Antionette Wiggins PUBH 8165 Environmental Health Walden University

OBJECTIVES Define the problem of adolescent obesity Discuss the impact of adolescent obesity Discuss changes needed in school nutrition Discuss programs for the primary and secondary and high school setting Discuss what the future holds Discuss the public health standpoint/policy

Adolescent Obesity

Prevalence of Obesity Between 1988–1994 and 2007–2008 the prevalence of obesity increased: From 11.6% to 16.7% among non-Hispanic white boys. From 10.7% to 19.8% among non-Hispanic black boys. From 14.1% to 26.8% among Mexican-American boys. From 8.9% to 14.5% among non-Hispanic white girls. From 16.3% to 29.2% among non-Hispanic black girls. From 13.4% to 17.4% among Mexican-American girls.

Obese Children in NC

North Carolina Costs

Contributing Factors to Adolescent Obesity Eating to many unhealthy meals. Lack of physical activity. Heredity: Parents who are obese tend to have children who are obese.

Psychosocial Dimension Body image is viewed differently among different cultures of people.

Environmental Dimension When watching television children normally eat unhealthy snacks. These activities need to be limited and they need to get out and do things to increase their metabolic rate.

Programs Used to Fight Adolescent Obesity Eat Smart, Move More Let’s Move Be Active Get Moving

Eat Smart Move More It is designed to help organizations and individuals craft strategies to address overweight and obesity in their community and begin to create policies and environments supportive of healthy eating and physical activity. (eatsmartmovemorenc.com)

Let’s Move A nationwide campaign to tackle the challenge of childhood obesity by providing schools, parents, and communities with tools to help kids be active, eat better, and get healthy (USDA.gov).

Be Active Get Moving  Increase public awareness  Build grassroots advocacy and volunteerism  Reduce barriers and create opportunities for physical activity

Nutrition and Physical Education In order to incorporate these programs we must look at the nutritional standards for our schools and physical education.

School Nutrition The nutritional standards for schools need to promote the increase of fruits and vegetables, whole grain products and decrease foods that are high in fat.

Physical Education Physical education needs to be brought back to the schools. Only one state still requires it. Physical education needs to be geared towards all students and not just those who are athletic.

Promoting Physical Education Only 3.8 elementary schools, 7.9% of middle schools and 2.1% of high schools provide daily physical education or its equivalent for the entire school year (AHA, 2009). Increasing physical fitness helps reduce chronic illnesses that are associated with obesity.

Future Plans For Cumberland County Develop a blueprint for Cumberland County to get adolescent obesity under control. Part of moving Cumberland County in the right directions we have to take a look at what meals are being served in the schools.

Public Heath Policy Standpoint In order to develop policies to battle the obesity crisis, everyone must work together and advocate for programs that everyone can benefit from. The ecological model is a good example because it plays an integral role in the clinical setting and those involved can advocate and teach the community on healthy behaviors.

Conclusion The number of obese children have grown over the years and with the increase of obesity comes an increase of health problems and the cost of healthcare. In order to successfully get adolescent obesity under control everyone must work together towards the common goal.

Questions It takes a village to raise a child and that same village can help fight obesity

Reference: American Heart Association (AHA). (2009). FACTS Learning for Life. Physical Education in Public Schools. Retrieved from 0FINAL%20Learning%20for%20Life%20-%20PE%20Fact%20sheet.pdf. 0FINAL%20Learning%20for%20Life%20-%20PE%20Fact%20sheet.pdf Barlow, S. (2007). Expert committee recommendations regarding the prevention, assessment, and treatment of child and adolescent overweight and obesity: Summary report. Pediatrics, 120, S164-S192. Be Active North Carolina. (2011). Tipping the Scales. Retrieved from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Guidelines for School and Community Programs to Promote Lifelong Physical Activity Among Young People,” Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 46, no. RR-6 (1997): 1-36, available online at: Eat Smart, Move More: North Carolina’s Plan to Prevent Overweight, Obesity and Related Chronic Diseases Retrieved from pdf.

Reference: Fit Together. (2004). Linking North Carolinians to tools for healthier weight and lifestyles. Retrieved from Let’s Move. (2010). Child Nutrition Reauthorization Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of Retrieved from 0_10.pdf 0_10.pdf National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). (2008). Childhood Obesity Update of Legislative Policy Options. Retrieved from Parents’ Views of Children’s Health and Fitness: A Summary of Results: A Survey Conducted by Opinion Research Corporation International of Princeton, NJ for the National Association for Sport and Physical Education. (2003) Retrieved from Senate Bill wants P.E. back in Nation’s School (2011). Retrieved from Sweeting, H.N. (2008). Gendered dimensions of obesity in Childhood and Adolescence. Nutritional Journal 7:1.

Reference: The Burden of Obesity in North Carolina (Adults, Children, and Youth) Eat Smart and Move More. Retrieved from USDA. (2010). National Agricultural Library (2010). Weight and Obesity. Let’s Move. Retrieved from _subject=271&topic_id= _subject=271&topic_id=1308