Alison Skellenger, R.N. Amanda Sprague, R.N. Childhood Obesity

issue and its relevance to nursing was made clear. The learner objectives for the seminar are clear, measurable, and relevant to the issue. (1 -2 slides) ●The prevalence of childhood obesity has risen rapidly. The issue is affecting the very rich and the very poor ●This issue is an urgent public health concern. ●Children with obesity have long-term morbidity and mortality risks. INTRODUCTION

LEARNING OBJECTIVES ●Identify risk factors associated with childhood obesity ●Identify diseases that are associated with obesity and how to educate children and their families ●Be able to identify approaches that are successful in tackling this epidemic

Let’s Take Action ●Improve access to healthy foods ○decreasing the exposure that children have to unhealthy choices ○access to water ○limit the amount of unhealthy foods in schools ●Increase the nutrition literacy of children ○include health education in core curriculum ○food preparation classes available to children and caregivers ●Weight Management services to children affected by being overweight or obese ○family based services ○multi-approach including: physical, nutritional, and psychosocial

●As healthcare professionals it is our responsibility to educate and motivate our youth to good health. The healthcare sector is collaboratively accountable along with members of the community and lawmakers to act promptly so that future risk of this epidemic will be avoided. ●Professional nurses witness first-hand the effects of childhood obesity as they treat children in emergency rooms, primary care offices, school clinics and other settings. ●Preventing disease and promoting healthy lifestyles are standards of nursing practice— fundamental to almost everything nurses do in patient and community education. ●The ANA believes if America does not mount a concentrated effort to control childhood obesity, the American child will have a life span that is years less than any previous American generation. Healthcare Professional's Responsibility

I Inferences and Implications ●Increased healthcare costs ●Healthcare premiums go up for everyone, overweight or not ●Increased risk of childhood asthma, sleep apnea and depression ●Overweight children had 5-year combined medical bills 9.8 million higher than normal weight kids

Inferences and Implications ●Increased non-communicable diseases ●Early type 2 diabetes ●Cardiovascular disease ●Emotional problems and low self esteem ●Increased musculoskeletal disorders ●Overweight children become overweight adults

Inferences and Implications ●Multifocal approach ●Involves home, school, and community ●Focus on meals, classroom activities, sports, and play activities ●Change the community-fast food restaurants and accessibility to healthy options

Inferences and Implications ●Healthy kids out of school.org - drink right-choose water not sugary sodas and juices - move more-get out and exercise - snack smart-choose fruits and vegetables ●Let’s move childcare initiative -created by Michelle Obama -provide 1-2 hours of physical activity a day -limit screen time to 30 minutes per week -stop sugary drinks and provide low fat milk

●Appetite control learned early ●physical activity early ●Assess parents nutrition education and health literacy ●family eating and exercise behavior ●Inappropriate marketing to kids and excessive availability Recommendations

Conclusion Children are our future. It is so important that we take a stand and work together to ensure our nation’s children grow up healthy. Teaching them how to eat right and showing them the importance of physical activity will go a long way towards helping fight the war against childhood obesity. They deserve the right to become healthy, active adults with a bright future that isn’t haunted by chronic disease and disability.

References Au, N. (2012). The health care cost implications of overweight and obesity during childhood. Health Services Research. 47(2), doi: /j x. Dietz, W. (2012). Implications of the energy gap for the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity. Journal of Preventative Medicine. 42(5), Dolan, P. & Economos, C. (2013). Childhood obesity challenge. American Journal of Preventative Medicine. 44(5), Gluckman, P., Armstrong, T., & Nishtar, S. (2015). Ending childhood obesity: a multidimentional challenge. The Lancet. 385,

References Lostein, T., Jackson-Leach, R., Moodie, M., & Kevin, H. (2015). Child and Adolescent Obesity: Part of a Bigger Picture. Lancet, 385, Newman, C., Howlett, E., & Burton, S. (2012). Implications of fast food restaurant concentration for preschool aged childhood obesity. Journal of Business Research. 67(8), doi: /j.jbusres Switzerland, G. (2015). Draft Final of the Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity.