CHILDHOOD OBESITY

Statistics about childhood obesity Obesity affects 1 in 3 children in America. Black and Hispanic children are more likely to become obese than whites. Almost 45 percent of children that are obese come from low income families and range in ages 10-17. Children's Defense Fund (2010)

Contributing factors of obesity Lifestyle: Today a lot of children have poor diets. Nearly one-third of American children ages 4-19 eat fast food everyday. Beverages that possess a lot of sugar can lead to weight gain and obesity. Children that lack sufficient exercise are at a greater risk of becoming obese. A recent study showed that children spend an average of 12 hours watching TV, surfing the web, or playing video games. Physical environment: A child’s environment can increase their chances of becoming obese. Children that live in low income neighborhoods have limited access to supermarkets and fresh produce. Children that are not able to visit parks, playgrounds, or community centers with recreational activities are more prone to develop obesity. Children's Defense Fund (2010)

Health issues associated with obesity Obese children are at risk of developing high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type two diabetes, and breathing problems. Obese children will probably become obese adults and may suffer with heart disease or have a stroke. According to the children's defense fund, if childhood obesity continues, experts predict it could cut off five to ten years of their life, making this generation the first to have a shorter life expectancy. Obesity can also affect children's learning and hinder their ability to interact with peers, play sports and other childhood games. They may also suffer from low self-esteem. Children's Defense Fund (2010)

Management of obesity Reducing the number of children affected by obesity takes the careful planning and support of parents and teachers. Children need a balanced diet. This can be acquired by developing a meal plan that includes nutritious food. Children also need to be active. The textbook discusses increasing children’s daily activity, such as walking a pet or helping with chores (Marotz, 1993, p. 75). Children also should be encouraged to engage in outside activities, such as swimming, dance, and riding a bike (Marotz, 1993, p.75).

A teacher’s role Teachers should feel it is their duty to acknowledge and act on any issues that may affect their student’s ability to succeed. In my classroom I constantly discuss nutrition with my children, in addition I plan and integrate activities into my lesson plan that promote healthy eating and living.

Reference page Children's Defense Fund (2010). Childhood Obesity. Retrieved from http:// www.childrensdefense.org/policy-priorities/childrens-health/child-nutrition/chilhoo... Marotz, L.R., Cross, M.Z., & Rush, J.M. (1993). Health, Safety & Nutrition for the Young Child. (3rd Edition) Albany, NY: Delmar.