The Challenge of Childhood Obesity

The increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes resulting in a lifetime of chronic health issues justifies the health community’s concerns about rising obesity rates among children. In addition, overweight children tend to become overweight or obese adults, putting them at risk for heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke. Most experts agree the cause of the rising rates are a combination of children’s eating patterns and lack of physical activity. Unfortunately, solutions and treatments are more difficult to define.  The following will link you to recent studies examining varying aspects of the issue and the roles of parents and health professionals.

DIETARY-BEHAVIORAL-PHYSICAL ACTIVITY INTERVENTIONS MAY CONTRIBUTE TO LONG-TERM SUCCESS

A study published in the April 2005 issue of Pediatrics compared a variety of health measures between a group of 24 obese children receiving a combined dietary-behavioral-physical activity 3-month intervention with a control group of 22 obese, age- and gender-matched, control subjects. At both the 3-month and 1-year evaluation, there were significant improvements in the body weight, BMI, body fat percentage, serum total and LDL cholesterol levels, and fitness in the intervention group.

Citation: 
Short- and long-term beneficial effects of a combined dietary-behavioral-physical activity intervention for the treatment of childhood obesity. Nemet D, Barkan S, Epstein Y, Friedland O, Kowen G, Eliakim A. Pediatrics 2005 Apr:115(4):e443-9.

To read the abstract, go to
Short- and long-term beneficial effects of a combined dietary-behavioral-physical activity intervention for the treatment of childhood obesity.

ENGLISH PARENTS SEEKING HELP FOR THEIR OVERWEIGHT CHILDREN FIND A WIDE RANGE OF RESPONSE FROM HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

Professional responses to parental concerns about their overweight children range from positive, but not very helpful, to negative and dismissive. The author of this study published in the English journal, Family Practice, suggests that the health community would benefit from having a greater understanding of the parent’s dilemma and the issues surrounding childhood obesity. In this particular study, pediatric dietitians were very supportive though interactions with community dietitians were less positive.

Citation: 
Parents’ perceptions of health professionals’ responses when seeking help for their overweight children. Edmunds LD. Family Practice 2005, Mar 16.

To read the abstract, go to
Parents’ perceptions of health professionals’ responses when seeking help for their overweight children

SCHOOL NURSES ENCOUNTER BARRIERS WHICH PREVENT TREATMENT OF CHILDHOOD OBESITY

School nurses at elementary and middle public schools in Missouri were surveyed to determine their understanding of childhood obesity and their perceptions of the school nurse’s role in counseling and providing prevention interventions. Though aware of the health consequences of childhood obesity and the need for prevention strategies, the vast majority of school nurses were not proactive addressing the issues.  School nurses perceive that parental support is lacking and that competence in providing counsel is low.

Citation:
Perceptions of school nurses regarding obesity in school-age children. Moyers P, Bugle L, Jackson E. The Journal of School Nursing 2005; 21(2):86–93.

To read the abstract, go to
Perceptions of school nurses regarding obesity in school-age children

A review of the research shows a strong association between children’s eating patterns and both their social and physical environment.  They are more likely to eat readily available foods, and portion sizes consumed are directly related to portion sizes served. Cultural and economic characteristics of the parents, as well as the parents’ behaviors, attitudes and feeding styles, also influence children’s food choices. All these factors should be considered when applying interventions aimed at improving children’s nutrition.

Citation:
A review of family and social determinants of children’s eating patterns and diet quality. Patrick H, Nicklas TA. Journal of the American College of Nutrition 2005 Apr;24(2):83-92.

To read the abstract, go to
A review of family and social determinants of children’s eating patterns and diet quality

To learn more about childhood obesity, and to access the action plans developed by the Institute of Medicine Committee on Prevention of Obesity in Children and Youth, go to
Preventing Childhood Obesity: Health in the Balance

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