior affects their behavior either in a positive or negative manner. For instance, teens whose parents drink more soda and eats at fast food everyday will do the same than those teens whose parents who don’t drink soda and eat at fast foods. One cannot just talk to kids about prompting them to change behavior, parents should set the example. While it is true that eating habits of children is the responsibility of parents, study shows that environment could also be blamed. Parents’ responsibility is capsulated in: Train up a child in a way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it (Proverbs. 22:6) An overview of government policies on obesity We now give an overview of the different policies of the government in its struggle to control childhood obesity. The government’s role is to make policy recommendations, implementation and to provide the necessary funding for its execution. Policies of government are often hindered by several factors such as toxic environment and default practices. By toxic environment, Friedman and Swartz (2008) meant foods of low caloric value that are sold everywhere. Food and beverage industries are found all over. Fast foods offering big size servings are often established near schools. Also, the desires for fast foods are often influenced by constant advertisements. An example of a default situation is the dilemma of a working mother who buys fast food items to bring home to her children instead of cooking because of limited time. Some of the policies enforced by the government on obesity control are listed below (Friedman and Swartz). The policies are grouped into four categories: school nutrition and education, physical education and activity; advertising in children, and general policies. SCHOOL NUTRITION AND EDUCATION POLICY PROPOSED Improve nutrition standards for food and beverages sold outside the National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs; ban the sale of soda, sports drinks, and other sweetened beverages, and high fat, high sugar snacks. Set stricter nutritional standards for school breakfast and lunch programs than USDA mandate. Write school wellness policies addressing nutrition, nutrition education, and physical activity programs. Provide fresh and dried fruits and fresh vegetables free to children in elementary and secondary schools through the Fruit and Vegetable Program. Expand it to all 50 states. Ban the trans fat foods in foods sold in school cafeteria. Increase time allotment for meals in schools. Allow students to eat breakfast in schools. Switch the focus of classroom activities from food to activities Prohibit teachers to use candy as reward in classroom PHYSICAL EDUCATION ACTIVITY Increase time spent on physical education in all schools. Establish Walk to School Programs; increase funding for crossing guard placement around schools Institutionalize time for recess in elementary and middle schools Label school menus with nutrition information, including trans fat Open school athletic facilities to children and community at evenings. ADVERTISING TO CHILDREN Ban advertising of junkfoods and sugar-sweetened beverages in schools scoreboards, vending machines, textbooks, through Channel One contacts, and in school buses Ban advertising of junk foods and sugar sweetened beverages tochildren under 12 years old, in all forms of media GENERAL POLICIES Enforce anti-bullying and obesity stigma laws. Enact menu labeling at fast food chain restaurants. Improve access to healthful foods in low income neighborhood Enact taxes on soda and processed, low nutrition foods, earmark funds for obesity research grants to address overweight Fund education and intervention through Medicaid for nutrition, activity, behavior management, and support for overweight children Encourage physicians to engage parents in conversation about their child’s weight, diet, and level of activity. Improve and expand the number of parks, rails to trails areas, playgrounds, n sidewalksin communities. Source: Friedman and Schwartz Although these policies took place, barriers to implementations are observed. For instance, not enough time is allotted for physical education in schools because of academic studies, resulting to sedentary activities. The ban on advertising to children is not strictly imposed because advertisers find means to sneak their campaigns through several forms of media. Children’s cartoons are paired with fast food chains gimmick, such as Happy Meal of MacDonald’s, products are indiscreetly held in movies, and beverage brands advertised in sports game is fast becoming the norms of advertising. Conclusion The solution to the problem of obesity among children will take an interrelated approach. It requires changes in policies, culture and often requires time and effort of stakeholders. A great deal of time, effort and energy must be done to deal with the competing interests of industries, politicians, communities, schools, public health organizations and individuals must be considered because each can play an important role. Above all, the strict health discipline of the individual is needed if one needs to trim down his weight, of course, with proper guidance from school, parents and the government. Works Cited Childldhood obesity in America Statistics. May 1, 2012. Health Matters. Web. 17 June 2012 CDC. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ChildhoodObesity Facts. Web. 18 June 2012 Friedman, Roberta and Swartz, Marlene. Public Policy to Prevent Childhood Obesity, and the role of Pediatric Endocronologists. Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism. 21, 717-725.(2008) Katz, David, L. , O’Connell, Megan, Yeh, Ming-Chin, Nawaz, Haq, Njke, Valentine, Anderson, Laurie, Cory, Stella and Dietz, William (07 October 2005). A Report on the recommendations of the Task Force on Community Preventive Services. CDC. MMWVR. Web. 18 June 2012 Live staff 09 February 2009. Parents blamed for childhood obesity. Live Science.09 February 2009. Web. 18 June 2012 Hellmich, Nancy. 08 May. 2012. “Obesity could Affect 42% of Americans by 2030” .USA Today. News 08 May 2012. Web. 18 June 2012. World Health Organization (WHO). 2012. Child Overweight and Obesity. 2012. Web, 18 June 2012 Read More