Childhood Obesity: Breaking the Cycle

[cynboys]

How would you feel if you were told your ten-year-old child was dying because of heart disease? Or better yet, heart disease that could have been prevented. What if your child's routine check up with the pediatrician reveled he/she was in the 90th percentile for weight. Predicting the weight to only double in the next few years if your child remained in the current trend of eating habits and activity level. How would you feel if due to your child's weight his peers were bullying him? Causing low self-esteem and poor grades in school. if only you were more aware of how your influence as well as the television industry was exposing your children to unhealthy food choices causing them to desire sugary, high calorie, non-nutritious foods, leading to childhood obesity.

Childhood obesity is a major health concern. In 2014, more than one third of children were obese or overweight. This means that one in three families are affected by childhood obesity. The increase in prevalence of childhood obesity has caused American's to be more worried today than ever. Overweight or obese children can be traumatized physically and emotionally. Why should we allow our children to experience adult physical and emotional problems? Scarring them for life.

Childhood obesity leads to complex medical conditions, including hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease, asthma, breathing problems, sleep disorders, early puberty, low self-esteem, depression, and learning problems. Childhood obesity can be avoided. We have the power to change the environmental factors that are affecting our children. We must take into consideration how greatly the impact of parental/family influence makes on our children. Children imitate their parents, if a child is raised observing their parents eating fruits and vegetables, they will learn that it is normal to consume these healthy habits. Physical activity is another important factor, the physical activity of our youth has decreased in the last decade. Just look around you, our TV's are remote controlled, providing entertainment at just a fingertip away. Computers are portable, providing on the go entertainment. One can drive up to a restaurant and get food within five minutes. In the past, schools had mandatory physical education. These are just a few examples of how our society has become more sedentary, helping our youth to become obese.

Another way to solve the childhood obesity epidemic is to place limits on the types of Tv advertisement our society is being exposed to overall. Nutritional restrictions must be configured on all food and beverages advertised on TV. If restrictions were fixed on all TV commercials and only healthy alternatives were being advertised, the childhood obesity epidemic will decrease. This change as well as education parents on the effects of sedentary lifestyles will help to make an impact on our obese children. As nurses it is our duty to spread the work on the detrimental effects of childhood obesity. Education our patients on prevention and lifestyle changes will help change the obesity epidemic.

[jaycam, RN]

Cigarette commercials have been banned from television for YEARS.

I find it really frustrating that people compare obesity to cigarette smoking. It's apples to oranges, we have to eat something. Nothing like having someone compare the fact that I'm fat, which mind you, I am, to someone's 20 year long pack a day habit as if it was a conscience choice to be fat. Obesity is often either a lack of education or a medical issue. Eliminate the second, correct the first, and if neither of those work then consider it willful ignorance.

[klone, MSN, RN]

I find it really frustrating that people compare obesity to cigarette smoking. It's apples to oranges, we have to eat something. Nothing like having someone compare the fact that I'm fat, which mind you, I am, to someone's 20 year long pack a day habit as if it was a conscience choice to be fat. Obesity is often either a lack of education or a medical issue. Eliminate the second, correct the first, and if neither of those work then consider it willful ignorance.

I'm not comparing obesity to smoking. I discussing First Amendment rights WRT advertising. Period.

[Libby1987]

I find it really frustrating that people compare obesity to cigarette smoking. It's apples to oranges, we have to eat something. Nothing like having someone compare the fact that I'm fat, which mind you, I am, to someone's 20 year long pack a day habit as if it was a conscience choice to be fat. Obesity is often either a lack of education or a medical issue. Eliminate the second, correct the first, and if neither of those work then consider it willful ignorance.

I think it's more oranges to tangerines. I believe in the craving cycle due to insulin swings born out of our typical American diet high in processed carbs.

I just can't believe the cross section that is 2/3rds of our country have either a medical problem, lack of education or willful ignorance that made them fat. Perhaps if we did compare the two and treated them similarly we wouldn't have this obesity epidemic.

