xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxxx NR 506: Health Care Policy October 2017 Preventing Childhood Obesity: After School Intramural Sports For Grades K-8 xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxxx NR 506: Health Care Policy October 2017

Childhood Obesity a great concern Childhood Obesity has tripled since 1970 in the United States (Center for Disease Control [CDC], 2015) In 2014, 41 million kids in 5 years are obese Cost for treatment per year is $41 billion/year on related disease (CDC, 2015) According to recent research one child among five children has obesity. Notably, these are children between the ages of 6-19 years (Center for Disease Control [CDC], 2015). In the year, 2014, a number of 41 million kids within 5 years were seen to be obese or overweight. Recently one among three schools –aged children are obese or overweight (Watson, Baker, & Chadwick, 2016). The cost incurred in treating obesity-related diseases is estimated to be $14 billion per year in direct health facility expenses (CDC, 2015).

(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015) Obesity as an Epidemic In this map, overall IL's children are 20% – 25% obese. From 2014 data gathered, it shows that 13.3% 2- to 4-year-old WIC participants are obese – in essence, they are ranked 14/51 states (with Puerto Rico as the 51st state inclusive). Children age 10 -17 are ranked 39/51 (CDC, 2015). Presently one third of children in the state of Illinois are obese despite all efforts by the state government and several schools (CDC, 2015). As Kentucky’s children age, they become more obese – making it easy for them to become obese adults. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015)

Results Of Childhood Obesity Associated disease like Asthma, high blood pressure and diabetes Complete isolation. Low self-esteem, and depression (Cunningham at el. 2014) Missing classes Obesity is a critical problem in the United States which need immediate prevention to control associated disease, like; asthma, high blood pressure and diabetes to attack children. Obese children suffer from advance effects for example; they are socially isolated, have low self-esteem, and depression (Cunningham at el. 2014). Mainly, this is because their age mates, who make fun of them, intimidate them. Obese children also do not perform well in school, primarily; this is because they do not attend all classes due to either disease related to obesity or laziness because of their heavy weight. As a nurse on medical-surgical floor, I once had a 21 year-old patient that came with series of diseases associated with obese as this patient weight over 350 pounds. This patient was depressed because he could not do things by himself. He could not participate in regular activities being performed by the peers. A situation like this can be prevented in time from early age. As a parent, I have two teenagers, one teen, and a toddler and I am more involved ensuring a good eating habit and involvement in activities.

What am I asking? The schools need to begin after school intramural activities for K - 8 Awareness to stakeholders Teachers with collaboration with parents introduce more activities with rewards. Communicate with policymakers to advocate for our children Despite the government and non-government organization efforts to prevent childhood obesity, less has been achieved; a percentage of obese children increase each day (Cunningham at el. 2014). The school system need to start doing something to help prevent childhood obesity. There is need to begin after school intramural activities as many of these children go home doing nothing after school hours. Who are the stakeholders? These are parents, school child, teachers, and policymakers. Everyone need to be aware and be involved in making this policy work. I am asking teachers, parent, and childcare members to work together in encouraging and enforcing better diet and physical activities to prevent obesity among children. Children must be involved in after school intramural sports in preventing childhood obesity which will assist the children in becoming more active rather than doing more of video games and watching television programs that will produce no benefit (Watson et al., 2016). This policy is required to be passed across to policymakers so as to attract more funding to help our future generations maintain good healthy life style.

Recommendation 30 minutes of physical activity minimum required per day. Sufficient equipment to encourage physical activity during and after school Collaborations with parents, teachers and the community in an effort to promote after school physical activity. Thanks You It is important for there to be tangible policies in place that will involve our children and keep them active. There is need for after-school intramural games which is the best method among others to control obesity. Sports activities will make children active; consequently, this will keep them healthy, flexible and able get led off excess fats in their bodies. - The need for Regular scheduled physical education programs, though it maybe in place but extension is needed. - Schools can help increase students’ activity levels outside of physical education classes, such as through recess, classroom activity breaks, after-school programs, and joint-use agreements between schools and communities. School environments should include safe equipment and multiple supervised facilities that encourage children to be physically active. The need for supplies needed for diverse activities in sports.

References Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017). National diabetes statistics report: Estimates of diabetes and its burden in the united states. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pdfs/data/statistics/natio nal-diabetes-statistics-report.pdf Cunningham, S. A., Kramer, M. R., & Narayan, K. V. (2014). Incidence of childhood obesity in the United States. New England Journal of Medicine, 370(5), 403-411. The state of obesity: Better policies for a healthy America. (2016). Retrieved from The state of obesity in illinois: http://stateofobesity.org/states/il/ Watson, L. A., Baker, M. C., & Chadwick, P. M. (2016). Kids just wanna have fun: Children's experiences of a weight management programme. British Journal of Health Psychology, 21(2), 407-420. doi:10.1111/bjhp.12175/