NEWS4U: Childhood Obesity

NEWS4U: Childhood Obesity Tasha McClain and Carla Arensmeyer Community Health Nursing November 17, 2013

NEWS4U: Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity is a rising epidemic in todays society. According to the Centers for Disease 18.4% of children in the 12-19 year age range are obese. Our article, Childhood obesity: nurses role in addressing the epidemic, was written by Aifric Rabbitt and Imelda Coyne both nurses that have been published in the British Journal of Nursing. This article addresses how to involve the whole family, the consequences of long-term obesity, and strategies on how to address obesity. Since both authors are nurses they have a very holistic approach to address this concern. Since this epidemic has largely gone unchecked the numbers have increased dramatically. In 1995 there were only eighteen million children (under the age of 5) that were classified as overweight. In 2010, that figure has more than doubled to forty-three million and is now the most common health issue affecting children (Rabbitt & Coyne, 2012). Research shows that if this problem is not addressed at a young age, the children that are obese now are more likely to be obese in adulthood. The health issues and co-morbidities that are related to childhood obesity only become more pronounced and significant during adulthood. Catching this problem early and educating parents and children both on how to reduce or prevent this health risk results in a lower incidence in both parent and child. The role the community/public/school nurse plays in the increasing rates of obese children (ages 2-19) is one of advocate and educator along with providing their regular health care. She must advocate to continue to get healthier lunches in the schools as well as the before and after school programs along with more regular exercise and activities if any progress is going to be made to reverse the trend. The nurse can advocate by petitioning the school board for healthier meals and snacks, as well as getting more time into the curriculum that would allow for at least 60 minutes of activity

NEWS4U: Childhood Obesity

that raises the heart rate and builds muscle. Also, by going to the city government and making them aware the children need more playgrounds or safer playgrounds can help to get the children away from the television and video games. Currently right now in urban and suburban neighborhoods there is a rising concern because do not have a safe place to play. (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2012) She can perform a visual survey of the neighborhoods and taking note of the amount of fast food eateries versus grocery stores that sell fresh fruits and vegetables. The community nurse can educate the city officials and government on the need for more community gardens with fresh fruit and vegetables and the need to no allow any more junk food type eateries to move into the community. He or she can also educate the parents on how to properly shop for the nutritious products at the grocery store. As part of education the nurse can also help to prevent the rising rate of obesity by offering healthy cooking classes for families, conduct child body mass index screening in daycares and preschools and along with the family develop a weight loss plan and counsel the children and their family on lifestyle changes. (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2012) The role of the community health nurse in preventing and monitoring childhood obesity is only going to continue to grow. As more and more families live at or below the poverty line, are working two or more jobs to make ends meet, the parents will continue to rely on the fast food eateries and cheap junk food sold at the grocery stores to feed their children. Community nurses are going to have to get involved and provide a lot of education to the parents in what the unhealthy life style is doing to their children. There is going to continue to be more research in the area of childhood obesity as it is starting at earlier ages and develops into co-morbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia. This is a topic that should also be taught more in nursing school. Just as the baby boomers age and are going to need lots of care, so are

NEWS4U: Childhood Obesity

the obese children. With that comes the need to be educated on how to prevent and educate the children and the families as a unit. The more the public health nurse can get involved in the schools and community, the odds are better that the rate of childhood obesity can at least level off and then drop as more families are educated and willing to change their lifestyles.

NEWS4U: Childhood Obesity

Resources Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2012). Summary health statistics for U.S. children: National health interview survey, 2011 (Series 10, Number 254). Retrieved from website: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/adolescent_health.htm Rabbitt, A., & Coyne, I. (2012). Childhood obesity: nurses' role in addressing the epidemic. British Journal Of Nursing, 21(12), 731-735. Stanhope, M., & Lancaster, J. (2012). Public health nursing population-centered health care in the community. (8th ed.). Maryland Heights, Missouri: Elsevier.