[macenroe]

While I agree that childhood obesity is on the rise, I don't think that having restrictions on television advertisements is the answer. Who determines what is appropriate and what isn't? How far will those restrictions go? People should be able to have choices, and the common sense to figure out what is healthy for them and their family. Unfortunately, I don't think that taking certain ads of from t.v. will fix the problem.

Many folks are eating unhealthy, but it's because they are living a little differently then years ago. When I was growing up, everyone had a garden. It was expected that fruits/vegetables would be a part of every meal, and it didn't bother us. Parents would freeze or can the excess to last all year. Food in general, was prepared differently. It was a real treat to have fried food. My mother usually baked or broiled meat and potatoes.

I do agree that folks have gotten more sedentary in their lifestyle. It seems to be normal for families to come home and camp out in front of the t.v. or computers. I have noticed that kids today are very pale, even in the summer. It's like they never get outside, which is too bad. I agree that children imitate their parents. If their parents aren't enjoying outside activities, then probably the kids won't either. If the parents are lazy, then chances are their children will be too. It's common to see people in the grocery stores or at the bank in their pajamas. Some folks don't even seem to have enough ambition to get dressed anymore, before running their errands. It's no wonder that obesity is on the rise. But I think that it's from too much inactivity, and not television ads that may or may not be suitable.

[Libby1987]

You guys are all familiar with the food science and engineering to make processed food competitive and addictive?

I would think most health science majors would be but just in case here's an article that explains it simply. Though I doubt it will have any credibility with those who are dug in about choice and laziness.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/24/magazine/the-extraordinary-science-of-junk-food.html?_r=0

This contradiction is known as sensory-specific satiety.” In lay terms, it is the tendency for big, distinct flavors to overwhelm the brain, which responds by depressing your desire to have more. Sensory-specific satiety also became a guiding principle for the processed-food industry. The biggest hits — be they Coca-Cola or Doritos — owe their success to complex formulas that pique the taste buds enough to be alluring but don't have a distinct, overriding single flavor that tells the brain to stop eating.

[Eru Ilúvatar]

Childhood obesity is a parenting problem. And no one should be violating the First Amendment to solve a problem with literally dozens of other solutions.

Yep, totally agree with you on this. A child wellbeing is the result of parenting techniques. From raising them eating the right foods, to saying no when they ask for that extra burger with fries. Also parents should be more involved with children in doing physical activity, instilling an early sense of exercise as part of daily life.

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

The government could, and should, fight childhood obesity in area it has explicit control over. Namely public education. No pop machines or vending machines in school. Providing only healthy lunches. More agressive health and nutrition teaching.

I think allowing the government to ban fast food commercials is a slippery slope.

[toomuchbaloney]

According to one study, more than 80% of grocery store "food" products did not even exist 10 years ago. Seriously. The majority of the stuff in the inner aisles, in boxes and bags and cans, was thought up and fabricated within the past 10 years. Researchers who examined nutrition labels of child-targeted products available at a U.S. grocer over the course of two years found that only 18% of products met the Institute of Medicine's standards for nutritional quality of school foods, which is already fairly low.

Obesity in America is not a simple problem with a simple answer. It is clearly not solely the "parenting" that is at fault, IMV.

[Eru Ilúvatar]

According to one study, more than 80% of grocery store "food" products did not even exist 10 years ago. Seriously. The majority of the stuff in the inner aisles, in boxes and bags and cans, was thought up and fabricated within the past 10 years. Researchers who examined nutrition labels of child-targeted products available at a U.S. grocer over the course of two years found that only 18% of products met the Institute of Medicine's standards for nutritional quality of school foods, which is already fairly low.

Obesity in America is not a simple problem with a simple answer. It is clearly not solely the "parenting" that is at fault, IMV.

I am not gonna defend food companies for making stuff that is hurtful long term. But if people didn't choose those products the market would react and we would have better quality, nutritious, foods. This is the reason of the whole foods industry boom, people wanted healthier food and the companies reacted. I dont like blaming others for my own shortcomings, so people have a choice ( not all the time, i know about food desserts, thats another situation that needs correction) as to what they eat. For example i voluntarily choose to stop eatings Mcdonalds, and instead switched to Wendys , where instead of a big mac, i get a medium chillis and a plain baked potato, no fries, occasionally a soda. Just by doing that i am eating healthier ( better than a big ass burger) and saving a bunch of calories.

