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CHRONIC ILLNESS : CHILDHOOD OBESITY

Chronic illness: Childhood Obesity Nneka Anyanwu Southern University School of Nursing

Childhood obesity is an increasing epidemic that is largely just being noticed. Since the late 1970's the percentage of overweight and obese kids have greatly increased impacting their health. Swan (2012) states, "Obesity and overweight are defined as 'abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health' (World Health Organization (WHO), 2012. Clinicians commonly assess obesity in terms of body mass index (BMI), which considers a desirable BMI to be around 20 to 25 for adults. Anything above 25 is considered 'overweight' , a BMI over 30 is defined as ' obese' and a BMI over 40 is described as 'severely or morbidly obese' ) WHO (2012) estimates that one in ten children is overweight and that ratio is substantially increasing daily.

Although some people have genetic causes to gain weight, the primary reason for obesity is excessive intake of calories and not enough exercise. Intake of high-fat calorie foods with little to no exercise fat accumulates quickly. Swan (2012) states, "Environmental, social and family factors may contribute to overweight and obesity and to the success of treatment. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence noted a strong link between child obesity and socioeconomic deprivation. A child's risk of being obese increases if at least one parent is obese; often due to similar dietary or activity habits, or a combination of both. Children with physical or learning disabilities are at risk for obesity, as opportunities for exercise may be restricted.

Childhood obesity usually follows a person into adulthood. Obese adults are more likely to develop cardiac, endocrine and respiratory than normal weighing adults. Future health problems are many ranging from coronary heart disease to cancer. But beyond the physical effects it causes many stressful effects on the family unit.

Stressful Effects on the Family Unit

Childhood obesity on the family unit had many stressful effects on the family unit from physical and physiological. It effect relationships with parents, leads to low communication due to low self esteem and isolation. Rabbitt (2012) states, "The family is central to a child's care and family centered care is core to children's nursing. The family may be seen as including anyone related, by birth, or not who is significant to the child. The child is embedded within the family system and therefore it is very difficult for obese children to alter their dietary or physical habits if not supported by their families." It is the role of a nurse to prevent and educate families on childhood obesity and prevent detrimental effects.

Leadership and Discharge Planning Role

Many roles are planned for nurses in childhood obesity. In the hospital setting, handling by staff adjusted to avoid injury to still growing limbs. Swan (2012) states, "Healthcare staff will need adjustment if a child is obese or of bariatric proportions. Department policies should be adhered to, regarding weight limits for assisted transfers and lifting. Assistive devices (such as slide sheets, transfer boards and hoists) can avoid strain and staff should be trained to use them. Patients may need wheelchairs, a walking frame or trolley to assist with moving. Other equipment includes pressure- reliving mattress and seating suitable to bariatric patients."

Although a nurse in the community setting may face challenges in educating clients that are happy with their obese appearance, proper education is required to educate clients on the negative impacts of their health due to their lifestyle. Nurses need to involve family as it is one of the most important roles in a child's lifestyle. A nurse should be sensitive to the client and appropriate to the childs age and culture. Nurses should provide information about the many community groups to help families change their eating and exercise habits

Identify Consumer Groups

Governmental groups have recognized the need to educate parents about childhood obesity. In Louisiana, where its ranked 4th in the nation in childhood obesity, has opened an office of Louisiana Council of on Obesity Prevention and Management. This community resource states its mission "To promote an environment that supports opportunities for all Louisiana residents to make healthy food choices and to be physically active in order to achieve or maintain a healthy weight." It lists several goals from monitoring obesity rates to working with health care and school systems. With community reaching out to stamp out childhood is effective, its also the role of the individual to promote strategies to promote optimal health and decrease the rates of childhood obesity.

Strategies to Promote Optimal Wellness

Strategies an individual could promote to reduce obesity are quite simple but not easy to follow. Children need a healthy diet and sufficient exercise. Starting from the diet, portions should be given in normal size and mealtimes should be monitored, without distractions from television, video games and other items. Children should be taught to enjoy their mealtime, chew food thoroughly without feeling the need to rush food down to get to the next task. A proper balanced diet includes fiber-rich foods, fruits and vegetables and low in high fatty foods and foods loaded with sugar. A food pyramid is available online for parents seeking further guidance on their child's diet. Children should have regular mealtimes, and avoid junky (chips and candies) snack foods.

The child should keep a diary of their intake, and after a week the child should be able to point out patterns in eating, and how it can be adjusted. Active activities should be decreased. Parents should limit the time spent allowing the child to watch television, browse the internet or play video games. According to Swann (2012), "Children need between one to two hours of moderate to vigorous- intensity physical activity every day, either in one session or a number of sessions of 10 minutes or more. Overweight children may need more than 60 minutes of physical activity."

In conclusion, the rising rate of obesity has serious effect in a child's future. It carries many costs from financial, physical and psychological. The good news is that childhood obesity is preventable, with careful lifestyle changes. Governmental agencies have popped up overnight to deal with this epidemic.

Many treatments are recognized in the battle against childhood obesity but with reasonable changes in diet and exercise, proper weigh in children (and later adults) can be achieved.

Reference Page
References:

Carr, L. (2012). Starting out: STUDENT EXPERIENCES IN THE REAL WORLD OF NURSING. HEALTH VISITOR ROLE HAS OPENED MY EYES TO CHILDHOOD OBESITY PROBLEM. Nursing Standard , 27 (5), 26.

"Let's Really Move" Asks White House to Get Junk Food Out of School Lunches. (2012). Good Medicine , 21 (4), 8.

Rabbitt, A., & Coyne, I. (2012). Childhood obesity: nurses' role in addressing the epidemic. British Journal Of Nursing , 21 (12), 731-735.

Swann, J. I. (2012). Childhood obesity is largely preventable: HCAs/APs can help. British Journal Of Healthcare Assistants , 6 (6), 279-283.