Intrapersonal
Childhood obesity is as imbalance of food intake and the calories a child uses on a day to day basis. A child’s consumption of food is usually controlled by the parent all throughout childhood and into high school. There are many factors that influence a child’s weight and some of them cannot be controlled; one of them being genetics. Children carry genes from their parents that sometimes make them more susceptible to certain diseases and can be harmful to their health. However, this genetic susceptibility may need to exist in conjunction with contributing environmental and behavioral factors (such as a high-calorie food supply and minimal physical activity) to have a significant effect on weight. Obesity is considered one of the genes that can be caused by genetics, but genetics have not changed in the last three decades and obesity rates increase annually.
A child’s attitude and beliefs towards their weight, what they consume, and how much physical activity also plays a role in whether or not a child is obese or overweight. A child’s behavior cannot be completely traced back to a cause of obesity but it can have an influence. If a child is overweight or obese at the age of eight, that child has an 80% chance of staying overweight or obese all thought their life.
The skills an individual has also affect their physical activity and intern their weight. If a child has no skills and does not have any skills that keep him or her physically active, that child is more than likely going to become sedentary and as a result, gain weight. Physical activity is up to the child and their participation can ultimately be decided by them, once given the time and space to be physically active. If a student has no desire to gain new skills and live an active life, they are much more likely to become overweight or obese.
Risk Factors
Poor Diet
Lack of Exercise
Family History
Psychological Factors
Family Factors
Socioeconomic Factors
Interpersonal/Groups
Friends and family are the main factor in how interpersonal relationships factor into obesity among adolescents. Not only do parent’s genes fit into the situation, but the overall beliefs and ways of life from the family as a whole play a large role in a child’s weight. When a child is young he or she starts to develop eating habits that are created by their parent or caregiver. Many kids do not even get a choice as to what they eat; they are subject to whatever is in their fridge and many times that may not be good. Parents are a direct role model for their child and they are very influential during the child’s younger years.
Once a child is older, they have more influences, such as friends, relationships, and social groups. Friends are big influences in a child’s life and can help in the decision making processes of what and where to eat. For example, if everyone is going out to eat for lunch during high school, you as the child are not going to want to stay in and each school lunch; you will most likely go out to eat with them. That factor will change caloric intake and generally it is for the worst. Another factor is with older adolescent intimate relationships. If an adolescent has been in a relationship with someone for a long time, they tend to get complacent and they can gain weight and not even realize it.
Institutional
Because the majority of young people aged 5–17 years are enrolled in schools and because of the amount of time that children spend at school each day, schools provide an ideal setting for teaching children and teens to adopt healthy eating and physical activity behaviors. Schools and school districts are, increasingly, implementing programs that focus on improving the nutrition and increasing physical activity of students and it the best place for this to occur.
Another institutional setting that children may be involved is recreational and clubs. The availability of these will vary from city to city; but overall in Illinois there are many opportunities to get involved for children. Those who live in rural and urban areas are usually those most affected by the lack of resources or protected places to play outside. In the suburb’s it is common to have many expensive facilities, but they lack common things such as sidewalks, and common places to play. The more children get involved, the better their chances are at never becoming obese.
· Community
The environment within communities influences the access that children have to physical activity opportunities as well as their access to affordable and healthy foods. For example, a lack of sidewalks, safe bike paths, and parks in neighborhoods can discourage children from walking or biking to school as well as from participating in physical activity. Additionally, lack of access to affordable, healthy food choices in neighborhood grocery stores can prevent families from purchasing healthy foods.
Economics are also factored into childhood obesity. If a parent cannot afford healthy food for their children it can impact their eating habits and lead to unhealthy behaviors. A poor economic status usually means less access to facilities and sometimes less parent involvement with their children.
Economics also factors in once a child is deemed to be overweight or obese. Direct medical costs may include preventive, diagnostic, and treatment services related to obesity. Indirect costs relate to morbidity and mortality costs. In Illinois alone, there are millions of dollars spent alone of health care and medical costs for those who are overweight or obese.
· Public Policy
Works Cited
Childhood obesity is on the rise and the only way to prevent it is to make laws and mandates for the children to follow. Illinois is one of the only 50 states to require daily physical education for students. Having a policy that requires daily physical education is a very beneficial concept to have; however, it only works if the concept is followed, and evaluated.
Another regulation or suggestion that is available is the food pyramid. The food pyramid guide is a great source to see what children should be eating. It offers a variety of different suggestions and options for kids to eat healthier. The website create by the government also has other options to monitor your food intake and your daily physical activity. The United States Department of Agriculture does a fantastic job of reporting all the correct and healthy eating patterns, physical activity patterns, and ways to become or stay fit.
Works Cited
(November 11, 2010). Childhood Obesity: Risk Factors. Retrieved from Mayo Clinic http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/childhood-obesity/DS00698/DSECTION=risk-factors
(November 11, 2010). Childhood Obesity. Retrieved from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/index.html
(November 11, 2010). Childhood Obesity. Retrieved from US Department of Health and Human Services http://aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/child_obesity
(November 11, 2010). Food Pyramid. Retrieved from US Department of Agriculture http://www.mypyramid.gov/pyramid/index.html
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