There is no excuse why kids should be obese ( overweight is a different story since physical ability has diminished through the years). Kids have no money, so they should not have a choice as to what to eat, so parents should be providing the better and healthier alternatives based on their time and economic means.

[Red Kryptonite]

( overweight is a different story since physical ability has diminished through the years)

Upon what do you base this claim?

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

You know what, we are talking about kids. And there are some who grow out, grow up, grow out, grow up.....

Schools do weigh children. Then send notices home regarding the child being "obese". There were a group of boys I am well acquainted with, who had not a clue what "obese" meant. It is based on BMI, which is not really a great indicator, in my opinion. One pre-teen girl who took that label to heart, cried over it, and interestingly, her parents supported her, and equally as telling over the summer grew over 6 inches and was what was considered "normal".

Parents are not dumb. They know what they would like to have in the house to feed their children. They usually don't endevour to harm a child's health. I would be more concerned with a child who declines to eat because of an "obese" label given to them by a school. Or the multiple children who, because they are labeled, end up on anti-depressants and are even larger than before due to the medication.

Unless you have young children that you are raising, it is easy to play armchair dietician. The government now controls what is offered at a school lunch, and often, schools have rules that the student can not bring their own lunches. There are lots and lots of variables in a child's growth and development. There are families who feed any number of kids the same exact thing, order them outside (providing they have a yard or safety in that) and low and behold, growth rates being what they are some kids are just larger at different times than others. It doesn't mean that the meal plan consists of 3 big macs limitless coke, and 2 large fries every day.

Can we allow kids to be kids? And I would think that there are just as many parents who live vicariously through their children, scheduling every moment of every day, watching their diets like a hawk, as if somehow their weight and worth on the soccer team is a direct reflection on them. THAT is the scary thing. When we have dangerously skinny children who are thrown into some disordered eating because they are afraid of "getting fat" or the new kid buzz word "obese".

If a child's weight is affecting their function, then by all means have a discussion with your pediatrician about it. But if otherwise healthy children grow out before growing up, there is no need to call the food police. (The food police already exist in public schools, anyways)

[Libby1987]

You know what, we are talking about kids. And there are some who grow out, grow up, grow out, grow up.....

Schools do weigh children. Then send notices home regarding the child being "obese". There were a group of boys I am well acquainted with, who had not a clue what "obese" meant. It is based on BMI, which is not really a great indicator, in my opinion. One pre-teen girl who took that label to heart, cried over it, and interestingly, her parents supported her, and equally as telling over the summer grew over 6 inches and was what was considered "normal".

Parents are not dumb. They know what they would like to have in the house to feed their children. They usually don't endevour to harm a child's health. I would be more concerned with a child who declines to eat because of an "obese" label given to them by a school. Or the multiple children who, because they are labeled, end up on anti-depressants and are even larger than before due to the medication.

Unless you have young children that you are raising, it is easy to play armchair dietician. The government now controls what is offered at a school lunch, and often, schools have rules that the student can not bring their own lunches. There are lots and lots of variables in a child's growth and development. There are families who feed any number of kids the same exact thing, order them outside (providing they have a yard or safety in that) and low and behold, growth rates being what they are some kids are just larger at different times than others. It doesn't mean that the meal plan consists of 3 big macs limitless coke, and 2 large fries every day.

Can we allow kids to be kids? And I would think that there are just as many parents who live vicariously through their children, scheduling every moment of every day, watching their diets like a hawk, as if somehow their weight and worth on the soccer team is a direct reflection on them. THAT is the scary thing. When we have dangerously skinny children who are thrown into some disordered eating because they are afraid of "getting fat" or the new kid buzz word "obese".

If a child's weight is affecting their function, then by all means have a discussion with your pediatrician about it. But if otherwise healthy children grow out before growing up, there is no need to call the food police. (The food police already exist in public schools, anyways)

18-21% of children are obese (not just overweight) and likely growing. At what point or ever does it become a public/govt concern?